Highlands

Darby Devon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 3, 2009)
• Original Release Date: November 7, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Etherean Music, Inc
• ASIN: B00004U4U1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,548 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

eVon's music will certainly appeal to enthusiasts of Maire Brennan, Enya and Miriam Stockley. While the music is instrumentally rich with accordian, hammered dulcimer, fiddle, violin, viola, cello, recorder and double bass joining contemporary keyboards and guitars, Darby's extensive vocal contribution is the driving force within the music with both lyrical and vocalise passages. A lovely booklet complete with song backgrounds explaining the theme of the album accompanies the compact disc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A More Organic Enya, January 3, 2001

By 

"d-moonshadow" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highlands (Audio CD)

To begin with, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this CD. I had heard excellent reviews on it, but I was in the mood for more new-agey stuff and I wasn't sure if this would be more traditional stuff (not that there's anything wrong with that...). Well, to make a long story short, this CD is actually a mix between the two and it's DeVon's voice that makes it all stick together. The CD opens with "Highlands", a beautiful traditionally written piece but arranged in a modern style with rich pianos, fiddles and guitars with DeVon's high soprano soaring on top. "The Knight At Dublin Castle" tells the story of a knight and his love. Arranged similar to track one but slower in tempo, this song has a certain quality that gives me goosebumps everytime I listen. "Quest For Lia Fail" sounds like another version of "Highlands", but is a little more organic in its instrumentation and is still a very good song. "Passage To Iona" is a beautifully themed instrumental with recorders, strings and much more coming together in what seems exactly the right places. "Daydreams" is the song on this CD that sounds the most like Enya, with richly overdubbed harmonies and a slightly more synthesized sound. This song captured my heart and has NOT let it go. Beginning as an anthemic ballad but changing its tune into some sort of amalgam of Celtic rock and traditional jigs, "Oghma's Return" is probably the best instrumental cut on the CD, and it makes me want to dance everytime I hear it. "Valparaiso" is a heart-wrenching ballad originally written by Sting, and it shows off the low and high ranges of DeVon's voice. "Together We Fly" is another piece that features Enya-like vocals, but the song itself is more reminiscent of Clannad's work, with guitars, accoustic bass, accoustic drums and pianos. "Dance At Bealtaine" is a great piece of uplifting Celtic-pop with wordless vocalizations by DeVon over well-played guitar and piano melody lines. One of my favorites on the CD. The CD slows down for its next-to-last cut called "Magdalena". There are no vocals on this track, so all attention is focused on the instrumental melody-line, which is beautiful and haunting. This CD finishes up with a reprise of "Highlands", which throws some more electric elements into the mix, and extends it to past six minutes. A great way to send off the CD. I eagerly anticipate a follow-up, as this CD is easily one of the best in my collection.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting yet very powerful!!, August 27, 2001

By 

classicmoviefan (Rancho Mirage, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highlands (Audio CD)

When I placed this CD in my player. I believed it would be wonderful, but when it began to play, the tears rolled down my cheeks. The music, though drawing from Celtic thematic texture and flavour, is at the same time, so powerful and lush. This music is bursting with melody, and joy. There is nothing depressing here. Thoughtful, introspective, and even dramatic, yet never threatening or trying to preach.... this is powerful music, and obviously inspired from within. I felt as though these melodies were ancient, yet they are mostly arranged in a haunting, and riveting style that is very fresh and contemporary. There is a certain amount of "Celtic" music today that may be considered "audio wallpaper", and there is certainly nothing wrong with that... that kind of music serves a wonderful purpose... but the music from this artist is very different.. you want to listen to it. You are hypnotized by this young woman's riveting voice, whether she is singing lyrics ("Daydreams" is totally dynamic lyrically), or she sings in vocalise, which she executes with great fluidity. I have now played this disc for the 3rd time in a row.... all this listener can say is "Bravo, Darby"... looking forward to many more like this! This disc is a perfect 10 and will become one of my favorite Christmas presents to friends this year!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Appealing, contemporary songs that beg for a sing-along, December 5, 2002

By 

Brianna Neal (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highlands (Audio CD)

This collection of pop-flavored compositions was inspired by Celtic legend and idiom, but the style is distinctly modern. While the omnipresent electronic sounds of guitars and keyboards tend to overpower the acoustic instruments, DeVon's clear, honest voice and simple but engaging compositions accomplish exactly what is intended: they transport the listener to her own world of magic and mystery. Her program notes indicate that she views this series of compositions as a journey of dreams, celebration, reflection and imagination, and it is all of those things. This is fun music to drive to, helping to turn mundane trips into sparkling and mysterious adventures. I first came across my two favorite numbers, the sweeping "Highlands" and rhythmic "Quest for Lia Fail", on Etherean's compilation album "Celtic Dawn", which features DeVon and other similar artists. If you like "Highlands", check out "Celtic Dawn" too.