Search - Ceredwen :: The Golden Land

Another fine New Age Celtic Dance Pop Creation! :)

10/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the opening track "Tir Aur", Ceredwen's new release "The Golden Land" captivates with it's almost dance beats (reminding me of Enigma) and Celtic lyrics (in Welsh) and influences. Renee Grey sounds as good as ever and this collection seems a little more cohesive than their debut CD. The standout tracks are "Beltain", which captures the essence of the Pagan festival on the first of May; and "Boudicca", about the Druid Warrior Queen. This CD also comes with a comprehensive booklet that is a joy to read. The arrangements are stunning in their complexity and the accompiament that they give the beautiful soprano voice, and it is fascinating music for listening in the dark under headphones. This CD won't stray far from my player."

From Solo Piano Publications

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 02/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not a big fan of Celtic music, but I really enjoy this second album by Ceredwen (Renee Gray and Andrew Fryer). Telling an epic poem of the battles between the Romans and the Druids at the turn of the first millennium, the haunting vocals and tribal rhythms mesmerize. The lyrics are sung in Welsh but the extensive liner notes both translate the poems and outline the stories being told. Listening to Gray's voice as a musical instrument takes nothing away from the impact of the songs. With tales of beheading, human sacrifice, rape, and all the things that go with fierce battles, I think I'd rather not understand the lyrics! Traditional (flute, drum, etc.) and electronic instruments provide a soaring backdrop to Gray's lovely soprano voice. The album feels both authentic and contemporary.My favorite song in this collection is "Y Galwad - The Calling", which is the story of the Druid elders appealing to the gods for help. The Druid prince hears the voices calling him to Britain, and sets out on the journey to fulfill his destiny as "the chosen one" - to be sacrificed as a messenger to the gods.Am I now a big fan of Celtic music? Not really, but I'm glad I made this journey to "The Golden Land"."

Mysterious and seductive

careful_reader | 02/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Loreena McKennitt got me hooked on Celtic music; Ceredwen has reeled me in. The closing track on this CD, "Er Mwyn y Plant (For the Children)" is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in years, and "Beltaine" is pure Pagan magic. Ceredwen's music is always understated but never less than spellbinding. They have created an emerald middle space between the atmospheric dreaminess of Enya and the earthy spirit-rhythms of Loreena. Put the disk on, turn off the lights, and drift to a time and land far away..."