Celtic Collection, The - Various Artists

...start, a brief introduction to Celtic music.

Originally Irish and Scottish (well, the Ireland and Scotland, as well as parts of England, of Celtic times (think William Wallace aka Braveheart)), Celtic music is, generally, not as popular as most other forms of classical-based music. Although there are many instantly recognisable Celtic songs, as well as artists (such as Enya, Celtus, Maire Brennan), people know very little about this ...
...reason, I like to think Celtic music as a combination of classical with occasionally a bit of folk and sometimes some (very) soft rock, all depending on the artist(s)/composer(s). This isn't necessarily what it is, but I feel it's a good way to give you an impression of what Celtic music is.

This album consists of what is dubbed as "The Celtic Collection". I don't really know any other Celtic music other than what's on this ... more

Before we start, a brief introduction to Celtic music.

Originally Irish and Scottish (well, the Ireland and Scotland, as well as parts of England, of Celtic times (think William Wallace aka Braveheart)), Celtic music is, generally, not as popular as most other forms of classical-based music. Although there are many instantly recognisable Celtic songs, as well as artists (such as Enya, Celtus, Maire Brennan), people know very little about this beautiful form of music.

Most Celtic songs have pipes, fiddles, powerful drumming, with maybe a bit of piano, guitar or even keyboards (like Celtus), as well as the Irish bagpipes and many strings offering sweet chords in the background. Quite often, there is also singing, either in English or, more traditionally, Celtic/Gailic. For this reason, I like to think Celtic music as a combination of classical with occasionally a bit of folk and sometimes some (very) soft rock, all depending on the artist(s)/composer(s). This isn't necessarily what it is, but I feel it's a good way to give you an impression of what Celtic music is.

This album consists of what is dubbed as "The Celtic Collection". I don't really know any other Celtic music other than what's on this album so this may be some of the best Celtic tracks every composed. It is a compilation of some truly impressive tunes from some great artists.

THE TRACKS

1 - James Galway & Phil Coulter - Callin Na Gruaige Baine - The intro to the album is a slow, calm, with quite strings and some calm but good singing. As the title suggests, this isn't in English but that adds to the effect. What you'll find is that some of the better tracks are those that don't have English lyrics. One and a half minutes later, some great piano work takes over from the singer, playing the same melody, followed shortly by a flute doing the same, in duet with the piano. This isn't as good as it gets however, as the Irish bagpipes soon appear too. The track closes as it begins. A lovely song - 9/10

2 - Maire Brennan - Perfect Time - The intro to this song has a pure Celtic sound to it. This track isn't lyrically great, although they are thoughtful. However, the voice of Maire Brennan is amazing. Her singing style is similar to that of Enya's, and is just as perfect. This song is more regular in style, with a chorus and verses. Pipes and strings make up the most of instrumentation, with light drumming in the background every now and then, and a bit of guitar, including bass. - 7/10

3 - The Corrs - Little Wing - One of the more well known artists on this album, this song is a bit different to the rest. It features all the usual Celtic instruments, as well as drums and electric guitar. The trademark strings of The Corrs is present, however, and makes sure that you know what type of music you're listening to. The lyrics are good, and well delivered. Towards the end, there is some slide guitar work that sounds like it has been delivered by a calm Gary Moore. Slightly out of place before, maybe, but it hasn't been overdone so it flows well. - 7/10

4 - Runrig & Abhainn An T-Sluaigh - The Crowded River - The first male voice on the album is on this track, and it is certainly a good one. Despite the English title, this track has Celt lyrics that are well delivered. It starts as it means to go on, with good drumming, nice acoustic guitar work and some nice keyboard work. This track stays pretty much the same throughout. - 6/10

5 - Chicane with Maire Brennan - Saltwater (Mothership Mix) - If there's a track that you've heard from this album, this is it. Featured on the Ireland holidays advert, this is a beautiful and calm track, compared to it's tranced-up remix. A mixture of Celtic and English make up the lyrics that are delivered by the brilliant Maire Brennan. Slow, quiet drums tick away in the background with strings and the odd bit of guitar. Bass is supplied by a keyboard. You can hear bits of Chicane in there, but this is the Celtic version of this great song. - 9/10

6 - Joannie Madden - Women Of Ireland - Pipes and strings make up the intro to this song, before the strings fade away and a guitar comes in. Then all three work in unison, before a guitar verse begins. There is no singing in this song. Despite the lack of variation, this is a great song. - 7/10

7 - Bill Douglas - Ballyshannon - Starting off with some bassoon work, strings soon come in, along with a piano. Another instrumental, this also features some great work between a pipe and piano. The song quietens down to just a piano before building back up to the strings and piano duet. All of the time, there are drums slowly picking up rhythm in the background. Another good instrumental. - 7/10

