This is where I give my $.02 on a variety of Pagan, Celtic and Folk music. While I am not a music critic, I do know what I like. Hopefully this will give you interesting ideas about albums you've been interested in but not sure whether you'd enjoy them.
Fairy of the Woods by Gary Stadler - This CD is instrumental and offers some of the most haunting and moving music I've ever heard. My favorite track on the CD is Moon Spell. It is truly a mystical and magickal piece that lures you into its spell. The songs are relaxing and peaceful. They would be wonderful as background music for meditation, guided visualization ritual or divination. If you belief in fairies (or want to) this CD would make a wonderful asset to your collection.
Fairy Night Songs by Gary Stadler with Singh Kaur - Gary Stalder's music combined with Singh Kaur's haunting and enchanting vocals create a magickal and mystical CD that will not only convince you that fairy's exist but that they're singing on this album.
Beneath the Veil by Zingaia - This album is lush and sensual, full of vibrance and mystery. The album seduces you with its gorgeous music. The songs are predominantly instrumental with a Middle Eastern flavor. If you've ever wanted to bellydance, this CD will help get you started. Drop this into the CD player whenever you want to celebrate sacred sexuality or feel sensuous and seductive and let it rip.
Fairy Goddess by Elaine Silver - I have to admit that I enjoy this album despite the fact that one or two of the songs remind of something out of a Barney show. Elaine Silver offers gentle and moving tribute to the Goddess and to fairies. Her voice is clear and magickal. How Could Anyone reminds me of some songs from the early 70s - trying to raise your esteem and confidence. It's simple but I liked it a lot. Calling All Directions would be great to cast a circle. Burning Times addresses the Church's persecution of Witches, women and anyone else they feared. Elaine Silver reminds me a bit of a Pagan Joan Baez, singing songs of awareness and tribute in a clear, strong voice.
Legends of the Goddess by Laura Powers - This CD is one of my all-time favorites. Laura Powers voice is lovely to listen to and the songs are awesome. They are based on Celtic myths and legends and focusing on such topics as Tir na nOg, Morrigan and Stonehenge. The two that really enthrall me are I Surrender All (Laura's voice just blows me away on this one) and Morrighan's Quest (because there just aren't enough songs about Morrigan out there and it creates a very vivid image of her). All of the songs are great. Some are mellow and others encourage you to move. But I guarantee that you'll find at least one song on this CD that you want to sing along to.
Dragon Dreams by Darragh Nagle & Derek Fuller - I've had this tape for so long that sometimes I forget it's there, then I find it and get swept away by its beauty. The songs are wonderful and soft, they would be wonderful to play in the background when you're trying to relax. But some have a plaintive quality to them, as though the singer is mourning for something lost. Cone of Power would be a wonderful song to use when casting a circle. And Morning Star is a lovely tribute to that celestial body. If you like dragons or wonderful Pagan music then I highly recommend this cassette.
Such is the Garden by Pomegranate Rose - I had never heard of this group but one day I was looking through the book Songs for Earthlings by Julie Forest Middleton and came across Cynthia Crossen's name as the author of several of the songs in the book. Middleton mentions that Crossen sang with a group called Pomegranate Rose. So curiousity led me to pick this one up at a local Wiccan Store. Am I ever glad I did. This is a beautiful album. The singers' voices create a magickal harmony and the songs are fabulous. When I listen to my favorite, In the Fire, I can't help but move to it. I've also use part of it for a fire magick working. It's truly a wonderful addition to my collection.
Libation by Tamara James & Jennifer Holden - This is another cassette that I've had in my collection for many years and I still enjoy listening to it. Tamara & Jennifer, accompanied by Kenny & Tzip Klein (does anyone remember them anymore?) have create some truly wonderful songs. Some of them such as Albion and Hecate are haunting and evocative while others have a harder edge. Herne describes a woman's quest for the wildness in her soul and Dionysus is an enjoyable tribute to the Father of the Vine.
Songs for the Old Religion by Gwydion - This album is a classic Pagan songfest. Released in 1975, it has some great tunes on it. Gwydion's version of Lord of the Dance is full of life and joy. The Wintry Queen is a stirring tribute to "the leprous White Lady" and The Sungod honors Lord of the Sun in a moving and awe inspiring song. It's an interesting album from one of the pioneers of Pagan music.
Enchantress by Gypsy - Gypsy's voice is absolutely mesmerizing on some of the tracks on this album. She manages to weave magick and awareness through her songs. Magick is an spellbinding journey through basic principles of magick. Bring Back the Light is wonderful song to use during a Yule celebration to call back the Sun. And We Want a World is a protest song full of hope and love for the future.
Branches by Kenny & Tzipora Klein - Kenny and Tzip were a great singing duo. They have left behind quite a few albums and this is one of my favorites. Some of the songs are fun and full of laughter and life like Three Drunken Maidens and John Barleycorn. Others deal with more serious topics, Rosemary Lane with an unwed pregnant woman's situation and Choices addresses the issue of unwanted pregnancy and abortion. Fur and Feather is a well know Pagan song about respecting other creatures on the planet. It's a great album to have. Three Drunken Maidens and John Barleycorn would be great to use for a harvest ritual.
Here are some sources for great Pagan, Celtic and Folk songs: