Duanag - Claire Hewitt > Reviews > Celtic lullabies for a new age

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it rate alongside the competition	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Soothing and relaxing music from a superb singer and Celtic harpist
Disadvantages:	Not recommended for in the car  -  too relaxing

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I first heard Duanag after returning home from work in a particularly vile mood. My wife put it in the CD player and went out into the kitchen to make me a cup of "relaxing herbal tea". When the tea arrived I was lying on the sofa, oblivious to everything but the sounds washing over me. I didn't stir until the album had finished playing and then I played it again. Claire Hewitt has a rare talent. It is hard to tell her own compositions from her arrangements of traditional Scottish lullabies - and this album really flows! Her voice is sweet and haunting, accompaniments are tasteful, and the audio production is just right.

Claire Hewitt is a singer-songwriter, storyteller, Celtic harpist and music therapist based in Perthshire in the heart of Scotland. The "little songs" (which is how the Gaelic "Duanag" translates) collected here clearly demonstrate Claire's remarkable talents. Take, for instance, the opening track. It begins with the sound of the wind and Claire-the-storyteller reading her creation-myth poem "In the Beginning", which she wrote to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Corbenic Camphill Community, where Claire gives voice and music therapy. We are made to feel happy to be indoors as the wind howls and Claire draws us into her story. The storyteller is joined, slowly but surely, by harp and drum, with handbells played by the Corbenic Music Group, and before we know it we have been lulled into her wonderful arrangement of the traditional "Iondo, Seal Woman's Croon". Seemless!

These soundscapes are occasionally augmented by recordings taken from nature, such as the sound of thunder, or waves crashing on a beach. These are used to such good effect that they never intrude upon our listening enjoyment, but rather enhance it.

Collaborators on this album include John Billing on Celtic lyre (which is used simply but to sublime effect, for example, on the lilting "The Mermaid's Lullaby") and Gavin Duncan plays fiddle while co-producer Stuart Duncan takes piano credits on Claire's superb arrangement of "Turn Ye to Me". On her self-penned "Awaken with Love", Claire is ably accompanied by Jamie Jauncey on piano. Nothing is overstated here - simply perfect!

If I had to choose a favourite track it would probably be Claire's own vocals-only song "Deep Peace", which closes the album, but believe me, there isn't a single track out of the 10 tracks here that I would ever be tempted to skip.

The 8-page CD booklet is informative and includes full lyrics - the whole package has clearly been put together with love. Claire's collaboration with Stuart Duncan at his Red Barn Studios, I am happy to report, is to continue for a second album which, I understand, has a theme concerning "the meeting of the seas". And I can hardly wait...

Duanag was released in July 2004.

Duration: 55 min 37 s.

Tracks: (1) In the Beginning, Iondo, Seal Woman's Croon; (2) The Mermaid's Lullaby; (3) Bressay Lullaby; (4) Hush the Waves; (5) Awaken with Love; (6) Turn Ye to Me; (7) Lagan's Love; (8) Cherokee Lullaby; (10) Deep Peace.