Search - Robin Williamson :: Gems of Celtic Story: One

Brilliant, but...

Tim Bray | Albion, CA | 03/18/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is Robin Williamson doing the one thing he is better at than probably anyone alive in the world today: telling stories, in the bardic tradition, while accompanying himself on the harp. 1500 years ago this guy would have been sitting at the right hand of the High King at Tara. His harp playing is like an extension of his voice; no, more than that, it's like hearing Taliesin himself come back to earth. And his storytelling skills are superb.On this particular CD, however, the effect is marred somewhat by two problems. One is the format: a single CD is simply too short a time to tell this story properly. Williamson takes plenty of time with the beginnings, developing the character and the plot, but then seems to suddenly run out of time and ends the story hurriedly. We feel cheated, knowing there was more to it that we ddn't get to hear.The second problem is that he sings some of the roles. This is perfectly consistent with the traditions, and would be fine except for the fact that I can't stand his singing style. This may be a personal thing and others love it, I'm sure, but it annoys me quite a bit.Putting those quibbles aside, though, this is well worth your time and money. The third CD, Tales of the Tuatha de Danaan, is even better. I wish I could review the second, but so far I haven't located a copy."