Deanta

Deanta

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There's a new sound in Celtic music. Pioneered by Ireland's Clannad, refined by Nova Scotia's Rankin Family, and pursued by Northern Ireland's Deanta and Kansas City's Scartaglen, this novel twist on an old music features the usual acoustic instruments but with a modern emphasis on melodic hooks, female vocals in English and percussion. There's no better argument for this fresh sound than Deanta, that quintet's second album and first U.S. release. Though the nine pieces on the album are largely traditional, the band brings out the music's contemporary qualities: a bouncy, regular beat linked to repeating melodic figures. --Geoffrey Himes

Tracks:

The Flight Of The Termite: Ed Reaveys/Katie's Reel/Seany Dorris
The Green Fields Of Canada
King Of The Blues: King Of The Fairies/Freddie's Blues
Cold Grey Fairyland
Willie Taylor
Harp Airs: Rock Of Esse/Ascent
Thousands Are Sailing
Gravelly Groove: Gravel/Walks/Port Gan Ainm
Dark Iniseoghian

Amazon.com

There's a new sound in Celtic music. Pioneered by Ireland's Clannad, refined by Nova Scotia's Rankin Family, and pursued by Northern Ireland's Deanta and Kansas City's Scartaglen, this novel twist on an old music features the usual acoustic instruments but with a modern emphasis on melodic hooks, female vocals in English and percussion. There's no better argument for this fresh sound than Deanta, that quintet's second album and first U.S. release. Though the nine pieces on the album are largely traditional, the band brings out the music's contemporary qualities: a bouncy, regular beat linked to repeating melodic figures. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Most lovely!!!.......2003-06-28

It's hard to write this review without making it sound like a love letter to Mary Dillon. But truly, the sweetness in her voice is hard not to totally fall in love with... The other folks in the group all play exquisitely too. And such a strong collection of pieces! Not a weak spot anywhere. All of this applies to all the Deanta CD's available, by the way.
But Oh, Mary, your voice is soooo adorable and alltogether lovely... When will you be starting to make solo albums? Please..!!

Excellent!.......2000-06-17

What a great opening CD for such a talented group of musicians. It's such a shame that after producing three outstanding works of music, they are no longer a singing as a group. Mary Dillon's voice is enchanting in Dark Iniseoghain which is such a sad song and my favorite of the 9 tracks. I also enjoyed the quick pace and voice control she showed in Willie Taylor. Hopefully, we will all get a chance to hear Mary's beautiful voice again sometime in the future.

Of course we can't omit mentioning the Fiddle playing of Kate O'Brien, Paul Mullan's Flute and whistles, Clodagh Warnock on Percussion and Eoghan's Harp playing. Such an outstanding blend of talent makes this a CD well worth buying and one I give 5 huge stars.

They sound a little young, but still good.......1999-07-16

In what I believe was their debut album, Deanta sounds like they were looking for their groove, and most of the time, they found it. This album turns out some very nice songs. "Cold Grey Fairyland" is haunting, and "Willy Taylor" has a nice edge to it. "The Flight of the Termite" is an especially interesting instrumental, with what sounds like a didgeredoo mixed amongst the Celtic instruments. But that's what sets Deanta apart: a strong basis in traditional Celtic music with a willingness to flirt with other styles.

Excellent new wave of celtic music.......1998-09-12

Deanta was the first celtic band I saw in concert in 1993, they were absolutely fantastic!!! Would love to see them again, hopefully sometime soon. My favorite songs off the self-titled cd, Cold Grey Fairyland and Willie Taylor.

Love celtic music? This is a band you MUST hear!!!!.......1998-04-26

This band is Tight! They make you want to ceile dance all night long, from track 1. The ballad "Thounsands are Sailing" made my husband's irish grandma weep for home.... I bought another copy for myself, she couldn't part with my first copy.

Average customer rating:

Music that speaks to my heart ...
A gift of celtic music heritage
Mary full of Grace...
Mary Dillon has a surpassingly beautiful voice
Delightful

Ready for the Storm
Deanta
Manufacturer: Green Linnet
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Whisper of a Secret
Blackbirds & Thrushes
Live in Palma
Island Angel
The Best of Altan: The Songs

ASIN: B000005CPF
Release Date: 1994-09-06

Tracks:

