Morgan Llywelyn, an author friend of mine, and I were discussing Druids once. I remember her being pissed off over "new-agers" re-creating Druids and Celtic music as what they wanted it to be instead of what they are or were. I agree with her completely. When one speaks of Celtic music as if if were a style, instead of a family of styles, I know that they don't really understand it at all.

I have been raised with the music of my people all my life. I come from a working class family and if Granda were alive to hear the music that he taught me to sing referred to as "elitist", he would likely fall down laughing. He and his aul cronies would sit around playing the stuff in the kitchen or on the porch. Many times I would be summoned from play with "Mickey, lad, have you a wee song, or a bit o' the heel and toe for the lads here". They were good times. The music of the Irish and the Scots, much of it, is about life, death, drink, love, hate, rebellion, peace.......in short it is the music of a peoples dreams.....good dreams and nightmares. Sure there are musicians that have limited talent and haven't bothered to really study Ceol na Gael, and they are making some pretty lousy stuff. But their are many more who have been inspired by the old music and are making some brilliant new stuff. The bottom line is that the music will withstand these times as it always has.

With regard to DADGAD, it is no different than any other technique, or style, or tuning. It has its uses and when properly applied is wonderful.

Big Mick