So, this coming up holiday holds major fun and significance for me. It’s my favorite holiday of the year because, well… see… it’s my holiday. My name’s Patrick. And it’s my holiday.
I’ve decided that this year I’m going to make a CD mix cd for friends and am looking for further suggestions. I have a cd of drinking songs as well as some flogging molly songs. Other groups for me to check out? Other songs to suggest?
What do you guys think?
I’m rather fond of Dropkick Murphys. They have a CD called “Live on St. Patrick’s Day.” Don’t know how to describe them if you’ve never heard of them before - Boston metal punk, I guess. Their best-known song is “Dirty Water.”
facesmack Yes of course I’ve heard of them, no wonder my music collection has been lacking! Thanks!
Gaelic Storm
albums best to good:
Tree
Gaelic Storm
Special Reserve (best-of)
How Are We Getting Home?
Herding Cats
They have beer-chugging contests between band members on stage during performances.
Good Rats–Dropkick Murphy’s
Seven Drunken Nights–a lot of different versions. Try to look for the live version where the audience yells out “Hey Wife!” when the time comes.
There’s one about old ladies stuck in a lavatory (oh dear, what could the matter be?) but I’m blanking on the name. Google isn’t helping.
These are three that leap to mind.
If you can find a copy, try Cruachan’s “Some say the devil is dead” off Pagan.
I am fond of some of the House of Pain stuff.
Also the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are pretty kickass. Get their pre-“Impression That I Get” stuff. Like “Devil’s Night Out”. I would include one of their several versions of “Drunks and Children.”
Oscar Brand is the artist (artist?) who penned “Oh Dear, What can the matter be?
Seven Old Ladies, locked in the Lavatory”…
How about Tom Lehrer’s An Irish Ballad ?
Drinking songs: At the very least you want *7 Drunken Nights, The Wild Rover * and Whisky in the Jar, you can choose your favourite versions from the many out there.Personally, I like the Dubliners for good trad songs, but Thin Lizzy’s version of *Whisky in the Jar * has a special place in my heart.
These are usually the only three songs that Irish people can remember all the words for, no matter how drunk they get.
If you really want to pin your colours to the mast, try and get a version of the Fields of Athenry, the unofficial Irish rugby song and another big drinking anthem for the particularly patriotic.
For modern Irish trad with a twist, you could do a lot worse than Kíla, I saw them live on Paddy’s day a few years ago (it wasn’t planned, they just happened to be playing in the pub I was in) and they were great!
Christy Moore (formerly of Planxty), has some wonderful material, and you can’t beat Shane MacGowen’s Dirty Old Town.
Um, THE POGUES.
They aren’t really Irish but a couple of bands that have some wonderful drinking songs (and that are on my rotation for St Paddy’s day along with most of the mentioned above) are Great Big Sea and Captain Tractor.
Some favourites
Captain Tractor: Dublin Lullaby, Another Drinking Song, Up The Hill, Drunken Sailor
Great Big Sea: Well, pretty much anything by them is always on rotation on that day in the bars I’ve frequented. I’d recommend The Night that Patty Murphy Died, Old Black Rum, Donkey Riding, Captain Kid and Mari-mac. All are fun to sing along (heck, nearly all of their songs are…)
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Beautiful Game” is a show about Irish football (soccer), with a marvelous score, including “God’s Own Country” and “Let Us Love In Peace.”
As a Civil War buff, I highly recommend David Kincaid’s album “The Irish Volunteer.” Some great stuff.
I’ve already inputed, but I just want to say I’m going to see Gaelic Storm on St. Patrick’s Day, outside of Chicago.
I’m very exited.
How about my favorite Irish disc, Danny Boy, a compilation of twelve different renditions of, what else, Danny Boy…
Thank you NailBunny, I thought as I read through this list “Somebody better mention the Pogues before I get to the end of this or I’m taking a hostage.”
Or something.
Heheh, I had the same thoughts! Like, my St. Patrick’s CD’s always started with the Pogues and then I looked for different stuff beyond that!
Lots of other good stuff mentioned though. Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys are great.