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Best of albums are great as a furtive dip into the watery depths of an artist, and Paint the Sky… is ideal for that. Fourteen tracks outline the ex-Clannad members career (I told myself I wasn't going to mention her former band, oh well) and two new creations that sound as if they were ... Read review
copies and launched the single "Orinoco Flow". Her follow-up,Shepherd Moons, was even more successful, selling over 10 million copies despite its slightly lower gr...
A review by steerpyke on Paint The Sky With Stars (The Best Of Enya) - Enya July 19th, 2005
Author's product rating:
Originality
Groundbreaking
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
a great introduction to Enya
Disadvantages:
none
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I must be going through a bit of a mellower stage of life at the moment, hot on the heels of a Loreena McKennitt review comes one for Enya, probably the best known artist working in the same hard to categorise musical field. Like Loreena McKennitt, Enya mixes a range of musical styles, and even languages, to create her own beautiful musical tapestry. Both women borrow from a wide range of cultures from around the world and don't even limit themselves to the here and now, delving back in time as the need arises to create soundscapes full of mystery and timeless wonder. Enya, as I said, is probable seen as the ambassador for this genre and since the release of Watermark in 1988 has sold 44 million album, received a handful Grammy nominations (and two wins) and has managed to propel herself to the position of most successful female solo artist in her homeland of Ireland. Although it becomes difficult to separate one from the other Enya the vocalist is not the same as Enya the band, indeed the vocalist is always credited with her given name, Eithne Ní Bhraonáin Although always regarded as purely a solo affair, the albums released under her more manageable professional name are the collaboration between the high profile vocalist herself, producer Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan. By her own admission without any of them Enya would not exist. This album is a "best of" collection and was released in 1997 and so is a collection of the tracks found on Watermark, Shepherds Moon and Memory of Trees as well as The Celts, a pre-Watermark sound track to a T.V. documentary, which was re-mastered and released in its own right in 1992.
Best of albums are great as a furtive dip into the watery depths of an artist, and Paint the Sky… is ideal for that. Fourteen tracks outline the ex-Clannad members career (I told myself I wasn't going to mention her former band, oh well) and two new creations that sound as if they were big hits for her anyway.
The album opens, quite rightly, with Orinoco Flow, this is after all where it all began, the one that got the girl noticed and marked her out for great things. An almost pop induced collection of classical cellos, piano and modern keyboards provide a platform for this nautical journey that takes us…
From Bissau to Palau - in the shade of Avalon, From Fiji to Tiree and the Isles of Ebony, From Peru to Cebu hear the power of Babylon, From Bali to Cali - far beneath the Coral Sea
…and Orinoco Flow appears to relate to the name of a boat and a long dreamt of journey. Intricate piano riffs wash over you like the waves against the prow of the boat as the dynamic within the song rises and falls to create a range of sound within the song, from minimal unaccompanied vocals to full on orchestral power. This song introduces you to the originality of what Enya does, in its component parts the songs are formed from classical sound, the building blocks used by Wagner, Strauss and Mozart, but when mixed with modern electronic studio wizardry and the fantastic and richly textured vocal arrangements and a commercial bias, the end result is a unique creation, familiar yet totally original. It would be too much to relate the details of every song to you and that would also be to spoil the joy of listening to the album, which I believe you all should, so it must suffice for me to highlight the tracks that typify Enya's unique qualities.
Caribbean Blue seems to be a modern take on a Strauss like waltz, its gentle three-four beat and an almost harpsichord backing act as a structure for a vocal wash that takes the place of the orchestra of days past, Blue Danube for the new age. After the almost monastic chant of Book of Days comes a counterpoint in the form of Anywhere is. Almost as well known as Orinoco Flow it is a combination of classical rhythms and pop sensibilities.
