Search - Various Artists :: The Celtic Circle: Legendary Music from a Mystic World

Music from a Mystic World

Sidney A. Meyer | Florida | 12/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are 31 tracks on the 2 CD set. I will not even begin to review all of them. As a compilation, this works very well. It certainly matches the theme of the subtitle well. Like another reviewer, I am puzzled by the harsh critics. While I have never actually resorted to saying negative things about other reviewers, in this instance, I feel I must. Their reviews are influenced by their ignorance.



Apparently, some think that only the Irish are Celts and only Irish music is Celtic. This is very inaccurate. Scotland is named for the Scots who came for IRELAND!!! The original inhabitants of Scotland were the Picts, who by the way were also Celts as are the Welsh and the Bretons of Brittany in France. Broadly, Celtic music can originate in Ireland, Scotland, Wales or Brittany. The problem seems to be that some folks wanted traditional Irish music, but the category of Celtic seems to be broadening in much the same way that Country Music has become broader than it was 40 years ago. I couldn't stand the old Country whiney music and still can't, but the newer country music is much more appealing. Stars like Garth Brooks stretched the narrow boundaries and appealed to much wider groups.



Enya has done the same with Celtic music. It is not traditional Irish reels, jigs, and the like, but it isn't simply New Age, either. She has successfully blended the two, leaving her music with a Celtic heart. This album stretches the boundaries, but it stays to the theme of a mystic world. It does not stray far from Celtic roots. I do not believe that is in any way misrepresented.



Concerning the reviewer that complained that they already had many of these tracks. That is not a problem with this 2 CD set. It is YOUR problem. You should have looked at the tracks before buying! I only have one duplication of the 31 tracks and that is because I also have the LOTR soundtrack. I do not mind having the repeated track as when I play this set, I get a very different mix than when the track is played in the context of the soundtrack. The change of context does affect the way in which the piece is heard. It works well in this compilation of mystic inspired tunes. So does "Hedwig's Theme." While Hedwig's nationality is not known, the entire premise of Harry Potter seems more Druidic Celtic than Anglo-Saxon. The reviewer that made the wry crack about including "Hedwig's Theme" apparently did not read the subtitle to the album. That explains the inclusion of this great piece of music by Williams. Oh, by the way, Williams is a common Welsh (CELTIC) name.



If you are looking for traditional Irish music, than this album may disappoint. If you are looking for mystical music with a Celtic soul, then this album should delight. To be sure, listen to some of the tracks first, but don't let the negative reviews of some dissuade you from purchasing without listening first. I thoroughly enjoy this set and feel that I got exactly what I expected when I bought it. I would also highly recomment it to others."

Kitchen sink "Celtic" packaged to get your bucks

Deborah MacGillivray | US & UK | 06/25/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a gathering of great artist with great music under the highly commercial "Celtic" banner. Up front, this is not really Celtic music for the most part. It's super music, but they tossed in everything and the kitchen sink under a misleading Celtic music banner. I guess the producer of the album likely is one of those who think Ireland and Scotland are the same!



Prime example - we have Harry Potter theme by John Williams, Howard Shores (beautiful) Lord of the Rings work - the Corrs a brilliant Contemp/soft rock/trad Irish group doing Runaway. Celtic?



Then some of the choices they made...sigh...Clannad is such a super group, but guess what people - they did something OTHER than The Last of the Mohican's, Harry's Game (Patriot Games theme) and geesh, yet AGAIN, Clannad and Bono doing In My Life. I cannot begin to list HOW MANY albums of Clannad that has all three songs on them. I must have a dozen copies of those songs, so enough! They have some of the most beautiful music going, but these three songs are not the limit of their library!



It's an eclectic mix with no cohesive theme other than the loose "Celtic" label slapped on them. Good music, poorly packaged with overused selections."

Mystic Celtic Landscapes with Traditional & Modern Sounds

Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 01/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 2 CD set compilation conjures up mystic Celtic landscapes of lush green hillsides & valleys as far as the eye can see and sharp ledged cliffs ... where the ocean purrs and roars against the stoney and sandy beach. Imagine the lone cry of a seagull or a flock of birds flying in a V-formation overhead ...The music on this CD washes over you in waves ... sometimes soft vocals, other times high energy fast paced passionate music. It resembles sitting by the ocean listening to the tide wash in and out. It leaves you peaceful and satisfied after having had a busy, fulfilling day. Kick up your feet and relax, let the energy take you where it will ...Track #1 by Loreena McKennitt sets the mood, her beautiful haunting voice fills a void with heart-felt and soul-searching vocalizations. [It is included on her CD "Book of Secrets" which is a jewel.] Amazingly, the music on this CD is from recent films (of which I only saw one) however, the lineup of musicians and singers is among the finest & best in the Celtic genre. Among these are: the Chieftains, Clannad, Maire Brennan, music by Phil Coulter with vocals by Sinead O'Connor, David Arkenstone (well known for New Age inspired American Indian & Celtic styles), Capercaille and the phenomenal Vangelis. My absolute favorites are the Gaelic songs which create an other-worldy spiritual feeling in the listener ... CD 1, Maire Brennan singing "Eirigh Suas A Stoirin" and CD 2, Mary mcLaughlin in her rendition of "Caoineadh Na Mara/Amen (LAment to the Sea). Braveheart Trilogy by James Horner and "I Will Find You" by Clannad from Last of the Mohicans is very inspiring. "The Keening of the Three Marys" by William Coulter is highly spiritual and touches the heart. Overall, if Celtic music is a favorite, or you liked the music in these films, this CD will not disappoint the buyer. Erika Borsos (erikab93)"