Hello! This page is part of an opinionated overview of Celtic and British folk music, with record reviews by me, Joe Sixpack... This is not meant to be taken as a "definitive" resource, but rather as a record of some of the music which has caught my interest. I am always looking for more good music to explore, so your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Niamh Parsons "Loosely Connected" (Greentrax/Green Linnet, 1992)
A powerful new voice on the Celtic trad scene, Arcady vocalist Niamh (prounced, "Neeve") Parsons emerges as a solo artist on this strong but uneven debut. Although she excels on several traditionally-oriented tunes, Parsons also indulges in some lamentable pop crossovers, following (in both instances) in the footsteps of foremothers such as June Tabor and Maddy Prior. This has some nice stuff on it, and reveals her as a surprisingly mature-sounding performer, with a gorgeous and multifaceted voice. Still, you're probably better off trying out one of her later albums -- they are more consistent and more tightly focused. Some of the rock stuff on here works (notably "Play A Merry Jig"), but some of the opening tunes stop just short of disaster, as do the leaden, Mary Black-ish slower ballads.
Niamh Parsons "Blackbirds And Thrushes" (Green Linnet, 1999)
This was the first Niamh Parsons album that really made me sit up and take notice. In this stately collection of traditional Irish tunes, Parsons fulfills the promise hinted at on her earlier solo album and her work with the band Arcady. This is easily one of the best Celtic albums of the last five years or so, with simple yet arresting arrangements, and absolutely gorgeous melodies. Parsons' voice draws well-deserved comparisons to June Tabor and Sandy Denny, not simply in terms of the purity of tone, but also in her ability to move and control her listeners. She is, quite simply, a fabulous singer. The material, too, is challenging, especially for know-it-all folkies who may be familiar with other versions of these fine songs -- "Sally Sits Weeping" is a second cousin to the well-known "My Johnny Was A Shoemaker" -- and the story-song, "The Maid On The Shore," will have modern listeners on the edge of their seats as a heroine is abducted by a band of lusty sailors intent on sharing her favors (which simply makes the wee lass laugh). How does it turn out? I ain't telling. You'll have to find out for yourself. But trust me, you can't go wrong with this record.
Niamh Parsons "In My Prime" (Green Linnet, 2000)
The title says it all -- in the span of a handful of years, Ms. Parsons has arisen as one of Ireland's greatest traditionalists, with a voice that has become markedly earthy, stately, and resonant. Drawing on a variety of sources -- Scottish and English as well as Irish -- her new album is a further refinement of last year's majestic Blackbirds and Thrushes... Fans of June Tabor and Sandy Denny who have despaired of the Islands producing a comparable new diva may want to sit up and take notice of this lass... While a bit dour, Parsons has great emotional presence, and her choice of repertoire is faultless. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of her aquaintance, allow me to recommend this album as a start.
Niamh Parsons "Heart's Desire" (Green Linnet, 2002)
God bless this husky-voiced traditionalist Irish lassie... Most folks in her position would have gone overboard by now, capitalizing on their success as acoustic balladeers to dip into lavish pop crossover efforts, but instead Parsons heads in the opposite direction, stripping her music down even further and making it more pure. Although this album does have some sparse instrumentation, it feels almost entirely a capella, with each song peeled bare to its bare-boned roots. It might not help her top the charts in the US or the islands, but fans on either side of the ocean are sure to be pleased.
Patrick Street "No. 2 Patrick Street" (Green Linnet, 1988)
Patrick Street "Irish Times" (Green Linnet, 1990)
Patrick Street "Made In Cork" (Green Linnet, 1997)
A latter-day Irish super-group, featuring singer Andy Irvine (of Planxty), fiddler Kevin Burke and accordionist Jackie Daly, and a changing cast of collaborators. All these albums follow roughly the same formula, so I feel fairly comfortable lumping them together. The repertoire shifts between solid instrumentals (jigs and reels, of course...), and songs that split evenly between traditional and contemporary material, so for me there's usually about a third of every Patrick Street album that moves me (the traditional songs). The first album, No. 2 is my favorite of these three albums, while Irish Times veers a bit too far into the kind of contemporary stuff that's a little on the goopy romantic/spiritual side, as well as some rather leaden Irish Republican political material. Sometimes Patrick Street are a little too slick, but certainly never subpar -- any of their albums are well worth checking out.
