$14.99

Lúnasa has emerged in the last few years as a front-runner in traditional Irish music. Taking their name from an ancient Celtic harvest festival, the band maintains a pure traditional sound in spite of the folk-rock influence you might expect from former Waterboys member Trevor Hutchison, who plays double bass and cello for Lúnasa. The group plays a bright mix of jigs and reels, highlighting a long list of traditional instruments — fiddles, flutes, uilleann pipes (similar to the bagpipes, but much smaller and less dominating) and the bódhran, a traditional Irish drum — against a backdrop guitars and Hutchison's occasional cello. The CD contains a good mix of tempos — lots of upbeat tunes, with an occasional, haunting air mixed in.

Altan burst onto the Celtic folk scene in the 1980s as a young band reviving a pure traditional sound. "The Best of Altan" spans the band's entire history, including flute melodies from the late Frankie Kennedy, who died of cancer in the early 90s. Kennedy's death dealt a hard blow to the band, but after a period of grieving, Altan regrouped, and today, they continue to be one of the most respected names in traditional Irish folk music. Originally from Ireland, they have toured on four continents. Their music is driven heavily by flutes and fiddles, and the piercing voice of Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, who sings in a mixture of English and Gaelic.

$14.99

Most of the tunes on this disc are traditional, but Solas sprinkles a modern pulse into their music with some creative percussion, acoustic guitar syncopation, and unusual time signatures. Lead singer Karan Casey's voice weaves together nicely with the fiddles, flutes, and accordion, without overwhelming them. For newcomers to Irish music, Solas is a great starting point. Some of their tunes are pure traditional sounds, while others have a hit of jazziness.

Eileen Ivers is a beast on the fiddle. Her fingers fly with amazing speed and accuracy, and she's got phenomenal bow control, which evokes exciting rhythms. "Wild Blue" is a compilation of traditional tunes, plus a few saucy, modern compositions which, even more than the above Solas CD, feel almost jazzy at times. Ivers is exciting to listen to. She is a true master of her instrument. She is backed on this CD by traditional flutes and pipes, guitar and bass, and even some occasional African percussion. This CD is the least traditional of the five in this "Traditional Folk" category, but Ivers avoids crossing over into a rock sound. While she wavers from pure Irish music , she maintains a thick Celtic coating throughout "Wild Blue."

Gaelic Storm gained mainstream recognition when they appeared as a group of session musicians in the movie, "Titanic." Their music is has more of a working class sound to it than the above artists. Stories shine brightly in their lyrics. In many of their tunes, they rely heavily on banjo and mandolin along with other traditional instruments to define their sound. This CD offers a nice mix of old Celtic favorites and lively originals.

$11.98

Great Big Sea come from Newfoundland, a part of Canada with a strong seafaring influence. All four musicians have profound talent on their instruments, but what makes them one of the most powerful Celtic folk rock groups out there is their vocals (they often sing in three- and four-part harmony) and their unbridled passion for fun. Lead singer and guitarist Alan Doyle's voice has a subtle raspiness that grabs you and makes sure you are really hearing the lyrics. They play a mix of rocking sea shanties, gripping a cappela tunes, and festive drinking songs infused with playful lyrics ("The old black rum's got a hold on me like a dog wrapped 'round my leg...."). They even do a Celticized cover of REM's "End of the World as We Know It."

$14.99

The Paperboys are in close competition with Great Big Sea in the contest to be the world's most festive Celtic folk-rock band. Also from Canada, they weave together an infectious mix of Celtic folk, rock, and bluegrass, with an occasional hint of salsa. Lead singer Tom Landa was born in Mexico City and brings occasional Latin sounds and even a few Spanish lyrics into the music. Some of the tunes on this CD have a strong rock influence, while others are pure Celtic folk. There are also bluegrass-influenced tunes, including a banjo-driven cover of "I've Just Seen a Face" by the Beatles. In the last couple of years, changes in the band's line-up have pulled them away somewhat from their original Celtic core sound. Their newer CDs are equally good, but if you are looking for a heavy Celtic influence in their music, "Molinos," their second album, offers lots of opportunities for you to dance a jig.

$11.98

The Waterboys began as a Bob Dylan'esque rock band, but by the late 80s, they had drifted heavily into their Irish folk roots. "Fisherman's Blues" is by far their best Celtic CD. Tunes from the CD have shown up in a variety of movies including "Waking Ned Devine," "Good Will Hunting," and "The Matchmaker." Most of the songs on this CD are heavy on fiddle and bouzouki, laced with the usual rock instruments, piano, and an occasional accordion. Mike Scott's voice has an earthy sound that helps you picture a salty fishing village in western Ireland as you listen to the music.

$18.99
(IMPORT)

If you are looking for rowdy, foot-stomping, bang-your-Guinness-glass-on-the-table music, buy this CD and play it loud. The Pogues have been around for years with their boozy blend of Celtic folk-punk. Lead singer Shane MacGowen is a legendary singer, a legendary songwriter, and a legendary drunk. Rumor has it he has not been sober a day in his life since his early teens. He has been denied entry into the US before because he was too intoxicated when his plane landed. In spite of his frightful alcoholism, he has somehow managed to write dozens of musical masterpieces over the years. He sings with a raspy, mean-sounding voice that rips through the air and commands attention (though when he appears live, it's often with a dazed, childlike smile. He is like an Irish Ozzy Osbourne.) The rest of the band is comprised of tough-looking punk rocker types who play an unlikely mix of banjos, accordions, saxophones, and the usual rock instruments. The lyrics are brilliant. The tunes will wake you up. Unfortunately, "Fall from Grace" is out of print in the US, but the import is well worth paying for.

$10.98

Whereas Shane MacGowen is a crazy drunk, Ashley MacIsaac is just plain crazy. I've seen him play live in a kilt, army boots, and a fluorescent hunter's cap. He has also appeared on stage in a cow costume. Strange taste in clothing aside, he possesses incredible talent. He comes from Cape Breton, a Scottish outpost in Nova Scotia, and he plays his fiddle with a typical Cape Breton fiddle style — lots of quick, staccato notes. But Ashley MacIsaac is far from typical. He rips into his instrument with bow-shredding fury. He plays rough and reckless — more concerned with energy than sounding polished, yet surprisingly, his speed and accuracy rival Eileen Ivers (see above). The end result is adrenaline-spiked, fiddle-driven Celtic grunge. Then, just when you think you have him figured out, he surprises listeners with an occasional mellow and touching slow tune. This CD takes a few listens to warm up to. Once you get a feel for where MacIsaac is coming from, it's hard not to dance.