Customer Reviews

Now & In Time to Be (A Musical Celebration Of The Works Of W.B. Yeats)

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Inspired on a trip to Ireland by the many existing Yeats' poems set to music, two journalists compiled this compilation showing the diversity of contemporary Irish music. Yeats poetry has a natural lyricism to it which blends easily to the different styles of the music. For me the highlight is The Waterboys track Stolen Child but none of the songs are wasted. The inclusion of Richard Harris and a recording of the poet himself reading shows what enthusiasm and pure joy went into this enterprise. A unique addition to anybody's music collection.

As a fan of poetry and of popular music, it has struck me how difficult a successful fusion of the two art forms can be. This new collection of Yeats poems is a wonderful exception; the music is superb, and Yeats' poetry sounds right at home even in pop music arrangements by Van Morrison and others. The deep influence of Yeats on young Irish artists is shown by the ease they demonstrate in putting it to music. Someone should should consider a collection of American singers doing the same with the poetry of our national bard, Walt Whiman.

This CD features musical interpretations of Yeats's poetry by various Irish musicians. It is simply great if you love Yeats and Irish music. A treasure.