The Celtic Harp

1. MacAllistrum's March-Máirseail Alasdroim [Live] - Belfast Harp Orchestra, The Chieftains

2. Tribute to Bunting - The Chieftains

3. Parting of Friends/Kerry Fling - The Chieftains

4. Planxty Bunting [Live] - Belfast Harp Orchestra, The Chieftains

5. Madame Cole - The Chieftains

6. Blackbird - The Chieftains

7. T'Aimse 'Im Chodladh - The Chieftains

8. Sonny Brogan's Mazurkas [Live] - Belfast Harp Orchestra, The Chieftains

9. Wild Geese - The Chieftains

10. Green Fields of America - The Chieftains, Kevin Conneff

11. Carolan's Concerto [Live] - Belfast Harp Orchestra, The Chieftains

12. Lament for Limerick - The Chieftains

Tracks:

Ruby
Carnelian
Citrine
Aventurine
Azurite
Amethyst
Quartz
Synthesis

Album Description

The Tranquil Harp consists of eight Celtic harp improvisations for relaxation, meditation and integration. The music was improvised, and recorded live in a concert hall without any added reverb or effects. Each track is in a different key, correlating with the frequencies of color and the energetic centers of the body. The pure harmonically rich harp sounds played at a slow regular pulse encourage alpha wave activity in the brain, resulting in greater relaxation, clarity, focus and concentration. Practical exercises are suggested for each improvisation to assist in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual integration. These improvisations were created on a Dusty Strings FH-36B Celtic harp made in Seattle, Washington.

Customer Reviews:

Healing music.......2007-02-22

Whether lying in bed and reading, driving my car in stressful moments, or just relaxing, the Tranquil Harp provides a wall of wonderful sound that can soothe and center me. Paul Baker has a tender touch, and his improvisational style is beyond compare.

Tranquil harp for babies.......2006-03-21

Paul Baker's improvisations are inspired and beautiful. We use his recordings with high-risk premature babies at the local hospital, with outstanding results. The babies are soothed by the stabilizing tone and rhythms, relaxing their heartrates and improving their overall condition. I have started giving this recording to new parents as a baby gift. I use it myself on stressful days. Thank you Paul!

Soothing the Mind.......2006-03-20

I love this CD and the "Ladder of the Soul". Beautiful composition. What a way to escape.

My Heartfelt Review for "The Tranquil Harp".......2004-05-23

I am continually amazed by the healing power of music. Especially harp music. As those who know me know, my healing from a debilitating stroke came about in large part due to the improvisational healing harp of one man: Paul Baker.

Mr. Baker is such a talented person. He could have chosen to record albums using his vast knowledge and technique on the large and impressive concert harp, piano, or organ. However, for posterity, he chose to record improvisations for healing on the smaller and more personal celtic harp.

How does one capture the essence of such music in words? His two albums, "The Tranquil Harp" and "The Ladder of the Soul" are groundbreaking in their simplicity and breadth. And each one has its own unique place in my life.

"The Tranquil Harp" helped me most in my physical healing. Its music is very basic, simple, and gentle. It has brought, and continues to bring, growth and strength to every part of my physical being. To play it is to bathe in regeneration and light.

"The Ladder of the Soul" continues this healing on the emotional and spiritual planes. It connects our essence to the divine in such a way that we emerge purer and more aware of our true being and purpose in this life. This is real health. Divine health. What a gift to be brought to us by one man. This album is so aptly named as it proves that the harp truly is "the ladder between earth and heaven," connecting us to the divine safely and lovingly.

Thank you, Mr. Baker, for sharing yourself in such a way that allows all of us to unfold in ourselves and in the world with true happiness and peace.

Not sure I agree with the across the board 5 stars.......2004-05-12

I have several meditation CDs including some other ones that use harp music. I found this CD to be uninspired. The music is soothing in a boring way. It certainly is not my favorite. I personally like the 4 CD Global Meditation series put out by the Rainforest Alliance the best.

Average customer rating:

Music for Meditation
Be Thou My Vision
Reverent, beautiful

Prayer: A Windham Hill Collection

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Adagio: A Windham Hill Collection
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A Windham Hill Christmas: The Night Before Christmas
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Touch-Windham Hill 25 Years of Guitar

