Customer Reviews

Etain

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just bought Etain a few weeks ago, and already it's one of my favorite CDs! It is an Irish myth, the story of Etain (pronounced Ay-deen), a woman in Tir na nOg in love with a man named Midir. Midir's first wife, jealous of thier love, turns Etian into a golden fly and sends strong winds to blow Etain away from her love. Weary after struggling against the winds, Etain comes across a house of feast. She rests for a bit, and falls into a cup of wine, after which she is swallowed by a woman who thereby conceives a daughter. Etain is reborn into the human world with no memory of her past life. She matures and eventually marries Eochaid, King of Ireland. One day, while they walk in the woods, they come across a stranger who challenges Eochaid to a game of chess. Eochaid wins thefirst two games, and the stranger wins the third and demands as a prize a kiss from Etain. Eochaid tries to surround Etain with the best warriors of Ireland, but Midir (for that is who the stranger is) walks through without shedding any blood to claim his kiss. As they kiss, they both transform into swans and fly away together.

The music of Etain is beautiful-haunting and captivating, passionate anmd powerful. Kate Chadbourne's stunning voice carries and enhances the music.

This CD is incredible, and much recommended.

Tim Janis's music touches both the hearts and souls as well as the ears of those who hear his music. His scores are full and lush and always leave you breathless. I first stumbled across Tim Janis at a crafts festival in Upstate New York and the first CD i picked up was Etain. There was a small ensemble performing it and after hearing only a few bars i knew i had to add this cd to my collection. it is now one of my most favorite cd's. A must have for relaxation.

It's too bad that the first review that customers see is the one from the person with no appreciation of Celtic music. This CD is an outstanding example of beautiful, haunting, and authentic Celtic music, and while I like all of Tim Janis's music very much, this is my favorite. I would love to have it as a SACD as well.

This CD is yet another addition to the Celtic revival in the US, and should be added to anyones library of celt/world music. It seamlessly blends synthesizers with traditional celtic music (i.e. Altan or The Chieftans). I was introduced to this CD a few years ago by a dear friend, I copied it onto a tape, not altogether delighted with it, but willing to listen as he was my best friend. I played it a few times, and it has an infectious quality to it. I was soon not able to keep the rousing reels, jigs and aires out of my mind. I played the tape so many times it is now so warped I fear it will break the next time I play it! (will be buying the CD shortly!) Fabulous CD all around, I highly recomend it.

Since I first heard Along the Shores of Acadia, I have been a big fan of Tim Janis and with each new album my respect and admiration for his talent and music grows. This particular album is my favorite, because unlike his other music, which is often inspired by his surroundings, Etain was inspired by an Irish folktale. His music introduced me to the story and I was so inspired that I've researched both the story and name in more detail, and now I have a daughter who bears the name...Etain. If you have never listened to new age music, start with this album. You won't regret it!

This is not exactly the typical epic neo-classical orchestrations you'll find on the other Tim Janis releases. Etain is a fair bit more diverse in sound, than any other release, which makes this easily my favorite Janis album. If you're not a fan of the Celtic sound, this won't be your cup 'o tea. But this album would serve most fans of Secret Garden well, myself included.

If you are in the mood for Celtic music, you won't find a better representation of the Irish mood of laughter and love. A must for anyone who enjoys this genre of sounds.

Étain is one of Tim Janis's older CD's, but I just purchased it recently. I have several of his other albums and I love his style of music (I've always thought of him as kind of a "musical Thomas Kinkade" with the images he creates). Seeing Étain as an Irish tale set to music, I was skeptical of buying it, because I knew it would be different from his other music. I finally decided to get it, and I did not regret it at all.

It instantly became my favorite. The music naturally has a Celtic sound, but it still manages to have Janis's unique sound as well. The vocals, sung entirely in Gaelic by Kate Chadbourne, are performed beautifully and clearly. The lyrics tell the wonderful Irish folktale of Étain (pronounced AY-deen), and the music brings the tale to life. A good album for fans of Tim Janis or Celtic Music.

If you're looking for this CD to be the same style of all of his others you're in for a disappointment. I own all of his CD's and absolutely love them...except this one. If you like this type of music it's alright but I was disappointed as I like the easy listening type..not the songs of Ireland.