A Passion for the Celts (Patricia Potter)

I am a happy person today.

Small things make me happy. In this case, it's finding a three-CD collection, "Music Of Celtic Ladies" for $9.99.

In truth, I would have paid much, much more.

This is not to be confused with Celtic Woman of which I am a great fan (I attended one of their concerts, and it was incredible). This collection is obviously an attempt to capitalize on the their success, but in my humble opinion these CDs are better because each song is a Celtic classic. Nothing modern. Just the wonderfully sweet and often sad strains of the Irish ballad.

To make things better, I have a new car with a CD player and sun roof. Is there anything better than zipping down the road with fresh air rushing in the car, the sky lit by the moon and the sounds of Ireland wafting through the air.

I really can't think of anything at this moment.

But then I'm a devotee of all things Irish and Scottish, especially the music. There is something particularly yearning and haunting that is absent in any other country's music. I dearly love the pipes and the drums and the flute and fiddle.

This particular collection features three marvelous female singers. There is accompaniment but the emphasis is on the song. It includes such favorites as "Danny Boy," "Skye Boat Song," "Molly Malone"and "Greensleves," along with a particularly poignant version of "Amazing Grace." It also includes more obscure ballads, but all touch the heart. I think that's why I love it so much. The Irish tell stories in their songs.

I've also always loved bagpipe music. It has inspired many of my Scottish historicals. I've always wanted to write an Irish book, but publishers say no. I once asked why, and the answer was there were no happy endings in Irish history. Until recently it's been a tragic land, and that tragedy has influenced its music.

It must be the one-fourth part of me that's Scot-Irish that is so drawn to Celtic music. Whenever traveling, I know I'll end up in an Irish pub if there's one within a hundred miles. Lynn Kerstan, Tara and I have sampled many of them in search of Irish music as well as great fish and chips. There is an Irish pub in Memphis that has live Celtic music for Sunday brunch. Guess where you 'll find me then.

But between my live Celtic music fixes, I now can relish this new collection. And I am a very happy person.

So what is your favorite music? And why?