- Audio CD (21 Feb 2000)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Universal
- ASIN: B00004R63B
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 91,998 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the most distinctive voices of the late 20th century, Clannad frontsperson Maire Brennan uses her fourth solo outing mainly to consolidate the style she made her own on 1998's Perfect Time, where her pure lilting voice floats atop a shimmering bed of wordless "oooohs" and "aaaahs", embroidered with fiddles, acoustic guitars and dreamy synthesiser textures. Much of the album flows by like a slow river, sweeping to a climax in a standout duet with former Doobie Brothers singer Michael McDonald on "Don't Give Up", a role-reversal version of the undying love ballad made famous by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. Comparisons with her even more famous sister, Enya, are inevitable, but Maire treads a less experimental path, creating tunes that are undeniably new but somehow immediately familiar--like ancient but previously unheard Irish folk melodies. --Johnny Black
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Like her Scots contemporary Sammy Horner, the world of Ireland's Maire Brennan is immersed in the timeless traditions of Celtic spirituality, but her mission to bring the sounds and the stories of her heritage and Christian faith to a modern audience take her on a journey that flows effortlesly through traditional Irish tunes and instrumentation all the way to modern ambient keyboard sounds and beats. Deep-seated spiritual convictions infuse songs such as the title track and "Follow the Word", without ever sounding preachy or trite, and a simply beautiful voice shimmers exultantly over all. "Change the words, but don't change the meaning; change the hands, but don't change the healing", she sings in "Whisper to the Wild Water", and in this album Maire Brennan has produced perhaps the definitive reinterpretation of the ancient sounds of the Celtic world for the modern listener. Beautiful.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Unusually, I bought this album on the strength of having read about it on the Amazon website, and must say that it has been one of my most satisfactory purchases. Comparison with Enya is inevitable. There are indeed many similarities between Maire Brennan and her more famous sister, but there are enough differences to make it impossible to say that one is better than the other. Their vioces, not surprisingly, have a similar timbre; the differences lie more in the songs and the production. Maire is produced with a lighter touch, and I like this. The quality of the voice and the instruments are more distinct, with a sharper edge, and I think this makes the overall effect sound more 'Irish', if there is such a quality. (I often wish I could just for once hear Enya's voice in its purity, without the 'wall of sound' in which it is invariably embedded.) The production and all of the performances on this album are faultless.
Most of the songs reflect Maire's Christian faith, but this is also presented with a light touch, so as to make the songs acceptable to a universal/secular audience. Neo-pagan Enya fans need have no fear; I would guess that a lot of people will just enjoy chilling out to this music without being put off by, or even noticing the words.
Favourites? That's a hard one, as some of these songs are still growing on me, but I particularly like 'Where I Stand' and 'Ageless Messengers' The melody and lyrics of 'Where I Stand' are equally strong, but the masterstroke on this track is the repeated kyrie eleison motif, beginning as a barely preceptible, ghostly shimmering in the background, but becoming more assertive and solid as the song progresses. As for 'Ageless Messengers', it has a chorus like a joyful peal of bells that would make anyone feel happy, whatever the words might mean.
O course, you will know what the words mean; they are there in the accompanying notes, with English translations of the Gaelic.
One minor beef. The last track is a bit out of place. It is the only duet, and seems not to fit the theme of the rest of the album. And it doesn't even get a mention in the notes or the list of tracks. (If it weren't for the Amazon reviews, I wouldn't know who the male singer was!) Why? I can only suppose that, in these days when 'value for money' is so overrated, it was added (as an afterthought) as a 'bonus track'. This really wasn't necessary, particularly as the last but one track, 'Be Thou my Vision', performed with haunting simplicity would have been an ideal finale.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Those who, like myself, have previous albums by Maire ( or Clannad ) will already know that she is a songwriter and performer of exceptional talent. This album follows on from the wonderful 'Perfect Time' and is every bit as good. The opening track is instantly catchy, yet by know means simple or shallow. Certain numbers are a little more 'poppy' than one might expect, but it all hangs together with great ease. Here are fourteen excellent songs, most outstanding in my view are, 'Hard to break the Seal', 'Peacemaker', 'Ageless Messengers' 'Rinne tu' and the tastefully done 'Don't Give Up'. Gentle, melodic and inspiring.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
wonderfully relaxing
Im new to Celtic style worship music and this artist was recommended so I just took a chance on this album and was not disappointed. Haunting, moving and melodic. Read more
Published on 25 May 2009 by P. James
Sumptuous bliss
This is a fantastic album, full of haunting and uplifting ballads and celtic moods. Well-balanced and symphonic melodies contribute to the positive aura of the album - a must have!
Published on 25 Feb 2008 by Mr. M. Hynds
A truly beautiful album.
I have all of Maire Brennan's albums. But this is my favorite. Even though i love then all. I'm not very objective where her music's concerned! Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2004
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