# ISO Celtic music that doesn't suck **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 18, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536 "2003-04-18T13:18:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![noddygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/47e85d/32.png) [@noddygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/noddygrrl)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/1 "2003-04-18T13:18:49Z")
I know there was a recent thread on Celtic music, however the OP in that thread was looking for new age-y Celtic stuff, and that’s exactly what I _don’t_ want. 😉 I know very little about the genre, but my music tastes as a rule run toward less commercial-sounding styles. From what I have heard, I really enjoy Altan and Lunasa, as well as Kate Bush’s more Celtic moments…so I guess I’m looking for more bands of that ilk. I don’t like Clannad, Enya or Loreena McKennitt too much. I’m not necessarily looking for purely traditional Celtic stuff, but not too interested in rock-fusion either. I do like the Pogues, but I’m in the mood for something a bit darker. ---
**Author:** ![rexnervous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/2 "2003-04-18T14:57:33Z")
From your OP I guess I haven’t a clue what you’re really looking for 😃 , but [this guy’s great.](http://www.kelticnations.com/catalogue/celtic_cds/egan.htm) At the age of 15 (!) he won the All-Ireland musical championships in **4 different instruments.** However, it is traditional. He’s also part of a band called [Solas](http://www.kelticnations.com/catalogue/celtic_cds/solas.htm) . Also traditional, and occassionally edging towards the Enya direction. Prob. not what you are looking for, but thought I’d drop it in. By the way, if you have seen the movie **The Brothers McMullen** , Seamus Egan composed and played the music. ---
**Author:** ![Wyld\_Stallyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Wyld\_Stallyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wyld_Stallyn)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/3 "2003-04-18T15:14:35Z")
If ya want folkier, more traditional stuff, The Clancy Brothers rule ass. Also, there’s a band from my home turf of Albany NY called Hair of the Dog that plays good traditional stuff. ---
**Author:** ![mogiaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mogiaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mogiaw)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/4 "2003-04-18T15:22:46Z")
Check out Kila. They combine “celtic” music with different percussion. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Brian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c89c15/32.png) [@I\_Brian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Brian)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/5 "2003-04-18T15:32:29Z")
You could always check out this list of free tracks at [mp3.com](http://mp3.com): [Airin’s Quality Period Music](http://stations.mp3s.com/stations/228/aairins_quality_period_music.html) ---
**Author:** ![Lyllyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@Lyllyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyllyan)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/6 "2003-04-18T15:47:53Z")
How about **Seven Nations**? You may want to check out **Christy Moore** as well. He is more of club performer than a commercial artist, IMHO, but his rendition of “Ride On” is absolutely wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/7 "2003-04-18T15:53:55Z")
Well, if you like the Pogues, you might want to check out Flogging Molly. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/8 "2003-04-18T18:17:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by noddygrrl \* > \*\*I do like the Pogues, but I’m in the mood for something a bit darker. \*\* :eek: _Darker_ than the Pogues? ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/9 "2003-04-18T19:03:51Z")
**Malcolm’s Interview** - Breakfast in Bedlam **The Real McKenzies** - Pissed Tae th’ Gills _or_ Clash of the Tartans **The Saw Doctors** - If This Is Rock’n’Roll, I Want My Old Job Back ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/10 "2003-04-18T19:23:25Z")
While most of the Celtic stuff I like is along the lines of the Pogues, Flogging Molly, and Black 47 (corny as they may be), I do enjoy a few bands that may be appropriate for the OP. Capercaillie might fit the bill. Then again, you might find them too new agey. I’m not sure. Some of their songs sound more traditional than others. Afro-Celt Sound System is another good band. Again, some of their songs (e.g. Persistance of Memory) are decidely mainstream, but others (e.g. Whirl-y-Reel) have the sound that I think you’re looking for. Double Indemnity is an obscure band that I stumbled on by accident. When I searched for them on the web a year ago, I only came up with one result, an offhand reference to the band. Most of their songs aren’t original, but they do terrific covers of traditional tunes. I searched high and low, but couldn’t find a place to buy a CD of theirs, so I had to settle for MP3s. I’d say my favorites are probably “Donald McGillavry,” “Lover’s Heart,” “Butterfly-Drowsy Maggie,” and “Star of the County Down.” Also check out the Green Linnett 20th Anniversary CD. That gets mentioned in pretty much every Celtic music thread around here. There’s a reason for that. It rules. It’s also fairly easy to find. I picked up my copy at a Barnes & Noble. There’s also the Dubliners. If you want something sad, check out “The Last of the Great Whales” or “Town I Love so Well,” with the latter being one of my grandma’s favorites. She’s been listening to Irish music since she was a kid jamming to John McCormack in the 1930s, so her advice is worth listening to. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/11 "2003-04-18T19:41:03Z")
