Favourite Folk and Trad Songs/Videos

Denerick · 27-02-2009 7:41pm #1

This isn't so much a list of 'the worlds greatest folk songs', just your favourite.

For me, The Green Fields of France (Willy Mac Bride), And the Band Played Waltzing Mathilda, and The Town I loved so well are among my favourite tunes, folk or otherwise.

captain a · 28-02-2009 6:00pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3T6u95CxWs

Whiskey Devil · 01-03-2009 6:57pm

Some of my favourite songs..

Gallipoli http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA79kVLHZ5c
Kilkelly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm3cpx-9kPg
When You Were Sweet Sixteen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z265BuKCQrc
The Dutchman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=429PaSejZCE
As I Roved Out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN9Y3ChP1go
The Broad Majestic Shannon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PrLux_AtXk

Suaimhneach · 01-03-2009 7:40pm

Great idea, thread stuck.
Post your favorite but try not to be spamalicious!

captain a · 02-03-2009 12:56pm

hi,
i wasnt trying to be spammy, i just actaully posted that tune in a seporate thread, but somone moved/edited it meantimes, hence the completely irrelevant tagging.

my own favourite of late would be this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z3A5Tgy47M

Suaimhneach · 02-03-2009 7:49pm

captain a wrote: »

hi,
but somone moved/edited it meantimes

That person would be me. A thread with no discussion and just a link to a YouTube video is hugely pointless. Whereas this thread isnt so much of the pointless! So I merged them for the benefit of all!
You werent being spammy, dont worry!

vangoz · 03-03-2009 3:32pm

Song for Ireland
Molly Ban (one a many different names)
Streets of New York
McShane
Dreams of Home

banjopaul · 03-03-2009 9:10pm

Don't think this has been done before, if it has then apologies!
Here's a few to get it started, you'll notice I'm slightly banjo biased!:D

Shona Kipling and Damien O'Kane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yoyo7d7c3c

Damien O'Kane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Cr8U69ac8

Gerry O'Connor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tf7A13_Ex8

Darren Maloney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEaQDQfifbc

James Kelly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb1K5BCtLY8

So lets see your favourites, might find some new trad I didn't know before.

banjopaul · 03-03-2009 9:18pm

And here's some groups too..

The Bothy Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASKwb3lZKz4

Gráda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igOHAj2vWJI

Lúnasa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4df101Vt50

Flook

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SamD72aEfUM

fitz0 · 04-03-2009 12:04am

Luke Kelly's rendition of Joe Hill,
The Fureys - Belfast Mill
Ewan McColl & Peggy Seeger - Derek Bentley

Locamon · 04-03-2009 5:26pm

U2's version of the Spring Hill Mining disaster
or
Sinéad O'Connor's version of Peggy Gordon
or
Liam Clancy's version of The Rocky Road to Dublin
or
Van Morrison's version of The Star of the county Down

among many favourites

banjopaul · 07-03-2009 3:37am

More stuff!

Kevin Burke:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pOtZkeJkLE

John, James and John Jnr. Kelly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga4qocQkH0A

Damien Mullan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w14SDHBUzsY

Andgelina Carberry & Martin Quinn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgN20aFjAWI

Lúnasa(Kevin Crawford):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9DLP4PobwY

Caoimhín O'Raghallaigh & Mick O'Brien:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tnWxsNshZQ

So has anyone got any to add? Or is the forum only for rebel music at this stage?:pac:

captain a · 13-03-2009 2:42am

captain a wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3T6u95CxWs

we put a harp on this today, so that link is a dud now, it sounds cooler and its moved here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BYyaClsX_o

k thnx bai

banjopaul · 15-03-2009 2:01pm

Here's some more stuff, all full length gigs, brilliant for seeing bands live that you haven't had the chance to see yet!:)

Flook

Paddy Keenan

Sharon Shannon

Lúnasa

Kevin Burke

Dervish

Four Men and a Dog

Denerick · 15-03-2009 5:23pm

Great thread!