The Mighty Clansmen: King George/Johnny Harley's Reel
The Landsdowne Lass: Larmor Plage/The Landsdowne Lass/Darby's Farewell To London
The Lakes Pontchartrain
As Raibh Tu Ag An gCarraig
Hammy's Jigs: The Woodcock/The Kerfunten
Culloden's Harvest
Let The Hair Sit: The Wee Rabbit/The Fort Of The Daft Woman
The Maid That Sold Her Barley
Eleanor Plunkett
The Party: Spike And The Looney/The Magic Potion/Grainne's Jig
Ready For The Storm
The Rocky Reels: The Lilac Reel/Sean Ryan's Star Of Munster/The Maid From The Bronx
The Benedy Glen

Customer Reviews:

Music that speaks to my heart ..........2007-05-18

I only recently discovered Deanta and the incomparable voice of Mary Dillon, and I am saddened to learn that the group disbanded in 1997. Music of all kinds has always played a huge role in my life, and celtic music is especially dear to me. All of Deanta's music is precious and beautiful and Mary Dillon is an incredible talent. I simply cannot get enough of her amazing voice. When she sings Benedy Glen ... well, it simply transports you to another time, another place. As another reviewer stated, I, too, often listen to this CD with my eyes closed. It brings to mind all that is right with the world, simply because of the beauty in the music. Bravo, and thank you for allowing us to share in the beauty that is Mary Dillon's voice.

A gift of celtic music heritage.......2005-07-28

Deanta's Ready for the Storm is an excellent recording. Their music is a gift of the music heritage only found in Ireland. Of its 13 songs, 5 are instrumental and the rest has lirics. The sounds made by their instruments and the voice of Mary Dillon just bring an excellent blend that shows the core of the spirit of celtic music. If you enjoy celtic music you will most certain like this one.

Mary full of Grace..........2004-09-12

Mary Dillon won the All Ireland Voice Championship, and she is definitely my most favorite Celtic singer (and I do happen to have a substantial library of recordings of the genre). By the way, I was classically trained and am a conservatory vocal performance graduate. That besides, anyone with a heart would be deeply touched by the beauty in Mary's voice. Of all the Celtic recordings I have the Deanta CD's are among my very favorites. All of their CD's are fenomonal. But how in the world is it possible that when I enter a search for Mary Dillon on the internet, only her sister Cara comes up (who, with all respect, sings in a genre that does not interest me). It has been too long that we haven't heard any new recordings with Mary's voice. I mean, it may be that she is busy raising children (and I know how all consuming that can be), but it is my sincere and deep wish that some day we can be expecting solo albums of Mary Dillon.

Mary Dillon has a surpassingly beautiful voice.......2004-04-17

This from 'Jaunta' has got to be one of the best CDs. I got this originally for McDonald's, Culloden's Harvest, a stirring song about the ill-fated second attempt on England by the Scots (Wallace was centuries before). But the song that is particularly moving is the last cut on the CD, the traditional - The Benedy Glen. You have to hear this to believe it. Even if you don't understand the words, you're moved to tears. It's that beautiful.

I can't understand what happened to the group. They are barely mentioned on the web, and certainly not the breakup. Some individual band members literally come up with empty searches on google. It's amazing. It's like they never existed, except if you want to buy the three CDs. Maybe 'celtic music' types just don't post stuff to the web or newsgroups. I couldn't even find the homepage for the 'all-ireland singing' championship which apparently Cara, her sister, also won.

Delightful.......2002-01-21

If it were possible to wear out a track on a CD,
"The Lakes Pontchartrain" would be unplayable
on my copy of this, regretably, final recording
by Deanta. Deanta's work is perhaps
not up to the standard of Capercaillie, but that's
quibbling.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful, inspiring and moving.
a beautiful album
One of the best things that happened to Irish music
Buy It!
My favorite of Deanta's albums

Whisper of a Secret
Deanta
Manufacturer: Green Linnet
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary Folk | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Singer Songwriters | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Ready for the Storm
Another Sky
Sidewaulk
Crosswinds
The Blue Idol

ASIN: B000005CQ9
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

Two Days To Go: Two Days To Go/Beaujolais In Boston/Jimmy's Trip To Clonmel
Willie And Mary
The Usual Suspects: The Chimer/Farewll To Sandy/The Usual Suspects
Paddy And The Bandit: Paddy's In Chicago/The Ceili Bandit
Lone Shanakyle
Waltz Of The White Lilies
At The Crossroads: Farewell To Huncheon/The Whinny Hill
The Blacksmith
Cogair Ruin
The Druid's Mountain: The Druid's Spell/The Misty Mountain
Where Are You
Scarta Glen Road: The Scarta Glen Road/Sean Leac/The King Of The Clans/Marian's Favourite

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, inspiring and moving........2005-07-28

If there ever was a secret in celtic music, it is broken like a shout in Deanta's Whisper of a Secret. 12 songs bring again the essence of this beautiful, inspiring and moving music. This group of musicians have the gift of giving us a portion of their culture through music. If you enjoy the feeling that well played celtic music brings to the spirit, here you will find 59 minutes of celtic music food for your being.

a beautiful album.......2002-08-16

The musical variety of this album makes it stand apart from all of the other celtic albums in my collection. Mary Dillon's voice is hauntingly beautiful - never more so than in the song, "Lone Shanakyle". A must have if you are a fan of Irish/Celtic music.

