If the PBS show, Gaelforce, is shown in your area, do not miss it! Among a host of many great things is a terrific rendition of Hard Times by Maura O'Connell, Mary Black, Elanor Shanley, and Tommy Fleming backed by DeDanann. It does not get any better than that. Cassettes, CDs, and VHS tapes are all available from the Gaelforce website.

There is also a nice version by Hugh Moffatt (with Wade McCurdy and Stuart Duncan)on Philo/Rounder 1127. Another version at least as good is by Jennifer Warnes, but my guess is that you would have a hard time locating that one. Both are a capella, trio or quartet. Songs of the Civil War, Columbia 48607, has a version by Kate and Anna McGarrigle and their families. While I like their version, it does not stand up against the other three I mentioned. Of course, that reflects my tastes. Yours might be different.