Free Irish Music Downloads: 03/2001

Welcome to the Celtic MP3s & Irish Free Music Downloads Archive. If you want to be updated with the latest Irish free music downloads, subscribe to the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Below you will find free music downloads from bands I've featured over the years. Some MP3s are time sensitive. So download them now. All of the latest MP3s are available for at least a month. As always, if you like an MP3, then please help the artist out and buy their CD.

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"Here's A Great Night" by Heidi, Stef & Bow Triplets

Very Celtic music played by a dedicated Switzerland-based Band. Traditional songs and tunes plus some original compositions
combining their own multinational backgrounds whith the Celtic styles to which this band is deeply comitted.They can be heard live in various countries in Europe.

It was tought to choose just one song from this band to feature in the Celtic Muse. I'd heard a LOT about them from CelticWays.com. But I never spent any time just listening to all of their songs on MP3.com. Well finally, I made the time. Wow! I am impressed. They're packing houses in Switzerland, and I see why. Solid original songwriting with a beautiful traditional "feel", plus, rock solid traditional reels and jigs.

"Here's A Great Night" was the first song I heard from their new album. It's a wonderful drinking song with hint of romance. Come to think of it, if you listen to most of their songs, they are not the rowdy drunken groups often associated with Celtic music. With songs like "Not the First Time", "Blue Butterfly" and "Never Too Early", their songs overflowing with Celtic Romance.

Hometown: Basadingen, Switzerland
Similar Artists: Turlough O'Carolan, Christy Moore, Chris Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh, Altan, Cherish The Ladies, Boys of The Lough, Bothy Band, De Dannan, Martin Carthy, Incredible String Band

Website: Heidi, Stef & Bow Triplets
Download MP3: Bow Triplets mp3s, 21 available
Buy CD: none available

--posted by Kristen, Wednesday, March 28, 2001
Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards.

"The Crayfish" by Bedlam Bards

The Bedlam Bards were one of the first Ren Faire bands I met. I consider them to a large degree my mentors in the Ren Faire music scene. The Bedlam Bards are incredible performers with a hilarious (though very risque) recent album "Take Out The Trash".

Well, the Bedlam Bards have a wonderful assortment of comical songs, and more will be available shortly on MP3.com. But I had to pick "The Crayfish" as the song of the week. It's a kinda light... kinda cheery... kinda sing-a-long-y... and well we wee bit risque, that is if you have a twisted enough imagination Yes, some might consider it a wee bit crude, but I just prefer to laugh my head off and sing-along with the Bards.

If you want risque though, check out "The Ball of Ballinor"! It is a Renaissance Faire classic song sung by every wench and scoundrel at faires...so of course, the Bedlam Bards sing it!

Hometown:
Similar Artists:

Website:
Bedlam Bards
Download MP3:
Buy CD:

--posted by Kristen, Wednesday, March 28, 2001
Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards.

"Waly Waly" (aka The Water Is Wide) by Maireid Sullivan

Ensemble that blends tradtional and contemporary influences creating a unique, original sound. Author, poet, singer-songwriter, Maireid Sullivan, originally from Cork, Ireland, lived in Australia for many years. She has released two albums on Lyrebird Music. Her first album 'Dancer' was produced by Ireland's renowned Donal Lunny. Her most recent recording is 'For Love's Caress - a Celtic journey'.

A while back I contacted Maireid to compliment her on her incredible voice. T'was the then I found out she too was an "Anne of Green Gables" fan. Instant connection. I first heard this song performed by the Wolfe Tones. Maireid takes a markedly different approach to this traditional Celtic song. Rather, she allows her beautiful resonant voice to caress each word in a subtle bluesy fashion. There's some sweet blues guitar work here that is wonderfully enhanced by Maireid's voice.

Hometown: Australia

Website: Maireid Sullivan
Download MP3: none available
Buy CD: Never Drift Apart

--posted by Kristen, Friday, March 23, 2001
Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards.

"Mirror" by The Wild Oats

The Wild Oats have been playing a mutated brand of Celtic and original folk at San Diego area coffee houses, science fiction conventions, Renaissance Faires and Society for Creative Anachronism events since 1990.

I first heard of The Wild Oats back around Christmas time. Sadly,I didn't take the time to listen to more of their music. The sound quality isn't as pristine, but they have some amazing songs and harmonies.

A ballad inspired by Stephen R. Donaldson's "The Mirror of Her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through". Guitar, doumbek and voice. This song reminds me of a couple of Clandestine songs...but WOW! I was ready to break into tears. Very passionate and beautiful. I think this song alone has made me a fan.

Hometown:
Similar Artists:

Website: The Wild Oats
Download MP3: none available
Buy CD: ...weed 'em and Reap

--posted by Kristen, Wednesday, March 07, 2001
Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards.