Putumayo Presents: Celtic Crossroads

Celtic Crossroads provides a glimpse of exciting new directions in music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Eastern Canada. The roots of contemporary Celtic culture stretch back thousands of years. Modern Celtic music maintains a deep connection to this distant past, with many of today's Celtic musicians combining haunting medieval melodies, rustic folk songs and traditional Gaelic lyrics with electronic beats, rock, reggae and other modern elements. This juxtaposition of past and present, tradition and modernity has helped keep Celtic music thriving and relevant to new generations. As the songs on Celtic Crossroads reveal, inventive artists are creating boundary-crossing music that appeals to fans of both traditional and popular music. Celtic Crossroads features the enchanting voice of Connor, who recently returned to her traditional Irish music roots, and Emer Kenny, whose wistful voice and atmospheric style have earned her comparisons to Enya and Bjork. Young up-and-coming vocalists Cara Dillon from Ireland and Welsh discovery Gwenno also contribute captivating performances. Virtuoso musicians such as Ireland wooden flute master Michael McGoldrick, Cape Breton violinist extraordinaire Ashley MacIsaac (in a duet with fellow Canadian Mary Jane Lamond) and gifted accordionist Mick McAuley, a member of leading Celtic band Solas, are all featured on Celtic Crossroads. The collection also highlights cutting-edge bands like Scotland Capercaillie, Peatbog Faeries and Keltik Elektrik, all of whom have stretched the boundaries of traditional Celtic music and helped it cross over to more mainstream audiences. Veteran Breton harpist Alan Stivell shows that even old-timers can be innovators, as he blends hip-hop beats and turntablism with ancient Celtic melodies. A portion of Putumayo proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to Amnesty International in support of their efforts to promote all human rights.