You go there you're gone forever I go there I'll lose my way If we stay here we're not together Anywhere is
The Celts, a track from the early work is sung in Gaelic and highlights the artists fascinations with language, at a turn Greek, Latin or Spanish may be called on to achieve the desired affect and comes from the attitude that the voice is as much an instrument as a means of literal communication, therefore it is not always necessary that you understand the actual words, the emotional connection between artist and listener is what is important. In this song as well as others on the album (Ebudae) it is enough to experience the overall effect without needing to know the literal meaning of what is being said and Gaelic is such a wonderful language to listen to details become unimportant.
Like the aforementioned Ms McKennitt that I constantly compare this artist to, the music has the ability to whisk you away to a place of the performers choosing, Storms In Africa evokes the dark skies prior to the dangers of a wild tropical downpour on the dark continent and at a turn a song such as Paint the Sky With Stars, incidentally one of the two composed for the album specifically, will whisk you off to fly through the night sky. Whilst most of the songs have a wistful feeling, there is as much celebration as reflection in this collection of songs and On My Way Home seems to contain an equal measure of both. As you would expect the vocal work is what stands out with this album, and with Enya's work in general, but that is in no way to say that there is anything lacking in the music, it is as beautiful, subtle, emotive and creative as the voice, which in many ways should be seen as an instrument itself and not a separate entity.
Whether looking for and introduction into the eclectic world of new age music, an overview of Enya or your just looking for a lovely set of songs to provide a relaxing ambience for those quiet moments, Paint The Sky… is one album that fits the bill.
Advantages: Everything about it Disadvantages: Absolutely none
...from my grandson, Enya – Paint the sky with stars – the best of Enya, and I thought it was absolutely wonderful.
Enya is an Irish lady with a talent for playing a host of instruments, most notably the piano. She has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard and after listening to this album I have asked my grandson to record it on his computer for me, so it can take pride of place in my collection.
Below is a description of some of ... ...listing.
Track 1 - Orinoco Flow
For anyone who likes Enya, then this will most likely be the song that you will remember the most. My grandson informs me that this song spent no less than 5 weeks as the Uk’s no 1 record on it’s release in the late 1980’s. It is quite a powerful track but also carries a dramatic melody. I wouldn’t say it is my personal favorite on the album but I do still like to listen to it.
Track 2 – ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: A very haunting album to listen to and very relaxing Disadvantages: Track 11 could be longer
Paint the Sky with Stars by Enya is a classic album. Every track is excellent and so relaxing to listen to, one song just flows into another and great to listen to when you want to unwind after a hard day’s work. She has a haunting voice that gives me a tickle on the back of my neck; I could listen to her for hours. Let me take you through the album. Track one: The famous ‘Orinoco Flow’ this is a chirpy song and the chorus line every so often ‘Sail ... ...drums. What a great choice for the start of the album. Track two: ‘Caribbean Blue’ with its soft strumming guitar start, and then she starts to sing. Her voice is something else. If you close your eyes you can imagine the tide ebbing in and out, I can almost feel the water lapping around my feet. Track three: ‘Book of Days’ a piano plays all the way through this very catchy track and the background choristers really compliment Enya here. Track four: ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
Value for Money
very helpful
30.03.2009
Spotless Star Review ofPaint The Sky With Stars (The Best Of Enya) - Enyaby
mattC
Advantages: Beautifully written easy listening. Disadvantages: You can't dance to it.
Orinoco Flow was a faint memory to me, you know, one of those songs from when you didnt undertand music in your toddler years, but it was so exposed even an embryo couldn't fail to get it lodged in their developing head. Now, thanks to this dreamy collection of haunting songs, it is on of my top snooze tracks. That isn't meant in a bad way, but with Enya's tracks you could quite easily drift off into a dream whilst relaxing to them. Having heard ... ...this is the cream of the crop (hence the 'Best Of' title), and rightly so. Enya has created her own style throughout her career, where classical/new age meets easy listening pop, and it is summed up in this collection brilliantely. There are the singles for which she is most well known 'Carribbean Blue' (although this is perhaps more famous for having Martine McCuthceon in the video as a nymph), 'Anywhere Is' and the number one 'Orinoco Flow', which ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: relaxing, removes the stress of life Disadvantages: none
I have recently purchased the Paint the Sky with Stars album by Enya which is subtitled as the best of Enya. I bought the CD at WHSMITH for a purchase price of £14.99 . I could have perhaps got it a little cheaper ,but as I was passing they got my money on this occasion !
