Various Artists "ABSOLUTELY IRISH" (Compass/American Focus, 2008)
(Produced by Mick Moloney)
An absolutely delightful live set, recorded and filmed for a American Public Television, exploring the roots, branches and the very mulch of Irish and Irish-American music. The venerable cultural historian Mick Moloney produced this extravaganza, gathering a high-powered horde of cohorts, including Liz Carroll, Karan Casey, John Doyle, Seamus Egan, Eileen Ivers, Joanie Madden, Susan McKeown and many others -- the cream of the Irish-American musical renaissance. The mix of instrumentals and vocal numbers is just perfect: there are several driving jigs and reels, but nothing that grates on one's nerves, and the song selections are all quite nice, and include several songs that are well off the beaten track. Moloney digs into his bag of historical knowledge and comes out with one of his trademark historical novelty songs, with the humorous immigrant ditty, "McNally's Row Of Flats," one of many songs on the theme of the Irish diaspora (including the haunting "Leaving Of Liverpool," which closes the album with a brilliant group vocal. This is the welcome sort of trad album that you can listen to from end to end, time and time again, with each audition leaving you a little bit richer than before. Highly recommended!

Various Artists "THE ACE AND DEUCE OF PIPERING: 1908-1947" (Interstate Music/Heritage Records, 1995)
A hardcore set of historical recordings of Scottish and European bagpiping... Generally speaking, I'm a huge fan of the Heritage label, and I'm sure this collection is a real doozy. Sure, bagpipes aren't for everyone, but if you're into it, there are probably few albums out there that will have the same range and depth as this one.

Various Artists "BALLADS" (Fellside Records, 1995)

Various Artists "A CHRISTMAS CELTIC SOJOURN" (Rounder Records, 2001)
A holiday collection curated by an American public radio DJ... This opens with a beautiful vocal number by Maddy Prior and also includes tunes by the Watersons and the Voice Squad. But for the most part, this CD is packed with super-mellow easy-trad -- drippy harps, sugary singing, etc. -- which, if you're into it, is probably pretty nice. Too mellow for me, though -- just not my cup of tea.

Various Artists "BALLINASLOE FAIR: EARLY RECORDINGS OF IRISH MUSIC IN AMERICA" (Traditional Crossroads, 1998)
The Irish diaspora led millions to America, and starting in the 1920s, many of the best emigrant musicians also journeyed onto wax, cutting hundreds of 78 RPM records. This is one of the best compilations of this early material, and has some of the best sound engineering of any of these Depression-era collections. The material may seem foreign even to lovers of Celtic folk music, since the melodic smoothness of the post-Clancy decades is absent from most of these tracks, instead, there is a heavy Vaudeville and music hall influence, with a constant undertone of ethnic theatre stereotyping, combined with a relative lack of finesse (when compared to the slick performances of the last few decades...) There are also a lot of great performances, from folks who could in a sense be considered the Al Jolsons or Bill Monroes of this genre. This CD is one of a handful of similar sets which are helping re-frame our understanding of Celtic music history, and, with its superior sound quality, is a great place to start for anyone who is interested in exploring the OLD stuff. Highly recommended.

Various Artists "BEAT THE RETREAT: THE SONGS OF RICHARD THOMPSON" (Capitol Records, 1994)
As noted elsewhere, I'm not a big fan of Richard Thompson's work. Or rather, it seems, of Thompson himself, since I found this tribute album to be pretty enjoyable. This includes a nice mix of rock and trad-folk heavy-hitters, from REM, Dinosaur Jr. and X to June Tabor, Maddy Prior and cajun folkies, Beausoleil. High marks go to Los Lobos for their doleful version of "Out Where The Drunkards Roll" and Syd Straw for her version of "For Shame Of Doing Wrong." There are mild mismatches here, but in general this is stronger and more consistent than most tribute albums, and highlights strengths in Thompson's writing that might sometimes be obscured by his somewhat boorish and lofty performance style. Recommended!

Various Artists "THE BIRD IN THE BUSH: TRADITIONAL SONGS OF LOVE AND LUST" (Topic Records, 1966) (LP)
A saucy collection of ribald folk songs from the British Isles, including performances by Anne Briggs, Louis Killen, Frankie Armstrong, Norman Kennedy, and the venerable master of the early Britfolk scene, A. L. Lloyd. They all shine on this collection, and though you have to be attentive to follow the long narratives and sometimes rather complicated sexual metaphors, this disc has a lot of bang for the buck (if you'll pardon the expression...) This was originally just a split EP with Lloyd and Briggs, but has since been expanded to include material by the other artists -- presumably of similar vintage. All three of the Anne Briggs tracks -- "Gathering Rushes In The Month Of May," "The Stonecutter Boy" and "Martinmas Time" -- have since been gathered on retrospectives of her work, but the overlap is negligible, considering how delightful the other songs on here are. A nice find for fans of forbidden music.

