Barry O'Dowd & The Highlanders - Best Loved Christmas Songs

Scotland's very own Barry O'Dowd & The Highlanders provide us with a nice soundtrack for the festive season. The album contains most of the traditional Christmas songs all done with a Celtic vibe. Have a great Christmas...xx

1. Have a Merry Christmas                                                       
2. White Christmas                                                                       
3. Medley: The First Noel⁄Silent Night                                        
4. Medley: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer⁄Frosty the Snowman⁄Jingle Bells              
5. It's Sad to Be Lonely at Christmas                                            
6. Twelve Days Of Christmas                                                       
7. I'll Be Home For Christmas                                                                
8. Medley: We Wish You a Merry Christmas⁄The Holly and the Ivy⁄Away in a Manger        
9. Christmas in Killarney                                                         
10. Medley: O Come All Ye Faithful⁄Good King Wenceslas⁄Hark! The Herald Angels Sing   
11. Silver Bells                                                                                
12. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 

link to the free album

Barry O'Dowd & The Highlanders - Best Loved Christmas Songs

Eric Rigler - Traditional Celtic Christmas

Tis the season or so i have been told and will post accordingly. Eric Rigler's Traditional Celtic Christmas is a collection of eleven tracks that reflect the Celtic holiday experience. He mixes in the standard holiday selections "O Little Town of Bethlehem" with some Celtic-themed carols "Baloo Lammy", and the two mix quite well. Fans of Celtic music may want to check this out, as it definitely reflects a different side of Christmas.

  1. O Little Town of Bethlehem

  2. Angels We Have Heard on High

  3. Away in a Manger

  4. The First Noel

  5. I Saw Three Ships

  6. Silent Night

  7. Once in Royal David's City

  8. Angels from the Realms of Glory

  9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

  10. Baloo Lammy

  11. Auld Lang Syne

link to the free album

Eric Rigler - Traditional Celtic Christmas

Various Artists - Celtic Myst The Christmas Collection

Happy Celtic Christmas To All.....xx

1 Maire Brennan Rose Of Bethlehem
2 Sinéad O'Connor Silent Night
3 Clannad A Dream In The Night (Theme From 'The Angel And The Soldier Boy')
4 Secret Garden Celebration
5 Sarah McLachlan Song For A Winter's Night
6 Blackmore's Night Wish You Were Here
7 Ronan Hardiman Heaven
8 New Ireland Orchestra Mary's Boychild
9 Chris de Burgh A Spaceman Came Travelling
10 David Arkenstone Angels In The Snow
11 ERA Avemano Orchestral
12 Moya Brennan* Bright Star
13 Brian Dunning No Sandman, No Santa
14 Celtica Christmas Pipes
15 Kelly Family David's Song (Who'll Come With Me)
16 Loreena McKennitt Snow
17 Mike Oldfield In Dulce Jubilo
18 Kate Winslet What If
19 Ronan Keating Feat. Maire Brennan Fairytale Of New York

link to the free album

Various Artists - Celtic Myst The Christmas Collection

Captain Moonlight - Captain Moonlight

Captain Moonlight were a Melbourne [Australia] based group consisting of Martin Hanley, Anthony O'Neill, Noel Murphy, Joe Paolacci and Peter Dwyer.  As their 1982 album Captain Moonlight highlights they were obviously very competent musicians with a markedly eclectic output but with an emphasis on Celtic instrumentals. They also include Bernard Bolan's "Not many Fish in the Harbour Today"

1. Bonny Ship the Diamond (English traditional)
2. McFarlane's Lament (air)/ Earl's Chair, Banshee, and Faral Gara (reels)
3. Mines of Australia
4. Hag's Reel and Longford Collector (reels)
5. Not Many Fish in the Harbour Today" (Bernard Bolan)
6. Humours of Ballyloughlin (jig) - Black Creek (reel by Anthony O'Neill)
7. Maryborough Miner
8. Ril Gan Ainm, Devil's Dream, and De'il among the Tailors (reels)
9. Green Groves of Erin and Granny's Gravel Walks (reels)

link to the free album

Captain Moonlight - Captain Moonlight

Tomas O'Ceannabhain - Fonn le Fonn [Traditional Irish Dance Music]

Tomas O'Ceannabhain - Fonn le Fonn. Traditional Irish Dance Music on The Uilleann Pipes & Flute. The tunes are well treated and cleanly rendered with bits of tasteful variation to keep them fresh. Solo Flute & Uilleann Pipes by Connemara man Tomas O'Ceannabhain with excellent Piano accompaniment by Eugene Kelly. All tracks are traditional and there is one slow air on the flute.

01. Hornpipes: The Harvest Home/ The Boys of Bluehill
02. Jigs: The Humours of Donny-Brook/ The Bride's Farewell
03. Reels: Rolling on the Ryegrass/ The Lady on the Island
04. Slow Air: Casadh an Tsugain
05. Reels: Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel / The First House in Connaught
06. Jig: Cherish the Ladies
07. Set Dance: Madame Bonaparte
08. Reels: The Flogging Reel/ The Morning Star
09. Hornpipes: The Atlantic Sound/ The Quarrelsome Piper
10. Reels: The Silver Spear/ Miss McLeod's
11. Reels: The Boys of the Lough/ The Scholar
12. Single Jig: The Ballintogher
13. Reels: The Teetotaler/ The Ash Plant
14. Jigs: The Mug of Brown Ale/ The Cook in the Kitchen
15. Reels: George White's Fancy/ Buckley's
16. Jigs: The Tongs by the Fire/ A Health to the Ladies

link to the free album

Tomas O'Ceannabhain - Fonn le Fonn [Traditional Irish Dance Music]

Wendy Stewart & Gary West - Hinterlands

Hinterlands by Wendy Stewart and Gary West, pairs two of Scotland`s finest players on two of Scotland`s oldest instruments - the harp and the bagpipes. Wendy and Gary delve into their tradition and deliver a unique blend of song and melody performed with subtlety, skill and panache. Wendy and Gary have been playing together since they met in the 1980s in the Scottish folk group Ceolbeg, one of the leaders in the celtic revival. Wendy explains: ‘We have done a lot of playing together since Ceolbeg days, and have really enjoyed exploring the unique blend between bagpipes and harp.’