One of the best things that happened to Irish music.......2000-05-25

This is the album which I consider the best album in my CD-collection. It is unique and it is like a cure. It shows the softness of women's voice, energy of reels and jigs and skills of band which lives the music and you can feel it. "Song Where are you" is my favourite but it always makes me almost cry. It is full of emotions. Instrumentals are played in the most beautiful way and I like the jazzy rhythm in "Paddy and the Bandit" which is great followed with a saxophone. If you love Celtic or Irish music do yourself a favor and buy this CD because you just can't be disappointed with it. Don't ask how much it costs, just buy it and enjoy it! This is the perfect thing to wake you up in the morning (it wakes me up almost every morning) or to relax you, free your mind and bring a lot of positive energy and strength for living. I repeat: Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! You will be sorry if you don't buy it (I would have been sorry now if i hadn't have buy it).

Buy It!.......2000-04-08

Well, this is my first Deanta CD and I ephatically give it 5 stars and a must buy if you love Celtic music. The songs transend ordinary music in that they pick you up, yet relax you at the same time. Two days to Go (opening song) is so well done that I used it on sleepless nights to relax me into slumber and yet this very song has jump started many a mornings for me.

Mary Dillon's voice is superb and sounds a wee bit like Karan Casey...but a little more smooth and refined. Willie and Mary is sung well and shows off her vocal talents and the numerous reels and jigs show off the groups musical skills and make this a CD well worth buying.

p.s. If you love Mary Dillon, check out Karan Caseys debut CD Songlines and anything of Connie Dover. You won't be disappointed.

My favorite of Deanta's albums.......1999-07-16

This is perhaps the best of Deanta's albums so far. "Willie and Mary," as well as "Where are You" are wonderfully sung. The traditional song "The Blacksmith" is given a nice angsty edge over the Celtic sound. The instrumentals seem very tight. All together, an excellent album, not only of Celtic music, but simply of music.

Joyful Noise - Celtic Favorites From Green Linnet (2 Cd Set)

Average customer rating:

Joyful Noise - Celtic Favorites From Green Linnet (2 Cd Set)
Dennis Cahill , Andy M. Stewart , Altan , Niamh Parsons And The Loose Connections , Patrick Street , Liz Carroll , Capercaillie , Eileen Ivers , Deanta , and Seamus Egan
Manufacturer: Green Linnet Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000EAOWGE

Product Description

2 CD SET // Joyful Noise: Celtic Favorites From Green Linnet // Disc: 1 1. The Bucks Of Oranmore/Eileen Curran/Jimmy On The Moor - Dennis Cahill 2. Green Grow The Rushes Oh - Cherish The Ladies 3. Take Her In Your Arms - Andy M. Stewart 4. Donal Agus Morag - Altan 5. Clohinne Winds - Niamh Parsons And The Loose Connections 6. Music For A Found Harmonium - Patrick Street 7. Reel Beatrice/The Abbey Reel - Liz Carroll 8. Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda/Miss Campbell Of Sheeness/Balindore/Irish Jig - Capercaillie 9. On Horseback - Eileen Ivers 10. Ready For The Storm - Deanta 11. When Barney Flew Over The Hills - Relativity 12. Trip To Skye/Darach Debrun's - Eileen Ivers 13. John Doherty's/Crowley's/Gan Ainm - Seamus Egan 14. The Rovin' Hielandman - The Tannahill Weavers Disc: 2 1. Dionne Reel/Mouth Of The Tobique - Celtic Fiddle Festival 2. Gile Mear - Relativity 3. The Blackbird - Silly Wizard 4. Pachelbel's Frolics - Eileen Ivers 5. The Chorus Reel/Ashmolean House - Jerry O' Sullivan 6. Hynes's March/Johnny Harling's/The Lasses Of Ballintra - Joanie Madden 7. There Were Roses - Tommy Sands 8. Margaret MacKinnon Of Digg - Phil Cunningham 9. Lord Gordon's Reel - Kevin Burke 10. Song For Ireland - Dick Gaughan 11. Patrick Street/The Carraroe Jig - Patrick Street 12. Tommy Peoples/The Windmill/Fintan McManus's - Altan