Various Artists "BORDERLANDS: THE BEST OF SCOTTISH FOLK" (Castle Records, 2006)
An impressive box set that covers the early years of the Scottish folk revival... This 3-CD set includes iconic artists such as Archie Fisher, Silly Wizard and the McCalmans, as well as proto-traddies like Ian Campbell and coffeehouse folkies such as Owen Hand and spacey hippies like Shelagh McDonald... A nice mix, and a good bargain if you can find it at the right price!

Various Artists "A CELEBRATION OF SCOTTISH MUSIC" (Temple Records, 1988)
A by-the-numbers sampler of the late '80s Temple Records lineup, including stalwarts such as The Battlefield Band, Cilla Fisher, Alison Kinnaird, Christine Primrose and others...

Various Artists "A CHRISTMAS CELTIC SOJOURN -- LIVE" (Rounder Records, 2006)

Various Artists "CLASSIC BALLADS OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND, v. I" (Rounder Records, 2000)
Various Artists "CLASSIC BALLADS OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND, v. II" (Rounder Records, 2000)
These stark old folk songs take a certain kind of listener, someone with an appreciation for storytelling and an interest in the past, and -- for want of a better phrase -- a love of the common folk. This is the British equivalent of American "old-timey" music... in fact it's where a lot of the old-timey repertoire came from: bawdy story-songs and mysterious old ballads raspily intoned by grizzled, wheezy country and giggling housewives. It's not for everyone, sure, but if you can get onto its wavelength, the emotional pull of this music is tremendous. Recorded over several decades by folklorist Alan Lomax, these tracks are captivating because of the subject matter, but also because of the immense charm of the various performers. When a particularly saucy lyric comes up, you can hear a smile come into the singers voice -- sometimes it even breaks out into a laugh. The awareness that this is, indeed, a living oral tradition -- that these are songs that people learnt to sing while drinking in pubs and working at plows, lends great depth to the music. Me... I love the stuff! Plus, the lavish packaging, with classy artwork and thick booklets accompanying each disc, makes this a special treat. (These are the latest releases in the astounding Lomax Collection folk series, which is projected to be over 100 CDs worth of archival releases.)

Various Artists "COMFORT AND JOY: A CHRISTMAS CELTIC SOJOURN, v.2" (Rounder Records, 2003)
A somewhat earthier holiday offering from Brian O'Donovan's "Celtic Sojourn" show, once again with selections from Maddy Prior The Watersons as well as Cherish The Ladies, Robbie O'Connell, Boys Of The Lough and others... The first volume in this series (reviewed above) didn't do much for me, but this disc is a pretty classy holiday offering, with some truly lovely harmonies, and odd, interesting versions of old songs that we know and love. Recommended!

Various Artists "A CONTROVERSY OF PIPERS" (Temple Records, 1980) (LP)
Organized by producer Robin Morton, this conclave of Scottish pipering includes members of bands such as The Battlefield Band, The Clutha, Ossian, Whistlebinkies and the short-lived Kentigern... If you like the squeeky-squealy of bagpipes, small pipes and such, then this album's for you!

Various Artists "DEEP LANCASHIRE" (Topic Records, 1997)
Harry Boardman, Mike Harding, The Oldham Tinkers and others are on this collection of craggy, plainspoken, hyper-traditional music from Lancashire. Great stuff for the purists among us!

Various Artists "ELECTRIC EDEN: UNEARTHING BRITAIN'S VISIONARY MUSIC" (Universal, 2012)
An outstanding 2-CD collection that touches on the well-known artists -- Albion Band, Peter Bellamy, Shirley Collins, Nick Drake, Pentangle, Steeleye Span, et. al. -- as well as a wide sweep of obscuros and (even more) cult faves such as Bread, Love and Dreams, COB, Magic Carpet, Meic Stevens... A lot of fab artists, mostly with just one track apiece, but a great set of signposts for further explorations. Disc One is (mostly) acoustic and Disc Two is (mostly) electric... The CDs compliment a book by Rob Young that gives the historical context... Cool beans!

Various Artists "EY UP MI DUCK! A CELEBRATION OF DERBYSHIRE" (Ram Records) (LP)
East Midlander poems, jokes, stories and songs from the likes of the Ashbourne Town Band, Ilkeston Brass, and the Ram's Bottom Band...