1. Full Moon Down Under
2. Marie Hamilton
3. Lancashire Hornpipes
4. Loch Tay Boat Song
5. Goodwife of Morpeth
6. Gordon Cottage Set
7. Ae Fond Kiss
8. The Twa Sisters
9. Rory Dall's Port Set
10. Todlen Hame
11. Ian Green / Miss Proud
12. Slave's Lament / Habanera Gris
13. The Company's Lament

link to the free album

Wendy Stewart & Gary West - Hinterlands

Flibbertigibbet - Whistling Jigs To The Moon

Alison and Dave Williams, the heart of the Mellow Candle Prog Folk band, later settled in South Africa for awhile in the late 70's and made this very rare and obscure album. A contemporary take on traditional tunes, different from their previous band, they produced this embarresment of musical riches. It is pure gold! Studio Album very rare, released only in South Africa [1978].

Line-up / Musicians
- Alison O'Donnell / vocals
- Dave Williams / guitar, vocals
- Jo Dudding / vocals
- Barrie Glen / guitarist
- Denny Lalouette / bass

1. The Blackleg Miner 

2. Little Roving Sailor 

3. Mariner Blues 

4. The Black Cap 

5. An Suisin Ban 

6. Medley (The Rose Tree/The Chanter's Song 

7. Blackberry Bush/Blackberry Blossom 

8. Whistling Jigs To The Moon/The Dancing Master's Reel 

9. The Brisk Young Window/Sheffield Hornpipe 

10. Seafarer 

11. Shepherd O Shepherd/Linnen Hall 

12. The Green Cockade 

13. Four Drunken Maidens/Rolling In The Hifht Grass 

14. Episodes

link to the free album

Flibbertigibbet - Whistling Jigs To The Moon

Angus Chisholm - Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm

This album consists of all the commercial recordings made by Angus Chisholm, the finest exponent of traditional Scottish fiddling ever to record. His playing is defined by the exciting perfection of his brisk, articulate phrasing, each note shaped with total control and exquisite tone, the product of bowing almost too good to be believed. And too, the feeling, the rare eloquence of his music is without peer. Angus Chisholm's playing is the standard all Cape Breton fiddling is measured by. And more, it is esteemed now around the world for its artistry and beauty. [source Richard Nevins]

Personnel:
Angus Chisholm, fiddle;
Maybelle Chisholm, piano;
Bess Sidall MacDonald, piano;
Elizabeth Mellett, piano;
Mickey McIntyre, guitar

1. Newcastle, President Grant (hornpipes)

2. Medley of Inverness Jigs

3. Mrs Murray / The 10 Pound Fiddle / The Baker

4. Miss Lyall / Brother's Letter

5. Miss Minnie Foster / Fred Wilson's Clog

6. Glengarry's Dirk / Bonnie Lass of Fisherow / Bird's Nest

7. Rothermurches Rant / Braes of Auchertyre / Braes of Glencoe

8. Moonlight Clog / Hennessey's Hornpipe

9. Miss Cambell's / Jordie Jig

10. Lochaber Gathering / Bob Johnson's March & Reel

11. Tea Gardens / Mrs McGee

12. Irish Hornpipe / Marguirite McNeill / Joan McDonald

link to the free album

Angus Chisholm - Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm

Nuala & Tomás Ó Canainn - Béal na Bláth

Recorded in 1982 on the Belfast "Outlet" label, this LP record featured traditional songs, airs and dance music played by "Na Fili" piper and singer Tomas O’Canainn with his daughter Nuala on fiddle. The 10 dance tunes are all original compositions by Tomas O’Canainn.

Tomás Ó Canainn [died in 2013] was an Irish Uilleann piper, accordion player, singer, composer, researcher, writer and lecturer. He was a founder of the group Na Fili with fiddler Matt Cranitch and whistle player Tom Barry in the late 1960s and 1970s. They gained considerable popularity and recorded several albums. Tomás Ó Canainn, both an instructor and performing musician, writes about and collects traditional Irish music. His books include Traditional Slow Airs of Ireland (2005, Ossian), Traditional Music in Ireland (1997 Music Sales Corporation), Seán Ó Riada: His Life and Work (2004, Collins Press), Fifeanna and Feadoga (2001, Cló Iar-Chonnachta Teo), Home to Derry (2004, Appletree Press), Lifetime of Notes (1996, Collins Press), Sean Ó Riada (1993, Columbia Press), and Songs of Cork (1978, Gilbert Dalton). His original compositions of Irish music are published in Tomas’ Tunebook: ‘New Tunes for Old’ (1998, Ossian)

Personnel:
Nuala Ó Canainn - fiddle
Tomás Ó Canainn - pipes, vocals

01. The Lower Drum Roll - With Marley to Galicia

02. Ar Lan Y Mor (On the Seashore)

03. Conlach Ghlas an Fhomhair (The Fresh Stubble of Autumn)

04. The Ennismore Potter / Father Michael Ryan's

05. Uir-Chill a Chreagain (Creggan Churchyard) 

06. Goirtin Eornan (Little Field of Barley)

07. Nuala's Fiddle / The Glanmire Gallop

08. Falkland Frolics / Kinsella, File

09. The Stranger

10. A Stóir Mo Chroí (Tresure of My Heart)

11. Eibhlin, A Rúin (Evelyn, Darling)

12. Máire Ní Mhaoileoin (Mary Malone)

13. Johnny's 21st / Ger's 21st 

link to the free album

Nuala & Tomás Ó Canainn - Béal na Bláth

Horslips - Live In Philadelphia 1979

This excellent quality Bootleg was recorded in Philadelphia in 1979 by the groundbreaking Horslips. Horslips are an Irish Celtic rock band that composed, arranged and performs their music based on traditional Irish jigs and reels. They are regarded as the 'founding fathers of Celtic rock' for their fusion of traditional Irish music with rock music and went on to inspire many local and international acts. The group formed in 1970 and disbanded in 1980 [don't believe this bit as they are still going strong]. A must have for any fan of the genre especially the majestic rocking version of Dearg Doom.


