The Crab Chronicles

All the News

The past couple of days have been quiet, but in reality lots of stuff is happening all around me. It's like this quote I love: "On a cellular level, I am really quite busy."

If you saw the word "cellular" and thought phone, WRONG.

Some of the stuff happening around me is sort of amusing and weird.

For instance, I have a neighbor who appears to be pregnant, but is she?! How rude, if I asked her and she's not. She's a tall, skinny lady, but the belly is pooching out there. She has a child Mike's age, and a 3 year old. She's only a few years younger than me. So it's unlikely she's pregnant, but who knows?! The curiosity is killing me.

A friend of mother's had a terrible mishap the other day. Her husband wears a hearing aide. They were packing to go on a big trip to Europe. Their dog ate hubby's hearing aide. I know it's mean, but I thought that was very funny. [I can say that now because they are in Europe, not reading the blog...!] Hubby got a replacement hearing aide before they left, BTW. All is well.

Except the dog probably thought he was passing a football.... LOL

Speaking of yucky stuff, I have Facebook friends who post photos of food they have made, and 95% of the time it looks utterly disgusting. I mean, like something the dog puked up. There is one now I keep seeing and my stomach lurches every time I look at it.

Please stop posting pictures of your meals, unless you are a wicked good photographer. Cakes and cookies are OK. Anything with gravy?! Just say NO.

I was trying to not go anywhere this weekend, just stay at home and putter around, and of course I ended up running around in the heat yesterday. [It was close to 90 yesterday and will be 90 today.]

Michael needs a new pair of sandals about once a year. It's too hot around here to wear tennis shoes all summer. So yesterday we went to the local discount shoe place, Shoe Carnival, and got him some new ones. We were in and out in 5 minutes, which is unusual. He's normally quite slow about chooing things. He wears a men's size 8. He insisted on getting a size 9. I hope he will grow into those. He has long, skinny feet.

When he first came home, his little foot fit neatly into my hand with lots of room left over.

Michael told me for his birthday [in July] he wants a Deadmau5 tee shirt. A group that sounds like "deadmouse"?! I was aghast. I told him I wouldn't get him one unless I listened to some of their music. It sounds like it was made by space aliens, a lot of it. I did find this song that I actually like. It sounds like European music from the 80's, very retro and cool.

I will probably get him a tee shirt. At least it's not rap. I despise rap.

Michael played in a round robin tennis tournament at the pool last night. I sat there for 3 hours, sweating, keeping score, and watching teenagers play tennis and flirt. They reminded me of young colts.

On the plus side, I got to talk to a mom I really like, and get to know her better. That was pleasant.

I don't really know anything else. My exciting weekend plans include housecleaning, clipping Coco, and laundry.

Hope y'all have a great day!

Time to Dance

Michael and I saw the show Billy Elliot last Tuesday and I wrote a review of it. At one point in the show Billy's Dad, who is very happy, starts hollering "IF YA WANT MY BODY / AND YA THINK I'M SEXY...!" and Michael chuckled but turned to me and said "What was THAT?!" and I realized he was unaware of an important aspect of American culture: Cheesy Videos from back in the day.

So this morning I showed him Rod Stewart's original video for that song, and we both had a good laugh. Michael said "He really can't dance, can he?" I said "Nope. But he was a white guy in the 70's! Nobody could dance back then." 

Then we watched this video so he could see a guy who really COULD dance.

He's used to videos like this one that's more real, that show people who really CAN dance.

Of course, if you want to see dancing AND laugh, check out this classic from Weird Al Yankovic. Or check out Michael's fave Weird Al song, White and Nerdy...

Catching Up

This will have to be a quick post because I overslept this morning and I'm way behind already.

We have not had winter this year. Today is supposed to be 75 degrees! Even for Atlanta, that's ridiculous. It's February. I like a good solid 2-3 weeks of freezing temps overnight, to kill the bugs. My friend Patty from Indiana sent me an email complaining about not seeing snow this year. I'd be happy with coat weather!

I will say this, I was glad of a heavy sweater last night while watching Michael's tennis match.

FWIW, I am reading two books at the moment. I carry around The Strangers on Montagu Street by Karen White, and read it when I have time. I like the fact her books are often set in the Low Country, specifically Charleston, where I've spent some time. When I'm at home lounging around [cough cough] I am reading The Prophecy. I like his books because I always learn a lot, there's a mystery to solve, and he writes his main characters very vividly. The story moves along well.

