Sorry if this discussion has happened before, but I'm in the mood for buying CDs, so I'm interested to find out what your favourite recordings are, as opposed to live music (and I mean specifically bands as opposed to solo acts or whatever).
Still stuck on James Kelly and Zan MacLeod doing The Ring Sessions, though for the time being I've given up on learning Sitting on the Throne and Touching Cloth. And then there's the two Paddys playing on Doublin'. Been re-aquainting myself with Malloy's Heathery Breeze. And have you heard John Doyle's solo CD, I forget what it's titled...?
It's not *quite* Irish but, they're called Assembly (previously known as Popcorn Behavoir)
Dervish
Again not really a band, (he does play in a band (Teada) and I'm sure they're brilliant, I just haven't heard them),
Oisin Mac Diarmada
Beoloch is another really good one, again not quite Irish, Cape Breton though.....
Flook has some nice arrangements
Silly Wizard is another brilliant group of musicians!
Lunasa
Altan
and that's all I can think of right now cuz it's late, or should i say early?
hope it helps and good luck!
four men and a dog, ceilidh bandits for pure joie de vivre.
altan, daimh (young band based in Scotland) for keeping you guessing
planxty, dubliners (!) for truly passionate vocals but also for popularising the music then
sharon shannon band, any custy will do, for the same (popularising) today
danu, dervish for class vocals
flook, diesal class arrangements where you can hear all the instruments
and, of course, the bothies whether it be Paddy Glackin, Tommy Peoples or Kevin Burke, preferably a little of each, for such breathtaking finesse and gusto
now there are also...........lunasa, teada, wizards, moving hearts, midnight well, de danaan, kathryn tickell band, john mccusker band, la lugh, patrick street, bumblebees, solas, green fields of america, skyedance, and the list goes on and on and on.......
Lately I find myself listening to mostly solo stuff or flute/fiddle combinations. As for bands (not mentioned yet) I like Sliabh Notes, Beginish (Paul McGrattan), Providence (John Wynne) & Siona (June McCormick). Don't forget the ceili bands. I love the Kilfenora Ceili Band. They rock!
Gotta agree, Cran is an excellent band. The core lineup - Ronan Browne (flat and concert pipes, flute, low whistle, bansari), Desi Wilkinson (Flutes and whistles), and Sean Corcoran (Bouzouki and lead vocals) is very powerful, and their frequent guests on the instrumentals - Kevin Glackin and Triona Ni Domhnaill are superb.
They've done three CDs with the present lineup -
Black Black Black
Lover's Ghost
Music From the Edge of the World
Finding their CDs is easier in the EU than it is in the states, so if you're in Ireland or the UK it should be easier if you check around the usual trad music shops or events where there may be specialty CD vendors.
I don't really listen to a lot of bands anymore (that's sounds really pretentious, huh) but I have to pitch a couple of bands that should get more recognition.
First, I must recommend Chulrua. Paddy O'Brien (box), Pat Egan (guitar), Tim Britton (pipes, flute, whistles). Every rare once in a while if you see them live Patrick Orceau will sub in for Tim. They're all terrific people as well as musicians, though Pat is a terrible Rook player and Paddy's joke about the driving monkey is a bit dodgy. They've had a second album in the works for quite a while and maybe someday soon we'll get to hear it outside of Pat
LOL -- jerball, did you send a copy of this post to Turlach so he can read that? Somewhere, I have a CD of some tracks that Glen Road did at a concert here in Denver, recorded by a local guy; Mike says that his songs on it are almost exactly what he would have done in the studio. If you send me your address and if I can figure out what I've done with the CD, I'll send you a copy if you like.
Dervish, Altan, Solas. The Chieftains when they're not recording with the Rolling Stones. It's cross-over America-Itrad music, but Tim O'Brien is good. John Doyle and John Williams aren't bands, but I like them whether they're solo or playing in the band.
Gee, Markus, you didn't stipulate Irish music, so I'd have to list a local group, the Watercarver's Guild--brilliant original tunes and songs on guitar, mandolin, and keyboard, and they do an occasional trad tune as well.
Also Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and the Glen Miller Orchestra, and Dizzy Gillespie, and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Of course, Altan, Dervish, Bothy, and the rest are what I listen to most often. Now I'm off to find a Cran cd....
