Customer Reviews

Mother: Songs Celebrating Mothers & Motherhood

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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.

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

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!!

this cd just takes me away every time! in it i can feel the celtic blood of my ancestors beating through my heart, and now i know that i am closer to my great grandparents singing in the streets of Ireland. thank you to the artists who made this all come alive!

I was not impressed with the cd at first but it grew on me fast. Being a new mother, daughter, and grandaughter I relate to all the songs. But it was the variety and catchy songs that I started to enjoy. It has a strong celtic mood to many of the songs. I am going to buy it for my mom for her birthday.

Just to be able to hear "Rock Me to Sleep, Mother" is reason enough to purchase the CD. It's exquisite in every sense.