Personnel
Jim Lockhart - keyboards, concert flute, tin whistles, uilleann pipes, vocals
Johnny Fean - guitars, banjo
Charles O'Connor - fiddle, mandolin, concertina, vocals
Barry Devlin - bass guitar, vocals
Eamon Carr - drums, bodhrán, percussion

01 - Daybreak

02 - Drive the Cold Winter Away

03 - Ride to Hell

04 - Sidways to the Sun

05 - Sword of Light - Intro

06 - Sword of Light

07 - Daybreak-Reprise

08 - Loneliness

09 - Speed the Plough

10 - Sure the Boy was Green

11- Dearg Doom

12 - The King of the Fairies

link to the free album

Horslips - Live In Philadelphia 1979

Wildgeese - Celtic Music Of The Northwest

The missing master of the out-of-print recording, "Wildgeese: Celtic Music of the Northwest" featuring Randal Bays, Bill Bulick, Kate Power, Jim Chapman and Barry Crannell, produced by Mícheál ÓDomhnaill and engineered by Michael O'Rourke at Grass Roots studio in Portland 1983, was rediscovered by a friend of the band, Alan Garren, in 2007. Although there was some degradation when the tape was played back, it was salvagable. They decided to do what could be done to preserve the recording. The unmistakable touch of the master in the Mícheál ÓDomhnaill mix remained reverently untouched during the restoration and now the reissue of the original Wildgeese debut album is ready to share.

Personnel:
Randal Bays: fiddle
Kate Power: vocals, guitar, harmonium, percussion, 5-string banjo
Bill Bulick: flutes & whistles
Jim Chapman: whistles, bouzouki, harmonium
Barry Crannell: guitar, mandolin

01. Planxty Charles O'Connor / Kitty's Wedding / Sonny Brogan's

02. I Wish My Love Was a Red, Red Rose

03. Star Above the Garter / Saint Patrick's Day

04. Anach Cuain / The Blacksmith

05. Bush in Bloom / Maud Miller / Russ' Favorite / John in the Fog

06. Bridget O' Malley

07. Ryan's / Scotch Mary / Sweeney's Dream

08. Undressed Melody

09. Mist Covered Mountain / Monaghan's Jig

10. Verdant Braes of Screen

11. Wheels of the World / Maid in the Cherry Tree / Speed the Plow

link to the free album

Wildgeese - Celtic Music Of The Northwest

Various Artists - Scotland The Brave [Inspiring Sounds Of The Great Highland Bagpipes]

One of the most famous and awe inspiring sounds ever to have come out of Scotland is that of the sound of the Great Highland Bagpipe. For centuries throughout the world as Scottish troops have gone into battle the way has been led by the pipers, inspiring deeds of heroism and striking fear into the hearts of the enemy.  This album brings you some of the best tunes written for the pipes so that you can hear the sound of 'Scotland the Brave'.




  1. Piping Hot (Massed Pipes & Drums and Military Bands)
  2. Bonnie Dundee (Buccleuch & Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band)
  3. The Barren Rocks of Aden, The Earl of Mansfield (Chamber Pipes and Flute)
  4. The Rose of Allendale, Killiecrakie (Buccleuch & Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band)
  5. Skye Boat Song, The Fairy Dance, Corn Riggs (Pipe Major J MacLelland with Band of The Gordon Highlanders)
  6. Duncan McInnes, Teribus, Corriechollie's Welsome to the Northern Meeting (Buccleuch & Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band)
  7. Kilworth Hills, Dream Valley of Glendaruel (Chamber Pipes and Flute)
  8. Gaelic Air, Circassian Circle, Paddy's Leather Breeches, The Muckin O' Geordie's Byre (Pipes & Drums of 1st Batallion Scots Guards)
  9. The Piper's Waltz, The Stronsay Waltz (Buccleuch & Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band)
  10. The Crusaders, Caller Herrin', Scots wha Ha'e, The Bonnie Lass o'Fyvie (Pipes & Drums and Regimental Band the Scots Guards)
  11. Wooden Heart, Going Home (Buccleuch & Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band)
  12. Scotland the Brave (Pipes & Drums and Regimental Band of the Royal Highland Fusiliers)
  13. A.A. Cameron, Wiseman's Exercise, Donald Bain, The Barn Dance, Hieland Laddie, The Lads of Mull (Pipes and Drums of The Queen's Own Highlanders)
  14. Mist Covered Mountains, The Dark Island, O Gin I Were a Baron's Heir (Chamber Pipes and Flute)
  15. Murdo's Wedding, Wings, Leaving Liverpool, Tom Saunders, Roses of Prince Charlie (Buccleuch & Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band)
  16. Brigadier Snow, Shoals of Herring (Buccleuch & Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band)
  17. Ae Fond Kiss, My Love She's But a Lassie Yet, There Was A Lad Was Born in Kyle, A Man's a Man for A'That (Chamber Pipes and Flute)
  18. The Saffron Kilt, Lochanside (Pipes & Drums of 1st Batallion Scots Guards)
  19. The Rowan Tree, Bonnie Gallowa', The Waters of Kylesku, The Rocky Road to Dublin (Buccleuch & Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band)
  20. Archie McKinlay, Cullen Bay (Pipes and Drums of 1st Batallion Scots Guards)
  21. Amazing Grace (Massed Pipes & Drums and Military Bands)

link to the free album

Various Artists - Scotland The Brave [Inspiring Sounds Of The Great Highland Bagpipes]

Dominic Behan - Ireland Sings

Dominic Behan was an Irish songwriter, singer, short story writer, novelist and playwright who wrote in both Irish and English. He was also a committed socialist and Irish Republican. Born into a literary family, Dominic Behan was one of the most influential Irish songwriters of the 20th Century. He was a prolific composer and had more than 450 songs published during his lifetime. His songs were very popular in Ireland and also among the Irish living in Britain, especially "The Patriot Game", "McAlpine's Fusiliers", "Avondale", and "Liverpool Lou". In 1958, he released The Singing Streets: Childhood Memories of Ireland and Scotland on Folkways Records along with fellow folksinger Ewan MacColl. Behan, who was unequivocal in the defence of his copyright, publicly accused Bob Dylan of plagiarizing "The Patriot Game" in writing his own "With God on Our Side".

1 Not a Star From The Flag Shall Fade

2 The Sodding

3 Sit Yeh Down And I'll Treat Yeh Decent

4 Fineen The Rover

5 How Ceasar Was Driven From Ireland

6 Dicey Riley

7 Kerry Boatman

8 Trust In Drink

9 Love Of My Heart

10 My Redhead Mot From Ringsend

11 Brown And Yellow Ale

12 The Sea Around Us

13 Irish Famine

14 Patriot Game

link to the free album

Dominic Behan - Ireland Sings

Jeannie Robertson - The Great Scots Traditional Ballad Singer (Topic Records 10T52 1959)

Jeannie Robertson is a monumental figure in Scottish traditional song whose influence and importance as a preserver of folklore will sustain for as long as traditional ballads are sung.

Regina Christina Robertson was born into a traveller family in Aberdeen on October 21, 1908. Her father, Donald, who died a year later, was a piper and her mother, Maria, was a singer with a vast store of songs and stories.

