Irish Music

If one thing threads through Ireland's rich, musical diversity, it's a bone-deep connection to the Emerald Isle's enduring traditions. Born from a love for their forefathers, the Chieftains — here teaming up with Sinéad O'Connor and the Rolling Stones on 1995's The Long Black Veil — brought Irish music to the ears of the world. Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott turns traditional tracks like "Whiskey in the Jar" into guitar-charged odes to working-class rebels; and closer to home, the Irish Rovers and Great Big Sea keep the Celtic connections strong all the way from B.C. to Newfoundland. Ashley MacIsaac showers us with fiddle sparks, in Next Steps.

Irish pride spreads far and wide in Next Steps, as New York rockers Black 47 (named for the infamous potato famine) pay tribute to socialist hero "James Connolly," Washington D.C. multi-instrumentalist Robin Bullock demonstrates his expertise in Celtic sounds on "Banish Misfortune," and Nova Scotian fiddler supreme Ashley MacIsaac sets fire to his strings on "Fairy Dance." Meanwhile, back on the Isle, Riverdance composer Bill Whelan sets scintillating step beats in a wash of high-gloss strings and pipes on a rollicking "Bridge Attack." For a morning nightcap, courtesy of Lúnasa, head for our Deep Cuts.

When you venture deep into Irish music, you must measure out your journey in centuries of musical heritage. That means there's a lot to play with, so while brothers Finbar & Eddie Furey keep it traditional on a toe-tapping live rendition of "The Town I Love So Well," Celtic collective Lúnasa play with tide and time on the folky eye-opener "Morning Nightcap." Helen O'Hara, the former fiddler for Dexy's Midnight Runners, embraces the past on a lilting "The Curragh of Kildare," and the Prodigals rock a time honoured dance rhythm on "The Open Reel."

One island nation — hundreds of years of history and pride. If Ireland harbors a wealth of musicians with the Old Sod in their hearts, our Irish Music Essentials is a treasure trove of all that is fair, lively, and true about the sounds of the Emerald Isle. Go ahead and try to keep a dry eye when the ensemble Celtic Woman lets loose on the beloved tearjerker "Danny Boy," then perk yourself up with the high energy instrumental "Toss the Feathers" by Celtic pop powerhouse the Corrs. Indulge in a little folk-soaked blarney courtesy of the Irish Rovers and "The Unicorn" or sail away on the new-age atmospherics of "Orinoco Flow" by the girl from County Donegal, Enya. Then sing it out loud and proud: Erin Go Bragh — Ireland forever!