Customer Reviews

Celtic Woman: A New Journey--Live at Slane Castle

5 star:		(349)
4 star:		(45)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

I recently discovered Celtic Woman courtesy of my local PBS station that aired their performance that is already out on dvd. I just fell in love the mix of classical and celtic music. What really struck me was the clarity of the women's vocals were. Lisa, Chloe, Meav, and Orla sang with great restraint and did not go down the Celine Dion route and oversing each high note known to mankind. While I do think that Lisa and Meav has the strongest set of pipes, it does not mean that I think Chloe and Orla has thin, weak vocals. I just thought Lisa and Meav's vocals really stood out for me.

My most personal favorite song on the album is the gorgeous ballad "Someday" from Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame". I was truly moved by Chloe's performance when I saw her sing it on the PBS special. That song along is why I bought this cd. It is a beautiful song that sends chills down my spine every time I listen to it. Chloe also does a stunning job on "Walking in the Air". It is quite a contrast from the heavy metal version by Nightwish. Another favorite song is "Harry's Game" sung by Orla. Her vocals on this song also gives me the chills. I am so glad that "Si Do Mhaimeo i (The Wealthy Widow)" was included on the cd. It is one of my favorite songs from the PBS special. A very playful song. I wish I knew what the english translation were. Another favorite highlight for me on this album is their version of "You Raise Me Up". That really made the hair on my arms stand up tall. It really moved me emotionally, more so than Josh Groban's version. What I found rather interesting about the recorded version and the live version on the PBS special is that the recorded version sounded like it was sung strictly by Meav while the credits listed Meav, Lisa, Chloe and Orla. If you listened to this cd as much as I have (which is a few times a day), you can easily recognize Meav's delicate soprano vocals.

I wish that the cd also included Enya's "Marble Halls" and Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring". They were simply breathtaking. Other than that, I loved this entire cd. There was not a single song that I didn't like or felt should have been left out. I look forward to hearing more music from the women of Celtic Woman.

What a project. If you look back in the 90s, you will see the music industry trying to catch on to as many trends and styles as possible.

There was Ska, there was Swing, there was Latin Pop and other World Music. And due to several factors (Enya's popularity, Clannad's TV clip causing a riot of people to find that song from the VW commerical, the Titanic's soundtrack which featured Irish Music, and of course Riverdance) Celtic Music became the next trend.

But when the new century came, the industry had moved on. Pity.
Until now that is......... David Downes should be congratulated for bringing about this event. He has done it, again! Also kudos go the angels who performed on this disc: Lisa, Meav, Orla, Chloe, and Mairead.

Honestly, this CD had to grow on me, as I didn't get to see the special on TV. Eventually I began to really enjoy this disc. Standout tracks for me:

"Last Rose of Summer/Walking in the Air" sounds like an angel lost in a cathedral. Just gorgeous! Lilting and atmospheric. A new Charlotte Church is found!

"May it Be" is sung slightly different from Enya. Where Enya sings with high airy delicateness. This is sung with strength tempered with softness. Very beautiful.

"Siuil a Run (Walk My Love)" is an old song. It is sung from the point of view of a woman whose love has gone to war. Her voice is sad and beautiful at the same time. Some of the men from the Irish Brigade had gone to fight in France, around the 17th century. They were known as the Wild Geese, and sadly, they never came home. The only other version of this song that measures up is by Clannad, on their album DULAMAN.

"Orinoco Flow" is of course another Enya song. A march of music set to words about wind currents and exotic places. I laughed at this version on CELTIC WOMAN... at first. Only because the choir of voices singing the chorus surpirsed me. This has grown on me, and I love it now.

"Harry's Game" is a Clannad track. A gaelic proverb dedicated to the strife of mankind, and the conflict of Northern Ireland. This version is sung without harmonies and the single voice is plaintive and poetic. A wonderful cover.

"Nella Fantasia", "Danny Boy" and "Ave Maria" all sound beautiful in this Irish setting of voices.

In conclusion, CELTIC WOMAN explores the mysterious quality that is found in the lost legends of the emerald isle and the atmospheric voices of the Wild Irish Goddesses. Enjoy!

