Bushes & Briars

Susan McKeown

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 3, 1998)
• Original Release Date: February 3, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alula
• ASIN: B000003U9P
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #158,322 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Bushes & Briars

2. In London So Fair

3. Seoladh Na Ngamhna (Driving the Calves)

4. H-O Abha-Inn (Little One)

5. Bonny Boy

6. Mountain Streams Where the Moorcocks Crow

7. Banks of Claudy

8. Craigie Hill

9. Mháire Bhruinneall

10. Dñnal Óg

11. After Aughrim

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For her foray into traditional music, American-based Irish singer Susan McKeown hasn't chosen the safe path. By including instruments like tabla, French horn, and clarinet--none of which are associated with Celtic music--she's stretching the boundaries of the genre. But the fascinating, often daring arrangements serve merely to frame her voice, which is often shown starkly, even unaccompanied. With guests like Morocco's Hassan Hakmoun, former Planxty man Andy Irvine, and Solas's Seamus Egan, she has a first-class crew behind her, but she, and her haunting voice, remain the real stars of the show, offering a radiant path to the heart of the songs here. Her selection of material (both in English and Gaelic) veers far from the tried and true, but even on a song like "Bonny Boy," she marks it with her own identity. Bushes and Briars is a complete triumph, establishing McKeown as one of the top contemporary Celtic singers. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and haunting traditional singing, June 20, 2002

By	Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Susan McKeown is one of those recommended to Enya's fans and she also is compared to Loreena McKinnett, but don't be mislead by the comparisons. She is unique in her interpretation of traditional celtic melodies.

The instrumental backing certainly isn't your traditional celtic sound, including guitar, tuba, tabla, french horn along with the more to be expected fiddle, whistles, and pipes. The important thing is that it works. The unusual instrumental blend highlights her haunting voice.

The songs themselves are wistful, longing, but not tragic...ballads of love and loyalty. Listen especially to the title song "Bushes & Briars", "In London So Fair", "Bonny Boy", "Banks of Claudy", and "After Augrim", but if you enjoy traditional celtic, you will enjoy each and every one. This receives my highest recommendation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great voice and the courage to use it., January 24, 1999

By A Customer

Mystical at times, down-to-Earth at times, and often both at once. Reminding one of Niamh Parsons and June Tabor at their bests, Susan McKeown's dark alto cuts straight to the soul with this music. Instrumental accompaniment is unfailingly interesting and tasteful and is provided by many of the best musicians in the business. Special kudos to Seamus Egan for his haunting low whistle playing. Much of this CD is acapella or near-acapella which may cause some people to hesitate in purchasing this CD; DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT let that stop you!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hearing is believing, February 18, 2002

By	Ricardo Escalante (Cotati, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After buying "Lowlands" I went online and looked up Susan's other albums, then bought B&B. The combination of her voice and the melodies just knock me out. Although I am less enamoured of her earlier work, I recommend these two and look forward to another in the future. Fortunately you can use your own ears and if thirty seconds per works for you, go for it.