Customer Reviews

Songs From The Heart (Amazon Exclusive Version)

5 star:		(100)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Those expecting another CW album shouldn't be disappointed with this one. As usual, this CD offers the same vocal styling one comes to expect from these fine ladies. Only "complaint" is that some of these songs don't sound the same as they do in the broadcast version. Also, some of the instrumentals (specifically the Isle of Hope track) don't match what most saw in their performance. Not a huge thing but something I did notice when listening to some of these tracks.

A great CD from Celtic Woman. I do miss True Colors on this CD. I really wanted to be able to listen to it in the car, but eh, what are you gonna do. As I said in my DVD review, I'm not sure it's the BEST show to date from the girls, but it's fabulous nonetheless, and I've played this CD many, many times in the car! I do think, personally, that this will be the best LIVE show ever, and I think this will be my favorite CW concert experience. I mean, how can Nil S'en La NOT be amazing live?

There are a few songs I don't care for, "Galway Bay," for example, but nevertheless I love most of the songs! "Nil S'en La" is my favorite, and "Fields of Gold" as well.

So, what's good about the DELUXE CD: The Deluxe CD comes with two extra songs: "The Call" and the "Mo Ghile Mear" finale, both live! Good stuff. The CD also comes with a calendar and a heart charm. The calendar is kind of interesting, because it's a series of 18 cards, one for each month (18 month calendar). I'm not really sure how I'm going to display it, but the cards are great quality and contain very pretty photos from the Powerscourt concert. The charm is small but it's very cute and I plan to put it on my keychain.

I think every CW fan is going to want to pick up the Deluxe version of this CD, simply for the calendar and the charm. The extra live tracks aren't bad either! ;)

In this lovely new recording, Celtic Woman offers a mix of contemporary covers and traditional folk tunes. Though the group has somewhat mainstreamed its Celtic roots, the satin voices soar as effortlessly as ever; and the lilting fiddles are a delight, as always. Album standouts include the stirring bagpipes and harmonies of "Amazing Grace," the gently weeping fiddle of "The Lost Rose Fantasia," the carefree but driving tempo of "Nil Se'n La" (though "full throttle" seems an anachronistic phrase that pulls me out of the song every time I hear it), and the poignant vocal solo of "Fields of Gold."

"When You Believe" is, for me, the weak link in this offering. The vocal is technically flawless yet doesn't fully connect emotionally (all but flatlines in the bridge), especially when compared to the passion of Whitney and Mariah's original version. Also, I'd have liked a bit more energy from the CD overall; "Nil Se'n La" and the instrumental "The Coast of Galicia" stand out as the only really lively tracks. Overall, though, there's plenty here to love. This beautiful, accessible CD is sure to create many new fans of a unique and talented group of vocalists and musicians.

Celtic Woman does not fail to deliver, but I'm not as pleased with this CD as I was with their first album and especially, A New Journey. It's a beautiful album, but it's not my favorite. For one, I am a little disappointed in the missing tracks: Lynn's Carolina Rua and Mairead's new solo, The Mason's Apron for instance. These songs were beautifully done and it came as a shock to me when I realized that they weren't listed. On top of that, there wasn't exactly much variety to the CD. Most of the songs were very slow with the exception of Nil Sen La and maybe You'll be in my Heart. On top of that, I wasn't thrilled with the number of pop songs in the album--Celtic Woman, in my humble opinion, sounds best when they sing traditonal or at least culturally inspired songs.

HOWEVER, this CD is a must-buy for Celtic Woman fans. Despite a few disappointments, I must mention that some of the songs featured on this album (in my opinion) are some of the best they've done. Songs that come to mind when I say this include Isle of Hope and Tears, Nil Sen La, My Lagan Love, Non C'è Piú, their new version of The Call (Mairead's intro is fantastic!!)and the hauntingly beautiful air, The Last Rose Fantasia. Add these songs with some old (or possibly new??) material, and I'm willing to bet that their new tour starting in February will be absolutely wonderful. Can't wait to see them again!

What more can you say about Celtic Woman? They are all beautiful, talented women who sing like angels. Their voices are beautiful separately and blend together perfectly. They also have class to go with their beauty, they are a breath of fresh air when one compares them to the Britneys or Lady Gagas of today's show business. As stated by others, this deluxe CD includes live versions of "The Call" and the finale, seen on the DVD of this concert. It also includes Alex's "You'll Be In My Heart," not seen on the DVD. The calendar that it comes with features some very nice pictures from the show.
I had the pleasure of meeting all the members of Celtic Woman in person last Wednesday night at Borders Books in New York City. They are as sweet and as beautiful in person as they are on the DVDs. I was so excited at meeting them, especially Lisa (my favorite) that I have almost completely blacked out on what I said to them. They seemed truly happy to meet their fans. Now I am looking forward to seeing them Feb. 27th at Radio City Music Hall.
What more can I say? They are truly fantasic and I highly recommend this CD and DVD (as well as their others, especially the Slane Castle concert.)

