Customer Reviews

Celtic Meditation Music

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Based on ancient Celtic prayers, the compositions featured on this album were conceived under the premise "If prayers were music, what would they sound like?" The gentle, familiar tunes, rendered on Minogue's sparkling Irish harp and accompanied by other acoustic and electronic instruments, are drawn from the traditional Celtic repertoire and the liner notes pair each song with the text of a prayer, either pagan/nature-based or Christian. This pairing of unrelated prayers with existing melodies is an interesting approach, especially considering that the tracks here are all instrumental, with none of the prayer words actually being spoken or sung. Minogue's earlier albums feature a lot of vocals, both hers and others', sometimes even done hymn-style in rich choral harmonies. So I'm not sure why the texts of the prayers couldn't have been incorporated somehow into this music. But nonetheless, "Celtic Meditation Music" is, like all of Aine Minogue's work that I'm familiar with, deftly orchestrated, supremely relaxing, and full of quiet beauty. This is good music for massage, resting, deep breathing, or just unwinding at the end of a long day. Then guest instrumentalists are cellist Eugene Friesen, whistle player Joanie Madden, clarinetist Tom Hill, string orchestrator Brad Hatfield, concertina player Brid Meany, guitarist Sheldon Mirowitz and electronic soundscape artist Randy Roos. For more Celtic-inspired instrumentals conducive to meditation, try Minogue's other works, and also the following: "Celtic Inspirations" by guitarist William Patterson, the Narada compilation albums "Celtic Treasure: The Legacy of Turlough O'Carolan" and "Celtic Treasure II: The Living Legacy of Turlough O'Carolan," and anything by Kim Robertson and Lisa Lynne, but particularly their early work.

The music included on the "Celtic Meditation Music" CD is so soothing & hauntingly beautiful to me that I've barely listened to anything else for the last week - it's that good!

The liner notes are great as well. They share information about the various rituals, prayers, and poems that are behind each of the songs - it's really quite interesting!

Overall, I would highly recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys the sounds of celtic music, as well as those who are looking for music to relax to - it's absolutely beautiful!

This is one of the most beautiful, restorative collections of Celtic music I have ever heard. Haunting, sublime harp, cello, guitar, flute, and soundscapes create an atomosphere of serenity for meditation, prayer, or simply unwinding the mind and emotions. The poetry which originated each selection is included and provides a meditation in itself. Highly recommended.

My husband and I listen to this cd almost every night before going to sleep. The music is calming and reverent. Great way to end a busy day.

By the time the CD gets to the third song the magic of Celtic music has done its work. I recommend this for anyone who wishes to start or end the day with a quiet mind.

I love this cd of Aine, I love Lamentations by her even more. Get it first, before this one, then get this one (or both at the same time).

This was purchased for an unlce 93, who in a former life was an accountant. He took piano lessons after he retired, not that he can play well, but he can play and feel the music more. He says he enjoys the CD, it does have a gentle way about it. He likes to play it after going on a short walk, or when sitting and musing or reading in an easy chair, or as soft background music for conversation. This obviously is not a music review, but he likes it. I like it also. It is what it says it is, meditation music.

I have been very pleased with this CD. It puts me in the "zone" I was looking for. So if you're in to this kind of music, you won't be disappointed with this one.

I bought this music to play durning nap time fcr the children in my daycare. The harp is simply nothing but elegance in tume. They went to sleep, unforantely it almost put the rest of us to sleep. Great to come home after a hard day and just meditate or sleep.

This is an amazing sound track for meditation. I can't fall asleep without it now.