Customer Reviews

Celtic Harp, Vol. 3: Secret Isles

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

 

 

I think this is Ball's strongest album: years of touring and recording have made him fully at ease with his instrument (his earlier albums have a few rough edges), and the selection of mostly unfamiliar tunes is excellent. The arrangements are attractive and varied enough to keep up the listener's interest, and the performances are masterful without being slick. And, as always, the wire-strung harp has a clarity and openness that transforms whatever is played on it. All of Ball's albums are good, but this one approaches perfection.

Patrick Ball, renowned Celtic harp player, has filled this CD with wonderful, soothing music. I would highly recommend anything he has produced to those who enjoy the pleasure of music produced on the Celtic harp.

Solo harp isn't my interest, so this isn't one of my favorite recordings. I found that it does become background music because one song seems to run into the next. The one redeeming song, one of my all time Carolan favorites, is "Carolan's Concerto."

Patrick Ball's playing is skillful, and I think that this would be a good recording for people who play the harp to use to learn both songs and technique.

I have the CD and I think that it shows what a great artist Mr Bell is .

The first time I listened to this cd, I was working at the office and I played it as backround music. My first impression was one of a continuum of sound with very little variation, as if I were listening to a babbling stream. I continued to play it for several days and little by little I began to feel the originality of each piece. The mood is mostly joyous with a tinge of melancholy.

Secret Isles is certainly an ideal background music cd. I wouldn't call it great music: it simply lacks depth and color. Fresh but rather tasteless is the best description I can find. Just like water.

Finally I would like to remind you that this is a rather short recording: about 50 minutes. On average each piece is about 3 minutes long. Considering the price, this is clearly an expensive cd.

My advice is: just buy one. The other recordings must be more of the same.