Customer Reviews

Ready for the Storm

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my favorite of the three Deanta releases. With songs like "Ready for the Storm" I think that they captured the essential magic that was hinted at in the first album.

The flute playing on this release is wonderful, but as always the highlight of Deanta's work is the almost painfully beautiful voice of Mary Dillon. She is simply incredible to listen to, one of my favorite singers of _any_ genre and her work in this album is, in my opinion, her best.

Mary Dillon is a superb vocalist who takes you to a differant place and time with her angelic voice. I often listen to Mary sing with my eyes closed...her voice is medicine for the soul. All one has to do is listen to Cullodens Harvest, The Maid that Sold her Barley and Ready for the Storm to appeciate the talent she possess.

In listening to this CD with it's numerous jigs and reels it remided me of the backround music for the movie Titanic. Every song on this CD was played to it's full potential with the musical workmanship of Mary, Deirdre, Rosie, Eoghan, Kate and Clodagh being first rate.

I'm not sure which Deanta CD is my favorite of the three, but this one sure rates very high on my list of Deanta and Celtic music in General.

Mary Dillon won the All Ireland Voice Championship, and she is definitely my most favorite Celtic singer (and I do happen to have a substantial library of recordings of the genre). By the way, I was classically trained and am a conservatory vocal performance graduate. That besides, anyone with a heart would be deeply touched by the beauty in Mary's voice. Of all the Celtic recordings I have the Deanta CD's are among my very favorites. All of their CD's are fenomonal. But how in the world is it possible that when I enter a search for Mary Dillon on the internet, only her sister Cara comes up (who, with all respect, sings in a genre that does not interest me). It has been too long that we haven't heard any new recordings with Mary's voice. I mean, it may be that she is busy raising children (and I know how all consuming that can be), but it is my sincere and deep wish that some day we can be expecting solo albums of Mary Dillon.

Deanta's Ready for the Storm is an excellent recording. Their music is a gift of the music heritage only found in Ireland. Of its 13 songs, 5 are instrumental and the rest has lirics. The sounds made by their instruments and the voice of Mary Dillon just bring an excellent blend that shows the core of the spirit of celtic music. If you enjoy celtic music you will most certain like this one.

This from 'Jaunta' has got to be one of the best CDs. I got this originally for McDonald's, Culloden's Harvest, a stirring song about the ill-fated second attempt on England by the Scots (Wallace was centuries before). But the song that is particularly moving is the last cut on the CD, the traditional - The Benedy Glen. You have to hear this to believe it. Even if you don't understand the words, you're moved to tears. It's that beautiful.

I can't understand what happened to the group. They are barely mentioned on the web, and certainly not the breakup. Some individual band members literally come up with empty searches on google. It's amazing. It's like they never existed, except if you want to buy the three CDs. Maybe 'celtic music' types just don't post stuff to the web or newsgroups. I couldn't even find the homepage for the 'all-ireland singing' championship which apparently Cara, her sister, also won.

Singer Mary Dillion has an amazing way of making even the most syrupy and sentimental lyrics sound clean, clear, and beautiful. With haunting songs like "The Harvest of Culloden," it's no wonder the Celts never forget. The intrumentals are well-thought out and foot-tapping. The only complaint I have is that the title song is a little eighties sounding-- kind of annoying in my opinion. But overall this is a (characteristically) well done album.

This CD was beautiful! Deanta did an excellent job of making the music really sound Celtic. One song in particluar on this CD titled "Culloden's Harvest" is very touching and brings me to tears. Mary Dillon sings it with such feeling and I think she has one of the most lovely voices in the world. You have to know about the Battle of Culloden in order for it (the song) to really move you, though. I would definitely recommend this CD to anyone who loves Celtic music. It my favorite Celtic CD!

After discovering Deanta's first album in my husband's collection of Celtic Classic CDs (back in the early 90's), I had to buy other albums! The title track "Ready for the Storm" is fantastic! I only regret that I will never hear them live. Mary Dillion has a rare and wonderful Irish voice that puts you in a state of awe and elfin magic.

This album surprises at first as it is so melodic and well produced.It is a beautiful series of tunes and songs highlighted by Mary's incredible singing.I would describe the playing as from the heart, listen to An raibh tú ag an gCarraig as an example. Benedy Glen is so impressive and Hammy's jigs are beautiful. I have to recommend this album but you must also listen to Mary singing on the other Deanta albums. There is no one like her.

I only recently discovered Deanta and the incomparable voice of Mary Dillon, and I am saddened to learn that the group disbanded in 1997. Music of all kinds has always played a huge role in my life, and celtic music is especially dear to me. All of Deanta's music is precious and beautiful and Mary Dillon is an incredible talent. I simply cannot get enough of her amazing voice. When she sings Benedy Glen ... well, it simply transports you to another time, another place. As another reviewer stated, I, too, often listen to this CD with my eyes closed. It brings to mind all that is right with the world, simply because of the beauty in the music. Bravo, and thank you for allowing us to share in the beauty that is Mary Dillon's voice.