Celtic Songs That Rock My Socks

[maychorian]

I love Celtic music. And with the joy of streaming audio online, I can share some of my favorites with you. So here they are!

http://www.last.fm/music/Ceili+Moss/_/The+Maid+on+the+shore
One of my very favorite traditional Celtic folk songs, ever. Very haunting and beautiful. I’ve learned to play this on my guitar, in a sort of half-assed way.

http://www.last.fm/music/Great+Big+Sea/_/Captain+Kidd
It’s about a PIRATE! And it’s awesome! Favorite pirate song ever. My mom also loves this one. I know, random.

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Merry+Wives+of+Windsor/_/Mad+Jenny
This group sings traditional Celtic folk songs from the woman’s point of view, but this particular one is even more awesome than those. The chorus gives me chills, like, a lot.

http://www.imeem.com/people/GLHxbxM/music/BogDucEV/enter_the_haggis_gasoline/
The band is sort of what you call Celtic fusion-a whole bunch of styles all mashed together. This song has the most driving, energetic beat I’ve ever heard. Awesome for riding in the car, singing at the top of your lungs.

http://www.imeem.com/people/GLHxbxM/music/N6xd6tFS/enter_the_haggis_minstrel_boy/
Okay, one? “Minstrel Boy” is an amazing song. One of my first exposures to traditional Celtic music back when I was a teenager. Still love it, still occasionally play it on the piano. Two? This version has electric guitars. I shouldn’t have to explain how amazing that is.

http://www.last.fm/music/PaddyRasta/_/Molly+Malone
Oh Em Gee. It’s Celtic Reggae! No, I’m not kidding. It really works. Go, listen listen!

http://www.last.fm/music/Ceann/_/Blame+the+Viking
This song cracks me up every time. When things go wrong around the house, who should you blame? The Viking, of course.

http://www.last.fm/music/Ceann/_/The+Worst+Pirate+Song
Okay, maybe THIS is my favorite pirate song ever. “Cuz everyone knows that pirates just wear black. They raise a flag of skulls and bones when they attack. Not birds and flowers, not birds and flowers, no way.”

http://www.last.fm/music/Coyote+Run/_/Dragon+Of+Cabo+San+Lucas
Fantastic and heart-pounding. A storm and a sea and a battle and bagpipes.

http://www.last.fm/music/Great+Big+Sea/_/I%27m+a+Rover
Oh, man, I love Great Big Sea, have I mentioned? Especially when they take traditional Celtic songs and rock them like this. Even better live, as is everything they do.

http://www.last.fm/music/Bedlam+Bards/_/Leaf+On+The+Wind
This? Is about Wash. Of Firefly. It’s awesome. Need I say more?

http://www.last.fm/music/Bedlam+Bards/_/Theme+Song+Parody
Firefly, same band, same album as above. I love it I love it. In fact, if you like Firefly, you should just buy this album now. I love the instrumentals, too.

http://www.last.fm/music/Jed+Marum/_/Desolation+Island
Another pirate song. You know, maybe I should just go ahead and list my personal pirate mix, too. But Jed Marum, mmm. I would give a lot to have a voice like his.

Ed: Here's my pirate mix as it stands now, missing some songs because of asploded computer and everything. http://www.imeem.com/people/GLHxbxM/playlist/RaKJoEtH/pirates_ladies_and_pirate_ladies_plus_some_drinking_songs/

Also needs this one: http://www.last.fm/music/The+Potcheen+Folk+Band/_/Grace+O%27+Malley