Moving Hearts is an Irish Celtic rock band formed in 1981. They followed in the footsteps of Horslips in combining Irish traditional music with rock and roll, and also added elements of jazz to their sound.

Career

The group was formed in 1981 when Dónal Lunny (bouzouki) and Christy Moore (vocals, guitar and bodhrán), of Planxty, wanted to explore the possibilities of linking contemporary music to Irish traditional music. They initially intended to form a trio with guitarist Declan Sinnott, but then expanded the group to include established Irish musicians Keith Donald (alto sax), Eoghan O'Neill (bass), Brian Calnan (drums), and Davy Spillane (uilleann pipes).

This laid the basis for a powerful, new Irish sound, which was coupled on the band's first two albums, Moving Hearts and The Dark End of the Street, with songs of explicit political engagement, often concerning the situation in Northern Ireland.–now the Fishguard Folk Festival–in 1986. In 1990, the band performed at Dublin's Point Theatre for a sold out farewell concert, with McSweeney on vocals.

Moving Hearts re-formed in 2007, announcing concerts in Dublin and at the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway. The new line-up was: Lunny, Spillane, O'Neill, Donald, Kellaghan, Eccles, Drennan, Kevin Glackin and Graham Henderson.

They continue to reunite for occasional concerts every few years. The 2022 line up is Lunny, Spillane, Donald, O'Neill, Eccles, Drennan, Bradley and Henderson.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Moving Hearts (1981)
  • Dark End of the Street (1981) – Musicassette with two entire studio albums (Moving Hearts & Dark End of the Street)
  • Dark End of the Street (1982) – Vinyl LP with 10 tracks from two studio albums (Moving Hearts & Dark End of the Street)
  • Dónal Lunny's Definitive Moving Hearts (2003) – CD with 13 tracks
  • The Platinum Collection (2007) – CD with 14 tracks

Filmography

  • Live in Dublin (Recorded 2007, released 2008) – DVD

References

  • Moving Hearts Biography. Page at Tara Records website.