ASIN: B0000AM6L0
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

Sanctus from Requiem (Gabriel Faur-Tim Story piano, synthesizers
The 23rd Psalm (Condit Atkinson) - Steve Erquiaga guitar
Be Thou My Vision (Irish trad.) - Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning with John Fitzpatrick
Holy, Holy, Holy (trad.) - Jim Brickman piano
The Lords Prayer (Albert Hay Malotte) - Paul McCandless English horn, keyboards
Alisas Prayer (Deborah Henson-Conant) - Deborah Henson-Conant electric Celtic harp
Meditation (Thea Suits) - Thea Suits flute
Ave Maria (J.S. Bach/Gounod) - Steve Erquiaga guitar
Go Gently (Suzanne Ciani & Jeremy Lubbock) - Suzanne Ciani piano
Offering (Tracy Silverman) - Tracy Silverman & Thea Suits
Spanish Stairs (Paul McCandless) - Rosalba Bentivoglio voice
Ave Verum Corpus (W.A. Mozart) - Philip Aaberg solo piano

Customer Reviews:

Music for Meditation.......2007-01-04

This is a delightful collection of music appropriate to meditative prayer. It is often my prayer companion, and I like the style and performance found on this CD. I highly recommend it to people who enjoy deeper reflection with a wordless musical background.

Be Thou My Vision.......2005-10-19

Track 3, Be Thou My Vision, was a surprise as the song was the final song played at my father's funeral. It set the closing mood most fittingly. While Be Thou My Vision is my favorite the entire collection is wonderfully mellow. I recommend it for for the mellow moods.

Reverent, beautiful.......2003-09-21

After criticizing Windham Hill in the past for often recycling the same songs over and over in various collections, I have to hand it to them with the new "Prayer" CD. It's a fine set of all-new acoustic versions of hymns or spiritual songs, plus a good number of original compositions. Producer Dawn Atkinson has done an excellent job of lining up a bunch of top-drawer people for "Prayer," and in working with the artists on the song selection.

Tracks:

The Raggle Taggle Gypsy
Jordan Is A Hard Road To Travel
Hick's Farewell
Shady Grove
The Girl I Left Behind
Rosc Catha Na Nuimhain/Arkansas Traveller/The Wild Irishman
Lambs In The Greenfield
The Moonshiner/I'm A Gambler I'm a Rambler
Wild Mountain Thyme
Chief O'Neill's Hornpipe
Bandit Of Love/The Cheatin' Waltz
The Squid Jiggin' Ground/Larry O'Gaff
Three Little Babies
Fisherman's Hornpipe/The Devil's Dream
Talk About Suffering/Man Of The House
The Lily Of The West

Amazon.com

As on Another Country (1992) and The Old Plank Road (2002), the venerable Irish acoustic band celebrates the shared sources of Celtic music and America's Appalachian folk/old-timey/bluegrass canon. That several of the guest players are veterans of all three sets lends a note of continuity to the palpable joy of discovery that fairly leaps from every track. Highlights are non-stop, but Allison Moorer's doom-laden vocal on "Hick's Farewell" raises goose-flesh, as does Emmylou Harris' "Lambs In The Greenfield," while Don Williams' treatment of an old Scottish ballad, "Wild Mountain Thyme," reveals a sturdy, unsentimental masculinity. The Chieftains are generous hosts throughout, often taking a back seat so their collaborators may shine. A poignant note: harpist and multi-instrumentalist Derek Bell, a longtime Chieftains member, died just after the Plank Road sessions were completed. That these were destined to be among his final recordings makes them all the more worthy of treasuring. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

Great second set of roots music from "The Plank Road Sessions".......2006-04-17

Here we go again. This time around, I think the CD is highlighted by one of country's greatest living legends and one of bluegrass music's greatest young acts. That would be "Wild Mountain Thyme" by gentleman Don Williams and "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy" by Nickel Creek. There are some great pipe tunes on this one as well. Once again we have some themes which seem to exude Appalachia whereas others have a "Northerly" feel. Highly recommended.

Chieftains Merge Irish & Bluegrass Influences.......2005-03-22

This follow-up to 2002's DOWN THE OLD PLANK ROAD doesn't deviate from that album's successful formula of combining traditional Irish music with bluegrass and old timey country music.

Highlights include Tim O'Brien's foot-stomping rendition of "Shady Grove, John Prine's plaintive "The Girl I Left Behind," Ricky Skaggs' "Talk About Suffering/Man of the House" and Nickel Creek's performance of the centuries' old "Raggle Taggle Gypsy."

Several of these songs were not originally recorded for this album. "Fishmerman's Hornpipe/The Devil's Dream," which features the lightning fingers of Doc Watson, was recorded in 1980-81. Four other tracks (9-12) were recorded in 1992, presumably during the sessions for the 1992 release ANOTHER COUNTRY.