Moving onto the album itself.
Well it's a top quality compilation as you'd expect from a talented artist such as Enya. This CD is so relaxing , and stress relieving - just what ... ...your head .
12. Paint the sky with stars -.. suddenly before my eyes , views of indigo arrive ....Another great line and this song above all , shows Enya's natural ability as a singer.
13.Marble Halls - Sung on a high pitch , but I feel it lacks proper background beat and is not lively enough.
14.On my way home- Organ prominant in this one .Continues the journey theme.
15 The memory of trees - great title and a fine track . Let's your mind drft ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: You can follow the paints in the sky of imagination, if you dream a little Disadvantages: It can be difficult to appreciate for some sad, depressed people
I am sorry, but discovered Enya only a few time ago, listening a spot for her last CD, so... I remained really hit. I bought "Paint the sky with stars". Suggestive title, gravid of poetry and visual suggestions. Exactly as her songs - call them so, but it appears reductive - for the harmonies, the depicted compositions, words and music. Peculiar, exotic… I want to say, at least for me. Even would they maintain certain characteristics in common ... ...motives and harmonies. I feel to state, furthermore, that some Gregorian and classic influences are present in them. Some richness, to my perception, never heard before. In any case, in the music skies, Enya is one of the higly brighting stars, though I think she does not care to correspond this definition. Someone, but, told me Enya’s music is sad… Yes, I agree in part, there is something... but I touch, much more, a calm, but vibrant ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Paint The Sky With Stars (The Best Of Enya) - Enya
Product details
Title: Paint The Sky With Stars (The Best Of Enya)
Performer: Enya
Genre: New Age
Release Date: 03/11/1997
Recomended Retail Price: 16.99 GBP
Original Release Year: 1997
Label / Distributor: WEA / Cinram Logistics
Producer: Nicky Ryan
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 639842089524
Catalogue Number: 3984208952
Additional notes
Album Notes: PAINT THE SKY WITH STARS: THE BEST OF ENYA is a collection of the greatest hits of the angelic-voiced Irish songstress, with the added bonus of two new tracks--"Only If..." and the title track. From her beginning days with Celtic supergroup Clannad, through her staggeringly succesful solo albums, her soaring, dreamy voice has captivated audiences worldwide, helping to make her one of the most succesful recording artists of all time. Enya created a style whose wide open soundscapes were reminiscent of New Age, but more melodic, heavily based on the traditional Celtic music that formed much of her early singing career. This synthesis of styles proved marketable: the single "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away) was a global smash, underscoring the universality of her work. Its dramatic string arrangements and heavenly choir struck a chord which resounded across all cultural and musical boundaries. More hits followed: "Caribbean Blue" assimilated yet another cultural paradigm into Enya's style, bringing the exuberance of the tropics into her ever-broadening scope, while "Boadicea" found another audience--a success on its own, it was later turned into the hit "Ready Or Not" by the Fugees. PAINT THE SKY marks a fitting tribute to a truly global talent.
Album Reviews: Entertainment Weekly (12/12/97, p.90) - "...proves that no one can make a one-four-five chord progression sound more enchanting. The new titles track is a snoozer in a bad way, but the rest will put you to sleep with a smile on your face." - Rating: B+
Titles on disc 1
1.: Orinoco Flow
2.: Caribbean Blue
3.: Book Of Days
4.: Anywhere Is
5.: Only If
6.: Celts
7.: China Roses
8.: Shepherd Moons
9.: Ebudae
10.: Storms In Africa
11.: Watermark
12.: Paint The Sky With Stars
13.: Marble Halls
14.: On My Way Home
15.: Memory Of Trees
16.: Boadicea
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Listed on Ciao since : 20/10/2000
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