Dual

Ross Martin, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Julie Fowlis, Eamonn Doorley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Machair Records
• ASIN: B001I5AEIY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,989 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy of Five Stars, June 16, 2009

By 

A reader (New York City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dual (Audio CD)

Only one review of this great CD, and a 4-star review at that? Actually, I agree with the other reviewer (David M. Black) that Julie's voice has a thinness and nasality that sometimes is not pretty, and can become annoying. By contrast, Muireann has a consistently warm tone in which the listener can luxuriate. She is quite an extraordinary singer. A highlight of the CD comes right before the end, with Muireann's exquisite solo rendering of "Pé in Éirinn Í."

However, Julie also has great skills, and demonstrates a precise reading of lyrics and melody, combined with a fine sense of rhythm. Perhaps, as Mr. Black notes, it's the contrast between the two women's voices that is a bit jarring. However, it's also what makes the CD interesting to listen to, with Julie singing in Scottish and Muireann in Irish (hence, the title DUAL).

Taken as a whole, there is not a track on the CD that I don't enjoy, because of the consummate musicianship of all the participants, both singers and instrumentalists, and because of the intrinsic beauty of the traditional material. This is a CD that I play frequently and enjoy more with each hearing. If you're a lover of traditional Celtic music, it's a must-have.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Blending of Difference, September 2, 2009

By 

Rev. A. Trethowan (Perth, Western Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dual (Audio CD)

This is a close group, husband, wife, and two longterm friends. Both Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, grew up in island gaelic speaking communities, Julie in the Hebrides and Muireann in the Aran Iles of the Irish west coast. But both the accent and the local music of these areas have strong differences. It is the way these are both kept separate and yet also blended on this CD, that continues to hold my musical interest. Again the quality of both the female voices, soprano declamatory, and contralto evocative, are both individual yet blend well in the performances. This CD continues to give me much pleasure.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun!, August 31, 2009

By 

nola77 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dual (Audio CD)

I do agree that these women have very different styles of singing and voices, but that adds to the interest. I had been a fan of Muireen's for a long time, and now I have learned about Julie Fowlis through the "Dual" CD. My favorite track never ceases to lift my spirits (and who doesn't need that nowadays?), with its joyful whistle duet and two songs in different Gaelic languages by Julie and Muireen, "Tha 'm Buntata Mor." Can't think of a more fun way to learn about two ethnic styles of music! Please note there is a stunning video version of that track on youtube.