The Rough Guide to Irish Music: Second Edition

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 14, 2005)
• Original Release Date: March 15, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: World Music Network
• ASIN: B0007OQ7GK
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #166,567 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Rough Guide's second foray into Ireland's diverse music scene commences with a feisty instrumental by Flook and compiler Geoff Wallis somehow keeps up the momentum through all 22 tracks and 70 minutes. It is obviously impossible to be comprehensive within a single CD, but Wallis has a fine ear for neo-trad artists who share an unstuffy pub-session esthetic, if not much else. Frankie Gavin¹s scratchy, athletic, sweet-sour fiddle remains as satisfying as it was during his De Dannan days. The Prodigals' The Morning After is at once rueful, funny and poetic. Gerry O'Connor's lightning-fast banjo would sound right at home in American bluegrass. But even amid such remarkable company, Aran Islands-born Lasairfhíona ní Chonaola (pronounced La-sah-reena Nee Hun-kneel-ah) is revealed as a singer of overwhelming power. On the Irish-language ballad, Bean Pháidin (Pháidin's Wife), she vents all the cold fury of a girl whose beloved has married another woman. --Christina Roden

Product Description
Music has always been an essential part of Irish culture, and the musical traditions of Ireland – focused around pub sessions – remain amongst Europe’s most enduring and vibrant. Songs (sung in Irish and English) hold a special place in Irish life and exemplify the vivacity of the Irish singing tradition and its wide range of subjects. This all-new second edition of The Rough Guide To Irish Music provides an extensive introduction to Ireland’s musical landscape, from the driving music of Donegal and the foot-stomping polkas and slides of Kerry and Cork to the work of those exploring the borders between traditional music and other genres.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent up-to-date guide, April 20, 2005

By	J. TIMMERMAN (Lawson, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Subtitled "Dublin to Donegal: essential sessions & evolving traditions" this is a generous selection of Irish roots folk music, with none of the more commercial or country-orientated numbers that often invade this type of CD collections. OK, maybe The Prodigals' The Morning After is a bit corny, but otherwise this is good traditional stuff.

There are many important names here so it is certainly is a good guide for newcomers, while seasoned folkies will appreciate the overall quality and likely find some favourites. Plus there's more than a couple of really fine artists here that I for one hadn't even heard of (and I'm pretty well versed in Irish trad). Unlike many Irish Folk compilations this is not just old material either - Lunasa's contribution is taken from their most recent album The Kinnitty Sessions and Altan's comes from their forthcoming album. Can't get much more up to date than that.

The who's who includes Frankie Gavin, Dervish, Maighread & Triona Ni Dhonhnaill, Donal Lunny, Paddy Keenan, Seamus Creagh, Aidan Coffe, Paul Brady, Matt Molloy, Seamus Begley, Jim Murray, Cran, Lunasa, Altan & Gerry O'Connor.

There's a balanced mix of songs and instrumentals, fast and slow, with an emphasis on excitement and feel rather than standards. This is indeed an excellent guide to Irish music.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, August 14, 2008

By	An Avid Reader - See all my reviews

Fantastic album! Covers a vast selection of Irish music. Great to listen to with friends and family while having a few pints!

You cannot go wrong buying this album.
Slainte

5.0 out of 5 stars Soulful, beautiful music, December 17, 2007

By	Thomas L. Mattausch "www.FlowMotionArt.com" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I don't remember where I got this CD. But I do remember many times its songs have made me spontaneously burst into joyful tears. Probably my two favorite are Mary and the Soldier and Curve of the Lake. Just beautiful.