The Fureys - The Spanish Cloak: The Best of the Fureys (1998)

Following their formation in the mid-'70s, the Fureys became one of Ireland's premier traditional groups. A family band, the group came together several years after brothers Finbar and Eddie Furey had already been playing and recording as a duo. Younger brothers George and Paul Furey had joined singer Davey Arthur in a band called the Buskers and eventually the two acts would merge together with Arthur joining the four Furey brothers on and off in various incarnations over the years. Continuing with the approach set by Finbar and Eddie, the group was known for pairing uilleann pipes (usually reserved as a solo instrument) with guitar and vocals, which had initially caused consternation among traditionalists and purists in the folk scene. Represented here on The Spanish Cloak are 24 tracks from the band's prime years evenly split with 12 vocal tracks and 12 fiery instrumentals. Billed as a best-of collection, it does contain much of their best-known output with a couple of notable omissions. Their number one chart hit "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" is nowhere to be found, nor is one of their other most recognizable songs, "Green Fields of France." Still, it's a wonderful collection by a band with their own unique sound who helped push the boundaries of traditional Irish music.