Donegal Musicians

And it is precisely this talent that a German from Duisburg, who has lived part-time in Rann na Feirste (Donegal) for the past 45 years, has called upon to produce this superb album, Healing Hands, with all proceeds going to the charity Doctors Without Borders. To do this, Harald 'Mór' Juengst called on the cream of Donegal's traditional music scene, 17 musicians and singers who graciously donated their services to the project.

Let's have a look. First up is Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, fiddler and singer with the band Altan, who kicks off the album with a song originally written and composed for her daughter Nia: Seinnimid.
Then it's the turn of singer Jacqui Sharkey to cover a well-known traditional, The Blacksmith, popularised in the 70s by the group Planxty.
She is followed by Éamon Mc Elholm (Stockton's Wing, Solas) with a beautiful song of his own, The Wild Atlantic. Then the two accomplices Ian Smith, singer and guitarist, revisits his song Keadue Strand, and fiddler Stephen Campbell, who composed Healing Hands especially for the album.

There are also sean-nós singers Conall Ó Gallchóir, Caitríona Solan and Suzanne Uí Ghallchóir, as well as Anne Croke, singer with the group Fior Uisce, who covers one of Altan's songs, The Flower of Magherally (The Red Crow 1990), with her deep, expressive voice. A real delight.
Also the part, the flûtiste Seosamh Mac Grianna, also member of Fior Uisce, which interprets the standard Inis Oírr. Then there's harmonica player Tom Byrne on two tracks.
And how to under silence the main between them, Manus Lunny (Capercaillie), real man orchestra which plays on almost all titles and contributes to personal with the song Mhadadh Beag. Manus, in whose studio most of the tracks were recorded, also co-produced the album.
And let's not forget Harald 'Mór' Juengst, who didn't just instigate the project. It is himself musician, percussioniste (bodhrán, cajon.), which introduced here a new instrument, the handpan, sort of ovni metal which possesses ten tones sound allowing play percussions, agreements and melodies. This instrument is present on all the tracks and blends perfectly with the Irish music, adding a new colouring to it.

This project was originally planned for 2018. However, a nasty pandemic affected the publication of the album, and it was only in the summer of 2023 that this magnificent album saw the light of day.
An absolutely fantastic album that you'll be sure to buy to support the work of Doctors Without Borders.

LSR CD 003 – www.harald-juengst.com - juengst@sheevon.com