ARC Music offers a wide range of compilation albums of world music, all of which feature authentic and high-quality material, something you don't find easily. Often, these compilations are a mixture of popular music, where quality standards are less important than celebrity. Gaelic Ireland features a rich treasure of traditional songs, most of them in the ancient sean-nos style of singing. As usual, ARC adds a booklet with interesting information in four languages (English, German, French and Spanish).

The opening track is the famous Donegal song "Dulaman," brilliantly interpreted by the well-known group Altan. The following 17 songs cannot compete with the fame of this song, but nevertheless, the journey through Ireland's rich musical heritage has just begun. Sean-nos from Donegal, Waterford, Connemara, Kerry, Cork and elsewhere in Ireland round out the CD. Some of the songs, such as the aisling poems, reach back to the 17th century, while others are contemporary compositions like "Crucan na bPaiste (Lament for Katie)," written by Brendan Graham and sung by soprano Katie McMahon of Riverdance fame. It is the final track on the album and closes the ring with another tribute to celebrity. (Graham wrote the European song contest winner "The Voice.")

The album features wonderful Irish singing and some tracks include excellent musicians. The unique group Cran offers up a lovely and comic Connemara song "Na Ceannabhain." Flute, bouzouki and pipes make this an irresistible dance tune. The hauntingly beautiful "Ochon an Gorta Mor," sung by Roisin Elsafty, is another composition by Brendan Graham, this time in sean-nos style. The children's song "Nead na Lachan" by Dingle-born and bred Eilis Kennedy features not only one of Ireland's most beautiful voices, but also some excellent instrumentals. "Mairin de Barra," a Munster song from the 18th century, is another breathtaking sean-nos piece, sung by Finola O Siochru. Na Fili adds another beautiful dance song, "Beal Atha H-Amhnais," from Donegal. Ger Wolfe's "Bruach na Carraige Baine," a love song from the Beara peninsula, evokes great emotion, and Lasairfhiona ni Chanaola enchants the listener with "Casadh an tSugein," a wonderful song found in the Connemara and Donegal Gaeltachts.

If you are eager to find more about the traditional music of Gaelic Ireland, I highly recommend this CD.

- Rambles
written by Adolf Goriup
published 27 November 2004