Everyone seems to be jumping on the Celtic bandwagon these days and well they should. Business is booming. Teenagers haven’t heard anything so cutting-edge since the rockers unplugged and Tony Bennett started re-crooning on MTV. The only thing that could top that would be a new music video by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo De Silos with Sting.

In this issue we’ll focus on traditional folk music that has once again become in vogue. Whether from Ireland, Japan or the Wild West, the folksongs and musical creations based on the styles of yesteryear are back. And what is it about this music that is so appealing? Why have composers the likes of Ralph Vaughn Williams and many others borrowed so liberally from them? They are a personable and friendly music free of guile and intellectual pride. They speak directly to the heart without assaulting or insulting. In a world that seems to be getting more impersonal and violent every day, we instinctively seek the very thing our soul craves. And millions have found it in the new, high quality recordings of the traditional folk music and styles of old.

CELTIC TREASURE Various Narada Artists (Narada)

Of the many recordings I hear for each issue there are really very few that I wholeheartedly recommend. Those few are the ones that make it into this column. True to its name, Celtic Treasure is indeed a rich assortment of musical gems. This collection of 14 songs attributed to Turlough O’Carolan, (Mr. Celtic Music himself) is in my opinion, NARADA’s finest Celtic release to date. Sixteen artists from Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, England, France and the U.S. offer their best recordings to make this a classic collection. Even if you’ve heard the melodies before, these pristine recordings and quality arrangements lift them to new heights.

• STYLE Genuine Celtic
• INSTRUMENTATION Small ensembles (from accordion to zither)
• PERFORMANCES Excellent throughout
• ARRANGEMENTS Very understated, but never boring.
• TEMPOS Variety
• RECORDING QUALITY Excellent
• REMARKS An exceptional collection of O’Carolan recordings. Available in most music stores.

DURANGO SALOON & DAKOTA NIGHTS Peter Elman (Acorn Music)

For all you cowboys out there (urban or otherwise), Peter Elman, keyboardist brother of Tony Elman, has produced a couple of rip roarin’ old west sound-in’ recordings that’ll get ya dancin’ in no time. Why you can almost see the boys ridin’ into town for a Saturday night at the Durango Saloon. Thumb-tack piano, fiddle, harmonica, hammered dulcimer and more, these two lively, well-produced collections of Peter's original compositions are guaranteed to get even the meanest cowpokes up and movin’. Many of the featured musicians have been heard on other Acorn releases and as usual, they sound like they're havin’ a great time! You will be too if you ride on down to your general store and pick up Durango Saloon and Dakota Nights by Peter Elman.

• STYLE Down home - Hoe down - foot stompin’ - hand clappin’ - toe-tappin’ - Old West - saloon music. (Try saying that fast three times.)
• INSTRUMENTATION All your Western favorites: piano, guitars, harmonica, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, bass, and accordion. ( P.S. no drums - You don’t even miss them)
• FEEL If they had radios in the Old West, Peter Elman would be at the top of the charts.
• PERFORMANCE Excellent across the board.
• ARRANGEMENTS All the right sounds in the all the right places.
• TEMPOS Mostly upbeat with a couple of ballads.
• RECORDING QUALITY Excellent.
• REMARKS This is fun music reminiscent of a simpler time. I highly recommend Durango Saloon & Dakota Nights for a hearty sampling of the best of the old west.

TO ORDER If you can’t find them at your local stores, call Acorn Music at (510)845-6612.

Robert J. Resetar is a composer/arranger based in the Twin Cities. His musical scores and orchestrations have been heard on network television, and performed by major orchestras.

If you would like to have your recording considered for review in Atlantis Rising please send it to: ATLANTIS RISING P.O. BOX 23528 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55423. No selections will be returned. Preference will be given to alternative styles that are notably calming, colorful or unique.