Overall, this is a thoroughly satisfying album from Ireland's best ambassadors of Irish music. [Running time 55:06] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Way Down The Old Plank Road.......2003-12-09

Both "Plank Road" CDs are great for fans of Irish/Old Time/Country music.
Highlights on this one, for me, include John Hiatt's version of the Uncle Dave Macon song Jordan is a Hard Road, and Doc Watson with the Chieftains.
The Nickle Creek version of Raggle Tagle Gypsy doesn't do it for me -- I've been spoiled by listening to the Planxty version for years.
All in all a great listen, with an interesting historical connection.

further is better.......2003-10-01

I found the first cd by the chieftains recorded in Nashville to lack a cohesiveness. It also, in my opinion, suffered from the excess of having a 10+ minute instrumental song at the end that seemed to drone on and on. This one "works" better for me and is entertaining and enjoyable from start to finish. An excellent variety of collaborating artists with everything from the country baritone of Don Williams to the beautiful vocal instrument of Emmylou Harris's voice. Highly recommended for Chieftain and country (real country) music fans alike.

I was surprised that there was no mention of the passing of Derek Bell in the liner notes of the cd. Perhaps a tribute to him will be made in an upcoming cd.

The Chieftains turn out another winner.......2003-09-21

Well, it looks like those old Irish rogues The Chieftains have managed to do it again - take two different but interrelated musical styles, find the best performers in the genre, and pair them up with their group to create a unique and oftentimes brilliant sound. With this take we return to the connection between Irish traditional and American country and bluegrass music, just like their last album, "Down the Old Plank Road" was - in fact, "Further Down the Old Plank Road" is the recording sessions they didn't have room to cram into the first one. And while with some other artists this would seem like an attempt to make money off of work they'd already done, in this case the work is just as high in quality as the first album was, therefore earning itself the merit of being well worth the surprisingly modest price tag.
This album has a wide variety of both Irish and American pieces on it, opening with the old standard "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy", performed with Nickel Creek to stunning results. Next comes the American folk song "Jordan is a Hard Road to Travel" with John Hiatt, and if it weren't for Hiatt's superbly raspy old-time voice this would pass as a traditional dance from back over on the Emerald Isle. Following this upbeat tune comes a mournful Southern song with Allison Moorer, the solemn "Hick's Farewell", her voice backed quietly by Paddy and his boys and attended to by the sorrowful wailing of Matt Molloy's flute. "Shady Grove" with Tim O'Brien has lyrics that are very American in nature but a tune that, like much of the material on this album, could have come right out of Ireland itself.
The incomparable John Prine accompanies The Chieftains on "The Girl I Left Behind", employing his once-twangy but now warmer and deeper voice to a song that sounds like a lot of his other work - not a bad thing, mind you. The following set with Jerry Douglas contains the Irish tunes "Rosc Catha Na Mumhain" and "The Wild Irishman", both played superbly, as well as an unexpected treat - "The Arkansas Traveler", undoubtedly one of the best-known old-time folk songs that transforms the track from a set of Celtic tunes to a sort of Irish hoedown, as the liner notes put it. After that comes a superbly sad/sweet Irish song, "Lambs in the Greenfield", played with a past Chieftains collaborator Emmylou Harris, to lovely results. In the space of Band 8 Joe Ely shows up with his roguishly rambling voice, singing two tunes that suit his demeanor well - "The Moonshiner" and "I'm a Rambler".
Country legend Don Williams turns up on this album to sing that beautiful old Irish ballad, "Wild Mountain Thyme" with his virtually-trademark deep country voice that gives the classic air a new dimension. Chet Atkins plays on "Chief O'Neill's Hornpipe", which if memory serves was actually recorded back on The Chieftains' first bluegrass/country endeavor, "Another Country", and could be considered the single cheap shot on the album, even though the collaboration is still very high quality. Band 11 contains Carlene Carter's "Bandit of Love" from 1980, sung by the composer and The Chieftains' own "The Cheatin' Waltz", the former taking up a much longer time slot than the latter. The famous Nitty Gritty Dirt Band gives a spirited performance of "The Squid-Jiggin' Ground", a lively little song rather peculiar in subject but catchy in tune, its words having been set to the Irish Larry O'Gaff's Jig by immigrants to Newfoundland, Canada.
Patty Loveless delivers a wailing rendition of "Three Little Babes", an anguish-filled variant of an old English air sung in the Appalachian Mountains. On track 14 Doc Watson plays a sprightly hornpipe popular on both sides of the Atlantic, "The Fisherman's Hornpipe", followed by another famous tune, "Devil's Dream." Long-time friend of The Chieftains Ricky Skaggs lays down another soulful Southern song, "Talk About Sufferin'", written in the gospel singing tradition of the American southeast. The final tune, "The Lily of the West", has been sung by The Chieftains on a past album, "The Long Black Veil", in collaboration with Mark Knopfler. But sung here to a different tune with somewhat altered lyrics by Rosanne Cash, Johnny "The Man in Black" Cash's daughter, the song takes on an entirely different feel, to my ears less appealing than Knopfler's rendition but still enjoyable.
All in all, "Further Down the Old Plank Road" is anything but an attempt to administer one last whack to a long-dead horse, to paraphrase the liner notes of "Water from the Well" (also a great album). Even though American music is the predominate style on the album, it's still a real treat for Chieftains fans and a great listen for any fan of traditional Irish, bluegrass, or country music, or any of the performers above for that matter. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Most soothing music ever
"The silence must be heard"
Excellent vocals.
Superb!
soothing music that delights your soul.

