The Storm

Recorded in 1985, The Storm represents the final and most musically ambitious statement of Moving Hearts' original run. Following the departure of Christy Moore, the band opted to move in an entirely instrumental direction, a move that alienated some folk purists but garnered immense respect from the jazz and progressive rock communities. The album is anchored by the 13-minute suite 'The Lark,' which showcases the band's ability to fuse traditional Irish melodies with complex, shifting time signatures and jazz-inflected improvisation. The production is quintessential mid-80s, featuring warm analog synths and a polished, punchy drum sound that provides a modern foundation for the ancient sound of the uilleann pipes. Critically, it is regarded as a landmark in Irish music, effectively inventing a new genre of 'Celtic Fusion' that would influence countless artists in the decades to follow. When the band re-formed in 2007, it was this specific material they chose to center their live performances around, cementing its status as their definitive work.