Stemming from a long tradition of Irish storytelling, the artists featured on Whiskey in the Jar sing tales of broken hearts, finding one's fortune, and of course, drinking. Alcohol, and more specifically Guiness and whiskey, are the most frequent subjects here, and even if they're not explicitly mentioned in every song, it's clear from the rousing choruses that that's what's on everyone's mind. The compilation features 34 tracks on two discs from influential Irish folk bands like the raucous Dubliners ( whose first single, "Seven Drunken Nights," was quite controversial when it was released in 1967 ) and the mellower Clancy Brothers. The Young Dubliners and Rogue's March, relative newcomers to the scene, bring electric guitars and drums to traditional sounds of fiddle and mandolin, and there's even punk from the Pogues and the Dropkick Murphys. Only Frank Patterson, the tenor, seems out of place with his pretty versions of classics "Danny Boy" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." The songs on Whiskey in the Jar cover every emotion from regret to celebration, and they're all very singable -- an important attribute for something that is made to raise a glass to. And with 34 tracks, there's more than enough time here to open up the tap and join in.

Tracklist:

CD1
01 Whiskey In The Jar - The Dubliners
02 Irish Rover - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
03 South Australia - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
04 Galway Races, The - The Dubliners
05 I'm A Free Born Man - The Dubliners
06 I'm A Rover - The Dubliners
07 Drink It Up, Men - The Dubliners
08 Weila Waile - The Dubliners
09 Jug Of Punch, The - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem ( live )
10 When Irish Eyes Are Smiling - Frank Patterson ( live )
11 Danny Boy - Frank Patterson
12 Kelly, The Boy From Killian - The Dubliners
13 Mountain Dew - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
14 Pub With No Beer, The - The Dubliners
15 Rocky Road To Dublin, The - The Young Dubliners
16 Feilds Of Athenry - Dropkick Murphys
17 Wild Rover - Dropkick Murphys/Shane MacGowan