I've had Bohola stuck in my CD player the last 4 or 5 weeks and have grown quite fond of them. I like their arrangements (super-long sets -- some about 10 - 12 minutes!), their playing personality, and I also think their take on transitions/turns/seamless set construction is of great value. So that's my band of the month(s)! A serious love is Nomos's first CD; I've also found that Danu, Dervish, & Solas withstand the trapped-in-the-disc-machine test very well.
PLANXTY, is VERY much top of the list. Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Christy Moore, Paul Brady, Liam Oflyn Still amazing after so many years...............if you don't have them, start with the Black album! Also Solas, Lunasa, Bothy band, Coolfin
Hey I dunno whether its what your lookin for or not but the Glenside Ceili Band from Longford is absolutely brilliant. Their album is really good aswell it just doesnt get boring!
Deaf Shepherd. Much greater than Lunasa. And you should try Wrigley Sisters, too. The first album of Calico is also brilliant, full of nice tunes including traditional Breton pipe reels and the leader Diarmaid Moynihan's compositions.
There is a band called 'Slide' their album name is something to do with flying pigs(??) But they are really fantastic, concertina, flute, fiddle, bazouki....very very nice!
!!!!!NIGHTINGALE!!!!!
Not all Irish, lots of French Canadian, English, Scandinavian, and Newfoundland. Awesome Vermont based trio. Their vocalist plays guitar, mandolin, piano, and does french canadian style foot pucussion. They have a great fiddler too, and an very accomplished piano accoridionist. I'm lucky enough to have worked with the guitar/mandolin/piano player for six or so years. Wonderful folks, supurb music, both on the dance stage as well as concert.
P.S.
I think I'll mention a few more good New England bands while I'm at it. As mentioned before Assembly adds a great twist to some Irish stuff. They really fall on these grooves that just don't get old. They, again, are a Vermont based band that have been playing together since they were about ten years old. (10-11 years ago). Wild Asparagus is another great one. They mostly play contra style music but with extremely tasteful arragments. The Clayfoot Strutters are good if you like the more funky (like Hammond organ and drum set) sound. A geat pretty much pure Irish style group is Cucanandy. Flute, fiddle, guitar, bodhran, mandolin, vocals, whistle, and percussive dance. Really great quartet with two albums out. (He Didn't Dance and Contented Minds)
A group not mentioned: LLan de Cubel. Really good musicians and music from Asturies in the north of spain. Other groups are: Dervish, Slide, Bohola, Flook, McGoldrick and John Doyle and many more. But the mentionad are enough for a life
LLan de Cubel. Yes. If any one here feels they might be feeling a little jaded with Irish diddly stuff, learn some Asturain music.
LLan de Cubel are brilliand exponants of this genre. Interesting point though about them being "good musicians from Asturies", fiddle player Simon is a terrific Irish diddler I've known for years. After nailing the Irish thing, he nailed scottish music, and then moved to Asturies and nailed that too. And he's from Manchester (England)
There are lots of groups playing ITM in Germany, lots of them badly, but there are exceptions where good taste is joined by brilliant musicianship. My three favourites are: Dereelium, Fiddlesticks and Friel's Kitchen.
Agree with the above - "Llan de Cubel" - my favourite band, bar none, and high time they had a new recording out.
Michael - next time you see Mr. Bradley, please tell him to get his finger out ! There was rumour of a live album in the offing. Any information gratefully received.
Skim-reading this, cos I'm at work, but did nobody mention La Bottine Souriante from Quebec? They're stupendous live, it's a bit like high-octane Breton music with foot-percussion and all sorts...
A few people have cracked and mentioned rock bands... so, for anyone who has the heavy rock urge from time to time, I can hugely recommend the Queens of the Stone Age - they like, todally rock, dudes! The best rock band I've ever seen live, without a doubt - stupefying. Brilliant musicians and quite complex stuff - but packs that simple punch to the solar plexus... Anyway, I have a feeling you meant trad, Dow... I'll get back to work now...
Ah yes, La Bottine Souriante! I agree a great band both live and otherwise. A bit hoaxy with all their French to English translation crud, but great music.
Another vote for la Bottine from me and the best album is En Spectacle which is rather like their greatest hits (at that time) in a specially prepared concert, but it is brilliant!
I love Llan de Cubel......they rule, I play with some Galician boyos who got me into them....I was blown away when I first heard them...they are so tight.
What's your favourite band?
What's your favourite band?
Sorry if this discussion has happened before, but I'm in the mood for buying CDs, so I'm interested to find out what your favourite recordings are, as opposed to live music (and I mean specifically bands as opposed to solo acts or whatever).