banjopaul · 16-03-2009 8:05pm

Hey Jesjes, I don't mind the threads being moved together, but do you think a title change is in order? None of the videos I posted are folk songs, all instrumental trad.

unknown13 · 18-03-2009 1:05am

Green fields of France by Dropkick Murphys is mine

ynotdu · 18-03-2009 3:14am

by the many wonderful Folk singers and songs We have,I think,Just a rock in the Atlantic,SO much Talent

ynotdu · 18-03-2009 3:26am

Locamon wrote: »

U2's version of the Spring Hill Mining disaster
or
Sinéad O'Connor's version of Peggy Gordon
or
Liam Clancy's version of The Rocky Road to Dublin
or
Van Morrison's version of The Star of the county Down

among many favourites

I Remember the Magical Late late show,the 25 Years of the Dubliners,
I was no fan of Bono(only like his voice when He sings Lol)
When He sang it He blew me away!!!!!!!!
What a Voice,when He use,s it to SING Ha ha

Pollythene Pam · 25-03-2009 6:25pm

Dainty Davey. A tradition song that has stood the test of time.
Especially when sung by Luke Kelly.

Denerick · 01-04-2009 11:25pm

I've been enjoying Carrickfergus by Alan Connaught recently. Also Tommy Sands 'There were Roses'. This island is literally streaming from the seams with brilliant folk musicians. The pity is that we never hear them on the radio or anything like that. You really need to go to old dance halls, pubs, hotels etc. to hear these people. Or youtube

ynotdu · 02-04-2009 1:03am

Denerick wrote: »

I've been enjoying Carrickfergus by Alan Connaught recently. Also Tommy Sands 'There were Roses'. This island is literally streaming from the seams with brilliant folk musicians. The pity is that we never hear them on the radio or anything like that. You really need to go to old dance halls, pubs, hotels etc. to hear these people. Or youtube

Hi.
I love that song there were roses.
onetime I was singing I wish I was in carrickfergus and a witty flat mate said "Aye so the **** do We lol.

There is a song called Kilkelly Ireland I once heard sung on the late late show,it is based on a whole bunch of letters found in an attic of a house in America.The letters spanned many Years and were from the parents of one of their children forced by poverty to emigrate never to return.
I know I am giving very skimpy information but wonder if anybody knows who sang it?
It,s title may not even be kilkelly Ireland,it was very poignent song though.I know its a long shot but would love to know more about song&artist so I could find a copy of it?
Thanks in advance

Whiskey Devil · 06-05-2009 4:05pm

Oops. ynotdu see below..

Whiskey Devil · 06-05-2009 4:12pm

ynotdu wrote: »

Hi.
I love that song there were roses.
onetime I was singing I wish I was in carrickfergus and a witty flat mate said "Aye so the **** do We lol.

There is a song called Kilkelly Ireland I once heard sung on the late late show,it is based on a whole bunch of letters found in an attic of a house in America.The letters spanned many Years and were from the parents of one of their children forced by poverty to emigrate never to return.
I know I am giving very skimpy information but wonder if anybody knows who sang it?
It,s title may not even be kilkelly Ireland,it was very poignent song though.I know its a long shot but would love to know more about song&artist so I could find a copy of it?
Thanks in advance

I posted a link to this song already in this thread.

Story and song here..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm3cpx-9kPg

Possibly the saddest and most beautiful song I've ever heard..

You can find it on 'Green Fields of America - Live in Concert'. It's available on iTunes.

There's also a Dubliners recording of this song but it's not a patch on Robbie O' Connells version in my opinion.

ynotdu · 06-05-2009 8:02pm

Whiskey Devil wrote: »

I posted a link to this song already in this thread.

Story and song here..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm3cpx-9kPg

Possibly the saddest and most beautiful song I've ever heard..