There was music going back generations on both sides of the family and as Jeannie grew up in the traveller life, spending six months of the year in Aberdeen and spring and summer on the roads up Deeside and down Donside, there were musical gatherings round both hearthside and campsite. Music wasn’t just entertainment. The songs and stories formed guides to traveller history and lessons in life.

Some of the songs Jeannie sang weren’t quite as old as her callers suspected, as she often made up songs of her own while doing her housework. Her singing of ballads including her most celebrated song, Son David, and the Battle of Harlaw was, however, the long oral tradition at work and she gave battle songs added realism through visualising swords clashing and men falling as she sang.

In 1968, Jeannie was appointed MBE for services to folksong, an event made all the more significant since she was the first folksinger and the first traveller to receive this honour. She died in March 1975 having passed on her songs to students including her daughter Lizzie Higgins, her nephew Stanley Robertson, Ray Fisher, Andy Hunter, and Jean Redpath, and having enriched the lives of everyone who heard her sing.

01. The Bonny Wee Lassie Who Never Said No

02. What a Voice

03. My PIaidie’s Awa’

04. The Gipsy Laddies

05. When I Was No but Sweet Sixteen

06. MacCrimmon’s Lament

07. Roy’s Wife of Aldivalloch

08. Lord Lovat

Recorded by Bill Leader in 1959

link to the free album

Jeannie Robertson - The Great Scots Traditional Ballad Singer

John Doherty - Taisce: The Celebrated Recordings

The late John Doherty was one of the greatest traditional musicians ever to record, and fortunately he was recorded extensively with examples of his work from the 1950s to just before his death in 1980 being issued commercially on many different labels. Sadly some are no longer available. These justly celebrated recordings were originally made in 1974 and subsequently issued by Gael-Linn on a double LP in 1978. This is of course a CD of Donegal fiddle music, as exemplified by the drive and speed of the bow work and the sparse but intricate and dexterous ornamentation. The music on this CD is unmistakably that of Donegal but John Doherty's repertoire shows all the signs of cross fertilization from other areas in Ireland and Scotland

Donegal music is generally recognised for its strong clear tone, skilful bowing with little finger ornamentation. Johnny’s style bore all those hallmarks but was made much more dramatic by his aggressive staccato bowing and frequent use of double stopping. He was entirely self taught, read music, and key changes seemed unchallenging to him, no matter how awkward fingering became. The influence of the strong highland piping tradition in his family was noticeable by his vast repertoire of marches and strathspeys.

01. The Salamanca/The Flood on the Holm

02. The Cat That Kittled in Jamie’s Wig

03. Arthur Darley’s Jig

04. Kitty’s Gone a’Milking/The Dogs Among the Bushes/The Merry Sisters

05. My Love She’s But a Lassie Yet

06. Green Grow the Rushes-o

07. The Hen’s March over the Midden

08. McFarley’s Reel

09. Talk on learning the fiddle and his father’s criticism (omitted from CD version)

10. Bonny Kate

11. The Bluebells of Scotland

12. Miss Crawford

13. The Atlantic Roar

14. Easter Snow

15. The Drunken Piper/Lough Isle Castle

16. The High Level

17. The Low Level

18. King of the Pipers

19. Talk – John’s family and fellow musicians

20. Cathair Rua

21. Mammy’s Plaidie/The Boyne Hunt

22. The Japanese Hornpipe

23. The Old Man Rocking the Cradle

24. The Moving Bogs/The Fairy Reel

25. The Loughside

26. The Blacksmith’s Fancy/Mooney’s Favourite

27. The Donegal Reel

28. The Policeman’s Holiday

29. Air Gan Ainm/Stirling Castle

30. Lord Mayo

31. The Harvest Home

32. Lord Gordon’s

33. Miss Cunningham

34. The Liverpool Hornpipe/The Derry Hornpipe

link to the free album

John Doherty - Taisce: The Celebrated Recordings

Dwayne Côté - Introduction

Fiddler and composer Dwayne Côté was raised in a family deeply rooted in all aspects of Cape Breton, Irish and Scottish music traditions--his mother being a renowned dancer, instructor, and performer and his father, the late Gordon Côté, a celebrated Celtic fiddler and teacher. Dwayne has been performing since he was four years old and has played all over the world with artists like John Allan Cameron, Graham Townsend, Sean McGuire, Buddy MacMaster, Jerry Holland and Dave MacIsaac. A composer with more than 200 tunes registered with SOCAN, Dwayne is recognized as one of the most unique violinists and fiddlers in Atlantic Canada. This was his first release which came out on tape only in 1991.

 01-Top Of Cork Road

02-Blue Stocking Clog

03-Bog An Lochan

04-Dean Brig O'Edinburgh

05-Loch Earn Reel

06-The High Bridge Jig

07-Mrs. Ferguson Of Rath March

08-Ledy From Cavan Reel

09-Auld Robin Grey

10-Christie Campbell

link to the free album

Dwayne Côté - Introduction

Gary West - Islay Ball

From Pitlochry in Perthshire, Gary West learned his piping with the much-acclaimed Vale Of Atholl Pipe Band, with whom he played for eighteen years, winning both the Scottish and European Championships. In the late 1980s, Gary began to play a prominent role in the folk music scene, joining Ceolbeg in 1988, and was a founder member of the Scottish ‘supergroup’ Clan Alba in 1991, playing alongside such luminaries as Dick Gaughan and Brian McNeill.

The Islay Ball is the most entertaining piping album I've listened to in a long while. The mix of great tunes, high-quality piping, tasteful and musical arrangements, and excellent guest musicians combine to give a feast for the ears. I got this CD in August 2002. As I write this review 11 months later, the recording is just as fresh and exciting as the first time I listened to it.

Personnel: 
Gary West (highland pipes, Scottish small pipes, whistles);
Carlos Arrendondo (vocals, guitar);
Colin Matheson (guitar, keyboards);
Tony McManus (guitar, bouzouki);
Colin Campbell (fiddle);
Kath Campbell (cello, piano);
Wendy Stewart (electroharp, harp, concertina);
Stan Wilson (bass); Marcos Watt (percussion).

