Customer Reviews

At Home

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a huge fan of Cherish the Ladies since their inception - and this is the best album they have ever recorded! Just when I think they can't get any better, they release this new whammy of an album featuring all their family members with stunning arrangements musically and vocally. If you are a fan of Celtic music, you must get this CD for your collection!

More than just the best I've heard yet from Cherish The Ladies; even more than the best Celtic collection I've heard - this is music beyond genre. Music that works its way straight into your soul and then out to your fingers-drumming, toes-tapping.extremities! "At Home" displays the amazing musical alchemy of these fine musicians: blending musical brilliance into passion, joy, and excitement. Whew! Time to press PLAY again!

The combination of traditional instruments, jigs, and reels with original songs is beautiful. The variety of music on this CD would satisfy any lover of Irish or Celtic music, but also any lover of sincere, lyrical music. My favorite song, "Old John of Dreams", sung by Aoife Clancy, and her father and uncle, members of the Clancy Brothers, and also with her cousin is entrancing.

I have always felt it difficult to explain *why* I like a particular album by a particular group. Something about music is to me beyond explanation. It moves the soul, moves the passions, and brings a smile to your face; yet it defies explanation. Nevertheless, I know good music when I hear it, and this was good music.

One thing I can say is that I have heard neo-Irish and Celtic groups who, in my opinion, completely ruin the music. They add all these strange electronic effects, and mix the ancient music with a few too many electric guitars and such. Cherish the Ladies is not a group in that category. They understand traditional music, and how to use modern instruments to enhance it rather than destroying it.

It's just good music.

This is my second Cherish The Ladies album, and as much as I loved the first one, this one makes me appreciate these gals all the more.

First, the alternating enervating dance numbers with tender ballads gives the album a great balance. The fact that one of the ballads, "The Waves of Kilkee", is strictly and beautifully instrumental just adds the variety of this CD.

And then, there are a couple of welcome surprises here. One is a touching rendition of Dan Fogelberg's "The Leader Of The Band", dedicated to their fathers. Fogelberg's song is enhanced by the weaving of a traditional reel, "Devaney's Goat", with the main melody.

The set of dances that follows is a Father's Day Medley that starts with a hornpiipe played by banjo and accordian, the same combination of instruments playing the following reel. Third part of the medley, "Drag Her 'round the Road", features Paddy Rafferty's authentic traditional lilting. The medley ends with "Bag of Spuds, featuring some step dancing.

This medley is followed by another welcome surprise,the song "John of Dreams", borrowed first from a Southern Italian lullaby and then used as a principal theme in Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6.

These, cuts 6,7,8,& 9, form the heart of the album, but the energizing jigs and reels and the exquisite ballads as sung by Aoife Clancy that surround this "heart" set off the whole collection perfectly.

Highly recommended for all lovers of Irish and Celtic music.

This album has an excellent mix of instrumental pieces and vocal songs. It alternates tunes with an upbeat tempo and tunes that are slower, so that one does not get tired while listening to the entire album straight through.

This is my first purchase of an album by Cherish the Ladies, and I am extremely pleased. They are obviously top-rate musicians. Anyone who wants to get a flavor of Irish music, I'd recommend this as an excellent first album.

My favor song is John of Dreams. It uses both a male and female singer, and the entrancing play of the flute echoes the sweetly-sad melody of the singers. Wonderful.

As a great fan of Cherish the Ladies and the owner of all of their CD's I heard this one in my grandmother's home just a few days ago and was mesmorized..Possibly my favorite CTL CD yet! Don't leave Amazon.com without picking up a copy of this lovely masterpiece!

The latest offering from Joanie Madden and the girls of Cherish the Ladies is nothing short of brilliance. With a mix of poignant, thought provoking songs and beautiful arrangements that they have become famous for, this CD is definately the best that I have heard by far. There are traditional as well as original compositions included and the balance on the CD is perfect. Specifically, the vocals sung by Aoife Clancy are amazing. The clarity, breadth, and range in her voice are all evident on each of the tracks. The Curragh of Kildare, The Leader of the Band and John O Dreams are all masterfully arranged and presented. As one of CTL's biggest fans, I strongly recommend this CD for those who appreciate a mix of beautiful songs, and traditional/ original tunes.

CTL have reached new hieghts with "At Home". Showcasing thier talented family members with whom they were all inspired. At Home flows so beautifully from the Ballads...Reels...Jigs... and the poetry. What a wonderful album, a must have any lover of Irish music

A nice later album from this all-star, all-gal trad band. On this album, the Ladies bring in various members of their families to perform alongside the ensemble...The Longs, Maddens, Clancys, et al., pitch in, and show where the group's trad roots come from. Other than a horrendous version of Dan Fogelberg's '70s AOR neolith, "The Leader Of The Band," this is a great album. (I "get" the thematic tie between the lyrics and this album; I just can't stand the song and think it's really cheesy.) Otherwise, this disc has an admirable mix of instrumentals and ballads, and Joannie Madden's piping is, as ever, a heavenly aural treat. Recommended.