I have to admit my increasing boredom with the endless rehashing of the same old same old Irish music that our parents and their parents listened too... not necessarily done any differently or better. Sure there are splashy new over produced groups and gorgeous new singers busting out their take on
Red Is The Rose, but I always hunger for something new... something creative. Personally, the next "new" cover version of the
Fields of Athenry may put me over the edge...
Interestingly, this is really not so in the traditional arena, where even the most popular and cherished tunes can be played by a new talented player, and given entirely new life, edge and groove.
I really think that the early versions
are usually the more interesting renditions. Recently, on Larry Kirwin's Sirius Celtic Crush radio program, I caught an old Clancy Brothers live recording of
The Patriot Game from the early 60s... likely one of the initial recordings of that song. The passion in that track was so intense and palpable, clearly driven from the then current historical events that inspired the song. I suggest that there may not be a singer or group alive who will sing that with the same raw passion and purpose the way they did in the 60s.
Oh but I am sure they will try...
But there is hope... courtesy of Internet and satellite radio. If you long for something new like me, there are a number of regular programs of new, different, or obscure Irish and Celtic music recordings available... often just a click away.
In just the last year or two, I have been turned on to a bunch of new and innovative Celtic/Irish groups... including Green Man, Enter The Haggis, The Elders, Peatbog Fairies and Greenwich Meantime to name a few. There are tons more... there is hope folks. Here are a few ideas...
First, you can download and listen to brief shows called
podcasts either on your PC or iPod. There are literally thousands of podcasts available on any topic you can think of, including Celtic music. Podcasts are a timely and fresh way of hearing new groups from across the country and the world. Here are my favorites...
www.celticmusicnews.comHosted by Aaron Drake.
Subscribe with iTunes.www.celticmusicpodcast.comHosted by Marc Gunn.
Subscribe with iTuneswww.clevelandcelticpodcast.comHosted by Wendy Lee Donahue
You can sometimes even hear Celtic Cross on these podcasts... which we are always grateful.
As I mentioned earlier, for those of you who have Sirius Satellite Radio... don't miss the
Celtic Crush program, hosted by our friend Larry Kirwin from Black 47. This program on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings always offers a different perspective on interesting Irish and Celtic music.
So... check these spots out and see if you can find something new. Also... make sure to comment about where you find your new music, spread the word!
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