34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Voice of Clannad goes solo, with worthy results, November 3, 2003
This review is from: Maire (Audio CD)
Maire (pronounced moya) Brennan, did some time with Clannad as their lead singer with her famous sister Enya. This album played a lot at my store when first released. It wasn't until much later that I learned of Maire and Enya's familial link. After recalling the sound and the lilting vocals, which has a deeper softness a la Mary Fahl of October Project, I thought, well, no wonder.
"Ce Leis" is a quiet melancholy affair where Maire's harp comes in. The haunting backing vocals by her family, Dee, Olive, and Bridin Brennan, recall that of her more famous sister, and the protagonist is haunted by the absence of a loved one. The Celtic chorus "Ce leis an dholas/I meascc mo dhaoine/bimse uaigneach" translates to "Whose is the sorrow among my people I feel alone."
Pounding drums and traditional sounds and chants dominate the upbeat "Against The Wind", which tells of intergenerational struggles. "Old ways follows the beaten track," whereas the new generation are "defying their leaders/holding out for free will." These are the people who are against the wind, going that road less travelled. So the message is "The game is in your hands/reach for every moment."
"Oro" has high-register, angelic voices from any of Enya's albums. This is a lullaby to an infant, and the Brennans' vocals chanting the refrain "Codlah samh a paiste mo chroi" adds a very benevolent touch. It means "Sleep peacefully my sweet child" This alone makes it a standout track.
The mid-paced "Voices Of The Land" is an introspective question beholding the beauties of Earth, "streams of silver/streams of gold" and the "trees so tall and proud". She wonders how much longer they will last. The words themselves could be recited as poetry. The backing Brennans provided a chanting refrain after the chorus.
The quiet guitar and drum ballad "Jealous Heart" tells the story of someone who tries to forget someone by trying to put new roots, but she hears the voices calling her to come back home. The Brennans' voice are really angelic when they sing the title.
"Land Of Youth (Tir na nOg)" fascinated me because of the story, based on Irish folklore. A warrior, Oisin, encounters Niamb, a beautiful woman who offers him eternal youth and love in the title land. He grows homesick, only to have Niamb inform him that three centuries have passed in Ireland. She gives him a white horse that would carry him to safety, but his feet must never touch the ground, or else he will never return to her. He descends to help a man building a stone wall, and guess what happens? He ages three hundred years! This kind of recalls the Japanese legend of Urashima Taro, who ages under similar circumstances.
The Enya-like piano ballad "I Believe (Deep Within)" is a showcase for Maire's voice, and tells of a man who yearns for freedom and a new start but is financially unable to leave home. Maire's lilting up and down voice reassuringly sings "Never lose the faith/from your faded heart/never lose desire/to drift away." This story of the Irish experience must have been felt by many who were bound to their hard land.
"Beating Heart" is a danceable jig, featuring the Brennans, who sing in unison to the thundering drums and snappy percussion.
"No Easy Way" has to do with life's decisions, and some lines sung in Celtic by the Brennans recall a mother's advice. "Mothaim thu cogarnai/mohaim thu le comhairle" translates to "I hear you whispering/I hear your advice." She sagely then asks "How can we know what the book of life holds for us all?"
"Atlantic Shore" has a pop-sensible beat and finishes the album. Most of the songs here are mellow like her sister, and some of them recall Enya's music, the difference being Maire's up and down voice. Yet another interpretation of the Enya/Clannad sound that is worthy in its own merit.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb fusion between celtic and new age music, October 29, 2000
This review is from: Maire (Audio CD)
About four years ago, I was listening to the radio, and a tune came up that took my breath away - it was kind of a war/conquering hymn, with a rythm based on wonderful drums that sounded celtic. I recorded on tape the last seconds, and listened to them over and over... for two years! Who was the singer? They didn't tell... It sounded like Enya, but I have all her records, and this music wasn't there. Then, one day, the music was on the radio again... and again the author wasn't named... But this time I wrote into paper all the lyrics I could listen to. And the words "Blow against the wind" came out several times. I decided to search for songs with that title, and the name Maire Brennan came out... I was astonished: I'm a great fan of Enya and Clannad for some years - how is that I never payed attention to Maire? Like her sister, Maire catches celtic stile plus her own modern new age sound, and makes wonderfull music. But beware: this record is a unique jewel - I advise you to preview the others first. For instance, after listening to "Maire", "Perfect Time" - which is a good record - sounds "dejá vu". First enjoy the beautifullness of "Maire"!
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maire-nificent!, June 2, 2000
This review is from: Maire (Audio CD)
I had long been a fan of Clannad and its most famous(ex-)member, Enya, when I heard about this little-heralded release by her older sister and an original Clannad member, Maire. I bought it immediately and was MESMORIZED by her rich blend of haunting vocals, instruments and percussion. Maire's voice soars as it always has and her choice of instruments remains as exquisite as it ever was with Clannad, but what sets this album (and its follow-up, "Misty-Eyed Adventures") apart from any other is the backing chorus of her sisters, Dee, Olive and Bridin. They give both an angelic sound which no words could describe properly. If you are a fan of Clannad or Enya, buy this disc NOW! It is equal to or better than ANY of their works.
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