Few genres carry such a rich and deep history as Celtic music, which reflects centuries of culture of the British Isles and Ireland as well as their North American inheritors. Classic Celtic Music from Smithsonian Folkways, compiled by music historian and folklorist Richard Carlin, delves into this diverse world of musical traditions, and is sure to delight both longtime fans of the genre and newcomers alike. Classic Celtic Music explores the breadth and depth of a genre while the liner notes offer insight into the cultural and historical contexts of each selection.