Hey folks,
Just wondering who your favorite female Trad singers are? Mine include but are not limited to; Cathy Jordan, Mary Black, Maura, Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhaoliban.
Cayden
Sheena Wellington
Geordina McCulloch
Mary Dillon
Mary Jane Lamont
Karine Polwart
Catherine Anne McPhee
Janet Russell
Ishbel McAskill
Mary Ann Kennedy
Karen Matheson
Moya Brennan
Naimh Parsons
etc etc
David
That’s Nic Amhlaoibh, Cayden. Just remember to pronounce it “MWIRR-en nick OW-leave”, and you’ll likely get the spelling right next time, 'cause it looks just like it sounds. 
Maura who…?
nanohedron,
Maura O’Connell. I did leave a few others out including Niahm Parsons, Kate Rusby, Cara Dillon, and Karen Casey.
Thanks for the spelling correction.
Cayden
Thanks, Cayden. I don’t follow the singers too much, so Maura’s a new one for me. 
Nanohedron,
Maura does a nice version of Salley Gardens with Karen Matheson. You can find it on Youtube. They are backed up by some great players including Ally Bain on fiddle. One of my favorite renditions of this song outside Joannie Madden playing it on whistle.
Cayden
I mistakenly forgot Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh of Altan. Voice of an angel!!! And the lass plays a mean fiddle. And I mistakenly ommited Heidi Talbot, another wonderful voice.
Cayden
And then there’s Dolores Keane …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7DiNTzzJzg&feature=share&list=AL94UKMTqg-9BeszVub2J4L6Q7T3ICHM7C
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyJG5rUkzRc&feature=share&list=AL94UKMTqg-9BeszVub2J4L6Q7T3ICHM7C
(the second one features Frankie Gavin playing the flute for us nerds 
)
Cathy Wilde,
I am with you on Delores Keane, I particularly enjoy her renditions of Caledonia and the Galway Bay Song. 
Cayden
Niamh Parsons has the loveliest voice in ITM, and a great many other places.
s1mOn,
I agree that Niamh Parsons has a grand voice. I love her music, her thoughtful choice of lyric, and her emotive presentation. I am always left in awe when I hear her sing John Condon, the story of the youngest soldiier killed in World War I. Pvt. Condon was from Waterford, Ireland, joined the British Allied Forces and entered military service at age 14 and was KIA at the same age. Condon’s story always reminds me of my wife’s grandfather who lied about his age to join the U.S Army so that he could go off to WW I with his older brother (both were fortunate to survive extensive combat action). I am also reminded of an older friend of mine who lied about his age to join the United States Marine Corps making it through boot camp at PI at the age of 14. Parsons skill as a singer and storyteller were made to deliver such powerful music.
Niamh is truly a musical treasure.
Cayden
Sorry I am late for the party:
Diedre Scanlan 
Just as with the male singers, there are so many to pick from.
Niamh Parsons
Karen Casey
Moya Brennan
Deidre Scanlan
Delores Keane
To name a few I have been playing recently…
Bob G,
You picked some truly “greats” there. Seems to me some of those talented “Trad” kids you are mentoring are heading in that same direction. 
Slainte,
Cayden
To Cayden:
Thanks for the kind words. As I have said before, just lucky to be a part of my son’s lives with the music. I am also happy to help the kids along in their group as well.
Regards
Bob G
Just saw the Barra MacNeils christmas concert in Glace Bay , Cape Breton a couple of nights ago…Lucy MacNeil is a stunning singer, think it was three standing ovations for her that night. You may tend to associate them with Scottish music, but CB music, and the Barras in particular, has a ton of ITM mixed in. Sidenote, I was interested to see there is lots of whistle included now, and some flute…definitley the Irish influence.
From what little i’ve heard from her, Nell Ní Chróinín. I hope she makes a recording sometime soon.