Lan Duil

Mary Jane Lamond | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 8, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 8, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B0000457EZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,082 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Beautiful Mary

2. Faill Ill O Ro

3. My Little Young Molly

4. Tonight My Step Is Heavy

5. The Widower's Lament

6. Charles Street Reel

7. Milling Song

8. Will You Not Return Donald?

9. The Drummer

10. Cattle On The Hill

11. Ill U Ill O Ilean 'S O

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

From Cape Breton's Scottish Gaelic culture comes Làn Dùil, a remarkable sophomore effort from vocalist Mary Jane Lamond. While the CD is wholly comprised of traditionals and some of the material here hearkens back to the 19th century, such as the haunting sailor's lament "Ill U Ill O Illean's O," Lamond weaves each piece into strikingly contextual arrangements, incorporating Indian tablas, bagpipe, fiddle, and steel guitar wash. The result is entirely engaging, contemporary, and surprisingly grounded in historic tradition. Lamond is not only a daring arranger, but possesses a voice of great richness, versatility, and soul. "Crodh air a Bhurnich (Cattle on the Hill)" also makes splendid use of spoken word by noted Gaelic poet Jeff MacDonald. Each song is a story, conveyed to those of us whose primary language is English by the powerfully uncompromised expressiveness of Lamond's vocal instrumentation. The heart of the song is not detracted from by lyrical dissection. In the end, this is a fine thing, indeed. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classy CD from a wonderful singer, August 11, 2000

By 

J. Scarff (Berkeley, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lan Duil (Audio CD)

The third album from this extremely talented singer shows her growing confidence as a brilliant arranger as well as singer. As in her other two albums, all the songs are in Gaelic. The arrangements on this album are a bit less rock-oriented than her hit second album 'Suas e!', but not as traditional as her first album, as there is a drum set, bass and a sprinkling of accordions, Indian tabla and even an electric guitar on one track. Mary Jane is ably accompanied by a variety of musicians including Wendy and Ashley MacIsaac, and several other Gaelic singers. The arrangements are varied and superb, accenting rather than overpowering the songs, and helping communicate the contemporary relevance of this music. The sound recording and mixing on this CD are wonderful. Mary Jane's great singing brings the lyrics to life. There is a terrific port-à-beul track, a traditional milling song recorded a capella with three other singers. The highlight of this album for me is Mary Jane's version of the lament "Cha Tig Mór Mo Dhachaidh", which is breathtakingly beautiful. The 24 pages of liner notes contain the lyrics in both Gaelic and English, the history of each tune, photos of important Cape Breton gaelic singers. My only quibble is that the liner notes are so full of information and art that the tiny print requires a magnifying glass! Altogether this is classiest album I've seen in several years. If there was any doubt before, this album should make clear that Mary Jane has joined the short but growing list of world class Gaelic singers such as Karen Matheson of Capercaille and Maighread Ni Mhaonaigh of Altan. Nominated for a Juno Award in 1999. Very highly recommended.

P.S.In response to the reviewer that lamented the relative lack of attention paid to other Gaelic singers such as Catherine-Ann MacPhee, Margaret Stewart, Ishbel MacAskill, I submit that Mary Jane can and does reach out to entirely new audiences who these other singers can't reach and brings these audiences to the Gaelic music where they will grow to appreciate the other singers. I have heard Mary Jane live numerous times without fancy electronic equipment in Cape Breton and know that her singing and devotion to Gaelic music is greatly appreciated there. I suggest thecriticisms are way too harsh.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best- bar none, February 13, 2000

By 

JEFF JONES (The Hudson River Valley - Tivoli, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lan Duil (Audio CD)

Mary Jane Lammond has once again produced a truly unique and exquisite recording of traditional Gaelic songs. Regardless of what your musical taste are you will enjoy this CD. I highly recommend her first CD also. To those of you who are new to Mary Jane Lammond you should know that she sings exclusivly in Gaelic.You do not (!), by any stretch of your immagination,need to understand Gaelic in order to appreciate Mary Jane Lammond anymore than you need to understand French to appreciate Edith Piaf. Listen to the samples of this recording only if you are prepared to buy.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb album by a superb artist, February 7, 2001

By 

Brendon Pedro "spadona" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lan Duil (Audio CD)

Although I unfortunately have not yet heard her very first album, "Land of the Trees" (or yet heard her 4th and newest album, "Gaelic Songs" which is currently only available through a Canadian label), this is undoubtedly a brilliant album by a talented singer--there is an excellent balance of traditional and contemporary, as with Suas E!, and every one of the songs sticks in your head after only one or two listens... already I can sing most of 'A Mhairi Bhoidheach' from memory, and I don't know Scots Gaelic! It's one of those albums that sticks with you; that you'll listen to over and over again. And the fact that while she is not only a talented singer, but also helps bring attention to the Scots Gaelic language and the Cape Breton culture, only serves to make her music more meaningful. Listen to this album, if you haven't already!