01. Fleshmarket Close/The Yellow Haired Tinker/The Mas - 4:00

02. Dixon's Highland Laddie/Rangers' Frolic/ - 4:08

03. Chi Mi'n Geamhradh - 4:38

04. Willie Angus Macdonald Of Melness/Cleveland Height - 3:51

05. Wendy's Favourite/The Half-Coupit Yowe/The Coupit - 4:34

06. The Plummeting Piper/Douglasfield/The Streaker/ - 5:01

07. Kilworth Hills - 3:49

08. Scarce O' Tatties/The Gold Ring/ - 4:46

09. A Camilo Jorge - 5:06

10. Saligo Bay/Cabar Feidh/The Islay Ball/Broadford Ba - 6:22

11. The Hag At The Churn/The Lark In The Morning/ - 4:21

12. Last Waltz At The Islay Ball - 4:43

link to the free album

Gary West - Islay Ball

Noel Hill - Irish Concertina

Hill is considered one of the best concertina players in Ireland today, and this, his first solo album (Claddagh Records CCF21CD - 1988), showcases his instrumental skills and his impeccable taste.

Clare is the home of the concertina in Ireland, and there is nobody who plays it better than Noel Hill, from West Clare. This is his only solo album, and on it he plays his instrument as it never has been played. There is fire and exuberance in his music, colour, exultation and total adherence to the tradition. Every lover of the concertina must own it.

Artists:
Noel Hill: concertina
Charlie Lennon: piano

01. Reels: Last Night's Fun / The Trip to Durrow

02. Slip Jig: The Boy in the Bush

03. Reels: Kiss the Maid behind the Barrel / The Dublin Reel

04. Strathspey: Laird of Drumblair

05. Reels: The Pigeon on the Gate, / Seán sa Chéo/Sean in the fog

06. Reels: Farewell to Ireland / Old Gorman's Reel / The Wind that Shakes the Barley

07. Air: Táimse im' Choladh/I am asleep

08. Reels: The Wise Maid / The Bells of Tipperary

09. Jigs: The Gold Ring / The Lark in the Morning

10. Reels: The Salamanca Reel / Over the Moor to Maggie / The Chicago Reel

11. Air: An Draigheann

12. Reel: The Thrush in the Morning

13. Hornpipe: The Drunken Sailor

14. Reels: The Moving Clouds / Devanny's Goat / McDermott's Reel

link to the free album

Noel Hill - Irish Concertina

Gerry McFadden - Irish Traditional Uilleann Pipes

Gerry McFadden is an excellent Uilleann Piper from belfast and is the Grandson of famous pipemaker Frank McFadden.Recorded in 1976 and rereleased on the Outlet label in 1996 Irish Traditional Uilleann Pipes is a very nice album of solo unaccompanied piping. Gerry has another album out called Drones from the Black Mountain. OAS 3032.

01. John Ryan's Polka/The Lark In The Morning
02. The Belfast Hornpipe/Derry Hornpipe
03. The Coulin
04. Merrily Kiss The Quaker
05. Fox Hunter's Jig/Fermoy Lassies
06. Roisin Dubh
07. Ace And Deuce Of Piping
08. March Of The King Of Laois
09. The Boys Of Bluehill/Chief O'Neill's Favourite
10. The Croppy Boy
11. Drops Of Brandy
12. Planxty Irwin/Si Beag, Si Mor
13. The Lark In The Clear Air
14. The Heather Breeze/The Boys Of The Town/Off To California
15. Cronin's Hornpipe/The Joy Of My Life
16. The Floggin' Reel/Drowsy Maggie

link to the free album

Gerry McFadden - Irish Traditional Uilleann Pipes

Angus Chisholm - Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm

The Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm: Legendary performances of traditional Scottish Fiddling, Shanachie Records, 1978. Angus Chisholm was one of the first fiddlers from Cape Breton to record a commercially available album. Decca released the recording 14004 on November 18, 1934: Rothermarches Rant, Braes of Auchertyre, Moonlight Clog & Hennessey Hornpipes. This album consists of all the commercial recordings made by Angus Chisholm, the finest exponent of traditional Scottish fiddling ever to record. His playing is defined by the exciting perfection of his brisk, articulate phrasing, each note shaped with total control and exquisite tone, the product of bowing almost too good to be believed. And too, the feeling, the rare eloquence of his music is without peer. Angus Chisholm's playing is the standard all Cape Breton fiddling is measured by. And more, it is esteemed now around the world for its artistry and beauty.

Players:
Angus Chisholm, fiddle;
Maybelle Chisholm, piano;
Bess Sidall MacDonald, piano;
Elizabeth Mellett, piano;
Mickey McIntyre, guitar

1. Newcastle, President Grant (hornpipes)

2. Medley of Inverness Jigs

3. Mrs Murray / The 10 Pound Fiddle / The Baker

4. Miss Lyall / Brother's Letter

5. Miss Minnie Foster / Fred Wilson's Clog

6. Glengarry's Dirk / Bonnie Lass of Fisherow / Bird's Nest

7. Rothermurches Rant / Braes of Auchertyre / Braes of Glencoe

8. Moonlight Clog / Hennessey's Hornpipe

9. Miss Cambell's / Jordie Jig

10. Lochaber Gathering / Bob Johnson's March & Reel

11. Tea Gardens / Mrs McGee

12. Irish Hornpipe / Marguirite McNeill / Joan McDonald

link to the free album

Angus Chisholm - Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm

Tannahill Weavers - Leaving St Kilda

The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scottish music’s most consistently exciting bands, known for their blazing, high-energy combination of highland pipes, flutes and percussive guitars. The five-piece band that recorded Leaving St. Kilda [1996] is the Tannahill Weavers’ most versatile lineup ever. Their new member, Duncan Nicholson, is another in the line of Tannies’ pipers that has also included Allan MacLeod and Kenny Forsyth, and his masterful playing of the highland pipes is matched by his skill on the Scottish smallpipes. Band stalwart Roy Gullane (guitar, vocals) is getting better with every passing year. His singing, rich and craggy, is an integral part of the hallmark Tannahill Weavers sound. Phil Smillie, the band’s other original member, plays the flute and whistle, and adds the thunder of the bodhran to the group’s driving arrangements. Les Wilson’s fiercely strummed bouzouki, atmospheric keyboards, and booming bass pedals are indispensable to the Tannahill sound, while John Martin (formerly of The Easy Club and Ossian) brings the lift and swing of the Scottish fiddle into the group’s arrangements. All together, these boys make a mighty sound that shouldn’t be missed!

