Favorite Irish/folk Prog Bands
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Top 10s and lists
Forum Description: List all your favourites here
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=101811
Printed Date: August 13 2025 at 09:55
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Topic: Favorite Irish/folk Prog Bands
Posted By: justin4950834-2
Subject: Favorite Irish/folk Prog Bands
Date Posted: March 29 2015 at 17:47
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What are your favorite irish/folk prog bands or irish sounding. Strawbs Jethro tull (sometimes) Stackride (maybe) Mellow Candle Fairport Convention Thats all I can think of for now, I would love to hear your guys opinions. |
Replies:
Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: March 29 2015 at 18:29
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By old bands that's Jethro Tull and Stackridge. By newcomers, that's Celtic prog folk band http://dunaenghus.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-dun-aenghus" rel="nofollow - Dun Aeunghus .  |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 29 2015 at 18:38
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here are a few ideas Horslips Moving Hearts Loudest Whisper Gavin O'Loghlen and the Cotter's Bequest Dan Ar Braz (only here and there) Iona (has never moved me but thought of highly here) |
Posted By: justin4950834-2
Date Posted: March 29 2015 at 19:00
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oh yeah I forgot about steeleye span and horslips. I haven't hear of the other ones you mentioned I'll check them out. |
Posted By: justin4950834-2
Date Posted: March 29 2015 at 19:02
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I forgot about Steeleye span and horslips. I haven't heard of the other bands you mentioned but I will check them out |
Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: March 29 2015 at 20:18
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Tull Steeleye Span Fairport Convention Horslips Strawbs Dan Ar Braz Alan Stivell Tempest (USA) Avalon Rising (Not on this site but they should be) ------------- The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty" |
Posted By: BarryGlibb
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 05:44
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H O R S L I P S My favourite Irish band/Irish sounding band ever. These guys not only are Irish sounding but are Irish....well their violin/concertina/mandolin player Charles O'Connor is English but with a name like "O'Connor" you would guess his ancestors would have been Irish. No? |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 07:14
Awww I like The Strawbs  most of their moozik, aww I do. xxxx Later on after 1973 they sounded more like Disney music tho; might as well be the Lion king tune with ok guitaring tunes but not great either.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 14:13
There was a band called Cruella De Ville from Northern Ireland. God knows how I remember them but they make The Pogues look sedate by comparison https://youtu.be/QCoGjucb1Z8" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/QCoGjucb1Z8 |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 14:22
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Pentangle, hands down. Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span are great, but Pentangle are a cut above. Do yourselves a favour and listen to Basket of Light, in loving memory of John Renbourn (who passed away a few days ago) and Bert Jansch. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 14:43
thanks for posting Alan Stivell, he was on the tip ofg my pen when I mentioned Dan Ar BRaz, and is actually probably a slightly better choice. Also, not on these pages but worth looking for is Merzhin, which means Merlin in Breton. Rather popular hard folk rock band. Lots of youtubes clips. My personal fave, although not necessarily the most prog, is "Messieurs Dames" from their first album. Another fine group is L'ANGE VERY". They and Canadian group OREALIS both came close to getting in here but we ultimately decided against it. How about MOTIS, GLAZ, AMAZING BLONDEL, BERNARD BENOIT, GAROLOU, GIAN CASTELLO, SAD MINSTREL, SILVER LINING, DECAMERON, THE MORRIGAN, OLOFERNE, RED JASPER (only "A Midsummer Night's Dream and "A Winter;s Tale"), SPIROGYRA, TORNAOD, TRI YANN. Note the Morrigan is a must for you
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Progosopher wrote:Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 14:44
| MAGO de OZ is classed as metal I think but their album "Gaia" definitely works if you are not afraid of some wild flailing vocals |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 15:02
oh and of course, with Raff here, let's not forget Angelo Branduardi whose folk is sometimes celtic influenced . and to whom Raff introduced me |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 15:06
Indeed  ! There are also some very interesting folk-influenced Italian bands and artists, such as the Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare (unfortunately not on PA), though of course the influences are Mediterranean rather than Celtic. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 15:50
We would smoke, drink a beer , and listen to Pentangle; Basket of Light.
 ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 15:55
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As to the OP...none of those bands listed are Irish per se , but they are some of my favorite prog folk bands also....especially Fairport Convention being a big fan of Thompson and Denny..