Various Artists "FAREWELL TO IRELAND" (Proper Records, 2006)
A lively 4-CD set of vintage songs from the 1920s and '30s, reflecting on and making merry with the great Irish migration... Plenty of reels and other instrumentals, comedic numbers, love songs, ballads and topical tunes, and surprisingly good sound quality. A real treasure trove for the historically-minded among us!

Various Artists "FESTIVAL AT TOWERSEY" (Zeus Records, 1968) (LP)
(Prodced by Colin Manners)
An absolutely delightful album capturing live performances at a pub-style ceilidh singalong , recorded in the early years of the Towersley folk festival, held in Oxforshire since 1964. Many of the performers were locals and "club singers," such as Bob Grant, Brian Perrett and the emcee, Denis Manners, as well as his daughter, Jennie Manners, who leads a stunning version of "How Can I Keep From Singing," which at the time was quite familiar to folkies world wide through Pete Seeger's recordings. Also on the bill was accordionist John Kirkpatrick (quite early in his career) and the Yorkshire-based band The Yetties, who were more or less the stars of the show, and are given some good-natured ribbing about having "made it" big and selling out after getting a real-deal record contract. The Yetties perform about a half-dozen tracks, and indeed they were quite good - a nice taste of things to come. What's best about thsi record is its clear sense of what one of these folk sessions really felt like -- you can feel yourself in the room, with cozy, close air, bumping up against your fellow audience members, perhaps ordering a pint or two. It's all quite hamish. Another highlight is Perrett's salty rendition of "Maggie May," which will greatly illuminate the old song for listeners familiar with the much-truncated version recorded a few years later by the Beatles. A marvelous record, capturing the older-style British folk scene in its heyday.

Various Artists "GAELIC IRELAND" (Arc Music, 2003)
Although this disc covers several heavy-hitters such as Altan and The Dubliners, there are also several lesser-known and more contemporary artists, and a nice variety of styles. Although there is some of the overly-ornate, drippy stuff that overlaps the worlds of pop and New Age music, there's also a great deal of the traditional acoustic and a capella styles to be heard as well. If variety and a fair overview of modern Irish folk music are what you're looking for, then this is definitely a balanced and wide-ranging collection. Worth giving a spin!

Various Artists "IN BLOOM: A COLLECTION OF FRENCH CELTIC MUSIC" (Aureau Export, 2001)
This collection was apparently assembled by the French Music Export Office, presumably in the interests of promoting interest in all things Gallic to folk in less fortunate cultural climes. At any rate, it's an odd set of modernized, world music-y French-Celtic crossovers, including many with a distinctly Arabic melodic sensibility woven in for good measure, and many an electronic-tinged beat as well. Other than a track each by Dan Ar Braz and Alan Stivell, these are all artists and songs with which I am utterly unfamiliar. Most of this album is music that I can't say I'm wild about (I wouldn't have it on to relax to at home...) but it was consistently challenging and new. If you're the kinda music fan constantly in search of something new-sounding to check out, this 2-CD collection might be worth tracking down.

Various Artists "KERRY FIDDLES" (Topic Records, 1977) (LP)
Raspy old recordings with undeniable authenticity and a pleasant little bounce peculiar to the "Sliabh Luachra," or the region surrounding the Blackwater River, near Kerry and Cork. Three fiddlers are highlighted here: Julia Clifford, Denis Murphy (sister and brother) and their mentor, Padraig O'Keefe of the village of Glautane. The tracks on this album come from a series of BBC recordings made in the 1952 under the auspices of Seamus Ennis... Each tune is suffused with purity and power, a sense of an art form largely untouched by commercialism or outside influences. It's not really for the uninitiated or the casual listener, but for hardcore fiddling fans, this is a real treasure trove.

Various Artists "LAMENT" (Real World Records, 1992)
An all-star collaboration featuring the likes of Davy Spillane, Maighread Ni Dhominaill, Christy Moore, Sean Potts, Tony MacMahon and Derek Bell (among others), on a mournful set of Celtic "laments," keening vocals and spooky instrumentals, performed in homage to the lives lost in the Irish "Troubles." Lamentably, these great players don't combine their skills -- each track is a solo effort -- but it's still quite an impressive collection of talent, and a nice look at the downer-side of Celtic tradition. Recommended.

