Customer Reviews

Celtic Twilight

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

'Celtic Twilight' (title given by William Butler Yeats for an 1893 book of stories of his Irish homeland) is a compliation of selected from the Heart of Space catalog. I'm a long-time listener of Celtic music and I'm not knocking HOS but, other albums in this genre are more worthy. This album is a mixture of electronic synths harmonizing with fiddle, bagpipe and tin whistle. They're beautiful to hear them and are very relaxing. The four music pieces of Bill Douglas are quite nice and combines the elements of Celtic, African, Indian, jazz and classical. The only piece that come any close to Celtic is the Joanie Madden (Cherish the Ladies) piece, "Women of Ireland" and heard on John Boswell's piece "Skye Boat Song" (from the traditional Scottish) and Alasdair Fraser's piece playing the fiddle on "Lassie with the Golden Hair" (traditional Scottish).

May I suggest a few good Celtic albums I find that are satisfying in their style and pure form-Joanie Madden's 'Song of the Irish Whistle,' Séamus Ennis 'Best of Irish Piping,' 'Castles of Gold,' 'A Thistle & Shamrock Christmas Ceilidh,' and 'Gaelic Voices.' Hope that some of these will help in your Celtic music selection. In my experience most compliation albums aren't all that great. Most great songs are missed that should have been on the album. Also be careful of imitations and read those customer reviews if an album is genuine or not. Good Luck!

Celtic Twilight was my first, but not my last, CD of Celtic music. This CD has the ability to calm me when I'm stressed and energize me when I'm down, and often does both. Containing my favorite pieces of music, it always makes my day better. Highly recommended for those new to this type music and those who are not.

This is a lovely cd well-worth the couple of pounds it cost me to buy it. So many "celtic" cd's are around today, and many of them lack, shall I say...the real flavor of Ireland. However, this cd captures it. I love it!

I originally purchased this CD in a Discovery Channel store in the mid-90's that was playing it on their stereo system. What I heard was very awe-inspiring, and even today the music still moves me in that same manner. However, Celtic music is more than music played on traditional Irish instruments; indeed, that music is defined by the moods the music creates rather than just the instruments utilized.

This recording takes me on a journey to green, rolling hills and rocky crags while my mind is bathed in the musical waves exuded in the various selections. In some scenes, one soars high overhead those green hills and crags, whereas in others one may participate in a traditional Irish gig in "Diamond Dance," or experience the grim determination and gentleness of the "Women of Ireland."

The loneliness and sorrow of a lost love can be realized in Mychael Danna's "Deidre of the Sorrows," a theme, if you will, of the play of the same title by the late 19th-Century Irish playwright John M. Synge. "Sweet Rain" evokes visions of a soft, spring rain while walking through a country meadow.

Perhaps the most revealing music on this CD is John Boswell's "Skye Boat Song." In it, the traditions, beliefs, hopes and dreams of the Irish people are elegantly portrayed in a melody that is both haunting and ethereal.

"Sky 7" is undoubtedly the most moving piece of music in the program. It cements the moods portrayed in "Skye Boat Song" while evoking celestial feelings of wonderment and awe that we all share while contemplating our place in the Cosmos.

The CD concludes with Bill Douglas' "Deep Peace," a melody which could be thought of as a lullaby and serves as a peaceful ending to the program.

"Celtic Twilight" is an emotional, musical journey of the traditions Ireland has to offer. I recommend this CD to those who wish to musically explore Ireland, its people, and its traditions.

This cd is breathtakingly beautiful! I can hardly believe that this is lesser known, but no matter. Sometimes the greatest treasures are found in the smallest places.

Deirdre of the Sorrows and Ancient Pines just made me cry. They are such sad, lonely pieces, and with Loreena McKennitt's vocalise in Ancient Pines, you really feel the sort of empty, tormented feeling.

Just listen to the music- there's bound to be images floating into the mind.

The beautiful, vulnerable, child-like voice of soprano Jane Grimes graces Bill Douglas' Deep Peace. This whole cd is a gem. I highly recommend it. I'm just a teen, but I love this kind of music. Its just so spiritual, so calming, and yet, so melancholy. I'm only part Irish and part Scottish, but I feel a deep connection to both of these roots, especially to the Irish. May it all live on.

My husband and I had a celtic themed wedding where we used quite a few celtic selections for our entry music and processional. It was amazing! Everyone loved the change and it set the mood beautifully for our candlelight ceremony. I had the music selected the moment I heard the cd and never wanted to use anything else throughout the year and a half of planning!

I bought the CD as a gift for someone while I was in Paris, I listened to it to make sure that it would be a good gift, and decided it was a better gift for myself:) It is a very relaxing and mystical collection of mostly instrumental selections which are very appealing. My favourite is "Skye Boat Song" however the rest of the collection is also very nice.

I cannot count all the times that I have chosen to play this cd for my afternoon nap. The music is fluid and at the same time moving. If you are looking for a cd with a special little kick look no further.

This is simply a wonderful CD that just makes you happy to listen to it

This cd has a nice blend of various kinds of celtic music that is both soothing to listen to, but also makes you feel as if you are flying when you hear it. The beautiful rhythms and melodies of the artists makes you dream of far-away places that you might never have seen or imagined but for the sound of the music of magical places that reaches you through this collection.