CD-Charts Position 111
Average Rating:

Fairytale

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
by: Donovan

Release Date February 15, 2005
Released in October 1965, Donovan's 2nd UK album for Pye Records is represented on this "Expanded Edition" by Tracks 1 to 12 - and it's something of a lost Sixties Folk/Rock classic.

The album's opener "Colours" is a balls-to-the-wall 60's classic - it truly is. "Fairytale" features a lot of tracks like that - just Donovan and his acoustic guitar - more Folk than Pop really. In fact, when you hear almost any track on this very hard-to-find LP, it's easy to see why Donovan was often referred to as Britain's Bob Dylan. And it wasn't just because of the similar vocal styles - they were both such good songwriters and commentators on the times.

Highlights include "The Ballad Of A Crystal Man" which is represented on this ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 112
Average Rating:

The Girl Who Couldn't Fly

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
by: Kate Rusby

Release Date October 11, 2005
I can't imagine anyone not loving Kate Rusby's voice; it's replete with passion and sensitivity. One reviewer here said her voice was "pleasant." That's like saying the stained glass in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin is "okay," which would show a lack of adequate looking. This isn't background music; it's art, something to enter into, savor and experience, not McMusic as background noise for life.

The production work is wonderfully sparse and tasteful. If you like music with depth, clarity, beauty, emotion, and spirit, you'll love The Girl Who Couldn't Fly. If you're merely looking for a beat to do some booty-shakin' or working out, there's an abundance of..well..less-than-deep music out there for you. But Kate Rusby - this woman is worth ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 113
Average Rating:

Ten

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
by: Kate Rusby

Release Date January 07, 2003
I have been a fan of Kate Rusby for a number of years, and this album has quickly become my favorite. Her music tends to tell stories in beautiful song, and in them are found all the raw and agonal emotion of traditional folk ballads. Even where she composes her own songs, these raw emotions often remain in the lyrics encapsulated in her beautiful voice.

One of my favorite songs on this album is "I Wish" which is a portrait of the regret of a girl who has become pregnant by a man who has since moved on to someone else. Here she uses words of a traditional song with her own melody to create a fantastic effect.

Similarly the tragedy in "The Drowned Lovers" which features a curses by a mother (and in one interpretation even murder) against ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 114
Average Rating:

Bert Jansch

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
by: Bert Jansch

Release Date September 03, 2002
I first listened to Bert During the 60's while at college. His guitar work was remarkable and his lyrics appealed to the angst and wanderlust in me. With the passage of decades he hasn't become dated and his guitar still sings.

CD-Charts Position 115
Average Rating:

Vox de Nube

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
from: Sounds True Direct

Release Date June 24, 1997
Okay People! I love ecclestiastical music (I found that word in the merriam webster web dictionary! ;) Church music to you and me!!)but the voices and the collection on this CD is just pLAin MAGNIFICIENT! It actually moved me to tears.....and I never cry..... even when Bambi's mother died!
Of noteworthy interest is 'Magnificat...' the Pater Noster, and ' We venerate Thy Cross....'
So.....GET IT, GET IT, GET IT!

CD-Charts Position 116
Average Rating:

The Best of the Original Dubliners

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
by: The Dubliners

Release Date August 11, 2003
This collection is remarkable for the range of songs it makes available. In fact, once you get past some of the Dubliner's top hits, the music is great. I'm disappointed in their performance of a few standards, such as Whiskey in the Jar, Seven Drunken Nights, and Nancy Whiskey. The performances are not nuanced, they serve too much as drinking songs and do not dig down into the soul of the music. And the compliation repeats titles in "live versions" that add nothing to their depth. The biggest exception to this pattern, however, is the rendition of Black Velvet Band. However! There's a lot of other great music here. The instrumentals are fine, if not inspired. And many of the lesser known titles are great additions to anyone's collection of Irish music. So I'd recommend doing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 117
Average Rating:

Fire & Grace

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
by: Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas

Release Date April 20, 2004
For many of my Celtic music selections I have specific places where they play the best -- fitness center cardio workouts, crank-it-up singing in the car, hopping around the living room dancing, meditative slide into sleep. But this CD has become my soundtrack to joyful, graceful living. It goes with beer, but it's better with wine and chocolate. It can calm anxiety. It can give you energy. It will make you smile. It makes you want to bob your head around and enjoy sunshine on your face. Who would have thought that the cello could be so hot? And that cello and fiddle could be so well matched as in Fraser and Haas?

CD-Charts Position 118
Average Rating:

Little Lights

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
by: Kate Rusby

Release Date June 12, 2001
I liked quite a few of Kate's songs such as "Playing of Ball","Withered and Die","Some Tyrant",and especially "Who Will Sing Me Lullabies".
Her other CD, Hourglass was better but this one is still worth listening to.

CD-Charts Position 119
Average Rating:

The Story So Far...

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
by: Lúnasa

Release Date March 04, 2008
If you like Celtic music, then this is the CD for you. It has everything from bagpipes to tinwhistles and bodhrans, too.The CD was shipped within a week of ordering,but the only downside was a broken spindle in the jewelbox. Other than that, I listen to it a couple times a week.

CD-Charts Position 120
Average Rating:

Parcel of Rogues

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional British and Celtic Folk
by: Steeleye Span

Release Date October 25, 1990
When I was young (years ago) I tried to buy Steeleye Span at a local record store. I had a nice long argument with a clerk who kept correcting me and saying that I wanted "Steely Dan" and that I was confused. I was not confused and I still like Steeleye Span. Along with Figgy Duff, and Loreena McKennitt these are me favorite CD's