Various Artists "THE LARK IN THE MORNING" (Tradition Records, 1955) (LP)
The Clancy Brothers led the Celtic folk revival, and this early album on the Tradition label was one of the first tastes that America (or Europe, for that matter) got of an Irish folk sound that hadn't been mediated by the genteel sensibilities of the BBC or British record producers who treated the Irish as a novelty act. Here we have the Clancy's along with a bunch of family friends in Tipperary, singing old songs in a variety of styles, including plenty of a capella singing, and very few instrumental numbers (guess they were a bit shy about the squeaky-scrapey stuff back then....) The sound is comparatively raw, but much more melodic and sweetened than, say, British folkies like A.L. Lloyd or Ewan MacColl who valued rawness as a sign of folk authenticity.... these are just some rural Irish folk who are singing the songs they love... This record is highly recommended -- not only is it historical, it's also really sweet.

Various Artists "MAGIC AND MYSTERY: MAJESTIC MUSIC FROM SCOTLAND AND IRELAND" (Temple Records, 1997)
A nice sampler from Battlefield Band-leader Robin Morton's Temple Records label... Plenty of instrumentals, on harp, pipes, and fiddle, as well as a song or two tucked in the crevices. Temple artists tend to divide themselves between starker, more traditionalist recordings, and slightly sweetened (and in some cases, one might say saccharine) efforts. Should Celtic artists be allowed to use synthesizers? Perhaps this is not for me to decide. But the dreaded keyboards make only intermittent appearances on this disc-- overall a nice sampling of what this label has to offer, including the Battlefielders Alan Reid and others as a band, and playing solo, Mac-Talla and more...)

Various Artists "MIGRATING BIRD: THE SONGS OF LAL WATERSON" (EMI-Honest Jon's Records, 2007)
When Lal Waterson, a founding member of the Watersons, a hyper-tradtionalist English folk group from Yorkshire, passed away in 2008, many in the folk and folk-rock communities were shaken and sad. Waterson had long been a powerful figure on the British folk scene, both as a folklorist and as a contemporary songwriter. This reverent tribute album focuses on her original material, from the songs of the legendary "lost" album, Bright Phoebus to the many new songs that followed. A host of freak-folk luminaries are on board -- Vashti Bunyan, King Creosote, Victoria Williams, Alasdair Roberts, Richard James, Mark Olson and others -- each taking on one of Waterson's glum, grey-day compositions. Also noteworthy are tracks by the Willard Grant Conspiracy, Michael Hurley and Nancy Elizabeth... It must be said that this set, while not as severe or stark as the usual Watersons fare, still has a rather dour feel: although emotionally rich and texturally rewarding, Lal Waterson's work is a bit of a downer. The added layers of reverence make it difficult for most of these artists to escape the original template of stark, pensive moodiness, and while the results are very true to Waterson's spirit, there is also a slight, crushing gloom to it was well. Few of the singers veer far from the original musical template, one exception is alt-country old-timer Jeb Loy Nichols, who injects a bit of honky-tonk rhythm into the mix. Nonetheless, traditional folk fans and freak-folk modernists alike will find this a rich and rewarding album, a fitting tribute to one of the most original and resolute voices of the '60s folk revival.

Various Artists "THE MINSTREL BOY: IRISH SINGERS OF GREAT RENOWN" (Pearl Records, 1993)
A craggy set of vintage pre-1950 recordings by the likes of Margaret Burke-Sheridan, Tom Burke, J. C. Doyle, Robert Irwin, Delia Murphy, Cavan O'Connor, Denis O'Neil, and others. This compilation has a lot of overlap with the AN IRELAND OF TREASURES collection reviewed above, though I found this disc less accessible. The music is artsy and old-fashioned, and the sound quality is somewhat grey. Also the organization of the songs is a bit stiffer, programmed with chunks of songs by each artist in their turn, rather than as a smooth-flowing set of music, skipping from artist to artist as the melodies might dictate. It's fascinating historically, but a bit arid as an album. Great liner notes, though, by Steph O'Connor, who deftly outlines the history of folkloric song collection and the transition into freshly-written material in modern Irish culture.

Various Artists "MONDO CELTIC" (Mondo Melodia, 2001)
An interesting collection of Celtic trad and fusion... It's mainly on the glossy side -- the disc opens with some of the more overproduced, world beat-ish examples of Capercaillie and Kila's ouvres, but gradually shifts into more acoustic terrain with some classic Planxty and Christy Moore, and a compelling ballad by Paul Brady ("The Island," one of the highlights of the disc). It also drifts into an unusual Galician vocal ensemble, Leilia, who transpose Celtic song into the sort of women's choral work that Balkan groups such as Kitka, et al. are known for... This disc is definitely a mixed bag, but definitely worth checking out if you'd like to get a good sense of the range of this style of music.