What am I listening to? I am liking Allison Krauss more and more. I found this song on YouTube, a duet with Vince Gill, and I love it: OK, I hope that worked. If not, click here. I also love Jubilee, which sounds more folksy than country. Her voice is just amazing. She's better than Adele in my opinion. [shhh, don't tell my son]

I love to sing along with her version of "I'll Fly Away" because I can sing melody or harmony. This video is particularly nice:

 

Last night, Michael and I watched an old movie I like a lot, High Spirits. It stars Peter O'Toole and Steve Gutenberg, and it was filmed in Ireland. It's silly, yes, but on long weekdays when I'm tired and trying to relax I want silly, not heavy drama.

Hope the videos worked. If not, go on YouTube and do a search for Allison Krauss.

A Colorful New Voice

A recent writing assignment brought me in contact with a singer I like a lot, Rajdulari. Below is my interview with her. Her album Honeywine is terrific. Raj was kind enough to send me a copy of her album and if you'll leave a comment here, I will draw a winner of the free CD on Saturday, February 18th.

 

 

A journey to the Grammys doesn’t always begin with a lot of cash and an entourage. Sometimes it begins simply with a huge talent, a lot of perseverance, and a dream.

Rajdulari (she doesn’t use her last name professionally) is a lady who has made it her mission to dream big. She just released her debut solo CD Honeywine and Raj knows it’s her best shot at making that Grammy dream a reality.

Life hasn’t always been a smooth ride. “Raj” as her friends call her, was born in Baltimore, raised by a single mom and spent much of her childhood in Michigan. Although her name is a Hindi word meaning “daughter of a king,” there wasn’t always much money when she was growing up, but there was plenty of music. “My mom always listened to jazz when I was younger.”

“I left home at 17 and worked for ten years before going back to school at age 26.” She was accepted at the very prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. On Berklee: “I was really intimidated at first, thinking all these people sang better than I did, but after I went for a while I started to find my own voice. Being around all those musicians actually helped me to be more myself.”

Raj isn’t a tiny lady. She is all about curves, and she’s proud of her body. “Who I am is part and parcel of my music. It’s important for young women to see they can be whoever they are. I embrace my curves! Thank goodness mainstream media is finally starting to promote curvy women – look at Toccara Jones, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott.”

Just like the singers who inspire her, Raj isn’t about easy labels. “I love Diane Reeves and Bobby McFerrin, Jill Scott, Chaka Khan. Those are some of the folks I listen to for inspiration.”

Raj has no aspirations to be a pop singer. She is a jazz vocalist.

Raj recently moved to New York City, completely unfamiliar with the city and knowing only a few friends. It was a huge leap of faith. She knew however that if she answered the call to follow her dream, she would have an “enriched life.” She quickly found her way, and let her voice be heard. She now works in an office during the day, but loves to sing after hours. She’s been appearing a lot at a little club called Billie’s Black.

Her CD was a labor of love. Raj’s musician friends helped her record it, but it’s a polished effort. She wasn’t going to sit around and wait to be “discovered,” either. “I don’t need anybody to hand me anything. This music is my baby. I need to share it with people.”

If you listen to “Honeywine” you will quickly learn that Raj has an amazing voice, and she paints music with a broad palette. “When I decided to branch out, I knew I wanted to do fusion. Music is a language with a lot of colors.”

Raj wrote most of the songs on “Honeywine,” and she is justifiably proud of her accomplishment. Every song has particular meaning for her.  “My favorite song on the album is “Purpose.” It really outlines my mission. It’s important for any dream that you CLAIM it. When I listen to “Purpose” it reminds me of who I am and what I want!”

“America” is a love song for America. What beauty we have here. There is even beauty in our differences. Despite all the problems in the country, we need each other.  We need to celebrate each other.”

Why should someone buy Honeywine? “It’s not something you’ve heard before. I really want people to feel like I’m giving them jewels from my heart and to be as excited about the music as I am.”

The title of her album was a very deliberate choice for Raj.

“Honeywine is actually an Ethiopian wine, very sweet, almost like a desert wine. You take a sip and think, "ok that’s nice", but then you want more and more. I want people to listen to my songs like that, to hear them over and over until the message in the songs sneaks up on them, just like the honeywine.”

