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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This "Mighty One" wears the crown, June 6, 2004
After listening to this album you will "know who wears the crown" in the renowned musical Brennan clan(nad). Forget categories, this is just plain beautiful music, with inventive instrumentation, gorgeous harmonies, and interesting songs, all but three written by Maire. There is much variety in the instrumental sound here. Of particular note is the Arabian-style playing of the bouzouki in "Days of the Dancing", dobro (a very effective Nashville flourish) in "Dream On" and "Misty-Eyed Adventures". Also in the title song is a lead melodic instrument that sounds like a muffled wooden marimba - could that be the African djembe? And what provides that resonant xylophone sounding melodic percussion in "The Mighty One"? For anyone interested in these unusual sounds, song-by-song musical credits would have been welcome. But for those simply interested in beautiful music it hardly matters. Although Maire mixes English and Gaelic lyrics on many songs, only "A Place Among the Stones" seems fully Celtic in inspiration, perhaps cloyingly so, and is my least favorite song on the CD. These are my favorites: "Pilgrim's Way" has clanging church bells and multilayered vocals. Maire gives me chills on the low notes (e.g. "city of joy"). "The Mighty One", brings an air of suspense "Will they know who wears the crown?" and up-tempo chanting. Thrilling is not too strong a word for this, and it's my favorite song on the album. "Heroes" is a mixed success, with a great Gaelic intro, just Maire and drums, developing into a drum-driven extravaganza, but marred by excessive "la-la"-ing from Maire's backup sisters. "Misty-Eyed Adventures" (the song) is tenderly rendered and full of exquisite vocal harmonies. Just listen to Maire's gentle trill on the word "you" in "I'm there when you fall", and she will make you shiver. Behind that pure, quiet voice hides a lot of skill! Finally, "Dream On" is the most American sounding of the songs (Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" excluded), with dobro taking the lead and a gentle rocking beat, my second favorite on the album. Dare I suggest in this age of crass commercialism that it could have been a hit? The other songs are good too, but these merit special attention. This is a very, very strong album, and Mighty Maire definitely wears the crown.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good, except for one song., April 22, 2000
By A Customer
I now have all of Maire's solo albums and I reallylove her music. I even once saw her in concert and ever since that time I've been a very big fan. I really loved this album and the songs were pretty good. There were beautiful haunting songs like "Standing Stones", "Pilgram's Way", and the title track "Mysty Eyed Adventures." The title track is one of my favorites not only for it's beauty, but also because of it's touching lyrics. Other good songs include "The Mighty One", "Heroes", and "The Days of Dancing". "The Days of Dancing" is another one of my favorites (in a way, it reminded me of Loreena McKennitt's "All Souls Night"). I also liked her traditional influence in "The Days of the Dancing" and "Heroes" and her solo version of "Eirigh Suas a Stoirin". However, I have to admit "Big Yellow Taxi", a remake of a Joni Mitchell song, did not belong here. The slang language was not meant for Maire's beautiful voice and it had too many 'pop' sounds. Joni Mitchell's quality and Maire's quality don't fit together that well. Other than that song, the other songs had good quality, excellent sound, and touching lyrics.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderfully Maire!, April 17, 2000
I love this album. I really love this album! Maire mixes beautiful Spanish beats ("The Days of the Dancing") along with almost Indian sounding beat ("The Mighty One") and her tradtional Irish ("Heroes"). Along with her gorgeous voice on it she adds her "wee sisters", Bridin, Olive and Dee. Their voices mix beautifully and Dee even wrote "An Fhairraige". This is definitely a family ordeal, Maire and her husband, photographer Tim Jarvis wrote "The Days of The Dancing" and "Pilgrim's Way" togethor along with Tim doing the photography. The title track was for Maire's son, Paul (who also appears on her new album, "Whisper to the Wild Water"). Beautiful is the best way to describe this album. Davy Spillane appears on "A Place Among the Stones" and Joni Mitchell wrote the wonderful "Big Yellow Taxi". Even though I love Maire's little sis, Enya, I have to admit Maire tops my list.
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by Maire Brennan 
