Customer Reviews

Somebody

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Just a great CD. I've been listening to this for weeks and the songs keep getting better and better. My personal favorites are The Baron of Brackley, Lough Erne's Shore and An Air For Mary Tipton. The purity and beauty of Connie's voice is match only by Loreena Mckennitt. Anyone buying "Somebody" WILL NOT be disappointed.

"Simply Perfect" is how I would describe Connie Dover's first solo album, "Somebody" which truly showcases the diversity of this stunning artist. Several Celtic artists contribute their instrumental abilties, including Manus Lunny on guitar and bouzouki, Christy O'Leary on uileann pipes and whistle, Aly Bain on fiddle and Phil Cunnigham on keyboards, accordion, whistles, and cittern. Cunningham also produced the album, and went on to produce Connie's other three albums, "The Wishing Well" "If Ever I Return" and "The Border Of Heaven"

The album begins with the anguished "Somebody" a tale of lost love and the heartbreak that accompanies it. "My heart is sore for Somebody" she sings with a touch of sadness in her voice.

The tone is still melencholy, but a bit darker for "The Baron Of Brackley", a ballad based on an alledged real-life feud between John Gordon of Brackley and John Farquharson of Inverey, Braemar. Many of Connies songs tell a story, which this one vividly does so. I like to call them "story-songs"

Connie also does many instrumentals, which "On Castle Rock" is one of. The song, composed by Connie herself is the name given to the large volcanic rock formation on which Edinburgh Castle stands. Very mellow and peaceful.

Lough Erne's Shore is yet another tale of romantic angst. A pastoral love song form the north Ireland, Connie sings from the man's point of view, about falling instantly in love with a fair maddien on the banks of Lough Erne's Shore. The instrumental bridge in this song is absolutely breathtaking.

The tone is once again shifted dramatically in "Jack Of Diamonds", a 19th century American song, whose roots can be traced back to Scotland. "Jack Of Diamonds" tells the tale of a Cowboy's woes and how he wishes he had a "bottle as long as my arm". A fine showcase of Celtic-Country music.

another dramatic shift in mood occurs for "Cantus", which is probably without question the most profound song on the album. Sung in Latin and English, this achingly beautiful song praises the birth and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ as well as the devotion of Mary, His mother. The song encompasses a 14th century Latin carol and a blend of two Marian poems set to music composed by Connie.

An Air For Mary Tipton, another instrumental composed by Connie, is a slow air Connie named in honor of her maternal Grandmother. Her love for her family and for tradition is quite evident here.

"O'er The Hills And Far Away" is another "upbeat" tune taken from a "Peddlars Pack of Ballads & Songs" edited by W.H. Lougan in Edinburgh, Scotland, 1869. A lovely showcase of the pennywhistle here.

Connie does a fine job with "Shenandoah" , the well-known Missouri River boatman's song. However, this is a rare version of the song that many people might not have heard before.

closing out the album is the emotional "Rosemary's Sister", another "story-song". by Welsh songwriter, Huw Williams, the song is set in London during World War 2. This heart-wrenching song tells the story of Rosemary and her little sister, who died in a bombing during the "Blitz" at the age of 9. Now Rosemary's sister is an angel, dancing in heaven, and Rosemary must cope with a life without her little sister. A perfect ending to "Somebody"

Showcasing music from around the world, "Somebody" is a must have for die-hard Celtic Music fans as well as those who have recently been introduced to the genre. I highly reccommend it.

This album focuses more on Celtic aires than her other albums. Most of the songs are gentle, long-playing classically-styled aires that sound absolutely heavenly. She certainly has more than enough voice to carry off an album like this, and it is one her fans will treasure forever. It does lack some of the excitement of her later works because there's not as much variety from song to song. Each one is a long, gentle piece. But it's an album worth having, and in it, she certainly proves that she has all the voice and sophistication of any other classic-Celtic artist out there.

I'm writing this review because I think 'Rosemary's Sister', about the blitz in WWII England is not only a brilliant song, the performance is nonpareil. And I will admit that I have to choke back a tear each time I hear it, and I've listened to it at least fifty times.

I own all of Connie Dover's CDs. She is a national treasure.

I have never seen or met a real angel, but I imagine they must all have a singing voice like Connie's. I was fortunate enough to see Connie in a small venue concert once and look forward to the next opportunity. Can't wait to get her next album. I think tracks 4 and 6 are the best on this album, but actually they are all quite good.

My goodness what a voice of an angel this artist has. Her singing reminds me a bit of Loreena McKennitt, but Dover truly has a sparkling, crystal-clear, mellow voice that can only spring from another world: pure magic . . . an unparalleled female vocalist."

I happened to be in a small store in Weston, Missouri, and heard this music playing about 15 years ago. I had to own the CD. Interesting enough, a member of her band Scartaglen was there to talk to.

I like to think of Connie Dover and Snoop Doggie Dog as the Alpha and the Omega of the sentimentality scale. (...) For what it is, though -- a fifty minute tear-jerker -- this is a masterpiece. I first heard her "Shennandoah" on PBS on the way to a trial, and search 500 entries to find hers. It is definitive. In purity of voice and in uncompromising schmaltz, Dover is one of a kind. But, hey, the world needs at least one Dover to remind the more cynical among us that there is something to measure our cynicism against. It would be nice, perhaps, if she did not feel compelled to accompany herself all the time on voice-over -- her solo voice is more than good enough. So it her recording,

Though not as good as her second album, Wishing Well, this first Connie Dover album has some wonderful songs in her classic style. Tracks #1 and #10 are the best and instant "CD repeatable" songs! I recommend all Connie Dover fans to check out all of her albums!

There has been a wave of "New Age" folk/Celtic music in the last ten years. Most of it has the tempo of a funeral dirge. Connie Dover not only maintains a good tempo, she has a voice that could make an angel cry. If you have any liking for Celtic/folk music and have not had the pleasure of finding Connie Dover, I strongly urge you to purchase this album. You will not be sorry