Rajdulari may not be an easy name to pronounce, but it’s worth the effort. Some Grammy presenter will have a fun time with it one day. Take a taste of Honeywine – you’ll want more and more, I predict.

 

 

photo credit: Kevin P. Tyson


 Photo credit Kevin P. Tyson

Keep Going

I get the impression that Christmas celebrations are now kicking into high gear.That's OK. I'm cool with all of it except for the bane of my existence, TRAFFIC.

I'm not talking about Traffic the band from the 1970's.

Traffic getting home from work yesterday was AWFUL. Then today, around 1:00, Michael and I were headed up I-85 and the traffic was crawling along, for no discernible reason. Usually on Saturday you don't have such issues heading out of town. I pictured Atlantans with family in northern states all fleeing the city at the same time..

I decided this year to plot and plan my Christmas baking, instead of just approaching it willy-nilly like I usually do. I like making cakes and making food for people. I'm making some pumpkin bread (which is more like cake), some cookies, and Ina Garten's Herb Dip for some folks. I think sometimes people get turned off by so many sweets, so savory may be a good the way to go - depending on the individual, of course.Some folks can't handle that much dairy. They're getting cookies or something.

I am pondering how to make some cookies for a friend's daughter who is allergic to chocolate. Mike and I went to Publix this afternoon and got two big bags of white chocolate morsels, along with sugar, flour, and all the other paraphernalia of baking. I looked for macadamia nuts and couldn't find any. I don't care for white chocolate, so it's hard for me to work up any enthusiasm for eating these cookies, but I want to do something special for the child. What a bummer to be allergic to chocolate. I am assured that she CAN eat the white kind...

I have been hearing an upbeat and lively Christmas song [God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen] by the oddly named Barenaked Ladies, and if you're in a foul mood, listen to it. Great harmonies. One of my fave Christmas ditties. Oh, and it's a medley with We Three Kings, almost forgot that, so really two songs..

You know the letter I published here a couple of days ago? I sent the Christmas letter to a relative that told my mother she was sorry that I must be feeling "low." I was sort of surprised by that. I wasn't actually feeling low; more like relieved. I got through 2011 with my health and my faith intact. I grieve for my daughter; I suspect that will never go away. But I am here. We are all OK. (even Alesia, despite her poor choices lately). We have our house. We have kind and beautiful friends and caring family members, and even terrific neighbors who are also friends. PEOPLE are what make my life bearable.

The year is almost over. I believe that 2012 will be better for me. I have to believe that, or I wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning.

I firmly believe that "When you're going through Hell, KEEP GOING."

I kept going.

I'm like the Energizer Bunny. Thanks for coming with me...

Sitting By The Fire

My son loves Christmas. He had never even known what Christmas was until 2007 and he was able to spend his first Christmas with an American family. Now he loves it mightily.

[The above photo is from Mike's first Christmas with us. Hard to believe he was so little.]

So despite my sorrow over my daughter this year, I am trying to "keep Christmas" for Michael, and soldier on.

 I worked out my schedule at work for Christmas week. The house is decorated. Presents are getting delivered. [Mother and I hate shopping in stores.]

Gifts are being wrapped or bagged. [We love bags and use them for years.]

The Christmas cards have started arriving. I love getting cards.

Michael and I had to take Coco to get her nails clipped this afternoon, then to CVS to pick up Mother's prescriptions. We were in the car listening to the radio station that plays only Christmas music, and the Ronette's classic I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus was on the radio. We only caught the last bit of it. I didn't think Michael knew it.

Me: "You know what that song is called?"

Mike: "Nope."

Me: "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

There was a pause, while Mike pondered that bizarre title.

Mike: "That's just wrong. He should be delivering presents, not doing the Mom."

LMAO

We were invited to a holiday Open House at the home of one of my cousins. Mother and Michael and I talked about it at dinner. It's on Christmas Eve, during the day. I was neutral about going. I usually use that day to clean house and get little gifts delivered to the neighbors.

Michael said sternly: "I don't want to go. It will be Christmas Eve. I want to sit by the fire and eat pecan pie."

Mother thought it was such a sweet thing to say. I like that Michael associates the fire and pecan pie with the holidays.