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by Dr. Dow
Re: What's your favourite band?
I also mean live recordings, but not "going to see them live" because I think that's a different experience and it's been discussed before.
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by Dr. Dow
Re: What's your favourite band?
Dervish, Erne, Danu, Trian, the list goes on and on......cant go wrong with those ones!
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by bb
Re: What's your favourite band?
My current favorite CD is The Maple Leaf featuring Jimmy Noonan et al... can't get enough of it.
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: What's your favourite band?
Still stuck on James Kelly and Zan MacLeod doing The Ring Sessions, though for the time being I've given up on learning Sitting on the Throne and Touching Cloth. And then there's the two Paddys playing on Doublin'. Been re-aquainting myself with Malloy's Heathery Breeze. And have you heard John Doyle's solo CD, I forget what it's titled...?
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: What's your favourite band?
To echo Zina's recommendation, John Doyle: Evening Comes Early. Wonderful stuff.
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by sparrow
Re: What's your favourite band?
Not really a band CD tho.
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by bb
Re: What's your favourite band?
Pink Floyd, who else?
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by Noah Treeman
Re: What's your favourite band?
It's not *quite* Irish but, they're called Assembly (previously known as Popcorn Behavoir)
Dervish
Again not really a band, (he does play in a band (Teada) and I'm sure they're brilliant, I just haven't heard them),
Oisin Mac Diarmada
Beoloch is another really good one, again not quite Irish, Cape Breton though.....
Flook has some nice arrangements
Silly Wizard is another brilliant group of musicians!
Lunasa
Altan
and that's all I can think of right now cuz it's late, or should i say early?
hope it helps and good luck!
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by Kallie
Re: What's your favourite band?
four men and a dog, ceilidh bandits for pure joie de vivre.
altan, daimh (young band based in Scotland) for keeping you guessing
planxty, dubliners (!) for truly passionate vocals but also for popularising the music then
sharon shannon band, any custy will do, for the same (popularising) today
danu, dervish for class vocals
flook, diesal class arrangements where you can hear all the instruments
and, of course, the bothies whether it be Paddy Glackin, Tommy Peoples or Kevin Burke, preferably a little of each, for such breathtaking finesse and gusto
now there are also...........lunasa, teada, wizards, moving hearts, midnight well, de danaan, kathryn tickell band, john mccusker band, la lugh, patrick street, bumblebees, solas, green fields of america, skyedance, and the list goes on and on and on.......
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by r&c
Re: What's your favourite band?
I admit I'm not really up to date but I still thoroughly enjoy my two
Horslips - best tracks CDs.
# Posted on July 28th 2003 by kuec
Re: What's your favourite band?
Lately I find myself listening to mostly solo stuff or flute/fiddle combinations. As for bands (not mentioned yet) I like Sliabh Notes, Beginish (Paul McGrattan), Providence (John Wynne) & Siona (June McCormick). Don't forget the ceili bands. I love the Kilfenora Ceili Band. They rock!
Joyce
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by JMH
Re: What's your favourite band?
Without a doubt, Deanta is the greatest, especially their first album.
I was also knocked out by Dervish in concert. The woman fronting Dervish has the charisma of Bono, even though she's sitting down.
I like bands with singers the best, but all the bands mentioned so far are great.
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by Rayzore
Re: What's your favourite band?
I heard some tracks from Cran that were pretty good, I'd buy their cd if I could find it.
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by geb
Re: What's your favourite band?
Gotta agree, Cran is an excellent band. The core lineup - Ronan Browne (flat and concert pipes, flute, low whistle, bansari), Desi Wilkinson (Flutes and whistles), and Sean Corcoran (Bouzouki and lead vocals) is very powerful, and their frequent guests on the instrumentals - Kevin Glackin and Triona Ni Domhnaill are superb.
They've done three CDs with the present lineup -
Black Black Black
Lover's Ghost
Music From the Edge of the World
Finding their CDs is easier in the EU than it is in the states, so if you're in Ireland or the UK it should be easier if you check around the usual trad music shops or events where there may be specialty CD vendors.
In the US, your best bet is to visit http://celticgrooves.homestead.com/cghome.html
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by Hanley
Re: What's your favourite band?
I don't really listen to a lot of bands anymore (that's sounds really pretentious, huh) but I have to pitch a couple of bands that should get more recognition.