Patrick Street "Street Life" (Green Linnet, 2003)
Another rock-solid trad album, featuring Irvine, Burke, Daly, and guitarist Ged Foley. Includes plenty of fine, melodically pleasing instrumental reels and jigs, as well as several sweet vocal tunes. American old-timey music revivalist Bruce Molsky guests on "Down In Matewan," Irvine's tribute to the Depression-era American miner's union movement, recalling the martyrs of the Ludlow massacre, and the widespread animosity towards the reviled Pinkerton detective agency. This album is another gem, and a welcome indication that all involved plan to keep Patrick Street a haven for untainted traditional Celtic music. Recommended!
Pentangle - see artist profile
Tommy Peoples & Paul Brady "The High Part Of The Road" (Shanachie, 1976)
As fine a set of fiddle and guitar tunes as you're ever likely to find. Brady is pretty much in the background on this one, but that's just fine... Just listen to that fiddle dance and saw away! Recommended.
Planxty - see artist profile
The Pogues "Rum, Sodomy & The Lash" (WEA/Stiff Records, 1985)
Many, many years ago, when I first started DJ-ing on a certain freeform noncommercial radio station, it used to irritate me to no end that every, single, frikkin' time I would play a set of Celtic or British trad, that some listener would call up to request the Pogues. It's not that I didn't like the Pogues (although, other than this landmark album, I don't find them that interesting...), it was just that it seemed to cliched and obvious, and so sad that the sound of a tin whistle had such a strongly Pavlovian reaction for so many college radio listeners. Also the stereotype of the drunken Irish party animal, while doubtless of great use to many a fan in their formative years, got a little old after a while. The Irish=Pogues phenomenon seems to have died down, now, though -- I guess it's been a long time since the '80s, and not so many folks remember these raspy, unruly, folking punkers. Led by Shane McGowan, who had the gnarliest set of messed-up dental work anyone in America had ever seen on a pop star, the Pogues fused punk and trad in a dynamic style that few people could have anticipated, or equalled. Produced by the ever-fab Elvis Costello, this is their best, best known album, and also their most traditionally oriented. It includes a version of Eric Bogle's "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda," and Ewan Maccoll's "Dirty Old Town," along with several other old-style songs. The album is well produced, tightly focussed, and quite effective. Heck, I even went out and bought a copy, eventually, around 1998... Seemed like it was about time.
Karine Polwart "Faultlines" (Neon, 2005)
I haven't heard her solo albums (yet), but I really dig Karine Polwart's work with both the Battlefield Band and her old group, Malinky... So I look forward to tracking these discs down someday and checking them out, too. She's got a great voice!
Karine Polwart "Scribbled In Chalk" (Spit & Polish, 2006)
Polwart's second solo album, accompanied by two bonus-laden EP's, Daisy and I'm Gonna Do It All, listed below...
Karine Polwart "Daisy" (EP) (Spit & Polish, 2006)
Karine Polwart "I'm Gonna Do It All" (EP) (Spit & Polish, 2006)
The Poozies "Infinite Blue" (Pure/Compass, 1998)
An all-gal powerhouse ensemble of young Celtic trad artists, including harpists Mary McMaster and Patsy Seddon (of Sileas), Scottish vocalist Kate Rusby and accordeon whiz Karen Tweed. This is a wildly popular album; it helps if you like your trad sweetened with harps and fanciful melodic twists. Modernized, but not synthetic, this offers a nice middleground for purists and New Agers to meet.
Christine Primrose "Aite Mo Ghaoil (Place Of My Heart)" (Temple, 1982)
An excellent set of Gaelic songs, softer traditional material made with the help of the Battlefield Band's Robin Morton. Primrose, a native of the Scottish Hebrides, has a lovely voice and, as the liner notes point out, her style of reflective balladry was quite out of fashion at the time this album was originally released. One of my favorite albums in the Temple catalog... recommended! (Note: the 1993 CD reissue has a couple of extra tracks...)
Christine Primrose " 'S Tu Nam Chuimhne (...And You On My Mind)" (Temple, 1995)
In this fine set of songs, vocalist Primrose pairs up with numerous collaborators -- dueting with a different instrument on each song. A fiddle on one, a harp, a trumpet, keyboards or pipes on others... Although a few modern touches intrude on a tune or two, most tracks are quite nice, and her traditionalist sensibilities predominate. Also, her passion: this is a heartfelt and frequently arresting album, with a singer bearing her talent at its rawest... Worth checking out!
Christine Primrose "Gun Sireadh, Gun Larraidh (Without Seeking, Without Asking)" (Temple, 2001)
Maddy Prior - see artist profile, and Steeleye Span