1 Good Drying Set: Good Drying/The MacFarlanes/The Whistlebinkies Reel/Mulhair's Reel...
2 Hieland Harry: Hieland Harry/The Wee Highland Laddie (2nd Part)/Lieutenant Colonel D.J.S. M
3 The Rigs O Rye
4 The Athol Gathering: The Arthol Gathering/Donald MacLeod Reel
5 St. Kilda Set: Leaving St. Kilda/Major W. Knox, M.C./The Highland Brigade At Magersfontein
6 The Shearin's No For You
7 The Three Healths
8 Crann Tar Set: Angus G. MacLeod/Crann Tara/Fiona MacLeod
9 The Wars O' Germany
10 Islay Charms Set: Donald MacLeod/Islay Charms/Alena MacAskill/Donnie MacGregor
11 Last May A Braw Wooer
12 Farewell You Silver Darlin's

link to the free album

Tannahill Weavers - Leaving St Kilda

David Hammond - I Am The Wee Falorie Man. Folk Songs Of Ireland

This classic Folk album from 1959, features the vocals and guitar of influential Irish singer/ filmmaker/ David Hammond, the Belfast native credited with introducing the singer Van Morrison to Irish traditional music. In the early 1960 s Hammond developed a career with the BBC in Belfast, making radio and television programs which were quickly recognised as something revolutionary new and completely out of the ordinary. During more than two decades at the BBC Hammond produced award-winning documentaries and wrote books and pamphlets on music. He also collected folk songs and traditional ballads and involved himself in theatre, and was a fixture of the local music scene. His vintage album, "I Am the Wee Falorie Man," is a classic example of his song collecting skills, from the well-known to the obscure, delivered by a true craftsman.

1 "B" For Barney

2 All Round The Loney-O

3 Green Gravel

4 The Doffin Mistress

5 The Maid Of Ballydoo

6 I Know My Love

7 The Dark-Eyed Gypsy

8 Will Ye Go Lassie, Go?

9 Tis Pretty To Be In Ballinderry

10 Cruise Of The Calabar

11 As I Roved Out

12 The Wee Falorie Man

13 Rockin' The Cradle

14 I'll Tell My Ma

15 I Wish I Was A Maid Again

16 The Gallant Forty-Twa

17 Early, Early All In The Spring

18 When I Was Single

19 The Irish Girl

20 Fan-A-Winnow

link to the free album

David Hammond - I Am The Wee Falorie Man. Folk Songs Of Ireland

Donovan - Celtia [Unreleased Album]

 Celtia is an unreleased album that was recorded in February 1990 at Sulan Studios, Ireland. There's no record of this album until 2003, in issue number 17 of Pat Hehir's fanzine, Donovan's Friends. Suddenly, in that year of 2003 the album is supposed to be on sale, under the fictitious Durga Records label. There's no reliable proof about this fact, and there is no evidence that Durga Records ever released Celtia, you run into the same story over and over again on the Internet when looking for information about this album. According to Pat Hehir, after the disappointment of One Night In Time not being released, he took Donovan to Ireland to start a new project: Celtia. Hehir and Donovan went into Sulan studios, in southern Ireland, with a bunch of magnificent but not at the time very well known musicians, to join Donovan. Like in the old times, it took them just eight days to record the whole album. These songs were more rehearsal songs never intended for issue, until Hehir decided otherwise. The album was arranged by Maire Bhretnach and engineered by Dan Fitgerald.

Musicians:
· Donovan: acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocals.
· David Gilmour: guitar.
· Nigel Kennedy: violin.
· Sharon Shannon: box accordion and fiddle.
· Noël Bridgeman: congas, drums and percussion.
· Anthony Thistlewait: mandolin and slide mandolin.
· Colin Blakey: whistles and flutes.
· Eleonor McIvoy: violin and backing vocals.
· Maire Bhretnach: violin, celtic strings, backing vocals and electric violin.
· Dan Fitgerald: tambourine.
· Steeve Cooney: bass, didgeridoo, lead acoustic guitar, bass and finger picking guitar.
· Mandy Murphy: backing vocals.
· Astrella Celeste: spoken.

01. Watching The Sun Go Down

02. Moon Over Clare

03. Glasgow Town

04. The Ferryman's Daughter

05. Ghost Of Pagan Song

06. Where Are You Now

07. Living On Love

08. Madrigalinda

09. Lake Isle Of Innisfree

10. I Love You

11. Wahine

12. Down By The Harbour

13. Against Your Will

14. Rock Me

15. Lover O Lover

16. Awakening Year

17. Everlasting Sea

link to the free album

Donovan - Celtia [Unreleased Album]

Spriguns Of Tolgus - Jack With A Feather

Mike and Mandy Morton formed Spriguns of Tolgus as an acoustic duo at their own folk club in Cambridge in 1972. They took the name "Spriguns" from a malignant Cornish pixie and Tolgus from a tin mine in Cornwall. Initially the band relied on traditional songs, particularly ballads, from England, Scotland and Ireland and were similar in sound to Steeleye Span. The Mortons were joined by Rick Thomas (fiddle) and Chris Russon (electric guitar), producing soft-focus electric folk on a self-financed tape recording, Rowdy, Dowdy Day (1974). This drew them to the attention of Steeleye Span's Tim Hart, who produced their first vinyl album, Jack with a Feather (1975), contributing the song "Seamus the Showman", beside traditional material such as the Child Ballads's "Flodden Field" and "The Twa Magicians" (the last of which Steeleye Span had recorded the year before) and the Irish songs "Let no man steal your Thyme" and "Curragh of Kildare". The album, despite a very short run of pressings, together with Hart’s involvement, helped increase the band’s profile sufficiently to gain attention from a major label.

1 Lambton Worm

2 Let No Man Steal Your Thyme

3 Derby Ram

4 Jigs: Rakes Of Malo / St. Patrick's Day / Ten Penny Bit

5 Flodden Field

6 Troopers Nag

7 Curragh Of Kildare

8 Keys Of Canterbury

9 Twa Magicians

10 Seamus The Showman

11 Barren Banks Of Aden

link to the free album

Spriguns Of Tolgus - Jack With A Feather

Mirk - Tak A Dram (Afore Ye Go)

Mirk were a splendid Scottish Folk trio that released two albums, "Moddan’s Bower" in 1979 and "Tak a Dram Afore Ye Go in" in 1982. Mirk was formed in the mid-1970s in the far North of Scotland (Thurso in Caithness to be more precise) by Ian and Marjorie "Margie" Sinclair and Ray Crompton, later supplemented by Jim Sutherland, who went on to Edinburgh to form The Easy Club. A nice album with strong vocals mainly supplied by Margie Sinclair backed up by fine music.