However, this is Atlanta. It might be 70 degrees on Christmas Eve. I mentioned that to Mother. "We'll turn on the air conditioner and still have a fire," Mother declared emphatically, when I mentioned the possibility of shorts weather.

Oh-Kay....

Michael's favorite Christmas song is Carol of the Bells. He says it sounds like Halloween.

One of my favorites is Oh Come, O Come Emmanuel. It sounds a bit sorrowful, too. I think that's sort of appropriate. I am at an age where I think there's always a bit of sadness now, since I miss my dad more at Christmas. He is with us in spirit.

My very favorite Christmas song is Oh Holy Night. I sang it once at my mother's church in Augusta, in a duet with a tenor who thought he could out-sing me. Wrong. I tried hard not to bellow, but I have a huge voice and I sang my heart out. My brother was in the church kitchen getting a drink of water and he heard me from in there. LOL (Mother said it was beautiful.)

I just don't like hearing it sung by someone who sounds over-wrought. The Mormon Tabernacle version is just straight up beautiful. No histrionics. No hysteria. They have total class in everything they do, and I have to admire that.

What's your favorite Christmas music??

Songs and Movies

Ever have a song in your head and you cannot stop hearing it?! This happens to me occasionally and I just go with it. No point in fighting it.

Michael and I were in the car the other day and I did something I really enjoy, I embarrassed my son. I decided to groove along to what was playing on the radio, and it happened to be a song by Foster the People called Pumped Up Kicks. I dare you to listen to that and not at least nod your head. I don't like the lyrics particularly, but the song is catchy. It's rather different from a lot of the songs that are played on the radio station Michael likes. Pumped Up Kicks has a catchy, singable melody and they play instruments.

A good example of a song I can tolerate but don't really like is Just Can't Get Enough, by the Blackeyed Peas.It's Michael's favorite song. I am somewhat fond of it, though, because I have a cute memory of having Bart, Colton, and Michael in the car recently and all of them were sitting in the back seat singing along to this song. Colton especially was grooving to it and knew every word, even the part in the middle where they do "switchout," which he got to do in his best bass voice. Definitely a happy song for this generation.

My idea of a happy song is September by Earth Wind and Fire. I thought it was interesting that at the end of the first Night At The Museum movie when things are fine and they need a happy song, they play September, not something made in the past 20 years.

Great music is timeless.

I was in the car yesterday on the way home from work, and a news story came on NPR that was boring, and I thought, I want to hear that song Pumped Up Kicks and I hit the button on the radio that has Michael's station plugged in and there it was, like magic. What are the odds?!

Life has been rather routine the past few days. I am in a better mood than I was in the other day when I posted about feeling down, thank goodness.

We watched the updated version of Tron, Tron Legacy, last night. Eye candy is how one of my friends described it. I prefer character over visuals. That was weird, seeing Jeff Bridges looking very young again. Creepy. It was a little too "out there" for me. Michael LOVES that film, for unknown reasons.

I preferred Life As We Know It, which was mostly just an update on Three Men and a Baby, but it was cute. They filmed LAWKI here in Atlanta, and once that was mentioned, I got totally distracted trying to figure out where scenes were filmed. Except for a couple of views of the skyline, it really could've been anywhere.

Gotta go make breakfast for the boy. Y'all have a good Friday..

R.E.M. Nostalgia

I was a bit sad to see today that an iconic band, R.E.M., has broken up after 31 years together.

I'll never forget going to the Atlanta Arts Fest in Piedmont Park in the summer of 1982 and my friend Klaus' excitement over hearing a new band play for free. He was German, visiting the US, but he loved REM's first hit single on the UGA radio station, "Radio Free Europe."

 

It was a hot day. We climbed up on the bleachers with a few others and the show started. The lead singer had stringy hair hanging in his eyes and he twitched like he was having a seizure. He didn't know the lyrics, but had grubby bits of paper in his fist and he would consult them before he sang. We couldn't understand the words anyway.

 

The band was terrible, I thought. That one his song must've been a fluke. These guys need to go back to the garage and rehearse. A lot.

(If you want some idea of what that performance was like, check out this video from 1983, although they had improved a lot by the time they got on Letterman. Ignore the stupid popup in the video, which is ridiculous.)