You can find it on 'Green Fields of America - Live in Concert'. It's available on iTunes.

There's also a Dubliners recording of this song but it's not a patch on Robbie O' Connells version in my opinion.

Have listened to it three times already and still has the same effect as first time i heard it.

how stupid I was not to spot it on your original post,only excuse I can offer is I was and still am a newbie to boards.ie.It may say I have made over 300 posts but 298 of them were me telling mods how wonderful they are:D or I had taken too much *whiskey in the jar;)*

Really thanks a million!

I am posting a link below to the song *Clare to here* It was a number 1 for the Fureys but the link is to Ralph Mc Tell singing it as he wrote it when sharing a flat with three Irish bricklayers in the UK.
The Fureys changed his version and when i saw him perform in Ireland he had to sing his own song as a cover of the Fureys version(by his own admission:)) I prefer his version and He IS as gentle a guy as his songs(streets of London etc)suggest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmDfehaYayE

ynotdu · 06-05-2009 8:39pm

banjopaul wrote: »

And here's some groups too..

The Bothy Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASKwb3lZKz4

Gráda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igOHAj2vWJI

Lúnasa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4df101Vt50

Flook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SamD72aEfUM

Hi Banjopaul,I,m not really a fan of traditional Irish music without Lyrics but got a good buzz from this,It is Barney McKenna(image wise always painted the *stupid* one in the Dubliners.He plays a Medley of tunes on the banjo.where would You or others who might check it out put his talents compared to others on a scale of 1 to 10?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scawc6Q9heI&feature=related

banjopaul · 06-05-2009 11:14pm

ynotdu wrote: »

Hi Banjopaul,I,m not really a fan of traditional Irish music without Lyrics but got a good buzz from this,It is Barney McKenna(image wise always painted the *stupid* one in the Dubliners.He plays a Medley of tunes on the banjo.where would You or others who might check it out put his talents compared to others on a scale of 1 to 10?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scawc6Q9heI&feature=related

Well he has to be respected seeing as he was responsible in a big way for popularising the banjo in trad, and fair play to him for that, but to be honest he's not that great a musician, like nowhere near as technically talented as the players that are around now, even in that video he hits plenty of bum notes. He has a feel for the music alright, but there's nothing special at all about the way he plays in my opinion.

For a bit of contrast have a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLFZ9IAfTiA

Brilliant music, far better than McKenna, in my opinion of course, and thats only a young lad who I happened to stumble across on the comhaltas site, like not someone famous at all.

You should try get into the instrumental music a bit, its all linked in as part of the tradition! Can't do any harm anyway!:)

Edit: I purposefully didn't give a rating out of ten, music is far to complex to simplify it down to a rating.

ynotdu · 07-05-2009 12:38am

banjopaul wrote: »

Well he has to be respected seeing as he was responsible in a big way for popularising the banjo in trad, and fair play to him for that, but to be honest he's not that great a musician, like nowhere near as technically talented as the players that are around now, even in that video he hits plenty of bum notes. He has a feel for the music alright, but there's nothing special at all about the way he plays in my opinion.

Brilliant music, far better than McKenna, in my opinion of course, and thats only a young lad who I happened to stumble across on the comhaltas site, like not someone famous at all.

You should try get into the instrumental music a bit, its all linked in as part of the tradition! Can't do any harm anyway!:)

Edit: I purposefully didn't give a rating out of ten, music is far to complex to simplify it down to a rating.

