V.A. - The Rough Guide To Celtic Music (2005) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The Rough Guides have had some notable success with compilations of Irish and Scottish music, but never a cross-national Celtic album until now. Luckily, they go beyond the usual two domains of influence to more far-flung locales of the genre as well as innovative takes on the genre. The album opens with some relatively traditional sounds from Ireland, but moves into Galician song courtesy of Mercedes Peon, and Capercaille adds something of a hip-hop beat to their following work. Canada's Natalie McMaster fires up her fiddle for a nice collection, and the French group Skolvan follows her with a nice instrumental. Before the album is done, more Spanish Celtic music is provided, some Americans take a shot, as do more French and Welsh, and a few more Irish and Scottish groups. Between the multitude of cultures the music remains a relative constant, working as the glue that holds the album together despite stylistic differences and linguistic changes. Somewhat less coherent than the more targeted predecessors in the line, but more interesting as a result as well. by Adam Greenberg
Tracklist:
1 Dervish – Jig Songs 5:12
2 Kíla – Hebden Bridge 3:28
3 Mercedes Peón – O Mar 2:29
4 Capercaillie – Hoireann O 4:00
5 Natalie MacMaster – The Drunken Piper: Primrose Lasses / Far AmMi Fhin / Father John Angus Rankin 4:13
6 Skolvan – Bal Pinn Du Vertige 2:48
7 Old Blind Dogs – Monymusk Lads 3:53
8 Kornog – Dans Plinn 3:51
9 Llan de Cubel – Cabraliega: Romance De Cangas / Canteros De Cuadonga / A La Mar Fui Por Naranxas 5:42
10 Celtic Fiddle Festival – Laridé / Gavotte 3:36
11 Bohola – The Little Thatched Cabin 2:14
12 Téada – A Bhean A Ti Song 2:50
13 Niamh Parsons – My Lagan Love 3:11
14 Ffynnon – Y Gwydd (The Loom) 2:15
15 Alan Stivell – Cease Fire 3:33
16 The Poozies – Ged Is Grianach An Latha ('Sunny') 4:51
17 Flook – Granny: Granny In The Attick / Blue Ball / The False Proof  6:10
18 Shooglenifty – Glenuig Hall: Glenuig Hall / The Wrong Box 4:59