Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

What a project. If you look back in the 90s, you will see the music industry trying to catch on to as many trends and styles as possible. There was Ska, there was Swing, there was Latin Pop and other World Music. And due to several factors (Enya's popularity, Clannad's TV clip causing a riot of people to find that song from the VW commerical, the Titanic's soundtrack which featured Irish Music, and of course Riverdance) Celtic Music became the next trend. But when the new century came, the industry had moved on. Pity. Until now that is......... David Downes should be congratulated for bringing about this event. He has done it, again! Also kudos go the angels who performed on this disc: Lisa, Meav, Orla, Chloe, and Mairead. Honestly, this CD had to grow on me, as I didn't get to see the special on TV. Eventually I began to really enjoy this disc. Standout tracks for me: "Last Rose of Summer/Walking in the Air" sounds like an angel lost in a cathedral. Just gorgeous! Lilting and atmospheric. A new Charlotte Church is found! "May it Be" is sung slightly different from Enya. Where Enya sings with high airy delicateness. This is sung with strength tempered with softness. Very beautiful. "Siuil a Run (Walk My Love)" is an old song. It is sung from the point of view of a woman whose love has gone to war. Her voice is sad and beautiful at the same time. Some of the men from the Irish Brigade had gone to fight in France, around the 17th century. They were known as the Wild Geese, and sadly, they never came home. The only other version of this song that measures up is by Clannad, on their album DULAMAN. "Orinoco Flow" is of course another Enya song. A march of music set to words about wind currents and exotic places. I laughed at this version on CELTIC WOMAN... at first. Only because the choir of voices singing the chorus surpirsed me. This has grown on me, and I love it now. "Harry's Game" is a Clannad track. A gaelic proverb dedicated to the strife of mankind, and the conflict of Northern Ireland. This version is sung without harmonies and the single voice is plaintive and poetic. A wonderful cover. "Nella Fantasia", "Danny Boy" and "Ave Maria" all sound beautiful in this Irish setting of voices. In conclusion, CELTIC WOMAN explores the mysterious quality that is found in the lost legends of the emerald isle and the atmospheric voices of the Wild Irish Goddesses. Enjoy!