sfmans, I think they seem superficial to the likes of us because we have a level of specialist knowledge, and so we're not really the intended audience. To dive into the deeper intricacies of the music or the culture for casual readers is a potential turn-off, to be frank. Think about what would happen if you said to someone who likes Noah and the Whale or Mumford and Sons: "Oh, if you like that, you'll REALLY like this!" - and played them several hours of selections from Voice of the People. Some people might get it straight away - others (the majority, I would suggest) would switch off almost immediately. Anyway, from what I remember of the Irish book, in addition to Christy Moore & co (which is really as deep as most "Irish music fans" want to go anyway), there's a really good bit about Margaret Barry.

I think The Magic Spring is a lovely book, too. In fact, I currently possess no copy of Magic Spring or either of Colin's books because I keep lending them out to more "casual" folk fan friends and not getting them back!