Customer Reviews

Celtic Tale

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

 

 

I love to be told a story. A good story matched with a great narrator frees the imagine like no other media man has procured. The story of Dierdre in this retelling is magic and combined with Fiona Ritchie's lyrical Scottish accent and love for the story it shines. If you love a good story as I do, you will come back to this often. The story is just as good the fiftieth as it is the first time and the music is not lost in the narration if that is your worry. This album is also offered with the music only but you will sell yourself short if you forego the richness of this narration and the music combined.

A lush, evocative "soundtrack" by the Brothers Danna accompanies narration by "The Thistle and Shamrock"'s Fiona Ritchie, bringing to life the legend of Deirdre with mystery, excitement, sorrow and Celtic flare. Fiona's brogue is, as ever, enchanting. Mychael and Jeff's melodies for whistle, fiddle, soprano, harp and plaintive pipes penetrate the heart and linger on in memory long after the CD player has been turned off. And unlike many folk and new age compositions, this music has real complexity and depth. No excessive repetition here--the harmonies move and change, percussion varies, themes emerge and fade, and the melodies travel onward from beginning to end. This is a true symphony of sound, featuring sixteen talented solo-musicians backed by the Utah Orchestra. "A Celtic Tale: The Legend of Deirdre" actually comes in two versions: narrated, and music only. I have both--one for the story, and the other to hear every note of the gorgeous music, which fades frequently into the background in the narrated version. If you like this recording, try the very lovely and complimentary "A Celtic Romance: The Legend of Liadain and Curithir", also by the Danna brothers, and also the surprisingly similar "The Merlin Mystery" by Alkaemy.

Fiona Ritchie is the popular host of the public radio show "Thistle & Shamrock," which features celtic and celtic-inspired music. She narrates this classic story of love, warriors, magic, and myth, while accompanied by chillingly beautiful celtic music. The incidental music is woven into the narrative, with a final vocal piece which will haunt you for days. HIGHLY recommended, especially for the holiday season.

I bought this CD out of curiosity, to see how they handled the intermixing of narration and music. I was disappointed by the fact that the narrator talks through the music peices, in some cases throughout the whole song. In order for her voice to be heard, the music gets turned down low and ends up taking a back seat to the narration. While this also satisfied my curiosity about "What part of the story does this music piece go to?" I have listened to this CD only once and don't really plan on listening to it again. I prefer the non-narrated version so much more than this.

I heard this from a friend first and absolutely had to go out and get my own copy. I'm a big fan of music that relates to stories and mythology and this was right up my alley. And I love Celtic style music. The music was very beautiful and expressive and the song at the end is haunting.

Personally I enjoyed the narration though there *is* an unnarrated version out there as well for anyone that prefers not to hear the story telling.

The legend of Deirdre and her lover Naoise is one of sadness, romance and adventure. Fiona Ritchie, of The Thistle and Shamrock Celtic radio station, tells the haunting Irish legend while Mychael and Jeff Danna and several other musicians play the pipes, piano, whistle, bodhran, harp, and many more instruments. A beautiful narration set against a backdrop of stunning Celtic music makes for a gorgeous, soul-stirring listen.

The first time I heard this CD I was imidiatly captured by the sweet meangiling of naration and beautiful song. I sat, eyes shut tight, for the entire CD. The vivid imagery of the story mixes wonderfully with the gorgeous melodies. I recomend this CD to anyone who loves music as well as anyone who loves a beautifuly told story.