Customer Reviews

The Golden Land

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

From the opening track "Tir Aur", Ceredwen's new release "The Golden Land" captivates with it's almost dance beats (reminding me of Enigma) and Celtic lyrics (in Welsh) and influences. Renee Grey sounds as good as ever and this collection seems a little more cohesive than their debut CD. The standout tracks are "Beltain", which captures the essence of the Pagan festival on the first of May; and "Boudicca", about the Druid Warrior Queen. This CD also comes with a comprehensive booklet that is a joy to read. The arrangements are stunning in their complexity and the accompiament that they give the beautiful soprano voice, and it is fascinating music for listening in the dark under headphones. This CD won't stray far from my player.

I'm not a big fan of Celtic music, but I really enjoy this second album by Ceredwen (Renee Gray and Andrew Fryer). Telling an epic poem of the battles between the Romans and the Druids at the turn of the first millennium, the haunting vocals and tribal rhythms mesmerize. The lyrics are sung in Welsh but the extensive liner notes both translate the poems and outline the stories being told. Listening to Gray's voice as a musical instrument takes nothing away from the impact of the songs. With tales of beheading, human sacrifice, rape, and all the things that go with fierce battles, I think I'd rather not understand the lyrics! Traditional (flute, drum, etc.) and electronic instruments provide a soaring backdrop to Gray's lovely soprano voice. The album feels both authentic and contemporary.

My favorite song in this collection is "Y Galwad - The Calling", which is the story of the Druid elders appealing to the gods for help. The Druid prince hears the voices calling him to Britain, and sets out on the journey to fulfill his destiny as "the chosen one" - to be sacrificed as a messenger to the gods.

Am I now a big fan of Celtic music? Not really, but I'm glad I made this journey to "The Golden Land".

Loreena McKennitt got me hooked on Celtic music; Ceredwen has reeled me in. The closing track on this CD, "Er Mwyn y Plant (For the Children)" is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in years, and "Beltaine" is pure Pagan magic. Ceredwen's music is always understated but never less than spellbinding. They have created an emerald middle space between the atmospheric dreaminess of Enya and the earthy spirit-rhythms of Loreena. Put the disk on, turn off the lights, and drift to a time and land far away...

This follow up to their first album, "Or Mabinogi" actually surpasses its predecessor in beauty and emotion. "The Golden Land" is an album not to be missed by fans of Clannad, Caroline Lavelle, Enya, Enigma, Loreena, or Delerium. Renee's vocals are soaring, and the blend of traditional instruments with modern ambient flourishes is unbeatable. There are alot of "pseudo-Enya" artists out there who are simply riding on her popular style without having half of her talent. Ceredwen is NOT one of them. Their music is original and vibrant. I have not stopped listening to this album since I've purchased it.

Justin

The title says it all. The CD does not surpass Cerdwen's debut effort, but definitely equals it. Combining the sweet traditional Welsh music with the telling of an epic poem to newage and ambient sounds, songs like "Beltaine" and "Boudicca" give me goosebumps everytime they play. This release is similar to their first CD, "Legends Of The Celts", but has more up-tempo beats to it. Yet another find release from this duo, who I hope continues to create stunning music for years to come.

Beautiful! I must agree with some of the other reviews by saying that O'r Mabinogi, Ceredwen's first album, was just a bit better than this one; although one of my absolute favourite songs is on this album, the excellent songs are counterbalanced by a couple of the more bland songs, but that's okay. This is all made up for by the amazing, dreamy vocals and misty instrumentals that are such a trademark of Ceredwen (Andrew Fryer and Renee Grey). I never tire of listening to this fine specimen of Celtic music at its best, and definitely recommend it!

Combining beautiful vocals with lush instrumentation and an engrossing story, The Golden Land by Ceredwen is a CD every New age/Celtic enthusiast should have in their collection.

The liner notes are copious, and explain every point of the story. Though the lyrics are in Welsh, the liner notes provide a translation, an explanation, and a paragraph tying the song to the larger story.

Did I mention the instrumentation?

Andrew Fryer and Renee Gray really have something here. I encourage everyone to listen to The Golden Land.

than Ceredwen's other CD "Or Mabinogi". But it does. With this CD. AMAZING. If you're a fan of Celtic music, or if you like folk, or if you like World Beat music....or even any kind of electronica, you would love this.

Their other CD is more smooth, a little bit more soft, and less upbeat. This is Or Mabinogi with KICK. The lyrics are sung more powerfully, less like a lullaby. The beats are quicker and more modern. It's got a lot of modern trance/electronica sounds in it. Not for the typical Celtic traditionalist, but I should hope any lover of Celtic music would appreciate electric harp, pennywhistle, bodhran, and Welsh lyrics.

I can't also praise the lyrics and the subjects enough. The stories of the Mabinogion were made into such beautiful lyrics in the other CD, but this one is of a more creative subject. Its all music that's about the Druids, or things of Boudicca's time. Wonderful if you do or do not know the history of the time.

I'm not a big fan of Celtic music, but I really enjoy this second album by Ceredwen (Renee Gray and Andrew Fryer). Telling an epic poem of the battles between the Romans and the Druids at the turn of the first millennium, the haunting vocals and tribal rhythms mesmerize. The lyrics are sung in Welsh but the extensive liner notes both translate the poems and outline the stories being told. Listening to Gray's voice as a musical instrument takes nothing away from the impact of the songs. With tales of beheading, human sacrifice, rape, and all the things that go with fierce battles, I think I'd rather not understand the lyrics! Traditional (flute, drum, etc.) and electronic instruments provide a soaring backdrop to Gray's lovely soprano voice. The album feels both authentic and contemporary.

My favorite song in this collection is "Y Galwad - The Calling", which is the story of the Druid elders appealing to the gods for help. The Druid prince hears the voices calling him to Britain, and sets out on the journey to fulfill his destiny as "the chosen one" - to be sacrificed as a messenger to the gods.

Am I now a big fan of Celtic music? Not really, but I'm glad I made this journey to "The Golden Land".

This is the best CD I have ever listened to. If you have listened to and liked Enya, Clannad, or Loreena McKennitt, this is the CD for you.Even if you are not fortunate enough to understand Welsh you will love this Cd.