Green Linnet Records Twentieth Anniversary Collection

The great Celtic-music revival that coincided with the mid-'70s founding of Green Linnet Records still gathers momentum. It has little in common with the sentimental vaudeville songs of Irish American St. Patrick's Day parties and even differs subtly but crucially from the chamber-music elegance of the Chieftains. This is a looser music, born in the pubs rather than the concert halls and aimed at dancing and singing along rather than respectful applause. The movement includes some of the world's best singers and best improvising instrumentalists. I would especially recommend the bands--Bothy Band, Silly Wizard, the Irish Tradition, Celtic Thunder, Patrick Street, Trian, Altan, and, above all, Relativity--but there's a wealth of acoustic music out there and The Twentieth Anniversary Collection is the best place to start. --Geoffrey Himes