Earthsongs

Secret Garden, Fionnuala Gill | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 8, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0007GAEVC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,908 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Earthsongs is a curious title for an album that is unrooted in the firmament and seems far removed from any traditions therein. Instead, the duo of Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland make music lost in a gauzy haze of nostalgia and sentimentality. On Earthsongs, they move further from the safely exotic, Celtic-meets-New-Age sound in which they forged their early successes and float down an easy-listening path. Celtic flavors do turn up on a pair of sanitized jigs: "Reel" and "Daughters of Erin," but they have the authenticity of a theme restaurant. Bringing in pop-classical tenor Russell Watson for the maudlin ballad "Always There" doesn't help. With this album, Secret Garden takes a seat in the faux-classical lounge, a room occupied by artists like Percy Faith, Bert Kaempfert, 101 Strings, and other forgotten meisters of orchestral pop who were washed aside by the breaking waves of rock in the early '60s. --John Diliberto

Product Description

Asian Limited Edition contains two bonus tracks 'Silence Speaks' & 'Canzona' plus a bonus DVD. DVD Format NTSC/Region Code 0. Universal. 2005. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Does not meet the bar they have set for themselves!, March 10, 2005

By 

Timothy Slomka (Novi, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Earthsongs (Audio CD)

Before I review this album, I highly recommend that anyone who loves Secret Garden try and find the Norwegian version of this CD if you can. It contains a total of 15 tracks, 3 additional, "Sarabande" which is pretty mediocre, "Canzona" a pretty good ethnic tune, has a lot of Italian/Greek sounding influences, and "Silence Speaks" that is one of the best songs on the album. Why this was cut from international release, I cannot begin to understand.

That aside, I will review the album released here. Out of the 5 studio albums this group has done, this one is clearly the weakest of the 5 from top to bottom. Not saying that it is necessarily bad, but definately not as deep as any of the other releases.

The dark, contemplative mood of all of their previous work is gone, replaced with a more bland and simplistic release. Though there are some signs of depth, paricularly in the first track, Sometimes When It Rains. It is ruined by taking the instrumental song and setting lyrics to it later in the album..."Half a World Away." Once lyrics are placed over a song, the listener really loses the ability to place their own thoughts and experiences into the song, which in turn make it personal. Instead, the song becomes about whatever the lyrics dictate, and unfortunately, a very good instrumental song is lost.

As for the rest of the album, there are some places where the groups previous work appears. "When Darkness Falls," is probably the best example of what made Secret Garden. Unfortunately, what is left of the remaining 9 tracks does not really stand out. "The Reel" which is fair but not exceptional and "Daughters of Erin" that is pretty darn good. "Grace" is also fairly good song, but just seems to be too little too late as far as instrumentals go. "Lotus" and "Fields of Fortune" are pretty "meh" songs. "Silence Speaks" is much better than both, in my opinion.

Finally are the other lyrics songs. "Always There" is not too bad but does not have the powerful effect that You Raise Me Up did on the previous release. Very sadly missing is Karen Matheson on this album. In her stead steps a lesser known and not nearly as good singer for "Sleepsong" which basically suceeds in throwing in every possible cliche for a lullabye into one song. Finally, is "Raise Your Voices" which is a very stirring song done with a full orchestra and choir.

All in all, it is a good album, but it is almost sad that the group's personality from the last 4 albums is almost non-existant in this release. It is good music, but it isn't something that I can say blew me away here, and I am a devoted fan of the group. If you are a fan and have all the other albums, no doubt, go pick it up. If you are thinking about trying something new...Please, do yourself a favor and start at White Stones or Songs from a Secret Garden, both of which are nothing short of incredible.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Three tracks are missing!, March 21, 2005

By 

amazonka - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Earthsongs (Audio CD)

The US release of Earthsongs by Secret Garden contains only 12 tracks. Three new compositions including the most beautiful piece "Silence Speaks" are for some reason missing... I recommend you to buy the original Norwegian release of "Earthsongs" album with all 15 tracks. I got my copy from cdplanet.no and enjoy it a lot!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Earthsongs!, July 6, 2005

By 

Lori (Alachua, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earthsongs (Audio CD)

What a wonderful and illuminating CD! I have just been enthralled by the enchanting sounds and melodies of this wonderful creation.

The interweaving of disparate elements into a single and erapturing whole has just stabbed deep into the core of my soul. I suggest just sitting back and letting the music wash over you like waves on the beach.

There is just not enough music like this out there. This genre needs more wonderful CDs like this one. I strongly encourage you to buy, listen to, and enjoy this CD.

You won't be sorry you purchased this CD! And I suggest trying more Secret Garden!