Various Artists "NEVER THE SAME -- LEAVE-TAKING FROM THE BRITISH FOLK REVIVAL: 1970-1977" (Honest Jon's Records, 2006)
A much-welcome sampling of the rich catalog recorded by legendary British folk producer Bill Leader, whose Leader and Trailer Records have been out of print for decades. Includes early work from cult favorites such as Aly Bain, Dick Gaughan, Nic Jones, Tony Rose and Lal Waterson (of the Waterson Family, as well as a few gems from less well-remembered folkies such as Dorothy Elliott and Dave Burland. Bill Leader is a figure of great controversy in the British/Celtic folk scene, since his trove of historical recordings has been kept off the market for so many years, much to the consternation of fans who would love to hear such holy grails as the first Nic Jones albums or Lal Waterson's legendary concept album, Bright Phoebus. A few officially-sanctioned CDR discs have appeared in recent years, but many people wonder why Leader has kept so many fine records off the market for so long. Hard to say, but Leader himself comes off as rather personable in this disc's chatty, microscopically printed liner notes, which tell the tale of how he stumbled into a career as one of the folk scene's most prolific and influential producers. This disc will surely whet the appetite of many hyper-traditionalist folk-fiends -- weighing in with a baker's dozen of songs, it merely scratches the surface of the Leader/Trailer legacy, but it sure sounds nice. If you're into the style, you'll probably want to snap this one up while you can.

Various Artists "NORTHUMBERLAND RANT" (Smithsonian Folkways, 1999)
A fine selection of instrumental tunes from England's northeastern border, a region with a very distinctive musical style (as well as a very distinctive instrument, the Northumbrian small pipes, which are featured prominently here, alongside the fiddle, accordion and guitar...) These recordings span several decades (back to the 1950s) and include both studio and field recordings from local folks and big-name artists alike. The High Level Ranters are included, along with Katheryn Tickell and others... A nice set that really gives you a feel for the style!

Various Artists "ORIGINAL IRISH TENORS: THE LEGENDARY VOICES OF CELTIC SONG" (Sony-BMG/Legacy, 2006)
An absolutely delightful collection of old-fashioned, old-school commercial recordings from the days when Irish and Scottish song was simply seen as "ethnic" music, marketed to the Irish and non-Irish alike. In addition to numerous ultra-sentimental weepers, these old singles, recorded between 1921-51, include several unapologetic riffs on silly old stereotypes, full of shamrocks, stout and happy, red-cheeked Irish cops. The Celtic folk revival of the 1960s and '70s was in part aimed at undoing this legacy, reclaiming their music from its flirtation with "square," outside pop influences. Ironically, it's been so long since these recordings have been in the public mind that they now have more "obscuro" cachet than the purist trad that supplanted them, and in some ways these goofy old songs about misty-eyed Micks who miss the rolling green hills of home so much that they just gotta get drunk and swing a shelele during the St. Patrick's day parade are a lot more fun, too. There are also plenty of standard, old ballads like "Danny Boy" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," sung by masters of the genre, such as Morton Downey, Christopher Lynch, John McCormack and Phil Regan... Personally, I'm partial to the comedy by Dennis Day, but all the tracks on here are great. Put this into your latest Celtic mix; it'll fill in a few gaps!

Various Artists "OWLDHAM EDGE: POPULAR SONG AND VERSE FROM LANCASHIRE" (Topic, 1970)
(Produced by Sean Davies)
With Harry Boardman, the Oldham Tinkers and other locals...

Various Artists "PUTUMAYO PRESENTS: CELTIC CHRISTMAS" (Putumayo Records, 2011)
Celtic music fans do love their holiday songs, and this collection offers several gems. I'm particularly fond of the translations (into Celtic) of holiday standards, such as Lasairfhiona Ni Chonaola's sleepy, relaxed "Nollaig Bhan," a deliciously understated version of "White Christmas" that was actually commissioned by Putumayo for inclusion in this album. (One wonders: is that the first time Putumayo has done this? Nice move!) I also enjoyed Steve Schuch's instrumental version of "Joy To The World," played on fiddle and mandolin and David Huntsinger's "Angels We Have Heard On High" (played as an Irish reel) which has a similar vibe. Ever nostalgia-bound, Douglie MacLean closes the album with a lovely rendition of "Auld Lang Syne": fitting to have a Scottish singer top things off with this Robbie Burns chestnut. There's also plenty of Celtic harp on here, which is to be expected -- all in all, a nice addition to the growing treasury of Celtic holiday music. A cheerful, sweet set, well worth checking out.