We love Celtic woman's other albums and bought this just because it was another one from them. We were disappointed with this album. It sounds more like pop music than the other albums. They departed from the pure vocal sound of their other albums, both in song choice and vocal style. There are two or three good songs on it.

I love this CD - purchased it a month or more ago - and have listened to nothing else but this CD in my car since I got it. It's beautiful. Every song is wonderful. It's the best CD I've ever purchased - ever. I'm so sorry Alex is no longer with the group. Her voice is precious on this and the DVD. Chloe is, of course, an Angel in disguise, as is her voice. The others are great as well. I highly recommend it.

The first 2 CW CD's were all about the mesmerizing harmonies and perfectly lilting voices. This one departs from that tradition, being more about the showcasing of individual voices. The solos are lovely, however, and although a departure from previous CW albums, you will not be disappointed.

I purchased the Deluxe version of this CD but all the songs from that one are on this one. So, here's my review for that version.

When deciding whether to get the deluxe version or the standard CD, the addition of the two additional tracks and the calendar swayed me (the extra songs were "The Call" and "Finale - Mo Ghile Mear"). I am glad I did, but the Amazon digital version has two different songs on it ("Carolina Rua" as sung by Lynn Hillary and "Danny Boy" sung by the four women) so I bought the 2 extra MP3s and copied the CD and reburnt it with those two extra tracks (plus others from the Amazon only download album). This is a great CD to get, but it still isn't complete. So spend the extra 4 bucks for the additional songs and remake the CD is my advice.

Songs From The Heart is a good mix of songs from the Isle of Hope concert tour and the Songs From the Heart concert tour. Songs from the Isle of Hope tour that didn't make it into this CD (and didn't have other versions on previous CDs) are: "Have I Told You Lately" "Carolina Rua" and "True Colors". Songs from the current tour that didn't end up on this CD are: "My Heart Was Home Again" and "Songs from the Heart: Walking The Night/Tabhair Dom Do Lamh". So keep your eyes open for the availability of those in the future (I hope!). The concerts also had new versions of "Orinoco Flow" "Danny Boy" "At The Ceili" "Spanish Lady" and "You Raise Me Up." (The Songs From The Heart tour was also supposed to have "Pie Jesu" and "O, America!" but the venue I went to (Fairfax on March 17th!), didn't have those songs, despite being printed in the program. But maybe we'll get a "Pie Jesu" release in the future also.

Regarding the content, after seeing the Isle of Hope concert, I'd have died if "Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears" wasn't on this CD so really, the fact that it was rates 5 stars from me. "Fields of Gold" took a while to grow on me because I loved the Eve Cassidy version, but now I really enjoy this one. "Amazing Grace" is a different arrangement than I am used to, but gorgeous. "Nil Se'n La" was fun and peppy. "My Lagan Love" was available in instrumental form by Mairead through Amazon, and I loved having the words; Lynn's voice is ethereal. "When You Believe" is a little revival-ish for me (as many of Chloe's songs lately have seemed to be) but she really sings the heck out of it. "The New Ground-Isle of Hope" LOVE IT. Favorite song of the CD. "The Coast of Galicia" is an instrumental and while good, watching Mairead play adds an extra oomph that is missing from the recording. "Non C'e Piu" was a lovely group number. "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" really showed off Lisa's ability to emote but keep it beautiful. "You'll Be In My Heart" is my least favorite song; Alex seems to overdrive it and force extra feeling in where none is needed--it is very musical theater to channel Simon Cowell. Plus, I kept hearing Phil Collins sing it. "Goodnight My Angel" was beautiful with Chloe, Lynn, and Lisa. Chloe had another win with "Galway Bay;" her accent really added another dimension to it. "O, America!" was a nice rousing tune, but seems so contrived to appeal to the older generation that makes up a large part of PBS and Celtic Woman's fanbase.

So, for four more dollars, you can get the extra four songs from Amazon and reburn the CD to increase the awesomeness.

I bought the CD and DVD. They are complately amazing. I watched the DVD with my mom and sister and they fell in love as well. I can't wait to see them in concert this year. If you get a chance and if you like celtic music or even if you don't you should really take a losten you will be delighfully surprised.