Search - John Mock :: Celtic Portraits

How on earth did he do it?

Caron Ward | Lebanon, OH | 02/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've collected Irish music for years---- when it made you a nerd (when my friends were into The Stones and The Beatles I was hording The Clancy Brothers--and I was but a child).
I've no clue how John's been able to capture the passionate, tragic, epic wild beauty and mysterious bright hope of Ireland and her people in his delightful compositions, and managed to do so with his toungue in his cheek and a grain of salt. It is very few CDs that inspire me because I've heard some simply awful pieces loosely masquerading as "Celtic". Most are insipid, spiritless interpretations. Not so with John Mock's work (check out another CD of John's entitled "Celtic Traditions").
For original compositions, John has masterfully resurrected the history and magic of a land everyone forgot they came from.
I can't help but think that hidden somewhere in the Celtic knotwork of the forgotten years, down all those days, there is a monk in a dimly lit corner of the monastery with headphones on, candle goin', tapping his foot under the inspiration of a fine fella named John. And no, I'm not 'is ma."

Excellent Celtic CD

Caron Ward | 07/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very acoustic and very interesting to listen to. You know you have a good CD when you want to listen to it over and over. Beautiful and pure compositions."

A gentle, provacitive CD.

Caron Ward | 03/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a fan of Irish/Celtic music with its airs and reels, I suggest you buy this disc. John Mock has turned familiar sounds and melodies of the Isle into orchestral tapestries, thickening up the space with an airy, breathy wash of perfect notes.I've had it for two days and I've listened to it probably seven times! It's not that it encourages fanatiscm--it's just so easy to listen to. Try it out."