Various Artists "PUTUMAYO PRESENTS: CELTIC CROSSROADS" (Putumayo Records, 2005)
I suppose you could classify this album, or at least part of it, as a "guilty pleasure" for yours truly... I saw the description "ancient traditions meet modern technology" and involuntarily cringed, with a slight, uncomfortable tightening in my stomach... See... I'm not much for Celtic world-fusion, and I've found little that cheered me in the catalogs of famous bands such as Capercaillie, who are one of the headliners featured in this collection. However, I have to confess that the opening tracks -- including one from Capercaillie -- are quite lovely and lulling. To be sure, there is far better Celtic trad out there, but this set is well-selected and for the most part picks its way around the most excessive crossover styles and opts instead for a fairly conservative -- and pleasant sounding -- set of songs, with plenty of melody and acoustic musicianship draped around airy vocals. That's true of the first few tracks, featuring Emer Kenny, Capercaillie and a Scottish band called (ow, my stomach) Keltik Elektrik, who deliver one of the album's highlights, a trip-hop flavored update of "Wild Mountain Thyme," with lightly processed vocals by Jim Malcolm, gliding atop a loping drum machine beat... I almost hate to admit it, but it caught my imagination, and I've found myself with this version echoing about in my head, despite having long since fallen in love with richer, more melodic versions many, many years earlier. The rest of the album gets gooier and less distinct, but overall I'd say this is a fine set of modern Celtic easy listening, well worth checking out.

Various Artists "THE ROUGH GUIDE TO SCOTTISH FOLK" (Rough Guides, 2001)

Various Artists "THE ROUGH GUIDE TO SCOTTISH MUSIC" (Rough Guides, 1996)

Various Artists "THE ROUGH GUIDE TO SCOTTISH MUSIC (Second Edition)" (Rough Guides, 2003)
The third Scottish RG collection veers decisively into softer, mellower territory, although there are a few surprises, such as the steel pan drums on Robert Mathieson's "Calypso." Stalwarts such as Capercaillie, Boys of the Lough, Christine Primrose and the Battlefield Band are present, as well as a few lesser-known folkies. This set's a bit too soft and modern for my tastes, but I'm sure many folk fans will find plenty to enjoy here. Worth checking out.

Various Artists "SCOTTISH FOLK AT ITS BEST" (Arc Music, 2008)
A sleek set of contemporary Scottish folk, featuring a couple of relatively well-known artists -- Old Blind Dogs, Tannas -- and a slew of others who will be less familiar to the casual world music fan. Canterach, The Hudson Swan Band, Anna Murray, Wendy Weatherby, Ross Kennedy and Coila are some of the "new" names -- for the most part this is a little too much on the slick side for me, with floating synths on a tune or two, and a light poppiness on others. Still, it's certainly worth checking out, especially for Celtic folkniks in search of new names and new voices to explore.

Various Artists "SEA SHANTIES - CHANTS DE MARINS" (Playsound Records, 1985)
Two bands, with contrasting styles, both of which are a little too polished to get the right vibe for true sea shanty authenticity. The Irish Rovers-y Windjammers have too many instruments at play, including banjo, guitar and penny whistle, and are far too "folk" overall; the tracks from Johnny Collins, however, are more strictly vocal, and while a bit smooth, are still solidly in the style. As far as I can tell, this French-curated collection reissues material from two out-of-print albums on a pair of obscure (and presumably defunct) labels. Not the best shanty album, but it has great material. Again, the Johnny Collins songs are worth checking out -- he also has an album out on the Arc Music label that comes highly recommended.

Various Artists "SEA SONGS AND SHANTIES: TRADITIONAL ENGLISH SEA SONGS & SHANTIES FROM THE LAST DAYS OF SAIL" (Saydisc, 1994)
A fine set of raspy-sounding, uber-authentic British sea shanties plucked from the archives of the Folktracks label. These songs, recorded between 1950-60, feature several old-fashioned singers who may be familiar to fans of the Topic label, particularly Harry Cox and the Copper Family, as well as Sarah Makem, the Fisherman's Group, and Bob Roberts, who was billed as "the last of the singing barge skippers." Fans of the style, with all its craggy eccentricities, will love this album.