First, I must recommend Chulrua. Paddy O'Brien (box), Pat Egan (guitar), Tim Britton (pipes, flute, whistles). Every rare once in a while if you see them live Patrick Orceau will sub in for Tim. They're all terrific people as well as musicians, though Pat is a terrible Rook player and Paddy's joke about the driving monkey is a bit dodgy. They've had a second album in the works for quite a while and maybe someday soon we'll get to hear it outside of Pat
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by jerball
Re: What's your favourite band?
LOL -- jerball, did you send a copy of this post to Turlach so he can read that? Somewhere, I have a CD of some tracks that Glen Road did at a concert here in Denver, recorded by a local guy; Mike says that his songs on it are almost exactly what he would have done in the studio. If you send me your address and if I can figure out what I've done with the CD, I'll send you a copy if you like.
Zina
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by Zina Lee
BTW, Mark, I love Chulrua as well. Great stuff.
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: What's your favourite band?
not a band , but if you're in the market for CDs and like the flute then John Skelton & Kieren 'O Hare - double barrelled - is amazing
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by Seasider
Re: What's your favourite band?
Dervish, Altan, Solas. The Chieftains when they're not recording with the Rolling Stones. It's cross-over America-Itrad music, but Tim O'Brien is good. John Doyle and John Williams aren't bands, but I like them whether they're solo or playing in the band.
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by Romkey
Re: What's your favourite band?
Gee, Markus, you didn't stipulate Irish music, so I'd have to list a local group, the Watercarver's Guild--brilliant original tunes and songs on guitar, mandolin, and keyboard, and they do an occasional trad tune as well.
Also Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and the Glen Miller Orchestra, and Dizzy Gillespie, and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Of course, Altan, Dervish, Bothy, and the rest are what I listen to most often. Now I'm off to find a Cran cd....
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by Will Harmon
Re: What's your favourite band?
I've had Bohola stuck in my CD player the last 4 or 5 weeks and have grown quite fond of them. I like their arrangements (super-long sets -- some about 10 - 12 minutes!), their playing personality, and I also think their take on transitions/turns/seamless set construction is of great value. So that's my band of the month(s)! A serious love is Nomos's first CD; I've also found that Danu, Dervish, & Solas withstand the trapped-in-the-disc-machine test very well.
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by cwildeky
Re: What's your favourite band?
Lunasa!
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by Sean K
Re: What's your favourite band?
PLANXTY, is VERY much top of the list. Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Christy Moore, Paul Brady, Liam Oflyn Still amazing after so many years...............if you don't have them, start with the Black album! Also Solas, Lunasa, Bothy band, Coolfin
Erin
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by erin
Re: What's your favourite band?
Faust, The Fall, King Crimson, Radiohead, anything Mary Bergin puts together.
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by greenman
Re: What's your favourite band?
Hey I dunno whether its what your lookin for or not but the Glenside Ceili Band from Longford is absolutely brilliant. Their album is really good aswell it just doesnt get boring!
Mairead
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by mairead_maguire
Re: What's your favourite band?
Top two CDs would have to be Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill "Live in Seattle" and Celtic Fiddle Festival "Encore".
# Posted on July 29th 2003 by oraghalm
Re: What's your favourite band?
Deaf Shepherd. Much greater than Lunasa. And you should try Wrigley Sisters, too. The first album of Calico is also brilliant, full of nice tunes including traditional Breton pipe reels and the leader Diarmaid Moynihan's compositions.
# Posted on July 30th 2003 by slainte
Re: What's your favourite band?
Check out Deiseal, Thy're really good
# Posted on July 31st 2003 by fadah
Re: What's your favourite band?
There is a band called 'Slide' their album name is something to do with flying pigs(??) But they are really fantastic, concertina, flute, fiddle, bazouki....very very nice!
# Posted on July 31st 2003 by bb
Re: What's your favourite band?
Wolfstone
Almost An Island
Peter
# Posted on August 2nd 2003 by baorbrat
Re: What's your favourite band?
All my favorites have been posted above + Dougie MacLean
# Posted on August 3rd 2003 by mikk
Re: What's your favourite band?
!!!!!NIGHTINGALE!!!!!
Not all Irish, lots of French Canadian, English, Scandinavian, and Newfoundland. Awesome Vermont based trio. Their vocalist plays guitar, mandolin, piano, and does french canadian style foot pucussion. They have a great fiddler too, and an very accomplished piano accoridionist. I'm lucky enough to have worked with the guitar/mandolin/piano player for six or so years. Wonderful folks, supurb music, both on the dance stage as well as concert.
