The Best of Irish and Folk Music

The Best of Irish and Folk Music is a website dedicated to sharing the best Irish and Folk music with the world. We believe that music is a universal language that can bring people together, no matter where they are from.

The Origins of Irish and Folk Music

Irish and Folk music has its roots in the Celtic culture of Ireland and Britain. The Celtic culture is rich in history and mythology, and much of this can be seen in the music. The Celtic people were some of the first to use instruments such as the harp, and they developed a unique style of music that is still enjoyed today.

The Celtic Connection

Celtic music is a broad grouping of music genres that have emerged from the native folk music traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe. It refers to both orally-transmitted traditional music and recorded music and the styles vary considerably to include everything from “trad” (traditional) music to contemporary singer-songwriters. Celtic music has attracted a large following both in Europe and North America.

The British Invasion

In the 1960s, a new form of folk music was created by British bands that blended traditional folk with rock and roll. These bands, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Cream, were known as the “British Invasion” bands. They brought a new sound to folk music that was more electric and energetic than the traditional folk songs that had been popular up to that point.

The Best of Irish and Folk Music

There are many great Irish and folk bands out there playing a wide variety of music. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best of these bands and what they have to offer. We will also give a brief overview of the history of Irish and folk music.

The Clancy Brothers

Tom Clancy, Paddy Clancy, and Liam Clancy were Irish folk musicians and singers, who achieved international fame in the 1950s and 1960s as the Clancy Brothers. They were influential in spreading Irish traditional music across the United States and Europe, and helped resurrect interest in it back home. The brothers maintained a close-knit relationship throughout their lives, despite spending much of their careers living in different countries.

The oldest brother, Tom (1922-1990), was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. Paddy (1927-1998) was born in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, while Liam (1935-2009) was born in Dublin. The family moved to Gorham, Maine in the United States when Tom was eight years old, eventually settling on Staten Island, New York. It was here that they were exposed to the traditional Irish music of their parents’ homeland.

All three brothers joined the US Army during World War II, serving in different parts of the world. Upon their return to civilian life, they began performing together as the Clancy Brothers. In 1955 they made their first recordings for Folkways Records. These were followed by a successful appearance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959.

The Clancys recorded over fifty albums during their career. In 1962 they signed with Columbia Records and began working with Bob Dylan, who would later be highly influential in the development of folk rock music. The brothers also appeared on several television shows during this period, including “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “Hootenanny”.

In 1964 the brothers moved to London where they became a hugely popular live act, often appearing on television and releasing several successful albums. They returned to America for a brief period in the late 1960s before moving back to England permanently in 1970. They continued to tour and record together until Tom’s retirement from performing in 1979.

Liam and Paddy continued to perform as a duo until Paddy’s death in 1998. Liam continued to perform until his own death in 2009. His son Donal has taken up the family tradition and now performs as part of The High Kings, an Irish folk group that also includes two of his cousins.

The Dubliners

The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in Dublin in 1962. The band has released 24 studio albums, 15 live albums and numerous singles. The original line-up featured Luke Kelly (vocals, banjo), Barney McKenna (vocals, tenor banjo), John Sheahan (fiddle, tin whistle), Ronnie Drew (vocals, guitar) and Ciaran Bourke (vocals, bodhrán). The most successful commercial incarnation of the band featured Kelly and Drew along with Shane MacGowan (vocals, guitar), Jim Fitzpatrick (guitar) and Dónal Lunny (bouzouki and bodhrán). The Dubliners were influential in spreading the popularity of Irish folk music in Europe and beyond. They toured extensively outside Ireland and collaborated with many well-known musicians.

The Dubliners were inducted into the Irish Music Hall of Fame in 2005. They have been nominated for a Grammy Award and have received Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the BBC and RTÉ. In 2013 they celebrated their 50th anniversary with a series of concerts that included two sell-out nights at the 02 Arena in London as well as special guests such as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris and Ry Cooder.

The Chieftains

The Chieftains are a traditional Irish band formed in Dublin in 1963, by Paddy Moloney, Sean Keane and Michael Tubridy. The band has gone through numerous lineup changes over the years, with Moloney and Keane remaining as the only constant members. The Chieftains are perhaps best known for their work with rock and pop musicians on crossover albums, as well as their recordings of traditional Irish music. They have won six Grammy Awards and been nominated for eighteen. They have also been awarded thirty-nine Gold and Platinum discs.

The Chieftains’ sound is based around Moloney’s uilleann pipes, although they also use a number of other traditional Irish instruments, including the bodhrán, fiddle, tin whistle, flute, bouzouki and accordion. In live performances, the band often includes musicians from other genres on guest appearances. For example, on their 1998 album Santiago, they collaborated with Cuban jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval.

The Chieftains have toured extensively throughout Europe, North America and Australia/New Zealand. In recent years, they have taken part in a number of high-profile events, such as President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993 and the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

The Future of Irish and Folk Music

Irish and folk music has been around for centuries and has undergone many changes. Today, there are many different styles of Irish and folk music. Some of the most popular styles include traditional Irish music, Celtic music, and American folk music.

The Youngbloods

The Youngbloods, an Irish and Folk music band, are set to release their debut album in September. The album will be a mix of traditional and modern folk songs, with a focus on the stories and history behind the music. Singer-songwriter Conor O’Mara is the primary songwriter for the band, and his unique style blends traditional Irish music with a modern sensibility. O’Mara’s lyrics are full of imagery and storytelling, which lends itself well to the folk genre. The band’s name comes from their youthful energy and fresh approach to traditional folk music.

The album was recorded in a small studio in County Mayo, Ireland, with producer Colm O’Riordan. O’Riordan has worked with some of Ireland’s most well-known folk artists, including The Dubliners and The Pogues. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the album’s production.

The Youngbloods are already receiving praise from some of Ireland’s most respected music critics. One reviewer called their sound “authentic and fresh,” while another said the album is “full of heart and soul.” With such positive early reviews, The Youngbloods are sure to make a big impact on the Irish and Folk music scene when their debut album is released in September.

The Pogues

The Pogues were an English Celtic punk band formed in London in 1982, as part of the post-punk revival movement. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and 1990s with their mixture of traditional Irish music, instrumentation and punk rock attitude. They are credited with bringing Celtic punk to mainstream attention and influencing many other bands along the way.

The Pogues disbanded in 1996 but reformed in 2001 and have been touring and releasing new music ever since. In 2017, they released an album of new material, titled Blackout. The band’s current lineup includes founder Shane MacGowan, Spider Stacy, Andrew Ranken, James Fearnley, Terry Woods, Darryl Hunt and Jem Finer.

The Pogues’ musical style combines traditional Irish folk music with elements of British punk rock and American rock ‘n’ roll. Their lyrics are often political or light-hearted(and sometimes both). The Pogues have been compared to other Celtic punk bands such as Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello and Dropkick Murphys.

The Cranberries

As one of the most popular Irish bands of all time, The Cranberries are known for their unique brand of folk-infused Alternative Rock. Since forming in the late 1980s, the group has released seven studio albums and sold over 40 million records worldwide.

While the band is currently on hiatus, they have announced plans to release a new album in 2019. In the meantime, fans can enjoy The Cranberries’ greatest hits like “Linger,” “Zombie,” and “Ode to My Family.”