Various Artists "SHITE 'N' ONIONS, v.1" (Omnium Records, 2004)

Various Artists "SHITE 'N' ONIONS, v.2: WHAT THE SHITE" (Omnium Records, 2006)
It is remarkable to hear just how many pub-rock bands have taken up the anthemic Irish trad/punk banner first unfurled by bands such as the Pogues and Dropkick Murpheys... Not only that, but how good so many of these green-hued rockers sound. The driving, aggressive, bagpipe-and-power-chord formula wears better here than one might imagine... Admittedly, I come at Irish music with much more of a folk orientation, but when it comes down to it, if you want to get sh**faced and hammered on St. Patrick's Day, this is probably the kind of music you'd want on at the bar. Worth checking out!

Various Artists "SING CHRISTMAS AND THE TURN OF THE YEAR" (Rounder Records, 2000)
Fans of uber-folklorist Alan Lomax will be floored by this holiday oriented tour de force, an amazing live BBC broadcast from Christmas Day, 1957, which gathered the talents of revered revivalists such as A. L. Lloyd, Seamus Ennis, Cyril Tawney, Ewan MacColl and a young Shirley Collins, as well as numerous lesser-known performers. From studios in Belfast, Birmingham, London, Wales, Plymouth, Derbyshire and Scotland, they were all contributing live on the air to an elaborate Christmas pageant that included not only British and Celtic folk material (including plenty of pagan and protest music), but also the rockin' new skiffle style and a bit of calypso and African highlife music from Britain's immigrant communities. The tightly scripted program features narration by Lomax, who had spent the bulk of the '50s in the UK, hosting various folk programs on radio and TV, and who waxes eloquent about the social and mystical roots of Britain's Christmas traditions. Lomax was ahead of the curve in so many ways on this project, it's hard to know where to begin -- stylistically, technically, cross-culturally -- this was an ambitious, professionally realized broadcast that gathered together the best of Britain's folk talent, and yet retained the charm of a grade school talent show. Fascinating as a work of art and an historical document, this is one of the jewels of Rounder's extensive program reissuing Lomax's vast recorded legacy. The songs and snippets whiz by too fast, but it's still a dazzling show!

Various Artists "SONG OF THE GREEN LINNET" (Green Linnet Records, 2000)
Celtic "trad" is often dominated by instrumentalists -- the fast-paced jigs and reels which fill hundreds of albums (and hundreds of pubs) are the folkie equivalent of drag racing: flashy and faster than the eye can follow. Still, for some of us, the instrumental stuff is also a bit repetitive; it's one thing to see a piper or fiddler in a pub, another thing altogether to hear the riffs repeated on album after album. So, for those of us who clench our teeth or fast forward when the bagpipe wails, comes this fine set of (collective sigh of relief...) vocal numbers, gathered from the illustrious Green Linnet back catalog. Sure, it's kind of like cheating to cherry-pick all the good stuff from folks like Andy Irvine, Niamh Parsons, Martin Carthy and Altan, but then again, who's going to complain? Yes, this 2-CD sampler has some icky overproduced New Age-ish numbers, but surprisingly few. Mostly, it's a lot of sweet stuff from the most talented Celtic artists around -- the perfect thing to point you (or a friend!) in the right direction!

Various Artists "SONG OF THE GREEN LINNET, v.2" (Green Linnet Records, 2000)
...For some reason they divided this collection in two for the digital download crowd. Still sounds groovy, though.

Various Artists "THIS LABEL IS NOT REMOVABLE: A CELEBRATION OF 25 YEARS OF FREE REED" (Free Reed Records, 2001)
A gloriously craggy overview of the releases on the resolutely traditional English indie label, Free Reed Records, which was founded in 1976 and has remained one of the best-beloved trad labels ever since. This 3-CD set comes with friendly, conversational liner notes that explain the label's long history as well as it's unusual name (It's a reference to the English concertina, or squeezebox, the album of choice of label founder Neil Wayne... And be well advised that it helps to love the instrument already if you're going to check this collection out... 'cause you'll here plenty of concertinas once you get started!) The booklet also has copious information about the artists involved, including luminaries such as Peter Bellamy, Sue Harris, John Kirkpatrick, Nic Jones and the Swan Band, as well as dozens of less well known but no less charming performers. Every record that Free Reed has released is apparently represented on this box set, including many releases which would be quite difficult to find now, in the midst of the digital age. With the exception of a couple of woefully misguided (but kind of amusing) pop fusion missteps, this is a great set of UK trad, a treasure trove of otherwise-forgotten, marginalized old-fashioned music. As a wonderful listening experience, and as a guidepost for future explorations, this collection is pretty hard to beat... highly recommended!

