Irish band Horslips usually gets lumped in with the wave of arty mid-70s prog-rock groups coming out of the UK at the time. Based on an ancient Irish saga, this however is much more traditionally-oriented than most. With instruments including flute, fiddle, mandolin and banjo the group pumps out an experimental set that is holding up well.
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Rum, Sodomy & the Lash The Pogues 1985 [MCA/Stiff]
Elvis Costello got a hold of this Irish folk outfit in a highly successful attempt to preserve the integrity of their music. Leader Shane MacGowan growls with the best of them, so much so that many classified this as a sort of folk-punk. 'Dirty Old Town' received plenty of airplay and MacGowan contributes a handful of worthy originals.
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Fisherman's Blues The Waterboys 1988 [Ensign/Chrysalis]
The Waterboys followed up the electric bombast of 1985's This Is the Sea with this toned-down Celtic folk masterpiece. Scottish band leader Mike Scott has been credited with giving the Irish back their music, humbly stating that the album was simply a product of his influences. A certainty to outlast This Is the Sea as the band's best.
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Irish Heartbeat Van Morrison & the Chieftans 1988 [Mercury]
An atypical record for Morrison, but the one folksters enjoy the most. His teaming with the Chieftans finds both playing traditional Irish songs with all the verve one might expect. 'Carrickfergus' perhaps approaches Morrison's usual sound, but overall nothing sounds out of place. Modern Gaelic folk music at its very best.
The Visit Loreena McKennitt 1991 [Warner]
Canadian McKennitt's breakthrough manages to up the production values while maintaining relatively restrained and pure Celtic virtues. Consisting mainly of original compositions, the set also includes a musical rendition of Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott', a breathtaking version of 'Greensleeves' and even a touch of Shakespeare.
The Chieftains featuring Paddy Moloney's pipes are the best-known of the traditional Irish folk bands, hitting it big in the 1970s with 'Women of Ireland' from the film Barry Lyndon. Here the band pairs itself with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Sting, Van Morrison and Sinéad O'Connor - all the while maintaining an air of Celtic authenticity.
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Forgiven, Not Forgotten The Corrs 1996 [East/West]
Easily the most outstanding example of genuinely irresistible Celtic pop. A brother and his three incredibly attractive sisters cleverly intersperse traditionally-styled instrumental snippets amongst some modern pop gems. It's all done with great panache and solid songwriting, with Sharon Corr's Irish fiddle the centrepiece.
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Celtic Woman Various Artists 1996 [Celtic Woman]
Seven minor record labels got together and offered up two tracks each from their top female Celtic artists to produce this wonderfully diverse set. Whether classified as roots, singer/songwriter or experimental - the common focus here is acoustic Celtic traditions. Ironically, the biggest name appearing is Canadian Loreena McKennitt.