Noddygrrl: As a choice, he might be too obvious and his music might be bluesier than what you’re looking for but have you checked out some of **Van Morrison’s** stuff (especially his _Astral Weeks_ CD). ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/12 "2003-04-18T20:11:38Z")
You might want to give Slainte a shot. As I remember, they had a bunch of their songs up on [mp3.com](http://mp3.com) so checking them out isn’t that big of a deal. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2003, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/13 "2003-04-19T21:57:09Z")
Most of the Celtic stuff I listen to is pretty traditional. You might like **Clandestin** or **Old Blind Dogs** though. **Niamh Parsons** is a wonderful singer, not like Loreena or Enya. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/14 "2003-04-20T00:25:14Z")
What the hell is “ISO” Celtic music? Is that Celtic music as defined in an ISO 9000-type standard? > [@](#): > > **5.1 Musical content - General** > > 5.1.1 Fiddling > > The band shall include no fewer than two fiddlers, at least one of which must be able to dance a jig while playing. > > 5.1.2 Step dancers > > When playing, the band may use step dancers. Step dancers may not be counted as instrument players. All step dancers must dance without ever moving their arms. > > 5.2 Names > > 5.2.1 Seamus > > At least one band member shall be named Seamus. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/15 "2003-04-20T01:26:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by noddygrrl \* > \*\*From what I have heard, I really enjoy Altan and Lunasa, > > \ > > I’m not necessarily looking for purely traditional Celtic stuff… \*\* If you like Altan and Lunasa…you like trad music. For trad music, I highly recommend [Dervish](http://www.dervish.ie) from County Sligo. (their link seems to be down as I post…check out the [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=music&field-keywords=dervish&search-type=ss&bq=1/002-2822945-6480040) listings. ) They may be a bit popish for your tastes…but you could always check out [Great Big Sea](http://www.greatbigsea.com) FWIW, I own some “Hair of the Dog” as well…they’re more “bar sing along Irish” than trad music. I enjoy them…but they seem to not be what the OP is looking for. ---
**Author:** ![noddygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/47e85d/32.png) [@noddygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/noddygrrl)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/16 "2003-04-20T05:24:51Z")
Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Sorry if the OP wasn’t clearer…trad music is just fine, but I’m also open to other things. Just not looking for New Age or “bar sing along Irish” right now. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/17 "2003-04-20T15:09:07Z")
I second **beagle** ’s recommendation of **Dervish**. I caught them live at Symphony Space here in NYC a couple of weeks ago; an absolutely amazing show. I now own the first and most recent studio discs as well as the two-disc live set from Palma. That Cathy Jordan has some set of pipes, and she’s a babe, too. The Dervish website linked to above seems to be down for some reason, so try [this](http://www.dirtynelson.com/linen/feature/69dervish.html). ---
**Author:** ![Lionors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c37758/32.png) [@Lionors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionors)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/18 "2003-04-30T04:17:19Z")
There’s an NPR program, “Thistle and Shamrock” that you might want to check out. [The website’s [http://www.npr.org/programs/thistle/](http://www.npr.org/programs/thistle/). ] Even if you aren’t close to a station that broadcasts it, you could possibly look at some of the show’s old playlists to get some ideas. The host, Fiona Ritchie, is Scottish, and has been devoted to Celtic music for years. Very nice, too – she used to produce the program at one of the stations I worked for, and was always willing to share info. While it’s not quite Celtic, you may want to check out old traditional Appalachian mountain ballads and _old_ bluegrass, too. [NOT contemporary bluegrass.] I actually got interested in Celtic music myself when I heard a group performing a ballad I remembered my great-grandmother used to sing. Turns out, of course, that a lot of the old mountain music originated in Scotland and Ireland, and just got handed down over the years. Good luck and hope you find something. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/19 "2003-04-30T04:36:20Z")
I have news for you: You have embarked on the never-ending search. 😃 Just kidding. My wife likes this N. Parsons person. I can’t spell her first name correctly, and the wife is asleep. Someone help me out, here! * * * Scottsmen wear kilts because sheep can hear zippers. ---
**Author:** ![bterwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@bterwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bterwill)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536/20 "2003-04-30T05:05:30Z")
Since it hasn’t been mentioned, I will add **Ashley MacIsaac** ([http://ashley-macisaac.com/](http://ashley-macisaac.com/)) and **The Prodigals** ([http://www.prodigals.com/](http://www.prodigals.com/)), sound clips on the sites. I would also second Seven Nations, Flogging Molly, and Old Blind Dogs. Also, I would add The Chieftains just in case. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-celtic-music-that-doesnt-suck/169536.md?page=2)