Customer Reviews

Never Drift Apart

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Maireid is the winner of Creatrix Studio's 2003 New Millennium Award, for her latest recording Never Drift Apart. She is a visionary musician, whose evocative music transports you beyond time and space. Her crystalline voice is always melodious and often angelic and otherworldly, and it will envelop you in spells of enchantment.
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Her songs have a strong Celtic flavor with melodies that will soothe your spirits and calm your frailed nerves. Listening to Maireid is like sailing across pristine water on a crystal-clear day. Don't miss this magnificent recording--it's a beauty.
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As an American child of the 60's my idea of new music is usually a remastered CD of an old Neil Young or Eric Clapton album. Something really new often has to be dropped in my lap.

Such was the case of Maireid Sullivan's "Never Drift Apart." It was a gift from a friend --- and now it will be a gift TO my friends. What a breath of fresh air! I pop this one on at the end of the day to guide me in my transition from work to rest. My wife plays it first thing in the morning to help "start the day calmly." I guess you could say that we use Ms. Sullivan's beautiful music and sweet voice medicinally. To follow this metaphor to its logical conclusion: medicine does not have to taste bad to be good. This medicine, in fact, tastes great!

If you think it is a good idea to take a deep breath now and then, but sometimes don't schedule enough time for breathing, get this CD.

And just to prove that my taste has not changed all that much, there is even a song written by Eric Clapton included in this beautiful collection.

-Thom Rutledge, author of Embracing Fear (HarperSanFrancisco)

Close your eyes and allow the oft otherworldly voice of Maireid Sullivan to wash over you and penetrate your being. As in her earlier albums, these selections will bring you back to replay this one again and again. Some of these songs strum such an emotional chord in the listener that you find her voice puts goosebumps up your spine.

Whether it be traditional Celtic music or contemporary ballads, the entrancing blend of words and music will soothe the soul and enlighten the heart. These are musical adventures to be relished and repeated!

It's difficult to listen to an album you're concerned may not live up to it's predecessor. MAIREID SULLIVAN's first CD, "Dancer," was a wonderful Celtic folk release, but her 2nd, "For Love's Caress: A Celtic Journey" was a watershed event for this reviewer's interest in the style. It took what had been a bit of a side-interest for me & vaulted it right up with the heavier stuff, so wonderfully powerful were her vocals & timeless were her songs. When I found out MAIREID had released her 3rd record, in one sense, I was absolutely thrilled. Who could not be ecstatic about the follow-up to an album that'd defined a genre for him. On the other hand, I knew it may be an impossible task for even the greatest artist to match a work of such splendor. Well, maybe not. "Never Drift Apart" is surely a different album from "For Love's Caress," but it is no less spectacular. In fact, I must say that in all the Celtic folk releases I've heard, I cannot think of any that have such a lusciously dream-like & ethereal atmosphere as this one. Through each traditional & beautifully-crafted original here, MAIREID's wondrous voice floats like a spirit on gossamer wings. Nothing is rushed, nothing is hurried & the listener feels the cosmos open to he or she as they lay back to be immersed in the pure timelessness of this beautiful music. MAIREID has created a spectacular album, easily as powerful as her last by NOT trying to copy it, and that's the mark of a true artist. It is the zenith of it's genre without being confined by it.

Okay. I admit I am a huge Maireid Sullivan fan. However, having said that, fans expect that sooner or later the music is going to fade. I usually find that artists I favor have one or two bad cd's in which I wish I'd never spent my money! However, I'm happy to say that I've yet to find ONE bad cd by Maireid Sullivan. I'm so happy that she included "All About Love" on this cd as it hs quickly become one of my favorite songs. I've seen her live 3 times and she just gets better each time. This cd only further proves that Maireid has staying power! You won't be wasting your money! Highly recommended.

THE AGE  THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2003
Keynotes
Never Drift Apart
Mairéid Sullivan (Lyrebird Media)
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Irish songstress and Celtic chronicler Mairéid Sullivan is back after seven years overseas. Possessing a rich, pure voice and a poet's vision, she has distilled her experiences into an exceptional new CD. Sullivan knows few musical boundaries and the genres on this locally produced record range from contemporary to traditional, from folk and pop to ambient new-age textures (provided by Sullivan's partner, accomplished American guitarist, Ben Kettlewell). Other key contributors include violinist Matthew Arnold, bassist Joe Creighton, and percussionist Peter Neville.

Sullivan's music soothes and uplifts, particularly the opening title track. Her haunting cover of Ry Cooder's classic Across the Borderline, Tommy Makem's beautiful The Curlew Song and a gorgeous rendition of Eric Clapton's River of Tears are standouts.

Never Drift Apart is available at ABC shops and good record stores or online at www.maireid.com

Mike Daly
The Age, Melbourne, Australia

I have listened to this cd four times now, and enjoy it more each time. I love the original title track (write more like that, please!) and the choice of repertoire - it flows together perfectly. The arrangements are great, and I especially love the last 2 tracks. The Verdant Braes of Skreen brought me to tears, and the melody really sticks in my mind. This new cd highlights Maireid's lovely interpretive style. This is beautiful music.