Episode 685 is THE CHIEFTANS, important promoters of traditional Irish folk music to a global audience. Getting their start in the 1960s, they put out a series of albums through the 1970s that, to my ear, sound genuinely authentic, augmented by the high musicianship of all the players. I’ve always loved uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes) and leader Paddy Moloney is a master (also of the tin whistle). The Chieftans are a good study of the tension between authenticity and popularity. As they moved into the 1980s and after, to keep people buying records and expand beyond the orthodox confines of traditional music, they brought in other folk music (including Chinese), and collaborated with rock, country and classical artists. The result is a departure from “authenticity” and entry into realms that evoke the cheesiness of New Age “Celtic” stuff. I admit that my choice of favorite song comes from its prominent use in the great film Barry Lyndon.
Favourite album: Chieftans 4
Favourite song: Mná Na hÉireann
Favourite song (with lyrics): Molly Bán (Bawn) (with Alison Krauss)
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: The albums labelled Chieftans 1-8 all offer consistently good “traditional” music. For a greatest hits I recommend The Essential Chieftans
Opus Project 