Customer Reviews

Seal Maiden: A Celtic Musical

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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I purchased this CD when looking for a story on tape to listen to in the car on a long trip with my two children. They listened intently and keep asking to listen to it over and over again. The music, and Karen Casey's voice, are very soothing. The story of the Seal Maiden is entertaining and engaging. There is just the right mix of narration and music to hold my children's attention, and at the same time, it is enjoyable for the adults to listen to as well. My children have memorized all the songs and keep singing them long after the CD is over.

SealMaiden is supposed to be for children, but for adult fans of female Celtic music, it is an experience of extraordinary beauty. This is my favorite genre of music, and I have a strong collection of some of the best Celtic and other folk performers in the world. In other words, I have a lot to compare it to. Having said this, I don't know if I've ever been as hypnotized by the sheer melodic beauty of the music as in this album. And the alternating narrative, for those capable of enchantment, weaves a spellbinding tale of the silkie legend. With an extremely competitive music collection, I seldom listen to a CD all the way through, but I have done so many times with this CD. I could go into details, such as the beauty of Karan Casey's voice, the quality of the narrative text by Marina Carr, the superb instrumentation, but enough said. This album is an undiscovered jewel, a mixture of mesmerizing musical beauty and a magical world for the imagination.

I gave this CD to my one-year old nephew and he loves it!!! The stories are beautiful and thoughtful. I recently saw Karan Casey in concert and she was amazing. If you like this CD, check out her adult music.

This is a wonderful example of a professional and high quality musical product for children. The authenticity of the narration has not been compromised and the musicians are the best in their field. When there is so much manufactured aural pulp out there aimed at our children it is a pleasure to find a CD that both engages a childs imagination and teaches them about musicianship at the same time. I have 1 and 4 year old girls and a 3 year old boy who all adore the music and connect with the story.

"Seal Maiden" takes the Celtic legend of the selkie or selchie, a seal that can assume human form, and turns in into an accessible, child-friendly blend of music and dialogue. Karan Casey, lead singer for Solas, provides the narration and many of the vocals. Her charming Irish lilt makes the narration even more fun and authentic.

"Seal Maiden" packs a stellar guest list as well, reading like a "who's who" of Irish music, including Máiréad Ni Mhaonaigh (fiddler/angel-voiced vocalist from Altan), Iarla Ó Lionaird (Afro Celt Sound System vocalist), Niall Vallely (concertina virtuoso from Nomos) and Martin Hayes.

The music ranges from children's songs ("The Wriggly Eels," "The Waves Down in the Ocean,") to Celtic lullabies ("The Cradle Song") to love songs ("Táim Cortha Bheith Im' Aonar Im' Lui"), including three songs in Irish Gaelic: "Seoithin," "Táim Cortha Bheith Im' Aonar Im' Lui," and "Maidin Aiseach"). This is an excellent introduction to Irish music, complete with Irish fiddles, Uilleann pipes, tin whistles and concertinas mingling with the sounds of the waves and the sea.

The story begins with "We're Going Sailing," and leads into the first dialogue track. Every other track alternates between song and story, so children with short attention spans will like the frequent songs that reinforce the actions in the story. This is a beautiful retelling of the selkie legend. If you child likes "Seal Maiden" be sure to rent/buy "The Secret of Roan Inish," a wonderful children's film from John Sayles that reinvents the selkie myth as well.

This was an awsome CD- we drove from Anchorage to Fairbanks with two small, bickering-inclined children strapped in car seats, and thanks to this music and story all was blessedly quiet. My youngest son sings one of the lullabies to himself at bedtime when sleepy. Very adult and kid enjoyable together!

"Seal Maiden: A Celtic Musical" presents the Celtic myth of the Silkie, the seal who becomes a human girl. The tale is retold by playwright Marina Carr and features Karan Casey, the former lead singer for Solas, who narrates the story and sings many of the songs. This musical offers a delightful combination of traditional Irish songs (e.g., "The Cradle Song" and "The Song Of The Seal"), several of which are sung in the old tongue (e.g, "Maidin Aiseach"), with newer songs, such as John Spillaine's "We're Going Sailing." All are woven seamlessly into an enchanting story of how the Seal Maiden found love but always longed to return to her beloved sea. Some of the songs are sung by Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, Iarla O Lionaird and a chorus of young children who do a marvelous job on "The Wriggly Eels" and "The Waves Down In The Ocean." This album was record in County Cork and features traditional Irish instruments, such as the low whistle and uilleann pipes. The "Seal Maiden" makes a wonderful introduction to Irish music if your children have never heard it before and if they have ever seen "The Secret of Roan Inish" then they are already familiar with the powerful story.

The "Music for Little People" series is absolutely superb. When I am looking for something new to check out in the way of children's music I look first for their seal because I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of their journeys through the music of another culture. These are albums that you and your children will treasure for years to come.

This is that rarest of all things- music that is great for kids OR grown-ups.

The songs are wonderful, the musicians are the "all-star" heavyweights of Celtic music, the singing and playing is GREAT and Karan's narration and singing is mesmerizing.

Most of the songs are in English, a few are in Gaelic and the overall effect is transcendent.

A GREAT way to introduce someone of any age to the wonderful world of Celtic music.

Karan Casey is a perfect choice for this because she has a beautiful, pure, and expressive singing and speaking voice, one of the best I've heard in Irish music. I love the kids singing on the wiggly eels and the salty waves songs and Iarla O'Lionaird adds a somber tone to the disc. The singers and sound effects create a very real atmosphere and the music blends easily with the story, sometimes overlapping. It's good to know there are such high quality recordings for children.

I have recently participated in this spectacular musical and this version of it is extremely well done. It includes all the ethnic instruments you would hope would be in a celtic sound track. If you are looking for a good story or if you just need to hear the sounds of the emerald isle, I suggest purchasing this CD. It is really worth it.
Thank you,
Linsey Sandyman