Customer Reviews

Highlands

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

 

 

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.

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!

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.

At the risk of sounding like a cliche, my preference in music as in art is "eclectic"-sort of Debussy to Depeche Mode.
Highlands, by Darby Devon, was a suggestion by a friend that turned out to be marvellous. If there were a "Diva" of the Celtic sound, she could be one of them. Her voice is pararlleled only by her muscianship.
Not unlike, the tracery of a celtic pattern the music is woven together, albeit with a modern interpretation at times. The sound can appeal to you on many levels, however, "Highlands" is the thread with which she weaves. Even a borrowed tune from Sting fits into the tapestry.
I played it today at work for the first time and I was delighted, not totally distracted but fully conscious that beautiful music and voice cradled me. I recommended her CD to a HR training expert, who happens to be very interested in celtic sounds, for background to a stress management class here in NYC. But I warned him I expect it back from him tomorrow, and you would too!
Tony

Very melodic; very delicate; hauntingly beautiful...Especially the opening song, 'Highlands.' How incredible that anyone can scale the notes to the degree that Darby does. What is even more inspiring is the fact that, excluding 'Valparaiso,' which was written by Sting, these are songs that either were written by the artist herself or to which she assisted. Songs that are meant to depict our journey through life, from beginning to end to beginning once again...This CD is the heart of Celtic music!

"Lifts your soul to new heights" This collection by new artist Darby DeVon is absolutely an inspiration to your soul. Darby's beautiful, lyrical voice will take you on a journey of your mind, your heart and your soul.

This is a magical CD and I recommend it anyone who enjoys listening to heart felt music that stirs the soul and uplifts the spirit.

I can't wait for the next release fom this talented artist! SD

I just love this CD and so will you. It is very well done and the songs are so nice.

If I made a list of the top ten CDs I have ever heard, this would be on the list.

This is a perfectly beautiful album. This woman is an angel. I hope she will soon give us another CD of her music. Every track here is marvelous, lyrical and skillfully performed. I would not compare her to Enya... because this is clearly no imitation of Enya. Haunting and Beautiful.