Query Concerning Irish Music

[arguskos]

Sooooo... I recently was introduced to The Rocky Road to Dublin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMw7lwxRImI), and surprisingly found it quite enjoyable. I tend to look for other similar pieces of music when I find something I like, but in this case, it's in the small area of music I know nothing about nor do I have a local contact for such things.

My question to you is: what is similar to this, and can I have some links to it please? :smallwink:

tl;dr: Looking for more Irish music similar to the link. Halps plox.

[Vaynor]

First of all, I'd check out the other stuff by that band. They do a lot of traditional Irish songs. I'm quite fond of Molly Malone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdxLxnhGnvo), myself (my English step-dad used to sing it to me and my siblings when we were younger).

[DomaDoma]

Once you're done with that, check out the Clancy Brothers. Similar style; more songs about historical rebellions and such. (Plenty of drinking and adventuring songs, too.)

[onthetown]

Great Big Sea does a lot of traditional Irish Newfoundland songs...

[arguskos]

More specifically, I'm looking for songs as rapid-fire as Rocky Road to Dublin, since that's what I really enjoyed. A lot of The Dubliner's work seems to be too slow for my tastes. The only thing I've found that works is "Whiskey in the Jar", but I can't seem to find a good recording to listen through, they're all somewhat scratchy or hard to make out. :smallfrown:

I'll hit up the other two bands though, see if I can find anything my ear likes.

[VeisuItaTyhjyys]

The Pogues are pretty much the best band ever.

[THEChanger]

Hmmmm... the faster pace Irish music....
Well, I know that, aside from those already mentioned, the Makem Brothers are a fair band. You'll probably be looking towards songs along the lines of The Tinker's Wedding, and Spanish Stars from them.
While not Irish per say, Heather Alexander, and any song written by Mercedes Lackey, have a similar sound to what your looking for. A few from Miss Alexander I'd in particular recommend:
March of Cambreadth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCrnF844_ww)
The Hunt is On (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FozCVz0_Kpc)
Pour Your Brother One More Round (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7urgOP1fw8c)
Miss Alexander is also significantly easier to understand than the Dubliners. Make of that what you will.

[DomaDoma]

I'm not the only one who's heard of Heather Alexander? :D

I tend to like her slower songs, but try "Creature of the Wood" for an absolutely fantastic song that gathers speed like whoa. (The good version isn't on YouTube - it's on the Life's Flame album, and can be had for a buck on Amazon.)

EDIT: Oh, and on the topic of the Pacific Northwest Filking Scene, I think you'd like Leslie Fish's musical stylings. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05MImdJIrLo) As for lyrical content - well, Alexander is a committed New Age environmentalist, while Fish wrote an entire album about gun rights and, as you've noticed, likes to quote Kipling. Hey, I like them both, why shouldn't you?

[Nosferocktu]

Dropkick Murphy's and Flogging Molly are always good choices. I love thier drinking songs. ^-^

[Gadora]

Have some Brobdingnagian Bards (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=106366). Specifically, I think you might like Old Dun Cow which is number nine on that list.

Also, there are other filk lovers on here? I somehow had gotten the impression that I was the only one.

[Mr._Blinky]

Get some Gaelic Storm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_Storm). They play a lot of traditional stuff (including their own version of The Rocky Road to Dublin), as well as a lot of their own stuff, and they're really good. I'm actually going to a concert they're going to be having in Chicago in March, and I'm super excited.:smallbiggrin:

[thubby]

the genre is world music. if you search around "irish world music" you'll find lots of stuff.

[rakkoon]

I love folk (Flogging Molly, Dubliners, Clancy Brothers (http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/The+Rising+Of+The+Moon/vvV8B?src=5), Irish Rovers (http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/Lord+Of+The+Dance/22T65L?src=5)) and I love metal (Rammstein, Serj Tankian )

Then I found out you can combine the two. HEAVEN

Have a listen to
In Extremo (http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/Omnia+Sol+Temperat/5382440?src=5) and Saltatio Mortis (http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/Prometheus/2foYBc?src=5)

[Cyrion]

You might also want to look into Flook (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEiQpxoQh2Q&feature=related) and Altan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJDTQW87w-s). I think Flook is likely to have a little more fast paced stuff, but they're both fairly solid traditional Irish bands. More instrumentals than vocals.

