Here is a website dedicated to traditional & contemporary celtic songs and music, with useful links and extensive reviews of CDs etc by various performers, including Mudcat luminaries like Kevin McGrath, Seamus Kennedy etc, etc.Derrymacash tried to draw our attention to a free offer on the site, but he did it under a thread name that didn't attract many visitors. Thanks Derrymacash. Maybe this thread name will fare better.
Never likely to look a gift horse in the mouth, I did like the site said, and posted off a blank cassette. It came back by return, filled with Aidan Crossey demo tracks on one side (mostly songs and tunes he's written himself, but also a traditional tune or two). The other side is samples from CDs reviewed by Pay the Reckoning on the other side. (The latter include tracks by Neck, Danu, etc). Follow the link for full listings.
Aidan's stuff doesn't pretend to be other than "work in progress" and for instance some of the track-endings are not very tidy. But these tracks are still very pleasing, and it's a pleasure to hear someone brave enough to slow down the Mason's Apron to a tempo you'd have a chance of dancing to. For those not yet familiar with the brilliance of Neck & co, this is an ideal introduction.
Anyway, Pay the Reckoning is a terrific site, well worth a visit regardless of the special offer. To get the same deal as I got, click on "Humours of Lewisham" for the address to send your cassette. If you're outside the UK I think there's a charge for p & p, but I'd say the quality of what you get back is well worth it.