Celtic Woman

Vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Méav Ni Mhatolchatha, and Orla Fallon, (vocals, harp), along with violinist Mairéad Nesbitt, are the Celtic women of this extraordinary album's title. Each of them have recorded individually. They give enchanting, romantic, old Irish ballads and airs a mystical New Age spin, with influences from the classical, and come up with a unique sound, performing solo and together in ensemble pieces. "Celtic Woman" clearly portrays the individual delivery and style of each performer. Their pure, clear voices also meld hauntingly, evoking another time and place, now gone forever except in their songs.

I love the entire CD, great music selections - but some of my favorite cuts are the classic "Danny Boy," "Harry's Game," (Orla sings this - extraordinary), made famous by the Clannad, and "Last Rose of Summer/Walking in the Air," performed by Chloe, which is simply ethereal - gorgeous. If you don't get up to dance with "Si Do Mhaimeo," (The Wealthy Widow) a spirited, playful tune, then you surely will when the fiddler plays "The Butterfly." You'll want your feet to fly.

Accompanying the Celtic Women are musicians Desi Moore (guitar), Martin Johnston (cello), David Downes (whistle, harpsichord, keyboards), John O`Brien (Uilleann pipe), Eoghan O`Neill (bass guitar), Robbie Casserly (percussion).

"Celtic Woman" was created by Sharon Browne, Dave Kavanaugh (founders of Ireland's successful Celtic Collections label), and music producer/composer/conductor David Downes. The successful launching of the group is the realization of their collective dream. Downes, who was heavily involved with the American production of "Riverdance, wanted to bring these five extremely talented women to the public's notice. This hour long compilation of modern and classic Irish songs is the group's first album and one that showcases the glorious Irish musical heritage. Bravo!


Lots of great music and excellent singing!   September 27, 2005
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

What Lord of the Dance was to Irish dancing, Celtic Woman is to Irish singing! A wonderful show to see live, this CD brings the rich and vibrant music into your car, and will keep you enthralled. The show brings together the talent of five very talented Irish women - four vocalists and one violinist. The music ranges from what I would call traditional, such as Danny Boy and Ave Maria, through ethnic Irish songs, and on to modern pop music. For me, the best track is Isle of Inisfree, sung hauntingly by Orla Fallon - it carries with it the longing for home that has always been a theme of the Irish American, and is enough to bring tears to your eyes!

Yes, this is a great album, with lots of great music and excellent singing. My hat's off to the many talented people who made this show and this album possible. If you are a fan of Irish music, or just a fan of good music, then you will love this album. I give it my highest recommendations!


Someday   April 10, 2005
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

Celtic Woman is a group of five Irish women who each is a well known solo artist in their native homeland of Ireland. Mairead, Lisa, Meav, Chloe, and Orla were brought together by composer/producer David Downes. Mairead is the only woman who does not sing and instead plays an instrument (the fiddle) but her contributions to the music is equally as wonderful as the singers.

I first discovered Celtic Woman via a televised performance on my local public broadcasting station. I was quite taken by their beautiful voices and enchanting melodies. The music was a mix of celtic and classical. Imagine Sarah Brightman singing celtic music or Enya going more into classical/pop instead of new age. What really stood out with me about this group of Irish lasses were the clarity of their voices. Their singing was not bogged down by vocal gymnastics (ala Celine Dion and Mariah Carey). They did not try to over enunciate each note to a point where your ears feels like bleeding. You can actually understand what the women are singing. There were times when I felt like I was listening to Enya namely when they were singing her songs "Orinoco Flow" and "May It Be" (which isn't a bad thing by all means). Lisa and Meav clearly have the standout voices in the group but that does not mean that Chloe and Orla are not as talented. On the contrary they do a marvelous job on songs such as "Someday" (from Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame") and "Harry's Game". While I enjoyed Josh Groban's version of "You Raise Me Up", I found Celtic Woman's interpretation much more moving. It is not loud and bombastic as Josh Groban's version is.

Celtic Woman is easily one of my favorite releases from 2005 so far. I look forward to hearing more from them in the near future.