His songs are deeply personal narratives about life, and they've been performed by countless other artists.
It's hard to imagine that we'd still be talking about Pic of Clannad - Latest Clannad Image.Susan McFadden of Celtic Woman performs on March 25, 2014 at Comcast Arena in Everett, WashingtonFind the perfect Celtic Woman Visits The Empire State Building stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. The 1960s folk revival brought a renewed energy and focus to traditional music in Ireland. When he was growing up, Luke Kelly wanted to be a popular singer in the style of Perry Como or Frank Sinatra. She was surrounded by music, and by sean-nós singing. Later in his career, his songs became longer and more introspective and narrative. Christy Moore left Ireland in 1966, moving to London to look for work. Although they started out as more of a bluegrass group, Nickel Creek evolved, over the course of their 20 years, into more of a generalized folk group. While he was steeped in some of Ireland’s oldest traditions, his music wasn’t able to support him until late in life. Here are ten of the best Irish folk singers to ever open their mouths. Holly Near's staunch activism and feminist political protest songs have earned her a place among the greatest American folk singers of all time. In the list of the Top 10 Best Scottish Female Singers, Karen Matheson is at no 6. His gritty voice and dark, dirty songs have almost a punk-rock sensibility. Emmylou has long been an advocate of social justice and has counted Joan Baez and Bob Dylan among her many influences. But he got swept up in the folk revival of the 1960s, and started busking with his banjo. Even though they were pieced together with the intention of being an ideal folk-pop money-making supergroup, there's not a lot about Peter, Paul & Mary that was contrived. Groups like The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers became household names in Ireland and around the world. But with 2004’s classy pop/rock Flood the Tanks and last month’s filigree-folk To the Pine Roots, ... There’s no better female songwriter in Irish music right now. A rather talented trio of artists, Peter, Paul & Mary also became vocal advocates in the peace movement, and continue to be a force to be reckoned with in contemporary folk music. Like so many Irishmen, he was forced to leave to look for opportunity, first to the UK and then the US. In addition to her singing, she’s known as one of Ireland’s best Tommy Makem was known by many nicknames, including “The Bard of Armagh” and the “Godfather of Irish music.” After emigrating to America as a young man, he joined forces with the Clancy Brothers in 1956. She was born on 11 February 1963 in a small village of Taynuilt in the region of Argyll, western Scotland and now she is 54 years old. The Mamas and the Papas were one of the most successful folk-pop groups of the '60s, and Mama Cass was one of the most notable female presences of the folk revival. Throughout history, there have been many women folk singers who have made significant contribution to the field. She co-founded the traditional group De Dannan in 1975, where she had a minor hit with “The Rambling Irishman.” She has also enjoyed a successful solo career. She is a Scottish beautiful singer. Joni Mitchell is revered for her poetic imagery and her lovely, soaring soprano. Leadbelly's influence has been felt across the musical spectrum, and his tunes spanned the old folk-blues and contemporary folk music. Gillian Welch is definitely one of the most respected songwriters on the scene these days. He was a great fan of traditional music, and often performed traditional spiritual songs and the like in his performances with wife June Carter. But Heaney’s uncompromising style is a window into a tradition that Heaney did his best to pass on, whether or not anyone else was listening.Dolores Keane also grew up in Co. Galway in a household of sean-nós singers.

One of Woody Guthrie's most dedicated proteges, Ramblin' Jack earned his reputation as a tall tale teller and folk singer. Her 1989 solo album Ronnie Drew’s low, gravelly voice was the bedrock of the Dubliners, the group that he founded as “The Ronnie Drew Group” in 1962. You can't really argue with a folksinger so good that his song managed to get him out of jail for murder. First new full time member to join the group since 2004. Kim Ruehl is a folk music writer whose writing has appeared in Billboard, West Coast Performer, and NPR. His own Red House Records has produced a number of successful artists like She started her musical career with an appearance on Irish radio when she was just five years old. Richard Shindell started working in music with the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band (with fellow incredible songwriter John Gorka).
She hasn't stopped pushing the envelope since and is still releasing excellent records. Speaking of proteges, Steve Earle was somewhat of a Townes Van Zandt protege and has been known to call Townes a better songwriter than Bob Dylan. She is the 6th Best Scottish Female folk Singers and also on our list. Their manner of incorporating bluegrass and jazz-like solo jams has inspired countless jam bands since their inception. Even though he'd been playing music his whole life, Shindell didn't start making waves in the folk world until Joan Baez picked up three of his songs for her 1997 album.