A Traveler's Dream: Celtic Explorations

Maggie Sansone | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 1999)
• Original Release Date: February 9, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Maggie's Music
• ASIN: B00000I12Y
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,786 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #43 in Music > Indie Music > New Age > Celtic
  • #59 in Music > Indie Music > New Age > International

Editorial Reviews

Dirty Linen World and Folk Magazine

"The most exciting and innovative hammered dulcimer player recording today.She has a fire & passion to her playing."

Product Description

The ancient hammered dulcimer followed the migrations of early travelers across Asia Minor and onto the European continent -- from the Black Sea to the North Atlantic shores. In Sansone’s hands, the visions of the Celts come alive in the modern world. Listen to the journey.Music from Ireland, Scotland, Northumberland, and Sweden.Persian-flavored improvisations and Sufi rhythms.Celebrations of Samhain and Lughnasa – the seasonal festivals of the ancient Celts. Original compositions with multi-layered textures and the spirit of innovation. The compelling rhythmic pulse of mallet-struck instruments -hammered dulcimer, marimba, xylophone and world percussion.

Joining Maggie Sansone are: With maggie are: BOBBY READ - Clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, bamboo flute,alto flute, melodica, soprano saxophone, xaphoon, accordion, kalimba, piano, organ, electric bass, xylophone, piccolo, frame drums,medieval snare drum, bells, temple blocks & shakers;AL PETTEWAY guitar,BONNIE RIDEOUT - Scottish fiddle,ARAN OLWELL - Irish flute;DAVID SHEIM - Celtic harp;SARA NISENSON- Irish fiddle;ANDREA HOAG - Swedish fiddle,T.J.JOHNSON - Mandolin & cittern;DEBBIE HUNTER - Viola da gamba;PADDY LEAGUE - Bodhran, tabla & dombek;ROBERT JOSPÉ - Slit drum, mondo drums & marimba.It's produced by Bobby Read and recorded at Bias Studios, Springfield, VA, USA.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, mature and mysterious, January 1, 2004

By 

Brianna Neal (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Traveler's Dream: Celtic Explorations (Audio CD)

This recording, subtitled "Celtic Explorations", is a masterpiece of understated intrigue. Ever changing, the moods and styles range from lilting, traditional Celtic and dreamy New Age to shimmering Persian taxims and innovative modern chamber music. Maggie Sansone's original compositions and arrangements are defined by her scintillating playing of the hammered dulcimer and supported by guest instrumentalists who provide gentle, multilayered accompaniments. Featured prominently is Bobby Read, an amazingly versatile musician who seems to play just about every wind, keyboard and percussion instrument under the sun! Also contributing are a host of other artists, many of whom appear as soloists or accompanists on other releases produced by Sansone under the label "Maggie's Music". They are: Al Petteway on guitar; multi-national fiddlers Bonnie Rideout (Scottish), Sara Nisenson (Irish) and Andrea Hoag (Swedish); flutist Aran Olwell; harper David Sheim; Debbie Hunter on viola da gamba; T.J. Johnson on mandolin and cittern; and percussionists Paddy League and Robert Jospe. The dreamy, imaginative wanderings of "A Traveler's Dream" are a treat -- something different and well worth hearing. If you enjoy this sort of music, you may like the innovative Celtic- and Renaissance-inspired work of the "classical" group Ensemble Galilei as well. Try also Maggie Sansone's other solo recordings, and "Celtic Mist: Quiet Moods From Ancient Lands", a sampler album showcasing the gentle elegance of various "Maggie's Music" artists.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystical Moods of Celtic music and more!, October 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Traveler's Dream: Celtic Explorations (Audio CD)

Maggie's sixth solo release and it exlores in innovative ways.. music from Ireland, Scoland, Sweden, Cape Breton and the Northumberland region of England. Also are Persian and sufi-influenced compositions by Sansone and sets celebrating the ancient Celtic holiday's of Samhain and Lughnasa. This album is one of the most innovative album featuring hammered dulcimer around with its multi-layer textures and layering of sometimes 3 hammered dulcimer sounds together, plus various tonal qualities are explored with different textures of mallets on the strings and use of other mallet struck instruments and along with complex origianal compositions more like tone poems that takes the listener on a mysterious journey. A visionary meeting of Celtic and world music influences.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It rises from simple folk to highly expressive music..., September 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Traveler's Dream: Celtic Explorations (Audio CD)

The hammered dulcimer is a perfect instrument. It's melodic in a percussive way, perfect for combining with other instruments. With the right musicians, the dulcimer rises from simple folk instrument into a highly expressive, extremely moving one. Maggie Sansone is a worthy musician who has developed a true feel for its capabilities. She wrings every ounce of emotion from it. In her hands, it not only dances, it swings. Her understanding plus her musicianship allows her not just to adapt traditional tunes but also to write pieces suited to it. A Traveler's Dream delves nicely into different cultures while retaining Celtic toots, with Sansone leading the way, assisted by the occasional addition of fiddle, guitar, percussion and more