Customer Reviews

Women of the World: Celtic

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There is something ultimately magical and haunting about the superb selections featured in this magnificently compiled introductory CD that manages to speak directly to the heart, allowing it to be both healed and inspired to brass out the world at the same time.

As depicted in the excellent, imformative and illustrative liner notes by NPR's Fiona Ritchie (the CD would be even better if it had her speaking her commentary!), the Celtic women were responsible for singing the histories of their people (really all women in all cultures were). Listening to the songs presented here, which run the gamut from traditional to contemporary musings on classical themes, one gets the true celebration of what it means to be a human being. These women are historians of the human soul.

The music here connects the listener to a sense of mystery and place like all great works of art should. In today's pop culture which seems to value the vulgar, the loud, the intrusive, the ugly, the angry and the devisive as art, the recent revival of Celtic music stands apart. It invites inclusion, introspection and healing as well as bold romance and courage.

This is not to say that sadness and despair is overlooked in favor of banality and rose colored glasses- God, no. The history of Celtic peoples as presented here in microcasm is filled with terror, pain and lament. But out of the blue darkness of tragedy comes the light of hope and that is what rings true in this collection.

The women singers here, all worth seeking out in their own catalouges, take on many roles: clowns, goddesses, lovers, witches, warriors and mothers. It is a privilage to share in their journeys. I celebrate the rise of Traditional World music, which this is but a mere taste. Listening to traditional music, makes one believe that somewhere in this maddening, techno-obsessed world, there just might be a larger context which includes us all.

Included here are two of my favorite Mary Black pieces, the heart tugging "Song for Ireland" and the swashbuckling "Treasure Island". Also included is the Siren-like Karen Mathieson leading Capercaille through "Aineen Diene" (SP!) a bone chilling wail that, if one remembers it from the soundtrack of the excellent film "Rob Roy", will always make one look behind their back on a foggy night.

I use this CD in many ways: for mood music in acting class, background music to write by, road trip sountrack, make-out music, and simple entertainment. This CD is money well spent.

This album is a treat for any fan of Celtic music. It mixes traditional and contemporary Celtic songs. For someone who is new to Celtic music, this album is a good place to start, since it contains samples of the music of many of the most prominent female artists in the genre. The best songs, I thought, were "Against the Wind," "Treasure Island," "Dark Alan," "Waiting for the Wheel to Turn," "The Mighty One," and "Song For Ireland." Be sure to check it out!

In truth, I would have prefered giving this album a four-and-a-half star rating; it's not perfect, but it comes very close. The two songs by Karen Mathieson and Capercaille are a particular bonus; I've admired that band for years now, and to hear Karen's haunting voice in Gaelic and English is wonderful. Nancy MacCallion's number, "On We Go" is both spirited and dark, a wickedly pleasing combination here, while Mary Black's "Treasure Island" gives a melancholic yet hopeful view of life and love. Maire Bhreannan is always a joy to hear, and like with Capercaille we're blessed by a double helping. The CD ends brilliantly with Mary Black's encore piece,"Song for Ireland" and I can think of no better endpiece for the collection.I don't think I'll ever get tired of this one.

My drawing/painting class listens to this cd all the time. At the start of every class one of the students will always put this in the cd player and we listen to it the full period while we work. We all know the words and sing along with it. Its very motivating. I'd recommend this to EVERYONE!

This was the first Celtic CD we bought and it was so great, we've been buying them ever since. This is still one of our top favorites and I strongly recommend it to everyone.

The whole cd is absolutely extrordinary, but the first song 'Against the Wind' is especially powerful. I danced to it at a party I was performing at (I'm an Irish dancer) and I remember having a chill run up my spine because the song was so beautiful. I HIGHLY recomend this title, and you will never get tired of hearing the beautiful voices of the women on this title. Enjoy!

No where near Irish, but I've always loved music from the Celtic culture. I began searching for the one song "On We Go" as sung by Nancy McCallion and The Mollys, really simply because of a website article that ends with a line from songs and notes the title and artist( ... ).. I could only find this one fine rendition ( ... ) but not Nancy McCallion's, and some googling brought up this album and got it used from the secondary seller.

All this originally for one version of a song but it was well worth it, there are many beautiful songs on the album. I have yet to look up the translations for the ones in old Irish language, but one stirred up teary emotions just by the tone of voice of the singer (I don't know how to describe music sorry)

Now WARNING as of writing this, Windows Media Player (am I stupid for using a windows product in this area?) will give you some incorrect album information on this, I'm not sure if or how to correct that yet, but I will try.. Even if you loathe I-Tunes( I don't like it except for easy podcast tracking) it will give you the accurate album information, so import from there. You can still open it in WMP as well overall I prefer it anyway for playing music.

Because of this I'm not sure if you can edit CD Info on the disk, or if the problem is on the CD or with Media information from windows, but it did come up right away on I-Tunes.

Love this cd....most happy with the condition, although is was listed as used, it was good as new

Adult Contemporary in Gaelic is still Adult Contemporary, so I'm not sure how to characterize this album: "Irish Electric Folk", "Gaelic Light Vocals." Some of the tracks are part of "Celtic New Age," that unfortunate development of the 90s, which unleashed on the public synthesized travesties of Irish and Scottish musical traditions. Thanks for that Clannad. You guys were good yourselves, but you opened up a musical Pandora's box.

As I said before most of the worthwhile tracks on this album are sort of Adult Contemporary/ chill out tunes. These reviews are subjective, so I make no bones about voting Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh's Dúlamán, Máire Brennan's Mighty One, and Maighread Ní Dhomnaill's Amhrán Pheadar Breathnach as tied for 1st place. Excellent vocals. Maith thú, ladies!

Shame this cd was discontinued.

CD AND CASE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION I HAD THE CASSETTE YEARS AGO BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE IT WITH A CD UNTIL NOW. IT'S SUCH SOOTHING MUSIC. I LISTEN TO IT IN MY CAR WHENEVER I AM STRESSED OR JUST WANT TO LIFT MY SPIRITS.