Every week, you can vote for your favorite songs in the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. It's called the Celtic Top 20. Patrons of the Podcast vote for their favorites in each episode. The top songs are added to a playlist on Spotify and a live version on YouTube. Those are narrowed until we have the 20 most-popular songs and tunes of the entire.
It's great fun. I thought it'd be extra nice to fine out more about the artists and their albums by publishing a blog on them.
588: New Music of 2023
The Gothard Sisters “It Was Beautiful” from Mountain Rose
By now these three sisters are probably familiar to listeners here, as they have made quite an impact with their music! If you’ve loved them from what you’ve heard but haven’t yet included them in your regular collection, do yourself a favor and get on their mailing list—you’ll receive five free songs from them as a thank you. It’s a great way to enjoy their music at no cost while making sure you stay up-to-date on what they’re doing. Definitely a win/win! In the meantime, take a few minutes to listen to “It Was Beautiful” from Mountain Rose here with us. A lovely track, we think it’s an uplifting way to start things off here.
Emma Langford “Mariana” from Sowing Acorns
An able storyteller with a voice that’s crystal clear and rich, Emma Langford takes a fresh approach in her Irish folk style and this has definitely gotten her noticed. She just doesn’t sound like everyone else, and her song themes are so imaginative. Right now Langford is on tour, but you can hear her here singing “Mariana” from her most recent album, Sowing Acorns. Whether it’s talent, hard work, or a combination of both, this artist knows how to build a track so that it unfolds and then blossoms. It’s something that serves her well, and this is a song to come back to again and again.
Listen to 588: New Music of 2023
589: Kilts, Celts, and Rock ‘n' Roll
Heather Dale “Mordred’s Lullaby” from The Trial of Launcelot
Join us on a mystical journey, complete with music, lyrics and vocals that will truly transport you. This is what Heather Dale offers the listener on this track from The Trial of Launcelot, her album from 2000. “Mordred’s Lullaby” is one of those songs that captures attention—and over 23 million YouTube views is confirmation of that fact. The singer’s voice is a beautiful instrument, offering a combination of strength and softness that isn’t easy to cultivate, much less maintain. An independent artist, she has even done a TEDx talk about how she has built a career and following in her chosen field. Inspirational!
Haggis Rampant “Cork Hill (feat. Ken Petrie)” from Burly! Haggis Rampant Plugged
From the soothing sounds of Heather Dale we launch into the high energy bagpipes and drums played by Haggis Rampant—the husband and wife team who have also been joined by their daughter. There’s nothing quite as fun as a family band, and they must certainly be a joy to experience live—but here we offer a solid recording of their music instead, which will have to suffice! There’s a lot of energy here, and if the Highland bagpipes are a sound you treasure, this music will always leave you feeling satisfied.
Listen to 589: Kilts, Celts, and Rock ‘n' Roll
590: Stolen Child
The Crossjacks “Irish Washerwoman/Swallowtail Jig/Calliope House (Medley)” from the CrossJacks
Doesn’t everyone love a good medley? We thought you might agree that The Crossjacks can provide one. Sometimes it’s just nice to sit back and listen to the acoustics take the center stage, and this is a perfect example. Whether you fancy a good sea shanty or you prefer more modern fare, they are a band that obliges. Hailing from Tennessee, the trio released their first album in 2020, and we’re hoping to continue seeing future albums that can be enjoyed by all!
Poitin “Blackleg Miner” from One for The Road”
It’s no surprise that Poitin rises to the top in any list of Celtic music. Their pub-style sound is at once familiar and endearing–they just do this type of music so well. “Blackleg Miner” is kind of the perfect example of that. Hailing from Pilsen in the Czech Republic they have been around for quite some time now (1996), and performed at many a festival across Europe, bringing their considerably large array of instruments with them! Always excellent when you want something truly authentic—right?
The Celtic Kitchen Party “Sean Ryan’s Polka/Irish Rover” from Last Call
Whew! It’s always a good time with The Celtic Kitchen Party’s band of six! A true stew of musical sounds and styles, they’ve mastered serving up a little bit of the unexpected in a genre where the familiar usually reigns. This may be a large part of the band’s appeal in truth—what do you think? This song kind of showcases that “free for all” feel the band has cultivated, while still providing a scaffolding of outstanding musicianship that it can all rest on underneath.
Patrons of the Podcast can now listen to the first Highlight Reel of 2023 featuring these songs and more. Thanks, as always, for listening, and for your support. Stay tuned for our next one!