Group:
Cittern, Bass, Mandolin, Bodhrán – Jim Sutherland
Electronic Bagpipes – Andy Corsie
Vocals, Fiddle, Guitar – Ian Sinclair
Vocals, Guitar, Mandola, Mandolin, Harmonium – Ray Crompton
Vocals, Harmonium, Autoharp – Margie Sinclair

Why Should I?

Dowie Dens O Yarrow

Lady Charlotte Durham

Bonnie Wee Lassie's Answer

Och Hey, Johnnie Lad

PM George Ross's Farewell To The Black Watch/Capt. Lachlan MacPhail Of Tiree

Glenlogie

Cairn-o-Mount

Fareweel To Cape Helles

Glasgow Caithness Centenery Gathering/Eighth Black-Watch On Passchendale Ridge/John Keith Lang/Bill Powrie

Tak A Dram (Afore Ye Go)

link to the free album

Mirk - Tak A Dram (Afore Ye Go)

De Danann - Live in Bielefeld 1989

The mighty De Danann captured live in Bielefeld Germany in 1989 for a local FM radio broadcast. This album was recorded live at the Museum Bochum, Bochum; the Ravensberger Spinnerei, Bielefeld; the Schloss Kirchheim, Kirchheim/Bayerisch Schwaben; in Germany December 10, 1989. That's all i know about this gem and would appreciate any additional information.


De Dannan: 
Eleanor Shanley (vocals);
Alec Finn (guitar, bouzouki);
Frankie Gavin (fiddle, flute);
Aidan Coffey (accordion);
Colm Murphy (bodhran).

01 Announcement.

02 The Rights Of Man & The Pride Of Petravore

03 Announcement

04 Joe Derrane's Reel, Galway Rambler, Jerry Hollands Reel

05 Announcement.

06 Taim I Mo Shui.

07 Frankie Goes To Degen.

08 Announcement.

09 Rambles Of Bach.

10 Announcement.

11 Widowed & DEad.

12 Announcement.

13 Up And Away, Patsy Towhey's Jig, Doberman's Wallet

14 The Call And The Answer.

15 Announcement.

16 Hard Times.

17 [Unknown Instrumental].

link to the free album

De Danann - Live in Bielefeld 1989

Emmet Spiceland - First

Emmet Spiceland was an Irish folk band formed when brothers Brian Byrne and Michael Byrne of the Spiceland Folk Group joined forces with Dónal Lunny, Brian Bolger and Mick Moloney's Emmet Folk Group. Emmet Spiceland hold a special place in Irish music history as the first of their kind, bringing what was, at the time, a modern sound, to the previously stiff and conservative national airwaves. They were known for beautiful harmonies, pin-up good looks, Mod style and previously unheard of contemporary arrangements of Irish classics. The band enjoyed screaming Beatlemania-style scenes at public appearances after a number of chart successes, with the single "Mary from Dungloe" hitting number one. The single was taken from their album, The First released in 1968 featuring songs by Shay Healy and Christy Moore, with orchestral arrangements by Phil Coulter. Christy Moore praised the band in a documentary of his life.

1 Reynard The Fox

2 My Lagan Love

3 Stór, Stór A Ghrá

4 Lover's Ghost

5 A Couple O'Jigs

6 Bunclody

7 Mary From Dungloe

8 Autumn Has Come

9 Pretty Susan

10 Slieve Gallion Braes

11 O'Carolan's Concerto

12 The Curragh Of Kildare

link to the free album

Emmet Spiceland - First

Pererin - Haul Ar Yr Eira

Pererin, meaning "Piligrim" in Welsh, are to Wales what Runrig  has been to Scotland. They perform traditional and traditionally inspired original material that combines spiritual and romantic themes with a strong helping of Nationalistic pride and a desire to preserve their own unique culture. They sang only in Welsh, and even English sleeve notes are even hard to find. Their original
LPs command a high price, but recent CD reissues have guaranteed their accessibility and their legacy.

Pererin evolved from a more overtly progressive rock group named Bran that released three albums between 1975 and 1978, to release three of their own from 1980 to 1982. While Pererin emphasized the folk element, they were no less progressive, thanks to thoughtful arrangements that featured plenty of mellotron and mildly acidic electric guitar, imaginative percussion, ambitious song structures, and various mood shifts. The variety of styles explored was impressive, from very traditional to symphonic to country flavoured to just plain eclectic, so unless you have a real aversion to folk or non-English songs, you will find something to like among Pererin's rich if abbreviated legacy.

A 4th album was released on cassette only but is nearly impossible to find information about, let alone obtain a copy.

Haul Ar Yr Eira

Titrwm Tatrwm

Dechrau Y Gân

Cân Y Melinydd

Ni Welaf Yr Haf

Royal Charter

Glöyn Byw

Llongau Caernarfon

Hiraeth Y Môr

Pan Ddaw Y Brenin Yn Ôl

link to the free album

Pererin - Haul Ar Yr Eira

JSD Band - Travelling Days

The JSD Band were an influential Scottish-based Celtic and folk rock band primarily active from 1969 to 1974 and then again briefly from 1997 to 1998. The band released five full-length albums, and numerous singles and special releases, many of which are still sought after by collectors from around the world. The JSD Band formed in 1969 and derived its name from the first letter of the first name of each of its three founding members: Jim Divers, Sean O’Rourke, and Des Coffield. Chuck Fleming and Colin Finn also joined the group rounding out the five-member lineup. Travelling Days released in 1973 was a high point in the groups career and was to be their last release for over 20 years.

"Galway Races"

"Fishin' Blues"

"Sarah Jane"

"Travelling Days"

"King's Favourite"

"The Cuckoo"

"The Dowie Dens O' Yarrow"

"Down the Road"

"Young Waters"

"The Green Fields of America"

link to the free album

JSD Band - Travelling Days

Natalie & Buddy MacMaster - Traditional Music From Cape Breton Island

Tradtional Music from Cape Breton Island is a straight-ahead recording of classic Cape Breton medleys played as duets by two of Cape Breton 's finest fiddlers Buddy MacMaster and his niece Natalie MacMaster.

Natalie MacMaster explains the thinking behind the recording of this masterful album "There is a cassette tape I often listen to of uncle Buddy and John Morris Rankin at the firehall in Mabou in 1986. It occurred to me one day that Buddy and I should record some of those tunes together in a studio, as we had never done so before. The music would be a keepsake for our family and we could have the option of using a track or two on one of our own future solo recordings.

