Customer Reviews

Celtic Mouth Music

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

 

 

This CD and book set is Wonderful! Anyone who accuses this of not being music is obviously not familiar with the traditions of "diddling", "mouth music", or "lilting".

Popular in Scotland, Ireland, and Appalachia, (amongst numerous other places) this practice of singing nonsense syllables to a rhythm for dancers is infectious and beautiful.

True to the folk tradition, these recordings are done by Just Plain Folks, usually older men and women who are as talented with their a capella singing as many people are with their instruments.

Many of the tracks on this album are very old recordings from the early parts of the 20th century and have the same charm and appeal as many vintage recordings... hearing the way people did things "back then". Many of these recordings are the sort of things you would have heard at a house party or kitchen ceili; people's special, individual "party pieces" for the entertainment of friends and family - some accompanied by the singer's furiously tapping feet, some by a lone flute, and the best tracks of all are completely a cappella.

If you are a fan of Mouth Music of any sort, this album is indispensable!

This album is for real fans of real Celtic music. For one thing, this is a style of music that isn't the most common Celtic music, therefore it's often tossed aside as silly, but when you understand where it comes from (you'll have to read the small book that comes with it), you'll understand why this music is so important to Celtic history. On top of that, while I will admit, a number of the tracks are a little silly sounding, (especially the first which make me wonder why they put it there), a number of them are marvelous. When you get it, try tracks 6-7, 13, 32 first, then ease into the rest. Trust me, the true Celtic music fan will come to enjoy it.

I absolutely love every track on this cd. Each has it's own personality and little quirks. It's especially enchanting to hear familiar tunes done by voice rather than the popular whistle or fiddle. I recently heard De Dannan perform track #4 live at the Winnipeg Folk Festival as an encore and was blown away as I danced along with thousands of other people. Since then I've been listening to the cd on a daily basis. I must admit this style of music takes some adjustment to listen to, but once you do, it is well worth it. The vibrance of traditional celtic music is amazing.

This is a must-have for people fond of cultural music. As a seemingly added bonus, the cd comes with a nice cd-sized hard cover book, which would make this purchase a very nice gift for someone. I bought from seller Books_Strings_and_Things - it was brand new for only $10 or so with shipping.

My father was an Irish immigrant and would sing these types of word-less songs to my brothers and sisters and I while bouncing us on his knee. I only recently discovered that it was a true artform.

You have to be joking!It was only because it had been opened that I did'nt send it back.I only gave it one star as this is as low as the system allows.This CD was passed on to a "Friend" as a Xmas gift. I have not heard from him since.