Just wondering who folks on this forum enjoy listening to for male singers of ITM? For me, I have always loved the music made by Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem, Luke Kelly, Paul Brady, Andy Irvine, and Christy Moore. Some have passed on, but they have left us with some incredible music.
So, who do you listen to?
Cayden
Nobody taking you up on this, “Cayden”, so I’ll kick it off with a few of my favourites.
Donal Maguire
Sean Corcoran [ “Cran” ]
Iarla O’Lionard
Len Graham
Mick Hanly - [ his 2 early recordings before he went into the singer/songwriter thing ]
Jimmy Crowley
We also have some exceptional singers of Irish songs here in Scotland whom I’d recommend to you - Mick West, John Morran formerly of “Deaf Shepherd”, although he sings mainly Scottish songs these days, and Derek Williamson, all from the West coast/Glasgow area.
Interestingly, I doubt very much that anyone on my, or your list, is under the age of 40, more likely 50 - there must be some good young singers of traditional music in Ireland, but I have to say, I haven’t come across anyone doing what Messrs Brady, Moore and Hanly were doing in the 70s/80s - ie going out and singing traditional songs solo, accompanied by guitar or perhaps bouzouki/ mandola type of instrument. Same applies to traditional music in Scotland - everyone seems to be in a band these days.
I’d love to proved wrong on this - are there a younger generation of singers of traditional Irish song that I’m missing out on for some reason ? Any answers -and recommendations - appreciated and will be considered.
PS - one outstanding singer and interpreter of Irish songs was Dick Gaughan, although, again, that seems to be a very small part of what he does on stage today.
Seán Ó Sé, Kevin Conneff, and Nioclás Tóibín would be right up there for me, though Tóibín has passed on.
Seán Ó Sé, Paul Brady, Mick Hanley, Andy Irvine, Ronnie Drew, Seamie O’Dowd and a bunch of others
how much trad, how much folk?
Colm O’Donnell
Kris Drever
Ciarán Ó Gealbháin (ex-Danu)
Dick Gaughan
Andy Irvine
Roy Gullane (Tannahill Weavers)
Andy M. Stewart (ex-Silly Wizard)
Well, i give Cathal McConnell the first vote then, along with Luke Kelly, Ronnie Drew, Christy Moore.
There’s a bunch of others of course, but the above came spontaneously on top of my head.
some of the other “young bucks” I like …
Colm O’Donnell
Sean Tyrell
Mairtin di Cogain
Seamie O’Dowd
Brian O’Hairt of Gan Bua is a very fine singer, too.
Sean Tyrell might not be “Mr. Traditional” but I think he has a phenomenal voice and is a great storyteller.
Yes, absolutely! Have to admit that (having missed out on the Bothy Band) I first became aware of Mícheál Ó Domhnaill through his performances of Gile Mear and Úr-Chill An Chreagáin on Relativity, love the choice of songs as well as the way he sings them and (while not really doing ‘lists’ myself) was wondering when someone was going to mention him here…
Love Sean Tyrell as well.
He did something with Ronan Browne and Kevin Glackin not too long ago.
I wish I’d made it to see them.
Well I would agree with Kenny on his choices, both Irish and Scottish.
I would add the three Sands brothers, Mickey McConnell and the Voice Squad to the Irish list.
To the Scottish list I would add Davy Steele, Lionel McClelland, Ian Bruce, Jim Reid, Hamish Imlach, Brian Millar, Iain MacKintosh. etc
David
I like the Paul McKenna band from what I’ve seen.
There was a nice BBC Alba program on but none of their youtube clips sound as good as that program.
In most of these younger bands, songs seem like an after thought to flashy, jazzy perfect (or not perfect for my tastes) tune playing.
At least these guys are putting some thought into their songs.
The album they made together last year is absolutely fantastic. I’ve listened to it more times than I can count.
Keep 'em coming folks. This has opened my eyes and ears to some greats that I was unfamiliar with. Incredible talents. 
Cayden
Thought a link wouldn’t go amiss.. 
Nice clip Davy.
Geordie Hanna is yer only man:
http://www.myspace.com/geordiehanna/music/songs/on-yonder-hill-there-sits-a-hare-48380829
Some great singers mentioned above - but still I don’t recognise any names under the age of 30 or even 40. [ 1 or 2 names - but no more than that - are unfamiliar to me ]. Here’s the challenge - who in this century, in Irish music, has made a recording similar to - let alone as good as - Paul Brady’s “Welcome Here, Kind Stranger” ?
Seamie O’Dowd, I think is a great singer, but I don’t associate him with traditional songs. He’s one singer who could make an album as good as Brady’s.
And BigDavy - most of your Scottish list of singers are deid ! If I was Brian Miller, I’d be very worried.
PS - one name I forgot, and whom I don’t think’s been mentioned - Jimmy Crowley.
Hi Kenny
True - most of them are dead. I better not put the black mark on Brian or Arthur Johnstone. Or Kevin Mitchell on the Irish side of Glasgow.
David