8 - Declan Masterson - The Hazel Woods - More trademark Celtic flute work on this song, which sounds like something from Lord of the Rings. Strings work in the background, along with a plucked violin. A short but extremely atmospheric track. - 9/10

9 - The Taliesin Orchestra & Athair Ar Neamh - The Memory Of Trees - Strings introduce us before we get harps and strings providing us with a familiar melody that is one of the most beautiful things you'll hear. Clarinets, strings, choirs, this song has it all. A truly beautiful track that can easily stand up to be the best track of the album. Every time it builds up, it quietens down again, purely teasing you. No list of adjectives can describe the beauty of this track. - 10/10

10 - Mary Black - Leaving The Land - I'm not fully sure why this track is here. To my ears, it's more country than celtic. Piano, strings and guitar make up the instruments, while Mary Black's singing is nice, but has a country and western style to it. Not a bad song on a country album, out of place on this one. - 6/10

11 - Ronan Hardiman - Lord Of The Dance - Another great track and my favourite of the album. Strings quietly fade in before a pipe supplies us with a melody. This is actually more like three different songs, although they all follow the same melody but a different beat. A slow beat comes in with good pipe and guitar work giving us a melody before the third and final part of the song "kicks" in. What a boot it has, powerful drums that sound like a whole stable of horses on stage doing tap-dance start, before fiddles come in for a faster beat. This is certainly a foot tapper and you can imagine it being danced to in Riverdance. I just love the way the fiddle is played on this track. Excellent music and pitch changes. It's just too short! ;-) - 10/10

Note: From here on, the actual ratings (not the comments) on the tracks may be a bit biased as I love this last track so much! :-D

12 - Mychael Danna & Jeff Danna - Hills Of Ireland - The tempo is reduced a wee bit for this track. Pipes, drums and guitars give us the starting instruments, before some strings come in, along with an Irish bagpipe. Bells also feature for this calm but great song. - 8/10

13 - Celtus - Awakening - Another fairly well know artist, Celtus bring keyboards to the introduction, before pipes and strings kick in. The most powerful drums so far, (other than Track 11) are on this song, which isn't a bad song due to it's nice melodies. Great instrumental work make this a memorable track. - 9/10

14 - Davy Spillane - A Place Among The Stones - The longest track on the album is extremely atmospheric. The start focuses on the guitar and pipe, with occasional choir work. The pipe is played extremely well. Soon afterwards, Celtic lyrics are produced by wonderful female voices, which do duets with the pipe. Sometimes, there is also the hint of a fiddle or some even bagpipes playing with the pipe. Strings also help with the background and are especially noticeable when the singer gives us some great lyrics in English. This is a slow track and, therefore, makes for a relaxing listen. - 8/10

15 - Mark Knopfler - Irish Boy - Mark Knopfler, known for his work on the Local Hero soundtrack, as well as his excellent guitar skills that gave Dire Straits huge success, doesn't fail to please here. The is the obvious Knopfler sound to this track, especially the work on the percussion and guitars. For once though, the guitars aren't actually the main focus of the track. The pipes and bagpipes have this duty on this short but sweet track. Brilliant. - 9/10

16 - Clannad - Dealram Go Deo - This has a slightly modern sound to the initial intro, before the singing starts. The lyrics are Celtic and are supplied by a female lead and then mixed choir. These voices all merge with the keyboard produced strings in the background. This song follows this formula for its entirety. Atmospheric and relaxing, but lacking in variation. - 6/10

17 - London Symphony Orchestra - Theme From Braveheart (Main Title) - Strings, fiddles and the Irish bagpipe make up the intro to this familiar sounding song. This song is brilliantly composed and a wonder to listen too. As always, it is also atmospheric. There is a brass interlude which doesn't really add much to the song other than variation, but it's not a bad thing. - 8/10

18 - John Anderson Concert Orchestra - Riverdance - You all will probably know or at least recognise some of this track. Starting off with singing from a female lead and mixed choir, it soon steps into the bagpipe and percussion melody that we know well, before the strings come in on the same riff. A good song with good instrumentation and a beat. - 8/10

OTHER POINTS

I love the design to most Celtic albums. They normally feature a lot of moor land, sometimes with an old, eroded building, much like the old castle shown on this album's cover. This is a wonderfully simple cover design, yet it says all that needs to be said about Celtic music.

OVERALL

A good introduction to Celtic music and a number of these artists. If you are interested in getting into Celtic music, this is a good album to get. It is also a good album for those already into Celtic music. However, if you don't think you'll like it, don't get it! As always, it's down to your personal choice. This is a good album, in my opinion.
 

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