After playing some of these great “Buddy tunes” together, we both felt quite good about the music and reached the conclusion that this recording should become its own CD – a permanent imprint of a family tradition passed down from uncle to niece. This tradition also includes my aunt (Buddy’s sister), Betty Lou Beaton on piano.

I have predominantly listened to Buddy’s fiddling throughout my life –on home recordings, at square dances and live at family gatherings and parties. He has influenced my fiddling immensely. This recording is a tribute to his music, our family traditions and to Cape Breton Island". ~~ Natalie MacMaster

Artists:
Buddy MacMaster: Fiddle
Natalie MacMaster: Fiddle
Betty Lou Beaton: Piano
Dave MacIsaac: Guitar

01. The King George Medley
King George the Fourth
The Old King’s Reel
The King’s Reel
Miss Lyle Reel
The Bridge of Bamore
   02. The Little Pickle
Pet of the Pipers
The Little Pickle
The Rosewood Jig
The Road To Skye
Scotty’s Fitzgerald’s (Sandy MacIntyre)
   03. Scourdiness
MacKenzie Hay
Scourdiness (Charles F. Sherritt)
Miss Baigrie
   04. The Red Shoes
Welcome to the Trossachs (Wilfred Gillis)
Miller O Drone
Miss Lyle Strathspey
The Devil in the Kitchen
The Margaree Reel
The Yetts of Muckart
Mrs. Margaret MacDonald’s Delight
The Red Shoes (Dan R. MacDonald)
Bonnie Nellie
05. The Dougall Creature
Mom’s Jig
The Soldier’s Cloak
Come Haste to the Wedding
The Inverness Jig (J. D. Kennedy)
The Man on the Moon
Tipperty Jean
Miss Campbell’s
The Dougall Creature
   06. Primrose Lasses
Niel Gow’s Lamentation for James Moray of Abercairny
Miss Ann Moir’s Birthday
The Duke of Gordon’s Birthday
The Primrose Lasses
The Bear in the Buckwheat
   07. Iona House (Buddy Solo)
Iona House (Wilfred Gillis)
Daft Willie Dawson
Willie Fraser’s (Donald Angus Beaton)
Lady Mary Stopford
The Lasses of Stewarton
08. The Stage
The Stage Hornpipe
The Tarra Broach
Laybourn’s Hornpipe
Blind Nora O’Neill
The Bonny Lass of Fisherrow
   09. The Leg Of The Duck
Jessie Ann’s Favorite (Gordon MacQuarrie)
The Rose Burn (Dan R. MacDonald)
Bain’s Jig
Mrs. A. MacGlashan
The Leg of the Duck
10. The Warlock
The Warlock
Bog an Lochan
Flora MacDonald
The Nine Point Coggie
Malcolm Finlay
Johnny Sullivan’s
11. The Bonnie Lass of Headlake
The Bonnie Lass of Head Lake (Gordon MacQuarrie)
12. Wilfred’s Fiddle
Wilfred’s Fiddle Jig (Dan R. MacDonald)
The Clay Pipe
Sandy McGaff
The Unfortunate Rake
The New Fiddle (Dan R. MacDonald)
   13.  The Ten Pound Fiddle (Natalie Solo)
The Bald Headed Bachelor
The Sunshine Hornpipe
The Ten Pound Fiddle
Mrs. Smyth of Methven’s

link to the free album

Natalie & Buddy MacMaster - Traditional Music From Cape Breton Island

Father O'Flynn - Father O'Flynn

Mighty fine and extremely rare album of Irish Folk music released in 1982 by believe it or not a group of German musicians. The group were active between 1982 and 1997 and released three solid albums this being their debut is made up of renditions of Traditional Celtic songs.

Kid On The Mountain
As I Roved Out
Polkas
Are You Sleeping, Maggie
Easter Monday
Lord Franklin
Rockin' Timour
Move Along
King Of The Fairies
Came Ye O'er Frae France
Dance, Dance
Calton Weaver
Birthday Cake

link to the free album

Father O'Flynn - Father O'Flynn

Carreg Lafar - Profiad (Experience)

This was the most impressive album from Welsh folk group Carreg Lafar. They had a strong line up in 2002, with impressive and passionate vocals, both female and male and a very accomplished instrumental line-up of fiddle, flute/whistles, guitar and assorted bagpipes/mandola/percussion. A good ear for a melody and some excellent arrangements make this stand out as one of the finest albums of Welsh music I have heard. The songs range from the spirited composition by Meic Stephens "Dic Penderyn", describing a Welsh working-class hero who was executed following the Merthyr riots of 1831, driven along by the guitar, with arabesques of melody from the other instruments interspersing the verses, to the haunting love song "Lloer Dirion" which makes excellent use of guest Claudine Cassidy's cello. Many of the songs are enlivened by tunes written by members of the band, and the slow air "Llanllechid" is a particularly fine duet between violin and Lawson Dando's beautifully judged piano. The band have been making great strides. [source Paul Burgess]

1 Dryw Bach

2 Profiad

3 Lloer Dirion

4 Dic Penderyn

5 Llanllechid

6 Y Gwanwyn

7 Dyffryn Cletwr

8 Seren y Bore

9 Cariad Cyntaf

10 Tri Pheth

11 Iechyd o Gylch

link to the free album

Carreg Lafar - Profiad (Experience)

McCluskey Brothers - Aware Of All

The McCluskey Brothers AKA The Bluebells of Young At Heart fame deliver a mighty fine Celtic Folk album recorded in April 1986 at Berkley Street Studios, Glasgow. . Very hard to find these days sadly it's a most underrated album, each song better than the last. Anyone who hasn't heard this album is depriving their ears of a good time. From the bold use of instrument and voice comes twelve songs of distinction. The haunting title track stirs the blood and makes you proud of these lads for taking the bit between the teeth and producing such a fine collection on one album. Go on, give yourself a treat and download it from the link below today.

Band:

Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Vocals – David McCluskey
Bodhrán – Davie Duncan
Hurdy Gurdy – Jan Whightman
Mandolin – Raymond Davidson
Pipe, Fiddle – Chris Miller
Vocals, Harmonica, Whistle – Ken McCluskey

01 On Yer Bike

02 Tell Me Truly

03 Bold Young Men

04 Street Corner Blues

05 Union Burial Ground

06 Aware Of All

07 John McLean March

08 If I Had A Dream

09 Only Our Rivers Run Free

10 Set The People Free

11 Take Loving Easy

12 Willie Lee

link to the free album

McCuskey Brothers - Aware Of All