Looking for some good cds for my husband...

[Dewhistle]

We have a cheap set of Irish traditional songs we picked up a while back, but I'd like to get him something better. He likes some of them, though. He said it sounded like they were just sitting in a pub, drinking and singing. I told him that sounded like a session. There wasn't a lot of whistle or drum, mostly just like he said. Guys sitting around singing songs like, well, I don't know the names but there's one about a valley-o and well, you get the idea, it's about as ir-trad as it gets.

So... what groups have that sound? He's heard the Chieftains, this isn't like that, it's even simpler. This is your Da down to have a drop and someone says, "Oy, how's that one go again, Ard?" and he and his mates sing it at them and someone has their fiddle maybe...

[dlambert]

For great tunes and pure tradition all three of Mike & Mary Rafferty's CDs and Mary's latest solo CD. This stuff is the best for listening and learning from. Check Tayberry music.

Don

[TonyHiggins]

The Dubliners have done tons of music, much recorded live in pubs w/ boisterous audiences, if you want that ambience. They sing a lot of ballads and baudy songs, w/ some nice instrumentals in between.
Tony

[Ron Rowe]

Give Two Gentlemen From Clare a listen, just box and fiddle played in a kitchen, no fancy recording studios or mixes just the straight music.

[kevin m.]

I have to agree with Ron that 'two gentlemen..'is a great album if 'pure drop'is your thing.It's punctuated by spoken intro's,and ends with Gerdie's reminiscences-to me ,this sounds like REAL music,rather than 'product'!

[ChrisLaughlin]

-Music at Matt Molloy's

- Noel Hill and Tony McMahon - In Knocknagree

- Noel Hill, Tony McMahon, Iarla Leonard - Music of Dreams

- Paddy in the Smoke - Irish Traditional Music from a London Pub

Buy them. You'll be happy you did. Start with 'Music at Matt Molloys' and move on from there.

Best,
Chris

[energy]

I second "In Knocknagree" if you're looking for pure drop instrumental Irish trad. There's no singing on it, though.

Do you want more singing or more instrumental music? You didn't make that clear, although you seemed to indicate that singing is preferred.

[Dewhistle]

Yes, I think he'd prefer some singing, at least. I'll be checking out all this stuff, guys, thank you.