Search - Various Artists :: Celtic Circle 2

5 stars alone for including Brian Kennedy's magnificent "Car

Veggiechiliqueen | 12/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am an all-out Brian Kennedy fanatic. Brian who, you ask? Brian Kennedy, Belfast-born singer with a voice of spun gold, was Van Morrison's back up singer for several years, recorded the *original* You Raise Me Up (NOT Josh Groban), starred in hundreds of Riverdance on Broadway shows, and for all of that, he's unheard-of in the US. Celtic Circle 2 includes Brian's soul-wrenching rendition of "Carrickfergus," a beautiful song of lament, accompanied only by Brian's less-is-more acoustic guitar. Haunting.



Besides the wonderful gift of Brian Kennedy, Celtic Circle 2 builds on the solid combination of modern Celtic music and Irish-influenced New Age that was so successful on Vol. 1. This time around, we have two discs of the Chieftains (the timeless "Love Theme from Barry Lyndon" and "The Foggy Dew" with Sinead O'Connor), Clannad (Caislean Oir, Newgrange, Almost Seems), Maire Brennan, Irish-American powerhouse Cherish The Ladies, Aine Minogue, Nightnoise, fabulous Irish bagpiper Davy Spillane, James Galway, and the stellar team of Susan McKeown and Natalie Merchant on "River." Sarah McLachlan even makes an early appearance with Celtic-inspired "Drawn To The Rhythm." My only lament is that Loreena McKennitt wasn't featured; Ms. McKennitt's early works were classical Celtic-influenced melodies set to famous poems, accompanied by harp.



It's a much-welcome breath of fresh air to see Celtic and New Age done so well, as BMG has consistently shown on its "Celtic Circle" releases. So many "Celtic" releases are in fact substandard New Age treacle with anonymous vocals and synth instruments, but here we have 30 outstanding tracks that capture the lyric, melancholy beauty of the Irish nature, recorded by masters of the trade (the Chieftains have been around for more than three decades!). Yes, there are New Age pieces, too, tracks from Lord of the Rings and Titanic, but there is a much more balanced look at modern Celtic on Celtic Circle 2 than on the first (more Celtic, less New Age).



Perfect music for relaxing to at the end of a long day -- light a few candles, close your eyes, and let the soothing Celtic melodies inspire and refresh your weary spirit.

"

Wonderful Collection of Songs!

Rocky | Iowa, USA | 02/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Celtic Circle II has a wonderful collection of songs and are inspiring songs to listen to. Many say the first is even better but this was the one I found at the music store and I am quite content with it. The lovely and powerful songs mixed together are wonderful and I am happy I bought the c.d. My favorite song- the one that made my heart jump to buy this- was Maire Brennan's Against the Wind. It's a song of great integrity and courage and I absolutely love it. There are so many other songs on here as well that are great too, including Sarah Mclachlan's Drawn To The Rhythm and Cherish the Ladies (Ireland of My Heart), which is a beautiful love song.

If you want to be drawn back into the romantic ages of tales such as King Arthur and Lord of the Rings settings were then you'll adore this c.d. Some songs speak of of the heart and some speak of the heat of battle for justice and right. It's a wonderful collection and I recommend it very much so! And when I do see Celtic Circle I in the music store it will be the very first c.d. I will try out because if it's as good as Celtic II then it will be worth the money!"

My dad loves it....

E. HENEGHAN | Connecticut, USA | 03/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchase this for my father as a gift.... The Irishman likes it, so it gets my dad's seal of approval. Can't beat that."