Merry Christmas and the happiest of holiday!
There is no regular episode of the Irish & Celtic Music this week. Instead, I'd like you to enjoy last week's two hour-Celtic Christmas Women special or listen to the Celtic Christmas Podcast. There's a lot of great Christmas music you will enjoy.
Then make sure you are subscribed. Because next week, I release the Celtic Top 20. That features your votes for the best Celtic songs and tunes of 2020.
In the meantime, I will share the top 10 bands of 2020 and more ways to celebrate Celtic culture through music.
We need your support.
Please become a Patron of the Podcast today!
TOP 10 CELTIC BANDS OF 2020
Nearly every year, I compile a list of my pick of the bands bands of the year. This year, I started with an article of the Top 10 Celtic Bands. But stay tuned and subscribe to the Pub Songs & Stories podcast. I'll share a Celtic Top 20 countdown in February.
Check out my pick of the Top 10 Celtic Bands.
SONG HENGE PROFILES
Stephanie Claussen, Laura MacKenzie, Eira, Celtic Woman, Sarah Marie Mullen, Susan Toman
Listen Here! (Songhengers Only)
CHRISTMAS IN PITTSBURGH, 1943
This song was originally recorded for A Celtic Christmas, our compilation CD. Watch this video from Jim O’Conner, of Boston Blackthorne, of his new song Christmas in Pittsburgh, 1943. He is kind enough to give a shout out to me and the podcast.
Watch Christmas in Pittsburgh, 1943
LITTLE CHRISTMAS
Celtic Christmas music from The Jig Is Up, Cynthia Shelhart, Steel Clover, Abbots Cross, Liz Madden, Laura MacKenzie, Reilly, Sharon Shannon, deCeadaoin, Tiffany Schaefer, Emish, Stephanie Claussen, Celtic Woman, Runa, The Selkie Girls
Listen to the Celtic Christmas Podcast.
CELTIC CHRISTMAS ON SPOTIFY
There's a lot of great Celtic Christmas music on Spotify. But it's not always easy to find. That's because it's all about keywords or what you want to enjoy. So here are a few I found.
- Joyful Celtic Christmas Music – This is my playlists featuring music from many of the bands on the Celtic Christmas Podcast.
- Christmas Drinking Songs – This is a fun, upbeat playlist, perfect for celebrating the holiday.
- Fun Christmas Songs for Kids and Families – This is my families playlist. It's largely filled with fun, popular Christmas music, but because it's for my family, you'll also hear a bunch of Celtic tracks mixed in, including some of my own.
- A Cozy Celtic Christmas – For a more relaxed, beautiful, Celtic Christmas morning sort of feel, check out this playlist by The Gothard Sisters.
- Celtic Christmas – This monster playlist by Lady Susan of Thunder on the Plains includes Christmas music from probably every Celtic artist who ever made music.
- An Irish Christmas – Christmas music by Irish and Celtic musicians
YOUR IRELAND TRAVEL QUESTIONS ANSWERED | TRAVELING IN IRELAND PODCAST EPISODE 99
Happy late December 2020! This year was a roller coaster of uncertainty when it came to Ireland travel – so let's all hope for the ‘luck of the Irish' to be with us in 2021!
Huge thanks to everyone to took the time to complete my Ireland travel survey! In today's podcast I will be sharing those results in today's episode of the podcast, as well as answering all the travel questions you sent in – at least to the best of my ability!
KERRI WATT PRESENTS “SCOTTISH SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND” AT ORAN MOR WITH GREGOR PHILIP & WILL IRVINE
Donate to Music Venues Trust here: http://musicvenuetrust.com/
This show is in support of Music Venues Trust, helping our music venues survive this tough time so we can all get back to live music when life permits.
Kerri Watt presents “Scottish Songwriters in the Round” at Oran Mor with Gregor Philp & Will Irvine. Kerri hosts (and performs) with two of her favourite Scottish writers – Gregor Philp of Deacon Blue and Will Irvine of Daytime TV. Playing a mix of originals and covers with a few collabs thrown in, it's going to be a very festive evening of music and fun.
