Castles of Gold

Amazon.com
Storytelling and music have been intertwined branches of Irish culture since the days of the bards, which is probably why the mix of story and song on Castles of Gold fits together so smoothly. Musician, composer and arranger Pan Morigan and playwright Katerie Morin convey the tale of the Irish immigration to America through a well-chosen collection of traditional songs, sensitively written originals, and spoken word recitations based on Morin's family's memories about their emigration from Ireland. The stories are read by Roma Downey, star of Touched by an Angel, and Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes and 'Tis. Morigan herself sings the songs backed by an all-star band of Irish musicians, including fiddler Liz Carroll, accordionist John Whelan, and uilleann piper Jerry O'Sullivan. The sound is decidedly contemporary Celtic, with percussively strummed acoustic guitars and exotic percussion, but it effectively evokes the mix of excitement and sorrow the original emigrants must have felt as they set off to America for a new life, perhaps never to see their families again. --Michael Simmons

Tracks:

The Stories They Brought/Our Ship Is Ready To Sail Away
Preparing To Leave/Thousands Are Sailing
The Goodbye/Greenfields Of Amerikay
To Be Left Behind/A Stor A Chroi
Becoming An American/Castles Of Gold
The Arrival/Stormy Seas/The Highlander
The Immigrant's Return/The Hill Of Knocknashee/The Busy Bee

Tracks:

Storymy Seas/The Highlander
Thousands Are Sailing
Our Ship Is Ready To Sail Away
An Sean Bheann-Bhocht/The Old Woman's Reel
The Exile
The Hill Of Knocknashee/The Busy Bee
A Stor Mo Chroi
Droimeann Donn Dilis
Greenfields Of Amerikay
Castles Of Gold

Amazon.com

Storytelling and music have been intertwined branches of Irish culture since the days of the bards, which is probably why the mix of story and song on Castles of Gold fits together so smoothly. Musician, composer and arranger Pan Morigan and playwright Katerie Morin convey the tale of the Irish immigration to America through a well-chosen collection of traditional songs, sensitively written originals, and spoken word recitations based on Morin's family's memories about their emigration from Ireland. The stories are read by Roma Downey, star of Touched by an Angel, and Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes and 'Tis. Morigan herself sings the songs backed by an all-star band of Irish musicians, including fiddler Liz Carroll, accordionist John Whelan, and uilleann piper Jerry O'Sullivan. The sound is decidedly contemporary Celtic, with percussively strummed acoustic guitars and exotic percussion, but it effectively evokes the mix of excitement and sorrow the original emigrants must have felt as they set off to America for a new life, perhaps never to see their families again. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

truly exquisite music & writing on the Irish-Amer experience.......2004-11-06

There is genius in this work, the product of several unique minds in collaboration. Not only is the music utterly splendid, but the reading is sensationally good. This can be a teaching aid, a pass time, or a literary experience. There are few works that I know that equal the brilliance, subtlety and candor of this exceptional work. Welland, who put it together, is a truly great artist. Truly truly great. (OK, I knew her in my youth, and here she embodies the potential I saw better than I could have imagined possible.) It is an inspiration to independent art and following your own path, which she HAS DONE.

Warmly recommended.

Pan Morrigan's voice is the best!.......2002-08-28

Of all the characteristics that make this CD extraordinary, I find myself responding to the powerful sound of Pan Morrigan's voice the most. She has a very insightful and rich way of interpreting the music; her range is remarkable. I want to hear her sing more, I want to hear more of her repertoire.

Heart warming stories and music about Ireland.......2002-03-17

Excellent mixture of tales and music of Irish immigration. Katerie Morin's stories from her famlies past reminded me of my own Irish roots. Sitting around my grandmothers living room on Sunday afternoon captured by the tales of Ireland was as real today as it was those many years ago. This album is the most significant work on Irish heritage in decades.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

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