Many of the most fascinating titles from Moses Asch’s Folkways imprint consisted of field recordings captured by folklorists working far beyond American shores. Classic Celtic Music from Smithsonian Folkways collects 23 remarkable examples of indigenous folk forms from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England recorded over the entirety of Folkways’ seven decades of existence. They range from the startlingly beautiful Gaelic balladry of Sorcha Ní Ghuairim (recorded by Moses Asch himself in 1945) to the masterful reels of Bronx-born fiddler Brian Conway (whose ageless airs were set to tape as recently as 2001). Though this set collects only a small percentage of the remarkable Celtic recordings in the Folkways archives, it nonetheless covers an impressive amount of ground. Margaret Dirrane, Shirley Collins, and Sarah Makem (mother of famed singer Tommy Makem) all deliver beautifully lilting songs of courtship and heartbreak, while instrumentalists like bagpiper Willie Clancy, fiddler Bob Hokirk, and flutist Tom Byrne perform centuries-old melodies with impressive skill.