Sources for CDs

Listeners often call in during the show and ask for information to help them obtain CDs. This page will provide some helpful information for some of the more difficult-to-obtain material.

The first thing we recommend you try is your local independent music store. They will usually be able to obtain any recent releases on domestic labels, and many foreign labels as well. Get the artist’s name and CD title from the playlist, or from the Artist page on this blog; if you need more information, leave a comment in the blog and I’ll get it to you. Helping people buy CDs by artists I love is one of the great joys of this program!

It’s always great to buy CDs directly from the artist. They get a bigger cut that way, so it’s a more direct kind of support for the work they do. I’ll try to post contact information for artists with independent labels, so you can order CDs directly from them. Again, if you’re looking for one in particular, post a comment in the blog and I’ll reply with a link.

If those options don’t work out for you, here are some Internet sources:

Record Labels:
Compass Records Group – includes Green Linnet, a major label for Celtic music for many years. They offer free MP3s every week!
Greentrax – More great Scottish music; we feature a lot of Greentrax artists on Oak & Thorn.
Shanachie – Label for many of the groundbreaking bands of the 70s and 80s: Clannad, Planxty, Steeleye Span, Silly Wizard… Not always the highest quality CDs, but the music is irreplaceable.
Temple Records – Scottish label for Battlefield Band and many others. MP3s available on their site, as well as CDs.

Other sources:

Celtic Music USA – Distributes CDs from many labels, including several that are hard to find in the US:  MacMeanmna, Whirlie, Keltia, SAIN, etc.
Mad for Trad – For Irish traditional music, also lots of tutorials for those of you who want to play as well as listen!
Foot Stompin’ Celtic Music – Great source for traditional music, including a lot of historical material. I like the way they index by style or instrument. Their e-mail newsletter keeps me current on releases and events in Scotland, and their forums are lively.
Coda on the Mound – I met Dougie at Celtic Connections 2007, where he has the concession for CD sales. Nice guy, very knowledgeable about the music and the personalities. If you’re in Edinburgh, look him up!
MusicScotland - Haven’t used them myself but they sometimes list hard-to-find CDs.
tradmusic.com – Found this off Martin Hayes’ Website – looks like a lot of useful information as well as a CD source.