I'm a fan of the old band called Trees when it comes to prog folk in general. I also like a new band called Wolf People. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 16:25
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Of course Tull, Fairport, Pentangle and to a lesser extent Steeleye Span for folk or folk rock in general, but The Pogues (particularly their first 3: Red Roses For Me, Sodomy, Rum and the Lash and If I Should Fall From Grace With God) and The Waterboys (Fisherman's Blues and Room to Roam) if I want a more Celtic experience. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 17:04
| I you like Steeleye and Horslips, the MORRIGAN is one of the best out there, and they really ARE Irish |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 17:06
omg thank you again. I will be looking for these. And have you heard OLOFERNE Raff? One of my favorite Celtic sounding Italian groups. How about CORDE OBLIQUE? I forgot to mention them in this thread. They are not really a rock group but play gorgeous ballads that are almost entirely acoustic
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 17:08
I have heard of both bands, but never got around to checking out their music. Thanks for the heads up ! |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 18:05
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Alan Stivell, Corde Oblique, Iona, Faun, Mediæval Bæbes, and Fotheringay are probably my favorites--though only two of those really focus on the Celtic sound. Don't know Horslips well enough yet to have formed an opinion on them. Do The Chieftans and Planxty count? ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 01:39
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Celtus. I've got this album and its very good (produced by Rupert Hine) https://youtu.be/uP63FzIJBHY" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/uP63FzIJBHY |
Posted By: Cactus Choir
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 02:41
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Some of Clannad's stuff could get quite proggy. I love this track from Magical Ring. ------------- "And now...on the drums...Mick Underwooooooooood!!!" "He's up the pub" |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 03:38
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Iona Pentangle (rather English than Irish, but sometimes they have a Celtic touch) Horslips Clannad Sweeney's Men (imho Proto-Prog Folk; they were the first to create a fusion with other genres)
Talking about RPI, the latest gem in this subgenre, La Coscienza di Zeno's La Notte Anche do Giorno, shows some signs of Celtic influence. Every Iona fan should hear Giovane Figlia f. Lenta Discesa all'Averno at least once; any lover of Celtic Folk in general should hear the last minute of Madre Antica b. Cavanella at least twice. ------------- 
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. and to whom Raff introduced me
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 09:09
| The true Irish folk proggers would be Horslips, Iona and Clannad. The rest in this thread are British folk rock bands with Celtic influences and musical motifs added to their music such as jigs and reels. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 09:15
Hey Steve Add the Morrigan and Moving Hearts to your list too. We have also been talking a lot in this thread about Italian bands with celtic influence here, as well as Breton bands. Let's not forget Scottish bands like Runrig who had more than a little prog influence, especially in the early 1980s when prog was hard to come by. And then there is the wonder ful Welsh group PERERIN also from the early 1980s. Oh so many, yet paradoxically not enough. |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 09:26
^I would if I liked them.  ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 10:31
Meh, was never a big Horslips fan. I couldn't care less for Irish "prog", I prefer to have the Irish beaten o'er me head after several pints o' Guinness, hence the Pogues (and The Waterboys for a couple albums). Or here's a suggestion, go out and buy a compilation from Green Linnet Records for great traditional Gaelic. As far as Scots music, ever heard of Ashley MacIsaac -- quite the damn good fiddler before he went off his head: Another good Canadian band is Great Big Sea, Newfies with a great love for sea shanties and Celtic tradition. I also like Planxty and The Young Dubliners who play the best version of "Rocky Road to Dublin: I've ever heard: ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 11:31
fair enough, just making sure you know them  In any case, the MORRIGAN and MOVING HEARTS are decidedly Irish and they are on these pages, which, rightly or wrongly, CLANNAD is not. For the record, CLANNAD are one of my favorite all time groups, and I don't care whether they are prog or not. I never cared much for IONA but yes they belong in this discussion.
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 13:27
Do you remember the late lamented FIGGY DUFF from Newfoundland? LOved the POGUES, also love the somewhat related THE MEN THEY COULDN't HANG, who were Irish too O believe, and the English OYSTERBAND, who could have passed for Irish quite often. I was more lukewarm on WOLFSTONE, a Scottish group that seemed to play it a bit too safe. |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 13:35
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King Planxty ------------- |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 13:43
------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 13:56
wasn't the group just called PLANXTY? Well, since we have mentioned two of his bands but have not mentioned the man himself, how about the guy whom Shane McGowan referred to as the greatest living Irishman, CHRISTY MOORE |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 14:07
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^Might as well throw in De Danann with Mary Black or Maura O'Connell singing. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 14:10
only if you'll include DOLORES KEANE, the best voice of them all!
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 14:24
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 14:26
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 15:25
ok got it. By degrees we got off the original post I was commenting on your statement that "The true Irish folk proggers would be Horslips, Iona and Clannad. The rest in this thread are British folk rock bands with Celtic influences and musical motifs added to their music such as jigs and reels." which implied that all the other groups mentioned in this thread were not actually Irish folk proggers, which the Morrigan and Moving Hearts are, and also that the rest were all British, which CORDE OBLIQUE, OLOFERNE, ALAN STIVELL and others are not.
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 15:30
^No problem Ken, I love Celtic music and Celtic based prog rock and will definitely check these groups out. I even like Punkish Flogging Molly. 
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Posted By: Guy Guden
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 17:17
| The Bothy Band. "The Maids of Mitchelstown" |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 19:47
King of all genres. (supreme Planxty overlord) ------------- |
Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 22:59
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Enya? ------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: March 31 2015 at 23:16
I don't see why not. She's got some proggy stuff every once and awhile. Even a few Middle-earth songs to keep that specific prog stereotype going. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: Pinkie Pie
Date Posted: April 01 2015 at 08:49
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A TRUE IRISH-SOUNDING progfolk band would be MUSHROOM and the "Early One Morning" lp.'73 It is rare to have Irish jigs - or any UK folk music really - played on organ (or synth). (Battlefield Band is one example.) CALLINAN-FLYNN "Freedom's Lament" '72 more on folky side though LOUDEST WHISPER "Children of Lyr" |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: April 03 2015 at 06:47
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I copied this info from Wikipedia, hihihihi And I quote: "
There are various versions of the song, some in addition to the main section featuring either an intro of a Celtic fiddle solo, or an a cappella coda both based on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Moore" rel="nofollow - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Believe_Me,_if_All_Those_Endearing_Young_Charms" rel="nofollow - The main section begins with a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_music" rel="nofollow - |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: April 03 2015 at 06:48
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bounce, bounce, happy bounce... Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye, aye
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