I cannot deny the talent of that guy and i realise how difficult an instrument the Banjo is to play,still i did not get the umph from it that a good Ballad can give.I do find though when sometimes i,m in Clare and in a pub amongst an appreciative crowd I can get right into it(with some aid from alcohol)as if that is were Irish jigs&reels were meant for, that enviroment(or in poorest of times playing amongst neighbours in thatched cottages&sipping poition)for whatever reason i can enjoy ballads sober and without company

same thing happens to me when i watch Irish dancing leaves me a bit cold but the UMPH put into it by for instance Riverdance makes it more appealing,so i guess some of it is my problem:)

I should have been a bit clearer about the 1 to 10,even though it is slightly off topic for this thread,what i really meant was say compared to Bluegrass etc, that can be very lively!,proably wiser that you did not try to compare even on a narrower basis though.
Regards

Thanks for the clip and the speedy reply&hey great that these traditions are being kept alive,was looking like Ireland wanted to ditch ALL its heritage&culture during the *boom*

Heisenberg. · 07-05-2009 8:28pm

This post has been deleted.

ynotdu · 07-05-2009 9:31pm

Hi Scien,I enjoyed both those clips.what put the UMPH in was the Uileann pipes on Davy Spillane and the bodhron on the Corrs.

I think the Fureys vocal talents leave a lot to be desired but not their brilliance at playing musical instruments!

As haunting as kilkelly is(with lyrics)First time I heard Finbar Furey play this on the Uileann pipes it blew me away!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8rULrp_J5E&feature=related

Whiskey Devil · 07-05-2009 9:49pm

ynotdu wrote: »

Have listened to it three times already and still has the same effect as first time i heard it.

how stupid I was not to spot it on your original post,only excuse I can offer is I was and still am a newbie to boards.ie.It may say I have made over 300 posts but 298 of them were me telling mods how wonderful they are:D or I had taken too much *whiskey in the jar;)*

Really thanks a million!

I am posting a link below to the song *Clare to here* It was a number 1 for the Fureys but the link is to Ralph Mc Tell singing it as he wrote it when sharing a flat with three Irish bricklayers in the UK.
The Fureys changed his version and when i saw him perform in Ireland he had to sing his own song as a cover of the Fureys version(by his own admission:)) I prefer his version and He IS as gentle a guy as his songs(streets of London etc)suggest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmDfehaYayE

Glad you enjoyed it! Just out of interest, was it the version you were looking for?

'It almost breaks my heart when I think of Josephine, I promised her I'd be coming back with pockets full of green.' Ralph McTell is one of my favourite songwriters! Good choice! :cool:

The Lonesome Boatman Poem if you haven't come across it..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3cl7Q2GI50

Whiskey Devil · 07-05-2009 9:55pm

Possibly Luke Kelly's finest song, and also his last tv appearance with The Dubliners - Night Visiting Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMGvQ2v-ZRM

ynotdu · 07-05-2009 10:38pm

Whiskey Devil wrote: »

Glad you enjoyed it! Just out of interest, was it the version you were looking for?

Whiskey Devil I was actually looking for the Rap version :D:D

Kidding of course!

I was not paying much attention to the Intro or anything on the lls,Just remember the room going quiet as the lyrics were been sung(as if a genetic memory took over?)

then it seemed to disappear,never even heard Ronan Collins play it!So I thought it was *lost&gone forever*

So really i cant answer the specific version,just know it stayed in my mind until You directed it to Me.:)

banjopaul · 07-05-2009 10:49pm

Scien wrote: »

Going through a trad phase at the moment here are 2 favourites:

Davy Spillane - Caoineadh Chulainn
Amazing Lament on the Uilleann Pipes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSjmvU_8xLY

Thanked you for the Davy Spillane clip! Hadn't seen it before, I do love the pipes played well!:) But my god do I hate the Corrs!:pac:
They're just such mediocre musicians, fair enough they can sing, but jaysus you'd thing with that fame they could but a tin whistle thats in tune. Look at this vid, 2:10 in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtp4adNTP0Y

Very sloppy stilted playing, especially compared to the other musicians on stage!

ynotdu wrote: »

I cannot deny the talent of that guy and i realise how difficult an instrument the Banjo is to play,still i did not get the umph from it that a good Ballad can give.I do find though when sometimes i,m in Clare and in a pub amongst an appreciative crowd I can get right into it(with some aid from alcohol)as if that is were Irish jigs&reels were meant for, that enviroment(or in poorest of times playing amongst neighbours in thatched cottages&sipping poition)for whatever reason i can enjoy ballads sober and without company

