For some reason when i hear Celtic/Irish slow music like clannad, etc, something deep in my blood and soul stirs..i dont know why. I’m from Detroit, MI USA lol… I feel like im part of the music or something. I never knew i loved this music so much. Why could this be?
I’m of Irish descent, so I understand the feeling. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend many reenactment events, hearing music performed on traditional instruments, which makes it even better than most professionals. It’s not necessarily being part Irish, I suppose, since my friend, who is a mixture of Swiss, German and other nationalities is strongly drawn to the music, which I introduced her to. She had been surrounded by polkas and other ethnic music but never Irish/Celtic/traditional.
However, for me it’s not only the slow music but also the jigs and reels. All of it has a hold on me, and I have the CD and tape collection to prove it, as well as a library of music books. I play the bowed psaltery, and those melodies are among my favorites.
I think the majority of people respond to it, some more strongly than others. Riverdance and Lord of the Dance certainly spread the sound though sometimes it’s modernized. But, Clannad definitely has brought fans over.