Customer Reviews

Celtic Origins

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

 

 

I have been a huge fan of the Irish vocal group Anuna for over a decade. They have hit it big now with their niche audience when their PBS special begins to air around the nation. I believe they are such an amazing ensemble, that this acknowledgment of their work is long overdue! I wasn't sure if I should purchase their recording that is at Borders, as I already own all of their recordings. They are singing all of their great songs (although they have plenty, plenty more!) on this recording, and I didn't know if it was just a compilation their past albums. If you are unfamiliar with Anuna, their music really displays a whole spectrum of sound... from the ethereal to toe tapping rhythms, and it's all filled with soaring melody and rich and lush harmony-- some of which is modern, other parts which are a modern revival and reinterpretation of medieval sound.

So back to this album-- I did buy it yesterday, and I am so overjoyed as I'm listening to it, as this is a new recording of their PBS program material recorded at the same time as their TV special was, at a church in Cleveland, Ohio. The album was recorded separately, as there is no applause after the tracks. All of the pieces are approached with the same grandeur as their originals and there is no need to refresh the material, because it is truly timeless. They have added a couple of standards to appease the masses on this recording-- Greensleeves, as well as Scarborough Fair. John McGlynn (brother to Michael-- the group's director and composer extraordinaire) also includes one of his own beautiful songs, "If All She Has is You."

If they are coming to your town, go and hear them. They open their mouths and sound just as heavenly as they are on their recordings. It is stunning and breathtaking.

First - I love Anuna's other albums, without exception, and any other one would have gotten five stars from me. That's what made this one such a disappointment for me - I expected better.

This one is "messy" sounding; I don't know if it's the engineering, the fact that it was recorded live, or something else entirely, but it just doesn't work. Everybody on the recording (with a couple of notable exceptions) sounds nervous; if I didn't know better, I'd say they recorded at the first concert of the tour. Timing seems off, instruments go flat, and they just don't seem to be listening to each other in the way I've come to expect from this group of normally fine and experienced singers.

The exceptions I mentioned include "If All She Has is You," and "Our Wedding Day." These came off nicely, so it's not a total loss as an album. It's still Anuna, and that means it's not BAD; buy it, as it's still worth having, but don't expect what you've heard in the past.

This is very nice stuff. It's not the sort of thing I can listen to over and over, though, as I get bored. Still, it's a very good chorus, and very beautiful songs, soft, melodic, sweet.

This is simply fabulous ... Anuna is unmatched in spectacular harmonies, wonderful music selections, and original presentations. Anyone who loves interesting, full harmonies and out-of-the-ordinary music will adore this CD!

This CD is one of my very favorites and I have also set it as a gift to others. It's GREAT!

This is a wonderful CD thats as beautiful as the fields of Ireland themselves. Its relaxing and inspiering music warms the heart and soothes the soul. Enjoy

This CD is the excellent product of the PBS Special of the same name. If you were lucky enough to get to one of their concerts during their recent US tour, this is truely a must have for your collection. Their presentation of "Jerusalem" on this CD alone makes it worth buying. Anuna's sound is moving no matter what your taste in music.

Anuna


If the Celtic Woman group added men you'd get ANUNA. Not quite as good ,but pretty good. I'd give Celtic woman a 99 out of a 100 possible score and ANUNA a 95. Still well worth the money.

Highly recommended for fans of Celtic music.


Gunner August,2007