Celtic Spirit

--Music--
Many of the pieces, such as the Ubi Caritas, the Kyrie Eleison, and the Puer Natus are very traditional liturgical lyrics, but here they are given a unique Celtic flavour that is both modern and original as well as traditional and ancient. Other songs such as Be Thou My Vision are more traditional hymn texts, here given arrangement and performance that would seem both refreshing and reassuring. Many of the songs, when they are not utilising Latin for the ancient liturgical pieces, use traditional Gaelic texts, that give an air of mystery and contemplative distance to the songs, such as Seacht Sauailcena Maighdine Muire (Seven Joys of the Virgin Mary), Noelenn Brehed, Mo Ghra Thu (I Love Thee), and Bi, a Iosa, Im Chroi-Se (Jesus Be in My Heart).

--Performers--
All of the performers here are stunning. Connie Dover and Aiofe Ni Fhearraigh, both women of astonishing voice. Aine Minogue combines talent on the harp with high-calibre singing, and her double talents shine with distinctive Celtic flair. Sheena Wellington and Theresa Schroeder-Sheker lend their incredible talents to finish the disc with strength and beauty that reach emotional climaxes befitting a spiritual ecstasy.

William Jackson displays both vocal and instrumental talents, which include performances the bamboo flute and the gut-strung clarsach (Scottish harp) for a stunning performance on Salve Splendour, and William Coulter brings his acoutic guitar talents to an old Irish hymn.

Also performing on this disc are three groups: the Anjali Quartet, the Groupe Vocal Jef Le Penven, and the Baltimore Consort, each renowned and experienced in the musical styles that incorporate ancient and Celtic influences.

--Liner Notes--
The CD comes with a small booklet that includes biographical information on each of the major performers and groups, as well as listings of back-up and harmony contributors. There is an introductory essay on the Celtic Spirit by Fr. John O'Donohue. Like many Narada collections, these pieces have appeared on previous Narada recordings, and details for finding the prior releases can be found here. This is an excellent guide, for many of these pieces inspired me to want more, both of the artists and of the types of music.

--Overall Impressions--
I cannot speak too highly of this collection. While not the most intricate or sophisticated of music, it is nonetheless a favourite of mine for both background and forefront listening. It makes a good companion for prayer and contemplative times, for waking or falling asleep, for reading or for working.


Exquisite, Etherial, Spiritual, and Mesmerizingly Beautiful!   July 12, 2000
Chicago Dreamer (Chicago, IL United States)
43 out of 43 found this review helpful

This collection contains music which takes one to another time and place. It is a top-notch collection of music which is unforgetable, and listening to it is a spiritual experience which leaves one breathless and deeply touched. The exquisite voice of Connie Dover begins this collection, and each song thereafter is the same calibre as the first. Lilting melodies, haunting performances and exquisite voices all make this a must-have addition for anyone who loves Celtic music, and for anyone who likes Enigma, Loreena McKennitt, and Enya. Get a magic carpet and listen to the soundbites. Highly, highly recommended!


If angels sing...   December 17, 2002
george r meurer (Poolesville, MD USA)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

If angels sing, this is how they surely must sound. Of all the music I have ever heard I find this to be the purest most transporting experience of pure feminine energy. Never syrupy or pedantic, the female vocals here seem to literally plumb the listener's deepest regions and stir those subtle quiet spaces gently to life. The gaelic lyrics, rather than being an obstacle to enjoyment, serve rather to enhance the entire musical experience by side-stepping the issue of literal meaning, at least to we who speak only English, and thereby freeing us to appreciate the words as sounds whose meaning transcends spoken language. I own other celtic albums, all of which I love for their own particular strengths, but this is the one I save to listen to at those special quiet times when I'm alone and just want to put on the headphones and be carried in the arms of the angels.


Wonderful, relaxing, insightful, reflective, refreshing   August 28, 2004
Poet (Northeast)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful

What wonderful end of the day music...probably the finest Celtic album that I own, and I own quite a few!!

The voices are clear and exact and gentle and haunting. The music is familiar and comforting and kind.

If you have only one Celtic album, this should be it.


Delightful!   September 28, 2000
12 out of 14 found this review helpful

This is a delightful spiritual music. The lyrics and the melodies are just beautiful. If you are a spiritual person, then you will love it.