Mouth Music

Mouth Music | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B0000009O3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,637 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Bratach Bana (White Banners)

2. Co Ni Mire Rium? (Who Will Have Fun with Me)

3. Mor a Cheannaich

4. Martin Martin

5. Chi Mi Na Morbheanna (I See the Great Mountain)

6. I Bhi a Da

7. Seinn Oi

8. Mile Marbh-Phaig Air A' Ghaol (A Thousand Shrouds on Love)

9. Air Fail a Lail O (Falalalo)

10. Fraoch a Ronaigh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars musical echoes of the Scot Gaels, July 22, 2003

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mouth Music (Audio CD)

Though filled with intricate rhythmic patterns, this music has a peaceful feel to it, and "mouth music", which is a style of Gaelic music intended for dancing, is performed to perfection by Martin Swan and his many instuments, and the pure and lovely vocals of Talitha Mackenzie. There are also the "waulking songs"; like the work songs found in every tradition, they have an energy that helps ease the time spent at labor, and lifts the soul from all that is dreary. There are two instrumentals on this CD (tracks # 4 and 8), and these also include the talents of Martyn Bennett, on small pipes, violin, and block flute. Bennett can also be heard on "Chi Mi Na Morbheanna" ("I See the Great Mountains").

Recorded in Scotland in 1991, the sound is excellent; the booklet insert, though minimal, has the lyrics in Gaelic and English, and my only complaint would be the all too short length at 36:24.
Anyone with an interest in high-quality, out-of-the-mainstream music, might be interested in this unique CD. It is a blend of the old and new, traditional instuments and electronic, rustic simplicity and modern complexity, all blended with enough magic to make the elfin spirit in you dance.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mouth Music...!?! Hmmm, where can I find a copy of this?, September 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mouth Music (Audio CD)

Everyone who's heard this recording has commented at first, "What the heck is that?" This comment is quickly followed by "Where did you find this - can I still get a copy?" (My copy is very old - still in tape media form... I "was" (thanks to Amazon.com) looking for this on CD media format.

If you enjoy fusion music - in this case, the roots of Celtic mouth music with a strong American influence, you will definitely enjoy this music collection. The fusion is seamless, compliments of Mickey Hart (drummer for the Grateful Dead band and independently of , "Planet Drum" fame) thus, creating a universal sound. If you like adventure in sound, try this one out. You won't be disappointed! Had this been released with English lyrics it definitely would have hit the best seller charts in America!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for traditionalists, but wonderful, October 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mouth Music (Audio CD)

I've loved this cd for years--for some reason the public library had it where I used to live. When I moved, I had to buy my own. Talitha McKenzie is the vocalist here; beware, the other titles by "Mouth Music" have different vocalists. You want this one. I've listened to it so much that sometimes I think I know the lyrics (they've stopped being Gaelic to me; accompanied by the translations in the booklet, you can learn their meanings). Favorites are Bratach Bana and Chi Mi Na Morbheanna. I think Enya, Loreena fans might be open to this--maybe even fans of Sinead O'Connor's first album. Atmosphere-laden without feeling like new-age wallpaper.