Customer Reviews

Maire

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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"!

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.

I purchased this album upon its release years ago, and it is still one of my favorites. The music simply does not date...partially because Maire Brennan has crafted such a beautiful album that is otherworldly and timeless and partially because the instrumentation is traditional, and primitive, but exciting. I still believe this is her best solo effort (even though I love all of her albums). The Brennan clan (including Enya and Bridin) are all amazing vocalists and songwriters. Grateful for their talents!

Maire Brennan is much better known as the terrrific lead singer for the Irish folk-rock group Clannad, and she has a soulful voice that has helped to propel that group to the top of the charts with hits such as "The Theme From `Harry's Game'", and "I Will Find You" from "The Last Of The Mohicans". Here she is following in the footsteps of her more illustrious younger sister Enya, another former Clannad band member who has since become a sort of icon in the word of New Age music. This album represents Maire's first solo outing, and it was greeted with mixed reviews. Like most of the Clannad albums, it has quite an eclectic collection of songs. But there is, in fact, some very appealing music here, and I really like the effort.

The album opens with a dreamy "Ce Leis", a song of love lost and opportunity for a better life more adventurously lived gone with it. Her voice is the perfect vehicle for such numbers, and here she is in top form. The next song, called "Against The Wind", is more a new age concoction, full of interesting arrangements and an eclectic choice of instruments. Third up is the haunting "Oro", sung in Gaelic and dedicated to her young infant son. The children's chorus included in the song is especially nice to listen to. So too is "Jealous Hearts", another dreamy effort. The rest of the songs are also as good or better than the first four, and add to the sweet and ethereal mood set early on in the album. This is a mixed bag in terms of the kind of songs and arrangements, but something any Clannad fan will certainly appreciate listening to. Enjoy!

It's hard for me to believe that nearly 10 years have passed since this album was released. Maire Brennan, lead vocalist of Clannad, has a voice that is both ethereal and powerful at the same time. She has the ability to move me to tears even while singing in a language of which I have only minimal understanding (Irish gaelic). This particular album has several pieces that are quite beautiful and relaxing ... they would work nicely as lullabies. Brennan's skill as a harpist is also shown to great advantage on many tracks. Not to be missed if you are an admirer of Celtic New Age music.

This was the third album of Maire's that I had heard, and comparing it to the other two (Perfect Time and Whisper to the Wild Water) at first left me disappointed. It sure grew on me! My favorite before had been "Perfect Time," but I now revise that. It certainly is very different from "Perfect Time," and in my opinion, better. It has a much more worldbeat sound than her later work; mixing in African-style drumbeats and Middle Eastern bouzouki solos, it almost reminds me of Loreena McKennitt (especially on "Live in Paris and Toronto").

"Ce Leis" is a wonderful opener, with a style all her own.

"Against The Wind," with a beat that I have determined is almost identical the one that drives the Clannad song "A Mhuirnin O" (from Landmarks) is certainly the most energetic cut.

Contrast that with one of my favorites, "Oro," a slow Gaelic lullaby which works primarily because of its simplicity.

The only misstep, "Voices of the Land," tends to depart from the melodic approach used on the rest of the tracks. The chanting chorus (in my opinion, anyway) ruins the song, and I take off a star for that. But the album quickly recovers!

"Jealous Heart," while not my favorite, is a nice folk ballad.

No other reviewers seem to notice the similarities between Maire's "Land of Youth" and Enya's "Storms in Africa," but they stand out to me. I like to hope she wasn't just copying off of her sister...but either way it's a wonderful song.

"I Believe (Deep Within)" never made much of an impression on me either way.

"Beating Heart" has always sounded African to me. It is certainly the weirdest song (but in a good way!), with almost no instrumentation besides the percussion and chanting vocals.

If I had to pick an absolute favorite, it would be "No Easy Way" This wonderfully ethereal song mixes exotic instruments with a style reminiscent of Enya's work. Even the slight touch of jazz at the end (which I usually hate) seems to work here.

"Atlantic Shore" is a bit more pop-oriented than the rest of the album, but it's not out of place.

I definitely recommend this to Loreena McKennitt fans. Clannad listeners will find a much different style in her solo debut than they are used to. As for Enya, her older sister experiments a lot more, but may be enjoyed by fans.

Amazing! Maire is simply amazing! Making her solo debut, Maire writes some of the MOST BEAUTIFUL SONGS EVER! There is the magnificent "Against the Wind", the sweet lullaby, "Oro", written for her daughter, Aisling, who appears on the cover along side her very talented mum. I also loved "Land of Youth", "Beating Heart" (wonderful percussion), and "Atlantic Realm" composed by Maire and her little sister, Dee. Back ground vocals are her amazing sisters, Olive, Dee, and Bridin. I suggest every fan get this cd.

Maire's music is quite amazing. I like her use of strings and percussion. "Against the Wind", "Beating Heart", and "Land of the Youth", are good examples of excellent percussion. I also like her use of excellent use of strings, which was noticable in "Voices of the Land" and "Jealous Heart." Boy, I love her harp play! Her voice is really quite something, too. I should also mention she has very good lyrics. This makes "I Believe(Deep within)" my favorite on this album. Of course the other songs were quite something, as well! This CD is a real treat.

This was the first CD of Maire Brennan that I owned. Since then I have become an avid fan of her music and unique sound. She takes the listener to a special place that is hard to describe; intense, good, and happy.