Mother: Songs Celebrating Mothers & Motherhood

Cathie Ryan, Robin Spielberg, Susan McKeown | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: February 18, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: North Star
• ASIN: B00000I6NG
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,613 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mother of Mine

2. Rock Me to Sleep, Mother

3. Walk With Me

4. Pheata Beag Do Mháthar

5. Ancient Mother

6. Jennie's Song

7. Circle of Life

8. Grandma's Song

9. Mother's Celebration

10. Real Pretty Mama

11. Seothín Seo Hó

12. Buíochas/Thanks

13. Song for Jennie (We're Almost There)

14. Baby's Lullaby

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars from Wind and Wire, Issue 11, January 26, 2000

By 

Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mother: Songs Celebrating Mothers & Motherhood (Audio CD)

This collaboration between Irish singer/songwriters Susan McKeown and Cathie Ryan, and pianist/composer Robin Spielberg is a celebration of motherhood "for anyone who has ever had a mother, is a mother, or is likely to become a mother!" I'm not sure "Mother"'s appeal will be quite that universal, but since most of the songs have a Celtic feel to them, it should fit into the broad popularity of that genre. All but five of the fourteen tracks are vocals - some of the lyrics are in English, some in Irish; one is a haunting Native American poem translated into Gaelic, "Ancient Mother". All of the vocals have a traditional, "folkie" feel to them, and although this is a celebratory CD, some of the lyrics are tragic or sad - especially "Jennie's Song" and "Rock Me to Sleep, Mother". I know, life is like that!

Robin Spielberg is one of my favorite composers, and, for me, her instrumental contributions are the strongest tracks on the CD. "Walk With Me", "Circle of Life", and "Mother's Celebration" are new, and all are beautiful. Robin also included her tribute to her grandmother, "A Song For Jennie", and wrote a new arrangement of "Amy's Lullaby" with lyrics and a new title, "Baby's Lullaby" (sung by Cathie Ryan) - a very tender and gentle lullaby. "Real Pretty Mama", which is a cute tribute to her own mother, marks Robin's debut as a singer/songwriter!

This is a very interesting project that covers a lot of musical territory as well as many of the various aspects of motherhood and family relationships. The liner notes are full of photos from the three women's childhoods (with their mothers), and the lyrics as well as the backgrounds of the pieces are included. It makes a very nice package.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mother; A Celebration of Motherhood, October 9, 2000

By 

Mary KayThomas (Jupiter, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother: Songs Celebrating Mothers & Motherhood (Audio CD)

I received this CD as a gift when I adopted my son, and feel that it touches me each time I hear it. Having Celtic ties, it is even more special. I have now found a great Christmas gift for anyone who is a mother or will be a mother. I highly recommend it for anyone (especially women) who enjoy lullabies and comforting melodious celtic tunes. MKThomas, Jupiter, Fl

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great background music for my classroom, May 16, 2004

By 

Emily S. Hall (Fairport, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mother: Songs Celebrating Mothers & Motherhood (Audio CD)

I recently purchased two of Robin's cds at a conference at my Alumni. There I had the privledge of hearing her play live, and I just fell in love with the feeling. I use the "Mother" cd as naptime music, and the toddlers in my class just love it. I had actually taken it home and when I didn't have it to play for them several of the children asked for the "Mommy songs." I find myself humming along during my tasks as the children nap, and I always look forward to putting the music on. This is a great purchase!!