Idir an Da Sholas (Between the Two Lights)

Amazon.com
Sisters Maighread and Triona Ní Dhomhnaill have been singing together since they were children, and they have both chosen to make performing Irish music their life's work: Maighread as a solo singer and Triona as a singer and instrumentalist with the Bothy Band, Touchstone, and Nightnoise. So it comes as a surprise to discover that the release of Idir an Dá Sholas marks the first time they have recorded together. The sisters learned most of these songs from their father Hiudai and their aunt Neili, who were well-known singers in their native Donegal. And when the two sisters join together in harmony, a sound that Maighread describes as a "miraculous collision," you can hear all the joys and sorrows of family life in their voices. In keeping with the family-gathering feeling of the songs, Maighread and Triona invited their brother Micheal, a respected musician in his own right, to back them on guitar, and their distant cousin Dónal Lunny to produce the CD and play bouzouki and bodhran. The performance of the Dhomhnaills on Idir an Dá Sholas is as good as Celtic vocal music gets. --Michael Simmons

Tracks:

Spanish Lady
Liostail Me Le Sairsint
Donall Og
The Banks Of Claudy
Bruach Na Carraige Baine
Nil Se Ina La
Meilte Cheann Dubhrann
Ar A Dhul Chun An Chuain Dom
Foireann An Bhaid
Faoitin
Pill, Pill, A Ruin
Tidy Ann

Amazon.com

Sisters Maighread and Triona Ní Dhomhnaill have been singing together since they were children, and they have both chosen to make performing Irish music their life's work: Maighread as a solo singer and Triona as a singer and instrumentalist with the Bothy Band, Touchstone, and Nightnoise. So it comes as a surprise to discover that the release of Idir an Dá Sholas marks the first time they have recorded together. The sisters learned most of these songs from their father Hiudai and their aunt Neili, who were well-known singers in their native Donegal. And when the two sisters join together in harmony, a sound that Maighread describes as a "miraculous collision," you can hear all the joys and sorrows of family life in their voices. In keeping with the family-gathering feeling of the songs, Maighread and Triona invited their brother Micheal, a respected musician in his own right, to back them on guitar, and their distant cousin Dónal Lunny to produce the CD and play bouzouki and bodhran. The performance of the Dhomhnaills on Idir an Dá Sholas is as good as Celtic vocal music gets. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

family reunion.......2006-07-09

Triona and Maighread pour life into these beautiful Irish songs, tastfully mixing contemporary with traditional. And what voices! Anyone who likes Clannad's early seventies music, or Altan's songs, or Aoife Ni Fhearraigh's self-titled Cd, should try this music. My only complaint is that Micheal O Domhnaill only accompanies his sisters and does not sing with them. And these three siblings have recorded together before, not only on compilations, but on the gem of an album they recorded some thirty or fourty years age: Skara Brae- a must have for any Irish music collection.

Perfectly lovely.......2002-02-27

I bought this album mostly out of curiosity -- I've been a fan of Triona ni Dhomhnaill's ever since her Bothy Band days, but on some recent recordings (e.g., the first Windham Hill Celtic Xmas compilation) I thought she was in rather poor voice. Granted, her tone doesn't have the brilliance now that it did in her twenties, but on this album she more than makes up for it in subtlety and clarity -- her solo "The Banks of Claudy," with her own harpsichord accompaniment, is wonderful. Her sister Maighread is no less splendid in her own solos. Their duos are polished without losing the spontaneity that characterizes the best Celtic music recordings, and the accompanying musicians are supportive without getting in the way of the voices. The tunes are nicely chosen, ranging from the tragic to the nostalgic (I'm especially fond of "Spanish Lady") to the silly -- I could have done without the sound effects in "Tidy Ann" (which always drive my cats crazy), but otherwise this is a lovely performance by a group of mature but still passionate artists.

Must-Have Celtic or Folk CD.......2001-06-14

Actually Maighread and Triona HAVE recorded together before. I heard them sing together on several of the Windham Hill "Celtic Christmas" CDs, and what beautiful harmonies! (Check out some of these Celtic Christmas CDs too -- they're not just for Christmastime.) So, when ... sent me notice that this CD was coming out, I ordered it right away. You can truly feel the joy these two have in making music together. If you like Celtic or folk music, you won't be disappointed with this one. And, the Amazon.com price is a bargain!

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

Recommended Music:

An Evening With...

Hvoslef: Sextet; Double Concerto for flute & guitar

Highway Song

Stars of Country [Import]

Mission: Impossible 2: Music from and Inspired by (2000 Film) [Soundtrack]

L'education Anglaise [Import]

Live and Rare [Import] [Live]

Grady Lives on Planet Grady

I toast myself

Hugh Wood: Piano Concerto, Op. 31 - Joanna MacGregor

Kid a

Italiano Medio [Import]

Lockdown

French Sonatas (Multichannel/Stereo)

Last Quarter Moon