Various Artists "THREE SCORE AND TEN" (Topic Records, 2009)
A 7-CD box set issued in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of Topic Records, Great Britain's largest and most influential folk label. A true treasure trove of many of the best English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh artists of the last several decades... and then some! Great stuff, and a fabulous introduction to the world of traditional (and modern) folk music, including lots of rare, obscure and otherwise impossible-to-find music. An impressive set that packs a real wallop.

Various Artists "TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC IN AMERICA: CHICAGO" (Rounder Records, 2001)

Various Artists "TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC IN AMERICA: THE EAST COAST" (Rounder Records, 2001)
Field recordings of amateur and professional Irish-American musicians of various stripes, ranging from flautists and pipers to accordionists, fiddlers and banjo pickers as well. It's all instrumental music, so while fans of that style may delight at the proficiency and skill of the various artists, folks (like me) who prefer a bit of singing with their trad might get restless after the first half dozen or so jigs and reels. Good performances, though.

Various Artists "TROUBADORS OF BRITISH FOLK, v.1: UNEARTHING THE TRADITION" (Rhino Records, 1995)
Been thinking of checking out British folk music -- but you're just not quite sure if it's for you? This is how you find out. This first disc may be a bit stark for some, but it certainly shows who the founders of the British folk revival were. A.L. Lloyd, the grandpappy of the movement is here, along with his full court -- Ewan MacColl, The Watersons, Shirley Collins, as well as members of the nascent folk-rock movement -- Steeleye Span and the like. The absolute highlight of this set is Anne Briggs' "Blackwater Side" -- her voice is shimmering and mellifluous -- compelling enough to make me search high and wide for her other records. An excellent compilation!

Various Artists "TROUBADOURS OF BRITISH FOLK, v.2: FOLK INTO ROCK" (Rhino Records, 1995)
Ah, sweet sadie... if only all compilations series could be of such high calibre as this! In some ways the deck is stacked on this one -- hard to miss when you have bands like Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention and the Albion Band to pick and choose from. From there, all you have left is song selection, and while I *could* quibble, what's the point? There is an admirable emphasis on more obscure tracks and artists, as well as some proggy crossover stuff, such as Traffic's version of the trad tune, "John Barleycorn," and one song by Nick Drake, whose music is so elusive it can fit in here as well as anywhere else. As with the other two discs-- HIGHLY recommended!

Various Artists "TROUBADOURS OF BRITISH FOLK - v.3: AN EVOLVING TRADITION" (Rhino Records, 1995)
Ostensibly, this covers contemporary artists, but maybe it's more accurate to say that its scope is the post-70s scene. Richard Thompson I could live without ever hearing again, and similarly the Oyster Band have never done much for me... But most of the tracks on here are excellent. For one thing, this is the album that turned me on to Nic Jones. (And what a delight that was!) Plus Dougie MacLean's classic, "Caledonia," June Tabor's stunning "She Moves Among The Men," and the relatively unknown duo of Eliza Carthy and Nancy Kerr make this disc well worth picking up.

Various Artists "WHISKEY IN THE JAR: ESSENTIAL IRISH DRINKING SONGS AND SING ALONGS" (Sony-BMG/Legacy, 2006)
Surprisingly enough, this 2-CD set featuring boozy anthems by the Clancy Brothers and the Dubliners isn't simply an update on Sony's 1993 IRISH DRINKING SONGS COLLECTION, which also featured those venerable folk-revival bands. Indeed, even when there is overlap on particular songs, often the versions are different, with the earlier volume focussed on classic studio albums and this one drawing heavily on a more recent Clancy Brothers rarities set. And then there are the newer, younger artists such as the Pogues (very late edition of the band), Dropkick Murphys and Young Dubliners. Not all the songs are booze-oriented (the loophole being the "...and sing alongs" of the subtitle...) but, hey, if you've had enough of a snooter, hearing "Danny Boy" for the gazillionth time might be just what the doctor ordered. An okay collection.... and PS: Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Various Artists "YOUNG SCOTTISH PIPERS" (Arc Music, 2006)
Modern, experimental bagpiping from virtuosi such as Anna Murray, Rory Campbell (of the band Old Blind Dogs), Fred Morrison (of Capercaillie), the group Catherach, and others. The Scottish bagpipe is, almost by definition, an acquired taste, so be forewarned that this set is a bit on the squeaky-squonky side... But it also contains some truly fresh, daring new approaches to this ancient instrument -- what Sharon Shannon and others have done for the button accordion, these folks are doing for the pipes, opening it up into new, wild arrangements and approaches... It's pretty cool, if you're into the instrument.

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