I just got this email from Compass Records:
http://bit.ly/tL2HQv

They've got select overstock albums on sale for $FIVE DOLLARS from Now until October 31. You still have to pay shipping, I think, but this is pretty great. Since Compass now owns Green Linnet records (the powerhouse Celtic label of the 80s and 90s), they have some SEMINAL albums that I would really recommend you buy if you don't have them already:

Celtic Fiddle Festival: Encore

The original lineup of Kevin Burke (Ireland), Christian Lemaitre (Brittany) and Johnny Cunningham (Scotland). Classic.


Donna Long & Brendan Mulvihill - The Morning Dew

This album changed my life. Best album of Irish music I HAVE. EVER. HEARD.


Dervish - Live in Palma (2 Disk)

My favorite Irish band. This is a live 2-CD set, but 2 CDs for 5 bucks is pretty awesome.

Gerry O'Connor - Myriad

Great intro to the Irish tenor banjo tradition. Gerry O'Connor is pretty amazing. A bit poppy, but a great album.
 

James Keane - That's The Spirit

Great intro to the Irish button accordion. Raw trad, but masterfully done.

Kate Rusby - The Girl Who Couldn't Fly

Dead brilliant classic album of British trad. Jeez, Kate Rusby for $5? Yes please!

Kevin Burke - Portland

A true classic, this album of Irish fiddle Kevin Burke and the late accompanist/singer Micheal O Domhnaill is a must-have.

Kevin Burke and Open House - Second Story

Sligo Irish fiddle legend Kevin Burke's made his home in Portland for decades, and his NW band Open House was a wonderful blend of West Coast sounds, from klezmer to old-time to Mark Graham's funny songs and Sandy Silva's inspiring dancing.Pure classic must-have.

Kevin Crawford - In Good Company

Irish fluter Kevin Crawford is known for his work with super-group Lunasa, but this album is straight up trad, and the best you can get. It also features an ultra-rare appearance from fiddler Tony Linnane, one of my most favorites. Oh man, and Frankie Gavin kills it on a track here.


Kornog - Premiere

The band that put the eerie melodies of French Brittany on the Celtic map. Classic.

Kris Drever - Black Water

Orkney singer Kris Drever turns out top-flight albums that never seem to make it to the US. This is a rare chance to catch him at his best. Wonderful songs here.

Lunasa - The Kinnitty Sessions

Damn, yo! Lunasa is hands-down one of the best Irish trad bands. They've also been a huge influence on pretty much everyone else. This isn't their best album, per se, but if you don't have it, you need it!

Mick McAuley & Winifred Horan - Serenade

Not strict trad, that's for sure, but no one can fault these two master artists from Solas and how much fun they have on this great album.

Moving Cloud - Moving Cloud AND Foxglove

One of my favorite little-known Irish trad bands. Part of what makes them great is the absolutely stunning fiddling of Maeve Donnelly. She's a back-room brawler of a fiddler, all punch and spit. Love her playing! The other part that makes them great is their old-school dance sound, too rare in today's ultra-slick Irish trad world.

Oisin McAuley - Far From The Hills of Donegal

Dang, I don't have this, but I'm getting it! The Donegal fiddle style is punchier and more rhythmic than any other Irish fiddle style. Great stuff, and not only does this album from Danu's fiddler have great Donegal tunes, but more eclectic fare as well.

Sharon Shannon Albums!!

Dang, they have like every Sharon Shannon album up for $5. She's one of the best living Irish accordionists, but I love her for her gentle, subtle, and briliant Clare style of playing. Sure she's fun when she plays super fast and sings weird, unusual pop songs, but damn when she hits the trad Clare style with Mary Custy on fiddle.... Swooon....

Sharon Shannon/Frankie Gavin/Michael McGoldrick - Tunes

Oh, this album is awesome. This album is so powerful, they should tile the space shuttles with extra copies. Three of the best players ever to play Irish trad, even God himself, ol' Frankie Gavin? YES PLEASE!!!!

Susan McKeown - Lowlands

Though McKeown's a great Irish singer, she can travel pretty far afield. This is one of her best, most understated albums, and it draws primarily from the rich loam of Irish soil. Great stuff.


The Unwanted - Music from the Atlantic Fringe

A totally surprising, unexpected album of delights. Cathy Jordan and Seamie O'Dowd of Dervish join forces with harmonica whiz Rick Epping for an album that explores the links between Ireland and America. Check out our earlier review of this album

NOW, if you have all these albums, or most, already, then maybe you should pick up a new release or two? John Doyle's got a new album out, and Punch Brothers' Noam Pikelny has a pretty awesome solo bluegrass banjo out now too.

Noam Pilkeny: Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail
 

John Doyle: Shadow and Light


Happy Shopping!!

Your Friends at Hearth Music