Celtic MP3s: May 2005

Welcome to the Celtic MP3s Archive. If you want to be updated with the latest free Celtic MP3s, 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.

"Tolkien (The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings)" by Brobdingnagian Bards

Scottish and Irish folk songs combined with the Lord of the Rings music and a wee bit o'Celtic fun. The Brobdingnagian Bards (pronounced brAHb'ding-näg-EE-en) are The Original Celtic Renaissance music duo from Austin, Texas. Their unique brand of folk music on the autoharp, recorder, and mandolin has made them one of the most-popular Celtic music groups online where they give away thousands of free Celtic MP3 downloads daily.

lord of the rings music

The Brobdingnagian Bards perform coast-to-coast, and in a given month might be at a Lord of the Rings Oscar Party, a Celtic festival, or a Science Fiction Convention. However, they are an absolute favorite at Renaissance Faires where they add high-energy and wit to make every show a memorable experience.

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Similar Artists: Marc Gunn, Bard, Andy M. Stewart, Ed Miller, Black 47, The Dubliners, The Corries, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Presley, Altan, Clannad, Enya, Martin Carthy, Bryan Bowers, Roger McGuinn, The Clancy Brothers, Ewan MacColl, Kingston Trio, Christy Moore, Dick Gaughan, Teh Chieftains, Baka Beyond, Fairport Convention, Dervish, Phil Coulter, The Fureys, Steeleye Span, Irish Rovers

Website: Brobdingnagian Bards
Download MP3: "Tolkien (The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings)"
Buy CD: Memories of Middle Earth

--posted by Marc Gunn of the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, Subscribe for Celtic Free Music Downloads, Tuesday, May 24, 2005

"Dante's Local" by Neil Anderson

If your only exposure to bagpipes has been watching the local 'pipe band march down main street for the Saint Patrick's Day parade you might easily make the assumption that you have witnessed the sum and total of bagpipe music. Fair enough... but if you come to one of THIS 'piper's concerts with such pre-conceived notions, prepare to have your point of view drastically rearranged!

Neil Anderson, known to his friends as "The Antipypr," has been on the road since 1995 transforming audiences with unique, energetic interpretations of traditional and original Celtic and world music.

Hometown: Irmo, South Carolina
Similar Artists: RATHKELTAÍR, Seven Nations, Celtic Soul, Black 47, Paddy Keenan, John Whelan, The Chieftains

Website: Neil Anderson
Download MP3: "Dante's Local"
Buy CD: Dante's Local

--posted by Marc Gunn of the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, Subscribe for Celtic Free Music Downloads, Friday, May 20, 2005

"From Clare to Here" by Sligo Rags

SLIGO RAGS is a Celtic-oriented ensemble comprised of accomplished and versatile musicians based out of Long Beach, California. They are an upbeat, energetic amalgam of acoustic musicians and vocalists--coming from bluegrass,country, jazz as well as Celtic backgrounds--with an extensive repertoire of original, traditional, and cover tunes. While they specialize in Irish and Celtic music, their song list contains tunes ranging into the country, jazz and swing realms as well.

They pride themselves on strong musicianship, powerful vocal harmonies, and engaging stage demeanor. While their stage production consists of a guitar, fiddle, and electric bass, the album--The Night Before the Morning After--is graced with mandolins, banjos and accordions as well.

They were named the BEST FOLK BAND in Orange County at the 2004 and 2005 Orange County Music Awards.

Their name is a tribute to the Celtic anthem The Irish Rover, whose third verse begins "We had one million bags of the best Sligo Rags."

Hometown: Long Beach, CA, USA
Similiar: Twilight Lords, Chieftains, Fenians, Tim O'Brien, Ken O'Malley, Bill Monroe, Pogues, David Grisman

Website: Sligo Rags
Download MP3: "From Clare to Here"
Buy CD: "The Night Before the Morning After"

--posted by Marc Gunn of the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, Subscribe for Celtic Free Music Downloads, Friday, May 20, 2005

"The Golden Thread" by Mark Renburke (& Brogue & Blarney)

Mark Renburke is a New England based recording artist and performer blending roots and Celtic influences with more modern rock and pop elements. Originally from the Washington DC area, Mark performed in various roots and rock groups before moving to Japan in 1993.

He then spent several years as co-leader of the Celtic-infused group The Rising Pints, along with Irish singer/songwriter Brian Cullen. In the past half dozen years in New England, Mark has been developing his unique repitoire and fan base, and working on a new solo album. In addition to his live solo band, Mark performs traditional songs and tunes with the Irish/Celtic pub band, Brogue & Blarney.

Hometown: Providence, RI
Similar Artists: The Cheiftains, The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys

Website: Mark Renburke
Download MP3: "The Golden Thread"
Buy CD: Mark Renburke

--posted by Marc Gunn of the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, Subscribe for Celtic Free Music Downloads, Monday, May 09, 2005

"Bog Songs" by The Blaggards

BLAGGARDS were formed in July 2004 by Dublin-raised Patrick Devlin (guitar and lead vocals), Minnesotan Turi Hoiseth (violin and screaming), New Yorker Chad Smalley (bass and lead vocals) and Bostonian Brian Vogel (drums and backing vocals).

They carry with the legacy of On The Dole, an earlier Houston band founded by Patrick. Like On The Dole, BLAGGARDS are known for knocking around the traditional with fists full of heavy metal and rockabilly. And they have a laugh or two while they're at it.

Hometown: Houston, Texas
Similar Artists: The Pogues, Patrick Devlin Band, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, The Devlins, Shane MacGowan, Ballybracker, Black 47, Flogging Molly

Website: Blaggards
Download MP3: "Bog Songs"
Buy CD: Standards

--posted by Marc Gunn of the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, Subscribe for Celtic Free Music Downloads, Monday, May 09, 2005

"Wild Kitty" by Marc Gunn & The Dubliners' Tabby Cats

The Dubliners' Tabby Cats forage their way out of the gutters of Ireland to create a musical menagerie that combines Irish drinking songs and the folk music stylings of groups like The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, the Irish Rovers, and "Weird" Al Yankovic to create a sound unlike any Celtic music group you've heard today. The songs will make you laugh and cry with delight or distension as this feline group reinvents traditional Irish folk music.

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Similar Artists: Brobdingnagian Bards, The Dubliners, The Corries, The Clancy Brothers, The Fureys, Steeleye Span, Irish Rovers, Weird Al Yankovic

Website: Marc Gunn & The Dubliners' Tabby Cats
Download MP3: "Wild Kitty"
Buy CD: Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers

--posted by Marc Gunn of the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, Subscribe for Celtic Free Music Downloads, Friday, May 06, 2005

Celtic MP3s Archive