Sean Nós

The Dubhlinn Gardens: an evening in the high society of 18th century Dublin, where traditional music was ‘civilising’ itself for the salon… This programme was inspired by the passion for traditional Irish music that flautist Anna Besson has felt since she was a child. Surprising as it may seem, it was playing the Irish flute that led her to study the baroque instrument… For the past few years Reinoud Van Mechelen too has begun to train himself in the traditional Irish song with Karan Casey and other singers who have specialised in the unaccompanied Sean-nós. This twofold practice of early as well as traditional music has led the ensemble A Nocte Temporis to offer a programme that is both vivacious and extremely touching.

Dans notre monde occidental, où il est de plus en plus difficile de trouver des réponses à nos questions existentielles, le tao a le mérite d'offrir une manière de réfléchir et des solutions qui ont fait leurs preuves. …

The Rough Guide to Irish Folk provides an introduction to the different styles and artists within the genre. Established groups like De Danann and Deata and newer artists perform jigs, reels, and "sean nos, " a traditional form of a cappella singing. Rich in heritage and creativity, this collection should whet the appetite of anyone interested in contemporary Irish folk performers.

There's so much gray area in the music generally termed Celtic that it's hard to know what to make of it. While some dives straight into the new age bins, much is as authentic as a shot of Bushmill's. This release is closer to Irish breakfast tea. It's new agey in spots, but with enough of the real thing to offer satisfaction. There are no pretensions of being traditional, and there's a definite attempt to woo the rock market, as on the song that finds the masterful Christy Moore joined by Bono and the Edge from U2. Nor are the women ignored. Kate Bush contributes her first new offering in a long time, singing in quite passable Gaelic. The crowning glory, ironically, belongs to someone who at one time seemed determined to put her heritage behind her–Sinead O'Connor. Here she gives a glorious sean nos–old style–rendition of "He Moves Through the Fair," one of the great songs from the tradition, with beautiful ornamentation, more than enough to tip the scales heavily in this collection's favor.