The Bothy Band, along with their contemporaries De Dannan and Planxty, helped define that oxymoronic beast, the modern traditional Irish band. The Best of the Bothy Band, which was released in 1983, four years after the band split up, is a superb introduction to their blend of tradition and innovation that still inspires Celtic musicians. From ancient ballads, sung by siblings Micheal O'Dhomhnaill and Triona ni Dhomhnaill, to driving sets of dance tunes, played by uilleann piper Paddy Keenan, flutist Matt Molloy, and fiddler Tommy Peoples (and later Kevin Burke), the Bothies could do it all. The rhythmic center of the band was Donal Lunny, who provided the heartbeat on bodhran, bouzouki, and guitar. The Bothy Band has been incorrectly described as playing with the intensity of a rock band. Just listen to the a cappella track "Fionnghuala" and you will hear a band that drank deeply from a more primal musical well. --Michael Simmons