Folk / Trad

MagicPigDetective

I’m going through a folky trad phase. I can see from the thread by @Rocker that a few of you are into it. Clannad 2 and Dulaman are superb. Of current bands, I love Calan and Daimh. I don’t know that much about the scene and want to learn more so would be great to hear some suggestions for further listening. Post your faves.

https://youtu.be/eKGH71FzVuY

https://youtu.be/VWnmI6SRCRA

Both songs have such excellent instrumentals bridges/drops where the song goes to a higher level. 

gringopig

.

Reverend

Galley Beggar 
The Owl Service
Comus
Current 93
Fire + Ice
Chelsea Wolfe
Circulus

Not really traditional but all worth a listen. 

Cols

Pentangle, Fairport Convention, Bert Jansch, Davy Graham.

Also, absolutely any of the songs off Bagpuss.

https://youtu.be/ZTFa7KE4c0k

Winny_Pooh

EricTheWeary

I’ve seen a fair few folk bands over the years but they often don’t translate well into recordings. These are slightly random choices by liked artists rather than favourite songs but I’ll plow ahead regardless...

Anyway, the queen of current British folk with her current project which might tick some boxes for the OP

https://youtu.be/89UKi7VeIRE

This is a guitar forum so gotta have some Martin Simpson 


https://youtu.be/ekjcdzfkv9c

and I can’t praise Show of Hands enough

https://youtu.be/gXAP-HQ1u6E

And the sexy Seth Lakeman who’s quite mainstream ( chart albums, appearances with Robert Plant,etc) but no less talented for that and spins a neat tale about Cornish life

https://youtu.be/YdGWJ7ATRJA

MagicPigDetective

Thanks for posting good and interesting stuff here to explore, with such a broad genre title there are all kinds of styles. 

I want to find contemporary artists; I do find myself drawn to music from the celtic fringes by artists re interpreting traditional music or taking it to interesting areas. There seems to be a great Gaelic (I love the sound of Gaelic) music scene in Scotland (Julie Fowlis, Daimh etc, more suggestions please!) and I love Nitework’s meshing of dance and trad. There are interesting things happening here in Wales. I will investigate the above links with English artists, Seth Lakeman is the only one I’m familiar with.  Saying that I have no idea what’s going on in Ireland these days and don’t know any contemporary artists, any ideas? 

VimFuego

Lankum are cutting it up this year: http://lankumdublin.com/ . Most irish music doesn't really appeal, but they're a band I could listen to all day.

Reverend

VimFuego said:

Lankum are cutting it up this year: http://lankumdublin.com/ . Most irish music doesn't really appeal, but they're a band I could listen to all day.

Bizarrely I discovered them as I bought a tape as part of a load of doom metal. They seem to have roots in the death metal scene. Not that you'd be able to tell. 

MagicPigDetective

Lankum seem interesting will check em out.

Just discovered Talisk on youtube. This three piece are outstanding! 

https://youtu.be/ZknSJwYdayI

KKJale

Lau are worth a listen.

Winny_Pooh

Shooglenifty are cool, kinda hybrid

Bridgehouse

Bert Jansch is my guitar hero. Love all of his stuff.

My guilty secret pleasure is Steeleye Span

Budgie

In addition to the suggestions above

Merry Hell
Mawkin
Blackbeard's Tea Party
Jon Boden and the Remnant Kings
Chris Wood
Imagined Village
Shooglenifty
Fotheringay with Sandy Denny
Karine Polwart
Peatbog Fairies
Leatherat
Mad Dog Mcrea
TRADarrr
Richard Thompson (obviously)

All are worth checking out

BigLicks67

+1 for Lau

Also, The Rheingan Sisters from Derbyshire via Scotland.



Toby Hay from Rhayader



And for more contemporary John Martinesque stuff then John Smith from Devon

MagicPigDetective

Found this by Catherine Ashcroft, from Cumbria. Incredible piper. First half is haunting, then it kicks off. This is a good example of the type of rhythm acoustic guitar I’m seeing and liking a lot, which underlies the other instruments and drives things along. 

https://youtu.be/P40YOU8ggJk

stimpsonslostson

Anything with Kris Drever in it. 

blobb

If you want to hear the best, look no further than Silly Wizard. Andy M Stewart will tear your heart out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGv3S6Tbd1U

They were amazing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=appBtXoxfb8

Then there's always Planxty and Andy Irvine ..... you can fill your boots with these guys.

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

Bridgehouse

Give Pentangle a whirl too..

boogieman

Shooglenifty are great, as are the Oyster Band. 

If you like crossover stuff as well as traditional, try AfroCelt Sound System. Uilean pipes crossed with dance grooves (much better than it sounds). 

Also Mouth Music were a great band, traditional Celtic songs but updated with a modern twist. The first two albums, self titled and Mo Di, were their best IMO. 

Budgie

Try Anne Briggs too, her voice is quite haunting. Bert Jansch used the arrangement of her version Blackwater Side I think.