Other places to go on the web are www.rootsworld.com and www.cdroots.com
My favorite Celtic group/artist is the Chieftains, the Beatles of Irish music (in my own opinion). These guys are probably the most respected, and certainly the most travelled, of any traditional Irish group past or present. Just take a look at some of the people they've collaborated with: Van Morrisson, Sinead O'Connor, Bonnie Raitt, the Corrs, and many others. This group has clearly earned its respect in the music business. Paddy Moloney and his colleagues have been performing and recording from the 1960's on, and I think they sound as fresh today as they did thirty years ago. I have one album of theirs: Water from the well (released in 2000). The songs on this album are all traditional, representing many different areas of the Emerald Isle. Many of the tunes have guest artists - not the superstar guest artists of past albums, but rather the Chieftains' fellow Irish musicians, friends and colleagues of the band for many years. Most of the songs are toe-tapping, hand-clapping barn burners performed with the Irish sense of joy. Just try and not dance to these great tunes! Other songs are more pensive, musicially reflecting the beautiful Irish countryside. Every song on the album is great, so I'd recommend picking Water from the well up at any respectable music store. Boy, would I love to hear BeauSoleil collaborate with the Chieftains!!
In 2002, the Chieftains released a brand new (or is it?) album, called "The Wide World Over: A 40 Year Celebration". It's a collection of their collaborations with popular artists over the years. There probably won't be another 40 years, but hopefully at least another ten.
Chieftains music and more on amazon.com
A Chieftains fan page
There's one artist that deserves special mention on this page. Her name is Natalie MacMaster, from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Cape Breton, was, I believe, settled mostly by Scottish immigrants. Therefore it has a long-standing tradition of fiddle playing, a tradition all its own. Many popular fiddlers have come from Cape Breton, but none are more popular today than Ms. MacMaster. I first heard her music on a Celtic channel on some internet radio station, and I loved it from first listen. I've listened to many more of her songs since then, and I've come to the conclusion that she is one of the best traditional fiddlers in the world today. Her music can be either very beautiful and heart-warming, or fast and furious. She accomplishes what I'd like all musicians to accomplish: She brings out joy with every single note. Every Natalie MacMaster song I've heard is as incredible and awe-inspiring as all the others.
In April 2002, I had the great pleasure of attending one of Natalie's concerts, right here in Eugene!! It was an amazing night, she, along with her band, was full of energy and fire, and performed very well for us. Natalie sure knows how to work a crowd :) Oh, and I heard she is now engaged to be married :) Congrats Natalie!
Please do yourself a favor and check out this awesome female fiddle pro's home page at www.nataliemacmaster.com
Ashely has become quite the controversial figure in Canada. He is openly gay, and he's been known as sort of a troublemaker. No one knows what exactly he'll do next to bring attention to himself. The fact that he plays celtic music in a very modern style has also brought negative attention to him. No matter what happens away from the music, though, he is definitely a talented fiddler.
Ashley's official webpage
Ashley's music on amazon.com
One of the most amazing Irish groups around today, as far as I've heard, is Lunasa. They play music in the traditional style, much like the Chieftains, but their songs seem to have more of a modern attitude. It's just good quality stuff. You can find their webpage here.
Scotland has brought the music world some great traditional and non-traditional bands. One of my favorite bands right now is the group "Old Blind Dogs." Hailing from Aberdeen on the Northeast coast, they play traditional and new songs with great Scottish singing, great traditional instruments such as fiddle, flute and pipes, as well as modern percussion and drums to give the music an updated sound. The singing can be touching and catchy, and the band can play either slow, traditional tunes or barn-burning originals with great ease. They have a sound that I just absolutely love, and I think I will buy one of their albums someday. Their website is here.
Another great Scottish band is (actually, was) Silly Wizard. They played mostly traditional tunes, and the thing that made them stand out was their singer, Andy M. Stewart. Andy is considered one of Scotland's finest singers, and I agree. He has that cool, exotic Scottish brogue which adds to the beauty or fun of any song he sings. Silly Wizard broke up in the late 1980's, but Andy's still going strong, and you can find his website here.
One of the more popular female Celtic singers today is Susan McKeown. I first heard of her when she came to Eugene in the fall of 2000. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see her perform, but I did listen to some of her songs online. Her voice has a haunting beauty, and she certainly sings differently than most Celtic singers I've heard. Her website is at www.susanmckeown.com.
Mixing the traditional and the modern, Kila has fused Irish folk with world percussion and international musical themes and sounds. They don't hit you over the head with their innovations, though. Most of their songs bring the new influences in with a delicate touch that keeps the overall Celtic sound. However, once in a while they will explore the wilder side of their musical talents and make songs that sound very worldy. Their website is at www.kila.ie.
Another group that takes sort of the same approach as Kila, only amps it up 180 degrees, is the Afro-Celt Sound System. This innovative group started as an experimental project in 1992, and has since released three exceptional albums. ACSS is a blend, a mixture of three things: Celtic instruments and sounds; African/Tribal drums, percussion and attitude; and modern techno/electronica flowing throughout. The emphasis is not on one particular element of this blending; rather, all three elements co-exist to create something new, powerful and international.
The Afro-Celts are on RealWorld records, founded and run by world music guru Peter Gabriel. They play WOMAD often, as far as I've heard, and they tour around the world. Their music is fun to listen to. It will grab you by the throat and won't let go until you've succumbed to the infectious beats and lyrics. This music is full of energy, energy that crosses boundaries and speaks all languages. ACSS's official website is www.afrocelts.com, and their site at RealWorld Records can be found here or here. Enjoy this group, and let the music move you.