HALLELUJAH
This isn't quite a Christmas song. And yet, it is often associated sung this time of year. I recorded it a few weeks back. I give it a sort of Celtic twist… especially when I finally add that fiddle. I hope you enjoy.
COPPERPLATE CHRISTMAS MISCELLANY 20
Bothy Band, Eileen Ivers, Johnny Og Connolly & Brian McGrath, Hanz Araki & Kathryn Claire, Paul Brady, Tim Dennehy, Tommy Sands, Hanz Araki & Kathryn Claire, Cor Chois Fharraige, The Outside Track, Spike Jones, Mick Moloney & Friends, Christy Moore, Terry Clark & Rosie Flores, Virginia Woolf, Dick Gaughan, Bert Jansch, William Shakespeare, Shirley & Dolly Collins, The Young Tradition, Mick Moloney & Friends, Danu, Ralph McTell, Bothy Band
BLARNEY PILGRIMS IRISH MUSIC PODCAST: EPISODE 81: SMASH HITS 2020 (PART 1)
All the best of the tunes and songs from the last year of Blarney Pilgrims Podcast. Featured in this episode: Karen Dolan – Unnamed tune, Aifric Boylan – The Golden Castle / Mickey Callaghan's Fancy, Daithi Gormley – My Love is Fair and Handsome and The Maid of Mount Cisco, Kevin Crawford – Old John's and The Longford Tinker, Luke Plumb – The Cornerhouse, The Lady's Pantalettes and The Bird in the Bush, Jack Brennan – Garrett Barry's Jig, Cathy Brennan – Roll Out The Barrel / Christmas Eve / Castle Kelly, Catherine McEvoy – East of Glendart / The Green Fields of Woodford, Theresa O'Grady – The Milky Way (Vincent Broderick), Ken Fleming – three polkas, one unnamed and The Blackwater 1 and 2, Eoghan O'Ceannabhain – A song Eoghan learned from his father and grandmother – Meiriceá, Merran Moir – The Longford Collector / Castle Kelly / and a mystery tune, Úna Monaghan – Mammy's, Mick Doherty, Bush Gothic, and Joe Fitzgerald – Andy's Gone With Cattle.
CELT IN A TWIST DECEMBER 20, 2020
If all you want for Christmas is a break from the usual musical crap, welcome to our Contemporary Christmas Special from Celt In A Twist!
MR THOUMIRE’S FINE TUNES – FOOT STOMPIN’ FREE SCOTTISH MUSIC PODCAST NO 209
Can’t believe we are into December! We’ve got some great new and classic tracks for you this week to keep you dancing away!
MOSTLY FOLK PODCAST EPISODE 505
Chris Wilhelm, Chaise Lounge, Sara Thomsen, Mark Stepakoff, Amelia Krinke, Aoife Scott, Marion Halliday, The Creek Rocks, The Rough & Tumble, Kat Goldman, The Creek Rocks, Donovan Woods, The Onlies, The Creek Rocks, Eric Brace & Last Train Home, Naomi Randall, Cry Cry Cry, Chuck Brodsky
THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST
Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out every week. You can pledge a dollar or more per episode and cap how much you want to spend each month over on Patreon.
Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. Plus, you get to hear episodes before regular listeners. When we hit a milestone, you get an extra-long episode.
A super special thanks to our newest patrons: Ben, Pamala D, Vaidah Katz, Phyu K, melsing, Esther W, Hobie W, Dan C, Laura
You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at http://songhenge.com
What are you doing today while listening? The easiest way to let me know is to email me right now. Send a comment or a picture of what your doing. You can also send a photo from one of your trips to a Celtic nation.
Slainte!
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather
December 24, 2020
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS
Do you have a friend who loves Celtic music? Why not share the latest episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Share this newsletter or your favorite episode. Tell them why you love it.
Thank You!
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