Fair enough, different strokes for different folks and all that! I do find that most of the people who like trad, are people who also play it. Music with lyrics is always more easily accessible by the non-musicians anyway.

banjopaul · 07-05-2009 10:53pm

Now here's a bodhrán solo for ya!!:D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n9DF4HWjV4

ynotdu · 07-05-2009 11:11pm

Whiskey Devil wrote: »

Possibly Luke Kelly's finest song, and also his last tv appearance with The Dubliners - Night Visiting Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMGvQ2v-ZRM

Hi Whiskey,for some reason I am getting very poor sound quality on Luke Kellys last televised performance and am not familior with the song,but I will try get a better audio of it somewhere.up to now My favourite clip of luke is him singing"scorn not"(I think written by Phil Coulter?)Luke is sitting at a fireside with reflection in mirror.

so give me a while to see if it will grow on me:)
I am adding a link below to demonstrate how Ya can have a wake before your dead!Everybody gonna die,how many would get the line-up singing this tribute to them while they are still alive?:)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGcfmkbxBGc&feature=related

ynotdu · 07-05-2009 11:41pm

banjopaul wrote: »

Now here's a bodhrán solo for ya!!:D

That is the opening ceromony of the Beijing olympics superimposed over a video of a trainee bodhran player!:D:D:D:D also how the fcuk did ya put a fada on bodhran?

seriously He is Brilliant!

Heisenberg. · 08-05-2009 11:12am

This post has been deleted.

banjopaul · 08-05-2009 5:14pm

Scien wrote: »

Yep, it's a stunning piece alright. It's given me serious notions of taking up the Pipes.

What's stopping you? It'll be hard, but it'll be worth it! Go for it.:)

Scien wrote: »

I cant see that youtube clip as its blocked in work but i'll take a wild guess that it's John Joe Kelly!!?:)

Haha good guess, John Joe is savage! But no it's actually Eamonn Murray.

banjopaul · 10-05-2009 4:11pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzWH4s5NafE

Deadly, such tight playing.

Tinwhistle* · 28-05-2009 11:50pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBZVZ53CMso

brummytom · 06-06-2009 9:15pm

I know some might find this fella's playing not completely 100% authentic, but it's got a great spirit to it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCW0q66DC28

I'm learning Maid Behind The Bar on the mandolin at the moment, but should be getting a banjo soon

MikeHowitzer · 07-06-2009 7:11pm

folk/old time cover of mgmts kids

dwaincasey · 08-06-2009 10:27pm

Lads,
What is your opinion of the corrs album "Home"?
My wife got a copy of it and I have to say I cringe when I hear it.
It makes a complete mockery of Irish ballads and traditional music.
Their version of Peggy Gordon is done so in a contemporary format and not at all how the song is supposed to be composed and sung. I'm just interested to hear any one else's opinions on this as some of you have given your opinions on various ballad singers in this thread.

brummytom · 08-06-2009 10:32pm

dwaincasey wrote: »

Lads,
What is your opinion of the corrs album "Home"?
My wife got a copy of it and I have to say I cringe when I hear it.
It makes a complete mockery of Irish ballads and traditional music.
Their version of Peggy Gordon is done so in a contemporary format and not at all how the song is supposed to be composed and sung. I'm just interested to hear any one else's opinions on this as some of you have given your opinions on various ballad singers in this thread.

Completely agree.
While I quite like their arrangement of Buchaille on Erne (would be a million times better without the bloody drums); the clean-cut image; slightly american lilt to their voices bugs me - horrible. Peggy Gordon should be left to Luke Kelly.

I particularly detest the version of Spancill Hill on that album - completely ruined. (For anyone interested; James Cannon - son of the dubliner's Sean Cannon) does an amazing version on youtube