I just received my Celtic Woman cd in the mail today and I couldn't be more happy!! These women have incredible voices to say the least. This CD is already one of my favorites and I'm sure it will remain so for a very, very long time.

Absolutely wonderful! If you are a music fan like me you need to listen to Celtic Woman. I grew up playing rock drums and listening to Led Zeppelin. Today, my music tastes range from Beck to the Dixie Chicks. But this Celtic Woman album is tops!!! My favorite song is Meav's "SI Do Mhaimeo I" I fell in love immediately!!! Listen to it for the first time before you go to bed at night. You will sleep like a baby!!!

This is simply a beautiful CD. These Irish women's voices are so angelic, so ethereal, that it is simply a joy to listen to. No, it is not pure Celtic. Yes, it is a bit glam, but, you can't deny that these ladies can sing. I saw the Celtic Woman concert on PBS and looked for the CD. Was delighted when I found it on Amazon and didn't have to shell out the big donation to my PBS station for it. I have many Celtic CD's and this is one I will listen to over and over. Don't be narrow-minded. It is worth a listen.

I saw the Celtic Woman by chance on channel 13. I was so mesmerized with them and I therefore stayed focus on the show until it was really over. Shortly after, I decided to buy both the DVD (and CD) that was a coverage of their live concert. The ladies captivated me not just because of their beautiful voices, but also because of their pretty faces, lovely gowns and last but not least the talent of two of the ladies in playing the violin and harp with such a passion. Watching one of them play the violin with vigorous but graceful and expressive body movements held me spellbound. They appeared at Radio City here in New York and I wanted so much to watch them, but I had nobody to go with me. Now my sister has discovered them too and she shares the same fascination for them and I look forward to attending one of their live concerts in the future with her.

I recently saw the Celtic Women concert on PBS and was absolutely amazed. As a massive Sarah Brightman fan, I was thrilled to see "Nella Fantasia" performed in the concert. I used the lyrics from this beautiful song as my senior quote when I graduated from high school. This CD will not appeal to the masses of teens and 20 somethings who would rather listen to a hip-hop bass line and perverted lyrics, this is real talent singing really great classic songs. The voices are angelic and the songs are etherial. By far one of the greatest performances I've seen since Brightman's Harem tour last year. 5 stars, brilliant and I'd love to see more.

This is the best thing to come out in a long time. I've got the CD having seen it on PBS and also saw the girls on the Today show on St. Patrick's Day. Just ordered the DVD which I can;t wait for!!! I don't understand how anyone can think this is middle of the road music or singing, it's really sophisticated and I keep hearing new things every time I play it, either in the vocals or in all the stuff going on behind, and judging by the CD credits there was az cast of thousands. So much more intricate than Enya's versions of her own songs, for instance. (probably get shot for saying that but it's true!)

I started by listening mainly to the tracks I knew like Danny Boy (yea I know not that one again, but it's really different and honest) and Nella Fantasia, but now I'm really getting into the stuff that;s unknown, it's cool to have both the big hits and loads of other music to get to know. I also LOVE the fiddle player Maread and her totally amazing track called "The Butterfly"!!

Best thing in years!

Although I have seen the "Celtic Woman" cd in the store, I did not listen to it thinking it another derivative celtic music collection. However, I caught part of the PBS broadcast of this show and was totally mesmerized. The new spin on such classics as Ave Maria and contemporary classics like Ennio Morricone's Nella Fantasia, Enya's Orinoco Flow and Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up brought me to norvana. The soprano's(Chloe, Meav, Lisa Kelly) voices are crystal clear and Orla's harpistry is divine. Mairead's fiddle playing brings this cd back to earth with its foot stomping earthy, cetic and vibrant flavor. My only regret is that they did not include the stunningly beautiful Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring that was featured in the PBS special.

I recently lost my Irish husband so this album is truly special to me. He would listen to all the Irish programs and singers that he could find, and really instilled in me a great love for the Irish and the celtic music. I believe this album represents the best in Irish music. These five woman have outstanding voices, all very beautiful with such clear tones.

When I feel sad and lonely, I play this music and it lifts up my spirit. Hard to name a favorite here, but I always cry when I hear "You Lift me up". His favorite was Danny Boy, so what more can I say.