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:
01 Holy Ground - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem ( live )
02 Maloney Wants A Drink - The Dubliners
03 Leaving Of Liverpool, The - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
04 Rising Of The Moon, The - The Dubliners
05 Fare Thee Well Enniskellen - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
06 Muirsheen Durkin' - The Dubliners
07 All For Me Grog - Clancy Brothers
08 Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
09 Nation Once Again, A - The Dubliners
10 Rose Of Tralee, The - Frank Patterson ( live )
11 Seven Drunken Nights - The Dubliners
12 Black Velvet Band - The Dubliners
13 Amsterdam Mistress - Joe Hurley/Rogue's March
14 Sally McLannane - The Pogues ( live )
15 Dirty Glass, The - Dropkick Murphys
16 Whiskey, You're The Devil - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem ( live )
17 Dirty Old Town - The Pogues ( live )