Customer Reviews

Celtic Spirit

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This CD is one of the CDs that makes me glad that we are now in a digital age as opposed to vinyl, for if this had been a vinyl album, it would have been worn flat by now. I play it constantly, in my office, in the car, at home. It has a great, spiritually-uplifting tone that is both inspiring and meditative. It has a great combination of voices, in solos and ensembles, that bring real life and dimension to the music. As the commentator for the introductory essay to these pieces says, the Celts seem to have a real feeling for the presence of the divine, and that can often be heard in these melodies, harmonies, and voices. There is beauty and there is grace in these pieces.

--Music--
Many of the pieces, such as the Ubi Caritas, the Kyrie Eleison, and the Puer Natus are very traditional liturgical lyrics, but here they are given a unique Celtic flavour that is both modern and original as well as traditional and ancient. Other songs such as Be Thou My Vision are more traditional hymn texts, here given arrangement and performance that would seem both refreshing and reassuring. Many of the songs, when they are not utilising Latin for the ancient liturgical pieces, use traditional Gaelic texts, that give an air of mystery and contemplative distance to the songs, such as Seacht Sauăilcena Maighdine Muire (Seven Joys of the Virgin Mary), Noelenn Brehed, Mo Ghrá Thú (I Love Thee), and Bí, a Íosa, Im Chroí-Se (Jesus Be in My Heart).

--Performers--
All of the performers here are stunning. Connie Dover and Aiofe Ni Fhearraigh, both women of astonishing voice. Aine Minogue combines talent on the harp with high-calibre singing, and her double talents shine with distinctive Celtic flair. Sheena Wellington and Theresa Schroeder-Sheker lend their incredible talents to finish the disc with strength and beauty that reach emotional climaxes befitting a spiritual ecstasy.

William Jackson displays both vocal and instrumental talents, which include performances the bamboo flute and the gut-strung clarsach (Scottish harp) for a stunning performance on Salve Splendour, and William Coulter brings his acoutic guitar talents to an old Irish hymn.

Also performing on this disc are three groups: the Anjali Quartet, the Groupe Vocal Jef Le Penven, and the Baltimore Consort, each renowned and experienced in the musical styles that incorporate ancient and Celtic influences.

--Liner Notes--
The CD comes with a small booklet that includes biographical information on each of the major performers and groups, as well as listings of back-up and harmony contributors. There is an introductory essay on the Celtic Spirit by Fr. John O'Donohue. Like many Narada collections, these pieces have appeared on previous Narada recordings, and details for finding the prior releases can be found here. This is an excellent guide, for many of these pieces inspired me to want more, both of the artists and of the types of music.

--Overall Impressions--
I cannot speak too highly of this collection. While not the most intricate or sophisticated of music, it is nonetheless a favourite of mine for both background and forefront listening. It makes a good companion for prayer and contemplative times, for waking or falling asleep, for reading or for working.

This collection contains music which takes one to another time and place. It is a top-notch collection of music which is unforgetable, and listening to it is a spiritual experience which leaves one breathless and deeply touched. The exquisite voice of Connie Dover begins this collection, and each song thereafter is the same calibre as the first. Lilting melodies, haunting performances and exquisite voices all make this a must-have addition for anyone who loves Celtic music, and for anyone who likes Enigma, Loreena McKennitt, and Enya. Get a magic carpet and listen to the soundbites. Highly, highly recommended!

If angels sing, this is how they surely must sound. Of all the music I have ever heard I find this to be the purest most transporting experience of pure feminine energy. Never syrupy or pedantic, the female vocals here seem to literally plumb the listener's deepest regions and stir those subtle quiet spaces gently to life. The gaelic lyrics, rather than being an obstacle to enjoyment, serve rather to enhance the entire musical experience by side-stepping the issue of literal meaning, at least to we who speak only English, and thereby freeing us to appreciate the words as sounds whose meaning transcends spoken language. I own other celtic albums, all of which I love for their own particular strengths, but this is the one I save to listen to at those special quiet times when I'm alone and just want to put on the headphones and be carried in the arms of the angels.

What wonderful end of the day music...probably the finest Celtic album that I own, and I own quite a few!!

The voices are clear and exact and gentle and haunting. The music is familiar and comforting and kind.

If you have only one Celtic album, this should be it.

This was one of the cd's I put with the cd player we gave my mother when she started getting suddenly really sick with cancer, and she played it a lot. I hope, and think it must have had to take her mind off for a while at least. My other 4 sisters and I do some traditional songs, and we sang "Rosa Mystica" (which we first heard on this CD), voices-only, at her funeral Mass -- she had a very close relationship with Mary and the Rosary and there couldn't have been a more fitting song. This is a great traditional Celtic album; haunting but so beautiful. Doesn't sound at all like your typical church music but is very spiritual and would actually work well for meditation of any kind, as well as just being a very beautiful album.

More than the typical Irish and Scots ballads, this compilation has some of the most moving vocals I've ever heard. Don't miss Aoife Ni Fhearraigh and Connie Dover, along with many other soloists and choirs from all over the world. Give them one listen, and you won't want the music to end.

A superb "sampler" that combines deeply spiritual celtic music with modern sounds.

This is great! Each song is very well done, and all of the songs flow nicely together. Whether you are a fan of celtic music or not, this album is for you.

This is one I use most for meditation, for relaxing and for prayer. The selctions are excellent and this CD will be a keeper. I've used it for gifts many times and have a copy at work and one at home, as well as a tape in my car.

This is my absolute fav. celtic CD. I have had to buy it three times cause everyone loves it so much it keeps "turning up missing"