Till We Meet Again - Songs of Celtic Women

Pamela Bruner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 2001)
• Original Release Date: August 1, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: CDBY
• ASIN: B00005Q4KB
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,926 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bonnie Melancholy, January 3, 2002

By 

Bellagio "Bellagio" (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Till We Meet Again - Songs of Celtic Women (Audio CD)

It is said that a writer is most effective when writing what they've experienced personally, from their own perspective. If so, then it is no less true of musicians - and this somber, yet pleasing, offering from Pamela Bruner is certainly one point of evidence supporting that claim. While the subject matter of the songs - particularly in some of the famous old chestnuts sprinkled throughout the track list - are not exclusively songs from a woman's perspective (as the title suggests), the presentation and tone, deeply steeped in melancholy, is one that could be so convincingly achieved only by a woman artist. And one of unique and powerful gifts at that.

Ms. Bruner is such an artist, and that point is established dramatically in the opening track, Harp Song of the Dane Women. With the marvelous lyrics of the great poet Kipling set here to Ms. Bruner's own music, the stormy, dark terror of a woman certain that her man is leaving her for death on the sea is presented with a palpable sense of cold dread. The eerie and ephemeral sensation is so strong that the impression is that it is being sung to us from the other side of the grave. Perhaps it would be more aptly named "Widowmaker" (from the lyrics), for that name would better represent the intense emotions of this stunning piece. It is a work so powerful and emotive, so potent in its representation of Kipling's dark lyrics that it becomes not only the definitive track on this album, but is perhaps the most exceptional recording that this listener has heard in a number of years.

It is often not advisable to place an album's definitive (perhaps ultimate) track as the opener of the set - but the strength of what follows here is capable of standing up to the powerful emotions presented in the opener. Two very famous old Scottish standards reside on the track list - Loch Lomond and Skye Boat Song - with Loch Lomond, apparently a personal favorite of the artist, holding the position immediately following the extraordinary opening track. Loch Lomond is a dichotomy within itself - rather bright and hopeful lyrics presented in a melody that is intensely melancholy. Perhaps this is representative of Scotland itself. Ms. Bruner's presentation is authoritative while remaining respectful of this most famous of Scottish airs. The equally famous Skye Boat Song appears later, and of the two I believe that this may actually be the finer effort - particularly in the lush opening verse that serves as a chorus, and which dominates the song.

The melancholy temperament dominates this collection, whether in brighter forms such as Bonnie at Morn and the incredibly beautiful Beloved, When Will You Return (both Scottish); more sentimental touches like John Anderson My Jo or Land o' the Leal; or the truly somber Shule Aroon (Irish). However, there are notable exceptions: The simply sparkling and up-tempo The Snows (Irish), which could be among Ms. Bruner's most comely vocal works. The up-tempo, almost modern sound, of this piece suits her well - though we do not hear this style often in her recordings (certainly not on this collection). The small grouping of The Snows, Skye Boat Song and Shule Aroon - three markedly different sensations, each definitively performed -- in the middle of this collection will quickly become a favorite subset to listeners.

For sheer beauty it is hard to find a match for Silent O Moyle. Ms. Bruner's voice here becomes that of a siren, with a dreamlike quality that gives the impression that it indeed (as the subject indicates) comes from a source not quite human. The sentimental John Anderson My Jo, like Harp Song of the Dane Women, also boasts Ms. Bruner's own musical setting for the traditional lyrics. This piece, while pleasant and sweet to the ear, of course cannot hope to match the charged atmosphere and intense emotions established by her music on that incomparable opening track.

If you are a serious, or even casual, Celtic music enthusiast, your collection cannot afford to be without this CD. Ms. Bruner is an exceptionally gifted new recording artist and I recommend you give some attention to her work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly beautiful, December 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Till We Meet Again - Songs of Celtic Women (Audio CD)

I am simply enchanted by this CD! Pamela Bruner's simple, graceful vocals float over surprisingly sophisticated arrangements of oboe, cello, English horn, and, of course, the Celtic harp. Most of the songs are traditional, from Ireland and Scotland, and a few feature lyrics from the likes of Robert Burns and Sir Thomas Moore. Together, they weave a melancholy spell as Bruner sings of imprisoned queens, stormy seas, highland hills and women pining for their lovers. Even an old chestnut like "Loch Lomond" is given new life here, with an elegantly simple rendition. My favorite track is "Shule Aroon", which is just gorgeous, sung in Gaelic, and "John Anderson My Jo", for its cheerful lilt and lyrics celebrating age over youth. All in all, this CD has been a real find and I highly recommend it to anyone longing for music that is unabashedly beautiful.