 

That was my first exposure to REM. I never thought they'd last a year, much less 30 years.

 

I had no idea that years later, hearing "Radio Free Europe" on the radio would make me want to cry, missing Athens and my buddies there.

 

REM embodied the recklessness of my youth, that weird time in the early 1980's when UGA Athens was THE hip campus, and bands like REM and the B-52's defined the Athens sound. We were part of an amazing movement, and we knew it.

 

I remember dancing at the famous 40 Watt Club, and wondering if I should drink anything out of the glasses there, they looked so dirty.

 

I marveled at the sheer number of bands that played everywhere in Athens, and I chuckled at the clever names like Phil and the Blanks.

 

The B-52's were the party band. You listened to the 2's if you wanted to dance. You listened to REM if you were serious about your music.

 

The band improved quickly after that disastrous 1982 performance, and it was only months later that a girl in my American history class burst through the door squealing "My friend saw Michael Stipe in the Food Lion BUYING BANANAS LAST NIGHT!" OMG.

With the blonde ringlets framing his face, Stipe was a gorgeous manchild, for sure. (Nobody knew he was gay until years later, not that that fact would've made him any less attractive.)

 

Sometime in the late 1980's I was visiting my cousins in Virginia and my cousin Lilla mentioned how much she liked REM. I laughingly told her about seeing them for free and how bad they were. Those were the days when they were selling out huge stadiums and were white hot in popularity. Lilla glared at me like she wanted to slap me. "You saw them FOR FREE?!" she said in a tone of outrage.

 

Well yeah, and you get what you pay for...

But I am being flippant, and I didn't really mean to be. In all honesty, R.E.M. has been the background music of my life ever since college. I listen to the radio a lot. I can sing all the words to even the songs I am not wild about, like Stand and Shiny Happy People.

A note about the song "Shiny Happy People." Despite the treacly lyrics, that jangly guitar and danceable beat always make me nostalgic for Athens. There's a purity there that encapsulates those college years for me.

Another good example of that sound is heard in the song The One I Love, a song I really like a lot. You can dance to it, but it has angst.

Every time I hear Everybody Hurts I feel like crying. This is what music is supposed to do. It's supposed to reach inside you and find the pain, and massage it, and give it life, and maybe assuage it. It's supposed to MEAN SOMETHING, music. (Sorry, I was thinking for a minute about the crappy pop music teens listen to nowadays. Call me a fogie. I don't care.) R.E.M., unlike so many bands, came up with fresh sounds and intriguing lyrics more often than not. They weren't about mindless dance sounds and easily palatable "hooks."

Whether you like them or not, they have always been original and they deserve our respect and affection.

I had a really awful day, and although I am sad the band is breaking up, thinking back on their music and listening to some of their songs has been a great distraction for me.

Go in peace, guys. Thanks for all the great tunes.

Denial, Insomnia, and Songbird

I am over this nasty weather. OVER IT. It's cold, windy, and rain is threatening. The high today may not even hit 60. Michael almost wore a jacket this morning.

This is HOT-lanta, dadgummit. It's nearly April.

This is unacceptable.

Alesia said last night she was mad at God for taking away the spring weather.

I second that emotion.

I like to live not in Georgia but in a state some people call Denial.

I wore a short-sleeved shirt and planted 10 onion plants yesterday in the ground.

Then I went over to a gravel area and weeded like it was July. Yep, yanked those stupid weeds right out of the ground.

Completing the picture of summer fantasy, the ice cream truck came down our street and seemed to linger forever, playing its semi-jaunty tune. I kept listening and listening because I knew I knew that tune but I couldn't quite figure it out. Finally, I did. It was a mournful version of Camptown Races.

The other day when we took Colton to lunch the kids were looking out the window as we ate, and they were astonished to see the ice cream truck park, right there at the Steak N'Shake. And human beings got out! And they came in to eat lunch! The kids said this in awed tones, like we were witnessing Santa Claus and an elf come in for a sandwich and a cup of coffee.

Just when I think they are jaded teens, they express wonder at the ice cream truck being teleported magically away from our street, into the land of regular mortals.

"Look, the guy that drives the truck has to eat real food, y'all. He's not just gonna eat ice cream all the time," I pointed out logically.

They just stared at me like "why not"?