If you want to venture a little farther out, check out Kila (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOMVaVQPIIk&feature=related). They start with traditional Irish and then throw in some jazz, African rhythms and all kinds of other stuff. Like all traditional Irish stuff, you're going to see a fair mix of ballads and faster pieces.

Branching still further out into Celtic rock, you might enjoy Tempest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JybETyQ_snE&feature=related). They're not strictly Irish, but they do tend to do faster paced stuff. Much of it is what people would generally recognize as Irish, but the lead singer is from Norway (?), so anything you hear that isn't in English tends to be in Norwegian.

[PhantomFox]

Have you checked out Celtic Women? Some of the purist voices around

[Barbin]

You will love Flogging Molly, they blend traditional irish music with punk.

[Innis Cabal]

More specifically, I'm looking for songs as rapid-fire as Rocky Road to Dublin, since that's what I really enjoyed. A lot of The Dubliner's work seems to be too slow for my tastes. The only thing I've found that works is "Whiskey in the Jar", but I can't seem to find a good recording to listen through, they're all somewhat scratchy or hard to make out. :smallfrown:

I'll hit up the other two bands though, see if I can find anything my ear likes.

Being from Columbus I hope you already know there is a bloody fantastic Irish Festival in Dublin.

Also, look up Altan. They are easily one of the best there is in up tempo Irish music. Dubliner has some great up tempo stuff to. Look for Dicey Riliey and the Night Visiting Song.

[lightningcat]

Since most of my favorite groups have already been listed, try Celtic Roots Radio (http://celticrootsradio.podomatic.com/) for a collection of groups and music. It's one of the Irish/Celtic music podcasts that I listen to and enjoy.

[Gaelbert]

Are you interested in Celtic folk music, or modern Irish/Celtic rock?
If the first, then:
Aengus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtUqLwJLKxk)
Aine Minogue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHNzj3qrrxg)
Altan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KzOyCwvQ9o)
Anuna (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iaVHoj0G1k)
Athenrye (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xclfBJl_wvU) -Can be political
Celtic Thunder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkTZLe4iWEY)
Celtic Woman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYrt9ymTRo)
The Chieftains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmANPPIi168&feature=fvst)
Dervish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOqiqBWAqcs)
Dougie Maclean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLYJBU168QQ)
Flying Column (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BWe5eZLG7A)-Can be political
John Gary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdJEhTB43tw)
Leahy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpt2FkXM7cA)-Amazing live show
Wolfe Tones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AXJjY4BTLI)-Highly recommended, but nearly all of their songs are political. I linked the only one that isn't.
Steve McDonald (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8kXxaagOoY)
The Dubliners (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz_dHcduUTU)

If the latter:
Black 47 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wukfdjJv340) -Can be political
The Elders (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDeIDQDGTik)
Enter the Haggis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CDA6f_zijQ) -Electric fiddle with wah peddle(!). The lyrics can come across as ridiculous, but their live shows are pretty fun. Down to earth people, I got a chance to talk to the fiddler.
Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys are decent as well.

A couple of general notes. First, a lot of Irish folk music of the last century is tied to the political events of the time. Second, if you ever get to see any Irish bands live, do it. Live Irish folk is amazing.

[Ragitsu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f1APnWRAMo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g21nOlM_T3s

[arguskos]

Well damn, this went into overdrive last night. I'll check out a lot of the above, thanks folks!

And yeah, Innis, I was aware of the Dublin Festival, though I've never bothered to go, due to not usually liking Irish music in general (too slow for my tastes, typically). Then Rocky Road came along and smacked me in the gob and I was all "woah, that's pretty good" and made thread and here we are. :smallcool:

[Innis Cabal]

Well damn, this went into overdrive last night. I'll check out a lot of the above, thanks folks!

And yeah, Innis, I was aware of the Dublin Festival, though I've never bothered to go, due to not usually liking Irish music in general (too slow for my tastes, typically). Then Rocky Road came along and smacked me in the gob and I was all "woah, that's pretty good" and made thread and here we are. :smallcool:

To slow? :smalltongue:

You just haven't heard the right stuff. Irish music is fairly balanced though I'd suggest you listen more to the reels myself.

[Cyrion]

Another possibility in a similar vein- La Bottine Souriante (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oZ5REoKd5s&feature=related) is a band from Quebec who do lots of jigs and reels. Their instrumentation relies more on brass than woodwinds, but they're a lot of fun. Lyrics are typically in French. Check out the album Rock & Reel for a good intro.