I suppose anywhere you have a fiddler, piper, drummer, or someone with the humble tin whistle you may have celtic sounds, but to get the full effect you benefit from them all. I am partial to the lilt of the human voice as well. Of the different concerts I have attended, I highly recommend the local ceili's because you get an earful of a wide range of excellent performers ( and as my Scot's brethren would well appreciate: frugally, VERY frugally). The Chieftains are a group that always gives you your moneys worth with a wide variety of things. They are supreme showmen, throwing in dancers, at least one unexpected musical experience, and this last time a whistle solo by Maloney that made the tears flow for its beauty. A group of more traditional style is Altan, with fabulous violins, smooth heart-catching vocals, and the feeling that we were all in one big pub together. The only qualification I have is that their piper was weak- it was not his forte instrument. I also like a bagpipe here and there-but that's just me.

The newest musical experience involved buying a bodhrán. If you would like to know more, my new page updating the experiences from the Dublin, Ohio Irish festival will inform you. Soon after buying this new instrument, I heard many warnings on why bodhrán players have bad reputations. It has something to do with the old adage of "playing to a different drummer". Seems there's a little too much enthusiasm in ones own drumbeat. Yah, well, a good bagpipe ought to drown(or is that drone?) out any offending upstart musicians. I think I am learning why the Scot so enjoys the skirl of the pipes. Hope you have read some of my other pages and familiarized yourself with my terrible attempts at humor. Smile with me,please. Some lesser known bands well worth your while are Stark Raven, Cherish the Ladies.
More about:
Altan
The Chieftains
Cherish the Ladies
Stark Raven