A sorely underappreciated genre of music, both here in the United States and abroad, Celtic music (traditional or otherwise) has nonetheless seen a revival of interest in the past few decades. While many of us conjure up an image of surly kilted fiddlers performing in the jovial atmosphere of some tucked-away Scottish pub, Celtic music encompasses a wide range of nations and variations; the music of the people of Wales, Cornwall (England), the Isle of Man, Brittany (France), and Galicia (Spain) also fall under the umbrella of the Celtic folk genre. In addition, even within the widely recognized realm of Scottish (or Irish) music, the Celtic sound has been adapted and entwined into a wide range of "hybrid" music styles that can please many a diverse listener. As a staunch lover of a grand old tune myself, I've gone through my copious library of scores and selected a few of my favorite Celtic artists, for the perusal (and subsequent aural enjoyment) of you, my dear reader...
1. Liz Carroll
Carroll's proficiency with the fiddle brings out all the pleasant dissonances and suspended in-between tones that give Celtic music it's distinct quality of making one want to laugh and cry all at once. Her most scintillating collaboration with guitarist John Doyle (pictured above), in my opinion, is their album In Play - first a song of mischief, now one of sorrow... and finally, so, so many of pure, unbridled joy.
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Liz Carroll:
"The Silver Spear / The Earl's Chair / The Musical Priest"
"Island of Woods"
"Castle Kelly / Galway Rambler"
2. Milladoiro
Now here's a fine specimen of Galicia's music for you! The Milladoiro musicians have successfully infused Scotch-Irish, klezmer, Middle Eastern, and medieval overtones into their markedly Spanish style, offering a varied listening experience made possible by a ridiculously long list of instruments used from all over the world.
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Milladoiro:
"Foliada de Tenorio"
"Negra Sombra"
"Agua Nova"
3. Alasdair Fraser
A dynamic fiddler with great sincerity and ability to convey all shades of tonal coloring, Alasdair Fraser takes his listeners through a complete circle of every aspect of traditional Scottish music - from pensive laments to themes and variations to foot-tapping, wild reels. His many collaborations with Natalie Haas (pictured with Fraser, above) are of a particularly special aural delight.
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Alasdair Fraser:
"The Sailor's Wife / The Lads of Duns"
"Keys to the Cellar"
"Are Ye Sleeping, Maggie?" (ft. Paul Machlis)
4. Seo Linn
Ah! Will you take a look at this magnificent group of would-be musical dissenters? Being of a younger species, the musicians of Seo Linn blend traditional Irish folk music and all-Gaelic lyrics with modern pop and indie styles, creating a fresh and irresistible pulse filled with reminiscence for the old, and hope for what's yet to come. Between their upbeat singles and heartfelt renditions of old favorites, Seo Linn is the band to keep an eye on for the next few years!
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Seo Linn:
"Óró Sé do Bheatha Bhaile" (Irish folk song)
"D’Aon Ghuth Amháin" (original composition)
"Music Makers" (orig. comp.)
Follow Seo Linn on Facebook for concert dates and amazing cover-work!
5. David Arkenstone
It's a bit difficult to pin Arkenstone as a Celtic musician per se, as this jack-of-all-trades has composed in a wide range of styles including trance, ambient and new age. However, both his studio albums and game soundtracks clearly show the influence of such a sound aesthetic, with their deep, forward-running motion and almost tragic caprice.
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for David Arkenstone:
"Sleepsong" (fr. Celtic Garden)
"Misty Mountain Morning" (fr. Celtic Garden)
"The Fairy Ring" (fr. Spirit of Ireland)
6. Celtic Fiddle Festival
With their unstoppable energy, the musicians of the Celtic Fiddle Festival group pay homage to the bygone ages of great Scotch-Irish and Breton music.
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Celtic Fiddle Festival:
"La Belle Catherine"
"Loch Leven Castle / Mary MacDonald'sReel"
"Farewell To Ireland / Foxhunter's Reel"
7. Nolwenn Leroy
This French singer, who focuses mainly on pop music in her native tongue, released a stunning Celtic-inspired album in 2010, aptly titled Bretonne. Her mesmerizing covers of traditional Breton and Irish songs hold a special place in my heart... along with her simple music videos full of quixotic costumes.
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Nolwenn Leroy:
"La Jument de Michao"
"Mná na hÉireann"
"Tri Martolod"
8. Relativity
Relativity was active only for two years, from 1985 to 1987, formed of two pairs of siblings who were all solo Scotch-Irish folk artists at the time. With a wistful sound that the nuanced ear often associates exclusively with Celtic music, their songs remain - to this day - among my all-time favorites.
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Relativity:
"The Hut On Staffin Island / Sandy MacLeod Of Garafad / The Soft Horse" (ft. Johnny Cunningham)
"Siún Ní Dhuibhir"
"Ceol Anna / A Ribhinn Og Bheil Cuimhn Agad"
9. The Killdares
"Whiskey in the Jar"
"Brave Mourning"
"Farewell to Decorum"
10. Clannad
Perhaps one of the most diverse (not to mention successful) Celtic folk groups of our day, with their unique fusion of jazz, new age and folk rock into the traditional Irish style, Clannad has been going strong since 1970. Not a wonder, really, when they boast some of the most haunting pieces of music ever written in the Celtic genre. As a band that's quite literally been everywhere and done everything, Clannad should definitely be on your daily soundtrack - even if they didn't quite make it onto Braveheart's.
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Clannad:
"Crói Cróga"
"Buachaill Ón Éirne"
"Newgrange"
11. Dolores Keane
This Irish singer of worldwide popularity, with her hoarse but lovely voice and heartfelt ballads, is perhaps one of the closest in sentiment (if not sound) to the ancient Irish poets who sang of battles lost and forgotten. A sometime actress, Keane has also recently been given the all-clear after her long battle with cancer, a grand occasion for celebrating, to be sure.
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Dolores Keane:
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" (ft. Tommy Sands)
"Aragon Mill"
"Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears" (ft. Sean Keane)
12. Moving Hearts
Here's my Carefully Curated Song List for Moving Hearts:
"Tribute to Peadar O'Donnell"
"Finore"
"The Lark"
