If you enjoy traditional Irish music you should give Altan a listen. World Music sponsored a concert given by them this evening and I was very pleased. The band was founded by a husband and wife duo in Donegal in the early 80’s. Her husband has passed away, but Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh continues to lead the group with spirited vocals and fiddle. Accompanying are accordion, a second fiddle, bouzouki, and guitar. Safe to say that there was not a weak point in the performance. Combine with a heavy dose of dry Irish wit and you have the full crowd stomping and clapping.
I was draw to Irish and Scottish folk music many years ago when I started to become interested in the musical traditions that inspired artists like Enya and Loreena McKennitt and groups like Clannad. This line of interest continued for me to American folk and Bluegrass, continuing to grow in fusion works such as that of No String Attached and some of the composition of Bela Fleck and Edger Mayer (ever hear Bluegrass on a Srad?). Appalachia Folk, Jazz, and Classical can be merged with wonderful results. As with science, riding musical borders can be a fun and exciting place.
