Albums

My Favorite Irish Albums

Here is a list of my favorite Irish or Celtic albums. I hope you find them inspirational!

The Long Black Veil is the Chieftains' album that got me interested in playing the tin whistle!
Gaelic Storm by Gaelic Storm, the steerage band in Titanic, and my favorite Irish band. Plenty of reels, jigs, and pub songs. The energetic songs are brimming with Irish humour and fun. Instruments include vocals, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, bodhran, and spoons. You will be singing these delightful tunes everywhere you go. My favorite songs are "Johnny Jump Up," "Tell Me Ma," and "The Leaving of Liverpool."
Herding Cats by Gaelic Storm. Their second album has a lot more original songs. As lively as the original, with some poignant tunes sprinkled in as well. I loved the hauntingly sad "She Was the Prize." Another delightful song is "Titanic Set," the polkas that were played during the steerage dance scene in Titanic. A peppy and fun song that is so good you'd think it's traditional is "Drink the Night Away." A treasure.
Tree by Gaelic Storm. The wonderful 3rd album from this talented group. The multitalented Kathleen Keane is a new member of the band--listen for her amazing fiddling, beautiful singing, and fabulous tin whistling.
Celtic Ragas by Chinmaya Dunster and Vidroha Jamie. A beautiful blend of Indian sarod and guitar. Amazingly original. My favorite songs are "Chance Meeting," "The Mists of Ruantallain,"and "The Goddess."
The Corrs Live [in Japan] by the Corrs. This band is also a family. The vocals, whistle, fiddle, bodhran, and keyboard are wonderful. My favorite songs are "Toss the Feathers" and "Forgiven, Not Forgotten."
Omnis by Anuna. Mesmerizing mix of songs. Some are in English, some in Old English, some in Irish Gaelic, and some in Latin. My favorite songs are "St. Nicholas," "The Flower of Magherally," "Geantrai," and "Agnus Dei."
The Holy Ground by Mary Black. Her gorgeous voice shines in songs like "Summer Sent You," and the moving traditional song "The Holy Ground." The title song is one of the most beautiful Irish songs I have ever heard.
Song for Ireland by Mary Black. My favorite songs are "Ellis Island" and "Song for Ireland." The latter is a poignant tribute to her home.
Meav by Meav. I'm so glad to hear this solo album from the breathtaking Irish soprano, Meav, of the music group Anuna. Beautiful songs. Alternately haunting and lilting. She has chosen an interesting selection of traditional and modern songs. I especially like the stylistic range she shows in "Si Do Mhaimeo I," and "One I Love." (For more of Meav, see entry on Anuna's Omnis above.)
New Day Dawning by Cherish the Ladies. This album is a great mix of mellow songs like "Green Grow the Rushes, O" and upbeat ones like "The Galway Rover." A joy to listen to.

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