LOL

My plan for today was to start my spring cleaning by giving my room a thorough cleaning. It's so messy this will be an all-day chore. But nope, it's not happening. I decided early that today is not the day after all. I slept badly last night. One of the few perks of being unemployed was that after I got Mike to school I was able to come home and crawl back in bed for some more sleep.

My neighbor down the street got some landscaping done today. I know that because the trucks rolled up to his house at exactly 7:20 and started unloading. Hearing the rumble of those big trucks caused Coco to nearly levitate in a frenzy of barking.

She has barked sporadically all morning.

I have given up trying to sleep.

I wish she would take a break from barking.

In an attempt to drown her out, I am listening to my iTunes selections and trying to wake my sluggish brain. In case you're curious, here are some of my favorite tunes:

"Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin - I love a jaunty tune about murder.

"I've Got You Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra. I wonder if they play this at plastic surgery clinics?!

"Good Times" by Chic - this was playing the other day as I cleaned the toilet, "These are such good times!" goes the song. I had to chuckle at the irony.

"Boogie Wonderland" by Earth Wind & Fire - this is what everyone in my high school listened to. EWF tunes were played at any gathering. As a freshman, two friends and I did a little dance routine to EWF favorites for the talent show. That was the last time I danced in public. Pear-shaped people are usually not talented in that area, is all I have to say about that.

"The Oogum Boogum Song" by Brenton Wood. The 1960's were a golden time for music and not just the Beatles. I love beach type music like this. "Give Me Just a Little More Time" by the Chairmen of the Board instantly starts a parade of happy memories.

"Get the Funk Outta My Face" by the Brothers Johnson - You may laugh but I am a huge fan of old-school funk like this. I can sing all the words to this [quite carefully around Michael] and other such classics like "Strawberry Letter 23."

I may be a pasty white person outside, but inside I am a person of color. I LOVE old school funk and R&B.

Then there's Eva Cassidy, who is in her own category. I became a fan of her music in an odd way. Years ago, in May 2001, I was watching the news one night and a story came on about Eva Cassidy. She was not well-known in her lifetime but after her early death in 1996 a posthumous album called Songbird started to get noticed. By the time of the show I watched she was a huge hit in England and her popularity spread to America. She was an amazing vocalist on songs ranging from classics like "Over the Rainbow" to jazz, blues, and gospel songs. Her version of "Wayfaring Stranger" is my all-time favorite. Her version of "Fields of Gold" is much better than Sting's and I am a huge fan of Sting.

The day after I saw that story about Eva I went to Borders trying to find one of her albums. I looked and looked, growing ever more discouraged. Finally, I asked a clerk, who happened to be a tall black guy, if he had any idea where I might find Eva's music. I fully expected him to say "Who?!" but to my utter shock, he went over and pulled out her CD of Songbird, telling me how much he liked her music. He started laughing at my expression of astonishment. "Eva's got soul. I love her stuff," he explained.

I listened to that CD until I wore it out. I gave copies to friends who have similar musical tastes to mine. Even my mother likes Eva - and she considers Aretha Franklin "A crazy rock n' roll singer" - that's a direct quote.

You know that old cliche question, if you could only take one album to a desert island what would you take? Well, I'd take Songbird.

Anyway, I am going to continue my quest to wake up fully and stay warm. Y'all have a good day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It just occurred to me that it's St. Patrick's Day, so have a happy one! I asked my son if he wanted green eggs and ham for breakfast and he looked at me like I was crazy. "Um, NO?!" he said.

"You come from a family that's part-Irish!" I reminded him.

I think the Dr. Seuss reference confused him.

He was a lot more interested in taking out his retainer.

This day is particularly special to our family, as Mother reminded me this morning. It was fifty-five years ago today, March 17, 1956, that my parents met. Dad told me later he took one look at Mom and knew he was going to marry her. Mom said the same thing, love at first sight.

They had a LOT of green beer to drink that night.

Just kidding.

One of my favorite Irish movies is The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. I found a video on YouTube that's Irish music and scenes from the film and it's kind of nice. here it is -

If you want to hear real Irish music [sung by an American, ironically] check out Allison Krauss' version of the traditional Irish lament Molly Ban. She's backed up by The Chieftains, the best players of traditional Irish music I know of.

If you want to feel like you've visited Ireland, check out this video by Discover Ireland.com.