What 5 traditional Irish music recordings would you recommend

I'd personnaly avoid the Wolfe Tones.

a band of mediocre musicians singing rebel songs that treat the provisional IRA the same way as the IRA that fought in 1916 and 1922.

We were all into them as teenagers, I even have an album, but I can't separate the musisc and the message.



SJB

This is potentially a huge topic so what follows are a very few of what I consider the best of "traditional" Irish folk music.

Some recommendations, which only begin to scratch the surface - not sure if all of these are still obtainable:

Melodeon:

Seamus Begley and Jim Murray - ragairne Dara TORCD 1132

Or

Jackie Daly - Jackie Daly Topic 12TS358

Fiddle:

Tommy Peoples and Paul Brady - The High Part of the Road Shannachie 29003
Or
Kevin Burke - If the Cap Fits Mulligan LUN 021

Uillean pipes:

Paddy Keenan - Paddy Keenan Gael Linn CEF 045
Paddy Keenan - Na Keen Affair Hot Conya Records HCR 01
Paddy Keenan - The long grazing acre Hot Conya Records HCR 03

Or
Seamus Ennis - Seamus Ennis Topic 12TS250

Flute:

Matt Molloy- Matt Molloy Mulligan LUN 004

Voice:

Dolores Keane and John Faulkner - Broken Hearted I'll Wander Mulligan LUN 033

p.s.

You asked about bands:

anything really by;

Altan
Danu
De Dannan
Dervish
Lunasa
Patrick Street
Solas
Stockton's Wing (early stuff, they went mid-atlantic later)

Has anyone come across an Irish band called 'Iona'? A friend played my a track which was on his laptop - it sounded quite good - he knew nothing about them other than their name and where they come from.

quote:

Originally posted by Nigel Cavendish:
p.s.

You asked about bands:

anything really by;

Altan
Danu
De Dannan
Dervish
Lunasa
Patrick Street
Solas
Stockton's Wing (early stuff, they went mid-atlantic later)

Thanks Nigel - I've now got some these on order.

Nigel,

That is a great list!

Ref other earlier posts,
....I would also be way of Republican Celtic music.
....Stocktons Wing - have not thought about them for years. I used to think there was a line in Born to Run where Springsteen sang the words Stocktons Wing!

Just arrived in the post:

Grada - The Landing Step
Altan- Harvest Storm
The Legend of Sweeney's Men
Eleanor McEvoy

Unfortunately - have to do some work now, but will be listening later.

Rotf

tread softly



SJB

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:
tread softly



SJB

OK - so who recommended Altan and Garda?

Just like to say they are both fantastic records - so thanks.

I think I'll play them again.

Sweeney's Men - well the Anthology contains some tracks by members of the men in other groups as well as the first couple albums by the men. It starts very strongly and there are some great songs on it, but there are some weaker tracks. Nonetheless, thanks for the recommendation and it certainly has enough gems on it to keep me happy.

BTW Altan - are brilliant. Grada not far behind. I liked Eleanor Mcaevoy too. Oh and, in case I didn't mention it, I think Altan's Harvest Storm is a fantastic album.

Now listening to Altan's Local Ground and it is just as good as Harvest Storm - i.e. superb.

Fantastic - thanks for the recommendation!

Hi Rotf,

I've heard a few tracks on the radio from Solas' 10 year (reunion of sorts) live cd and they sounded very good.





Regards

JOhn


SJB

De Dannan &(Mary Blacks First solo album )

quote:

Originally posted by Blueknowz:
De Dannan &(Mary Blacks First solo album )

Thanks Blueknowz

I have Mary Black's first elpee and thoroughly agree with your recommendation. I have quite a few Mary Black records and have seen her in concert five or six times.

The De Dannan catalogue looks very interesting - thanks.

I have an record by an Scots/Irish outfit; 'Relativity' comprising members of The Bothy Band and Silly Wizard. Haven't listened to it in years but I remember it being very good.