Customer Reviews

Celtic Graces: Best of Ireland

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You won't find a better collection on cd. And it isn't on iTunes either, folks! I have been listening to, and collecting Celtic folk music since the early 80s. I have been looking for cd copies of some of these songs for years. These are the ORGINAL RECORDINGS for these songs, and are the finest renditions ever made.

Listen to Michael Dhomhnaill sing "Lord Franklin". The cd is worth getting just for that song alone. Try to find a copy of the ANDY IRVINE/PAUL BRADY album on cd; you'll pay dearly. There are three cuts from it on this collection. Also, finding anything by THE BOTHY BAND on cd is very expensive. Here, you get two instrumentals and one excellent song by Triona NiDhomhnaill from the album "Old Hag You Have Killed Me". There's a wonderful six minute ballad by Christy Moore and Planxty from "After the Break". Dolores Keane & John Faulkner have one cut from their best work "Sail Óg Rua". Their harmony is breath-taking. And there's more just as good. I mean it, every track is fantastic!

The mix of songs and instrumentals is perfectly balanced. Whoever put these together, knew what they were doing. The booklet has beautiful photos and excellent notes about each track.

If you were fortunate enough to hear The Thistle & Shamrock radio program in the 80s, you will be in heaven! If you're used to more modern Celtic folk recordings, this cd might just change the way you hear that music. Hopefully, someday, these recordings will again come back into print, but this is your chance to get them before the price becomes ridiculous.

This is the best album of Celtic music I've ever heard. It is rich, engaging, and uplifting. Davy Spillane is unbelievable. I listen to it as often as I can, and look in vain for other albums that come even close.

Although my bloodline is predominately Scottish, the Irish blood flows more vigourously when I listen to this collection.
Right from the opening track, Davy Spillane's Midnight Walker, the journey just gets better.
Having little knowledge of these talented Irish musicians, they all prove to be the real deal. Paul Brady's Plains of Kildaire and Arthur McBride are standouts for me.

I wholly reccommend this compilation to everyone, no matter your bloodline!

I have had this music in various formats for years. This is my favorite "at home" music. I listen to it every day sometimes & after several years I am still in love with this compelation.