Traditional Irish

Most of these CDs are recent releases and therefore not so hard to find. Though there is no clear criteria for the selection, I did my best to choose the recordings of a variety of instruments and regional styles.

Great collaboration of some of the most promising young musicians. While paying homage to the older generations of players, they give a new life into some very well-known tunes. Deliberately old-fashioned, but very creative and mighty playing of Irish music.

Brilliant album by a Clare concertina player. Being deeply rooted in the musical style of her native county, Mary MacNamara's playing is gentle but very persuasive. Purely traditional recording, which you will never grow tired of.

Timeless recording of Donegal music by the founders of the renowned band, Altan. Many tunes in this album are quite rarely heard in other parts of Ireland and obviously have the Scottish origin. The sound of the recording is amazingly pure: in fact, it is much clearer than that of their later recordings.

Unaccompanied pipes and fiddle duet album by two Dublin players. You'll see it is a myth that traditional Irish music now cannot dispense with guitar or bouzouki accompaniment. Davy Spillane and Kevin Glackin's playing is thrilling and persuasive enough without any support of the "foreign" instruments.

Lovely banjo and box duet album. It is not a common combination of instruments, but the crispness of banjo and the mellowness of box really complement each other in their performance. Their playing is very tight but still relaxed, and it is a delight to see the exchange of the two great young musicians. There are some nice solo tracks too.

James Kelly is one of great master fiddlers of our own times, who could turn virtually any tune into a gorgeous masterpiece. Well-known mostly for his fine compositions and unique settins of common tunes, Paddy O'Brien is another fabulous player. Daithi Sproule adds tasteful guitar accompaniment and lovely songs.

The latest recording by Sligo virtuoso whistle player. Carmel Gunning's superb whistle playing is full of variations and ornamentations with mighty toungings. She never plays the same tune in the same way twice.

Wonderful unaccompanied pipes and fiddle duet music rooted in Sliabh Luachra tradition. Most of the tunes on this album are classic ones, and their playing is pure and solid. Two musician's love and joy of traditional music really shine through this simply delightful recording. There are a couple of nice whistle duet tracks, too.

The combination of botton accordinon and fiddle is popular in the performance of traditional Irish music, but it is more common in the south parts of the country than any other region. This is really relaxing music played in Sliabh Luachra style with tasty guitar accompaniment.

Gorgeous flute and fiddle duet recording in the combination of West Clare and East Galway styles. As the title suggests, their music represents the purest and most old-fashioned form of traditional Irish music. Certainly one of the most beautiful recordings ever made.