# Posted on August 3rd 2003 by rae_rae_racer
P.S.
I think I'll mention a few more good New England bands while I'm at it. As mentioned before Assembly adds a great twist to some Irish stuff. They really fall on these grooves that just don't get old. They, again, are a Vermont based band that have been playing together since they were about ten years old. (10-11 years ago). Wild Asparagus is another great one. They mostly play contra style music but with extremely tasteful arragments. The Clayfoot Strutters are good if you like the more funky (like Hammond organ and drum set) sound. A geat pretty much pure Irish style group is Cucanandy. Flute, fiddle, guitar, bodhran, mandolin, vocals, whistle, and percussive dance. Really great quartet with two albums out. (He Didn't Dance and Contented Minds)
# Posted on August 3rd 2003 by rae_rae_racer
Re: What's your favourite band?
A group not mentioned: LLan de Cubel. Really good musicians and music from Asturies in the north of spain. Other groups are: Dervish, Slide, Bohola, Flook, McGoldrick and John Doyle and many more. But the mentionad are enough for a life
# Posted on August 3rd 2003 by Gontzo
Re: What's your favourite band?
LLan de Cubel. Yes. If any one here feels they might be feeling a little jaded with Irish diddly stuff, learn some Asturain music.
LLan de Cubel are brilliand exponants of this genre. Interesting point though about them being "good musicians from Asturies", fiddle player Simon is a terrific Irish diddler I've known for years. After nailing the Irish thing, he nailed scottish music, and then moved to Asturies and nailed that too. And he's from Manchester (England)
# Posted on August 3rd 2003 by ...
Re: What's your favourite band?
There are lots of groups playing ITM in Germany, lots of them badly, but there are exceptions where good taste is joined by brilliant musicianship. My three favourites are: Dereelium, Fiddlesticks and Friel's Kitchen.
# Posted on August 3rd 2003 by kuec
Re: What's your favourite band?
Agree with the above - "Llan de Cubel" - my favourite band, bar none, and high time they had a new recording out.
Michael - next time you see Mr. Bradley, please tell him to get his finger out ! There was rumour of a live album in the offing. Any information gratefully received.
# Posted on August 5th 2003 by Kenny
Re: What's your favourite band?
Skim-reading this, cos I'm at work, but did nobody mention La Bottine Souriante from Quebec? They're stupendous live, it's a bit like high-octane Breton music with foot-percussion and all sorts...
A few people have cracked and mentioned rock bands... so, for anyone who has the heavy rock urge from time to time, I can hugely recommend the Queens of the Stone Age - they like, todally rock, dudes! The best rock band I've ever seen live, without a doubt - stupefying. Brilliant musicians and quite complex stuff - but packs that simple punch to the solar plexus... Anyway, I have a feeling you meant trad, Dow... I'll get back to work now...
# Posted on August 5th 2003 by Nell
Re: What's your favourite band?
velvet underground
# Posted on August 5th 2003 by biggus dave
Re: What's your favourite band?
Ah yes, La Bottine Souriante! I agree a great band both live and otherwise. A bit hoaxy with all their French to English translation crud, but great music.
# Posted on August 8th 2003 by rae_rae_racer
Re: What's your favourite band?
oh without a doubt, bela fleck and the flecktones. great music, and upon occasion there's something celtic twinged.
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Johnnie with the Queer Thing
Re: What's your favourite band?
La bottine r brilliant live and The Micheal Mc Goldrick Band!
# Posted on August 13th 2003 by Hook
Re: What's your favourite band? Llan de Cubel live album
The Llan de Cubel live album has been in the works for quite a while, as soon as I know anything I'll post it here.
# Posted on August 21st 2003 by AlbertoAblanedo
Re: What's your favourite band?
Another vote for la Bottine from me and the best album is En Spectacle which is rather like their greatest hits (at that time) in a specially prepared concert, but it is brilliant!
R Warford
# Posted on June 17th 2004 by rwarford
Re: What's your favourite band?
I love Llan de Cubel......they rule, I play with some Galician boyos who got me into them....I was blown away when I first heard them...they are so tight.
# Posted on July 21st 2005 by Hugo Chavez
Re: What's your favourite band?
Dervish and Déanta - pure cless!!
# Posted on December 24th 2005 by Mairéado