Search - Reflections :: Celtic Wonder

A scottish girls review.

J.C. Douglass | North Carolina, USA | 10/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I listen to Celtic Music on a daily bases. I have a lot of celtic CDs and I love this one, the music is beautiful. And If your someone who listens to this genre a lot, you'll know that most of the songs are long slow ballads. This ablum is a good example of true Celtic Music and that's why I love it.



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Couldn't stop and I haven't even gotten it yet...

J.C. Douglass | 05/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I went to Wal-mart, I noticed this and checked it out. In the end I spent 15 minutes listening to 3 20 second clips over and over again! In love with Ireland and didn't know how cool Celtic music was. You can imagine someone singing this around a campfire and it's so soulful. Be honest, in some parts the accent was so thick I didn't have clue as to what the women were singing, but it didn't stop me from attempting to sing along! Awesome price, and good music when you want to just think about something. Highly recommend this. What am I saying? Buy this and spend as much time as possible enjoying it! My personal favorite was Maid Who Sold her Barley."

Celtic Wonder

Russell Littlecreek | 11/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a special CD which deserves a special critique. The female voices with which I'm in love, make this music Celtic (more specifically Irish/Scotts Gaelic). Their accents, and idiom and metaphor in the lyrics distinguish this CD from most others. The factors above combine to make this music exotic in a way where others, perhaps toned down or genericized to appeal to a wider market by omitting one or more of the above qualities--do not. A mix of traditional and contemporary instrumentation enriches this presentation.



Specifics:

1 An Paistin Fionn: Accompaniment: Guitar, fiddle and harmonica each provide counterpoint which contributes to the intricacy of the piece. It has good balance: an emphasis on her voice with accompaniments enriching the background. Lyrics like "...His thoughts are my ruin" provide great metaphor. Tempo: Pleasant Waltz



2 The Maid That Sold Her Barley: Accompaniment: Mandolin, penny whistle, guitar. I love her voice and the chorus is ... fetching. Lyrics: Great accent, euphemism and idiom. Content: The ballad is not just about dynamics between a man and a maid but illustrates something more broadly throughout an older fiefdom based society. You'll have to hear it and think about it to see what I mean. Tempo: Bouncy. It makes me feel I'm doing a comfortable smooth gallop over the moor. My favorite.



3 Green Grow the Rushes On: Accompaniment: Violins, penny whistles, guitar, electric piano, flute. Intricate orchestration and nice counter point. It's melancholy ... idyllic? Tempo: steadfast



4 The Flower of Magherally: Accompaniment: Guitars, piano. The volume of the accompaniment and that of the singer were just about even. I would have liked the volume on the accompaniment to be a little quieter. Tempo: Languid.



5 The Water is Wide: Accompaniment: Piano, nice mix, voice is easy on the ears. Tempo: Languid. It makes me feel...melancholy and peaceful.



6 The Bantry Girl's Lament: Accompaniment: Harmonica, piano, accordion? Ballad of a woman left behind by a lover off to war. Tempo: Melancholy



7 The Jug of Punch: Accompaniment: Guitar, bass, flute. Tempo: Lively



8 The Benedy Glen: Accompaniment: Keyboard. Nice accent, clear voice.



9 The Briar and the Rose: Accompaniment: Bass is cool. I love the harmony in this. Tempo: It seems to have a free form melody.



10 Siuil a Run: Accompaniment: Electric Fiddle, drums, guitar, penny whistle, another instrument I can't peg. This is the original tune upon which Peter Paul and Mary probably based their "Gone the Rainbow" song from the "Moving" Album in 1963. Tempo: Bouncy



11 Dulaman: Accompaniment: Guitar, drums. This is the most exotic of all these songs. It really highlights the language difference. Makes me want to see the words in what I believe is the Irish\Scotts Gaelic so I can learn how to say them, (and it makes me want to see the whole script in English so I can understand what she is saying) Tempo: bouncy My second favorite.



12 The Lakes of Pontchartrain: Accompaniment: Guitar, fiddle, flute. Tempo: A nice ballad to which to waltz. Accent, idiom, and use of triplets distinguish this piece.



I see CDs in the rack in the store come and go. But this one keeps getting replenished every time it sells out. That should tell you how good it is.

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