Whiskey in the Jar: Essential Irish Drinking Songs & Sing Alongs

Stemming from a long tradition of Irish storytelling, the artists featured on sing tales of broken hearts, finding one's fortune, and of course, drinking. Alcohol, and more specifically Guiness and whiskey, are the most frequent subjects here, and even if they're not explicitly mentioned in every song, it's clear from the rousing choruses that that's what's on everyone's mind. The compilation features 34 tracks on two discs from influential bands like the raucous (whose first single, was quite controversial when it was released in 1967) and the mellower . and , relative newcomers to the scene, bring electric guitars and drums to traditional sounds of fiddle and mandolin, and there's even from . Only , the tenor, seems out of place with his pretty versions of classics The songs on cover every emotion from regret to celebration, and they're all very singable -- an important attribute for something that is made to raise a glass to. And with 34 tracks, there's more than enough time here to open up the tap and join in. ~ Marisa Brown