The Mystic Harp
Derek Bell
Manufacturer: Clarity Snd & Light
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mystic Harp, Vol. 2
Ancient Realms: Solo Celtic Harp
The Healer's Way: soothing music for those in pain, Vol. I
Celtic Harp 1: Music of Turlough O'Carolan
The Harmonious Harp

ASIN: B000003LVR
Release Date: 1996-01-01

Tracks:

Celtic Moonrise
New Dawn-featuring Alasdair Fraser on violin
The Hill that Was Tara
Dublin Town
Playboy of the Western World
Irish Lullaby
Desdemona's Song
Maurya's Lament
Mukunda
Parade
Memories of That Isle
Ancient Memories
Deirdre's Sorrows
Mist
Daughter of Aran
Homeward Bound
Lift Your Heart in Strength
Woodland Devas
Emerald Isle

Album Description

Derek Bell, of the Chieftains,, captures the haunting, mystical quality of traditional Celtic music on this solo album of original melodies by Donald Walters.

Derek has played harp for 23 years with five-time Grammy Award-winning group, The Chieftains--Ireland's best-known interpreters of traditional Celtic music. Classically trained, Bell joined the group in 1972, after a distinguished career as a harpist with the Northern Ireland BBC Orchestra, and as a professor of harp and Irish harps at the Belfast Academy of Music.

For thirty-one years, The Chieftains have been the most influential of the Irish folk musicians, credited with doing more to spread the appreciation of traditional Irish music than any other group in Ireland's history. Bell, a resident of Northern Ireland, has several solo albums to his credit. He has composed three piano sonatas and Symphony in E-flat for orchestra, and is the recipient of the Manns Prize from the Royal College of Music

Customer Reviews:

Most soothing music ever.......2003-12-07

It is soothing, relaxing, regenerating collection of Music I have found. I can read while listening to this CD, I often go to sleep with the music.
I so wanted to hear Derek Bell when he was alive. The sorrow of the Chieftains is very evident. He was a good and great person in life as well as music. I found harp music too late, but we can all still enjoy Derek Bell's music.

"The silence must be heard".......2002-07-23

This artist will open a new chapter in your life. I reach for this CD after a long day at the office. The music is a blend of classical, new age. Deeply moving, these songs give you a moment to reflect on love and to explore your inner self. If you play piano, this is a worthy investment. Let "Mystic Harp", melt your stress, and be lifted instantly.

Excellent vocals........2000-06-18

Some of the best vocals of any recording. Mystic Harp has a pleasent beat, but it is the powerful vocals that seperate it from similar recordings.

Superb!.......1999-04-06

Excellen Celtic harp. And not just harp, but other instruments as well. 19 cuts, lotsa music. Highly recommended. I ordered the second album too.

soothing music that delights your soul........1999-01-12

What a treat you have in store for you--almost music to "die for" in the sense that you'd want this playing if you ever are down and out and want something to connect deeply to that place of goodness, quiet, calmness inside of you. This album celebrates the spirit and Donald Walters, who I met some 20 years ago at Ananda is a spiritual genius and he sings one song on this album too! This is an A+ album all the way and I'm buying it for numerous friends.

The Ladder of the Soul - Improvisations for Relaxation, Meditation, & Integration

Average customer rating:

Centering and healing
Time for Ladder of the Soul #2
beautiful music, beautifully played
My Heartfelt Review for "The Ladder of the Soul"
The Most Beautiful Music

The Ladder of the Soul - Improvisations for Relaxation, Meditation, & Integration
Paul Baker
Manufacturer: Vocal Integration Concepts
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Tranquil Harp: Improvisations for Relaxation, Meditation, Integration
The Healer's Way: soothing music for those in pain, Vol. I
Healing from the harp
The Healers Way: Calming Music For Anxiety Vol. II
Harp Of The Healing Light

ASIN: B00005MCVL
Release Date: 2001-06-15

Tracks:

Awakening
Acceptance
Understanding
Compassion
Forgiveness
Loving
Grace
Transcendence

Album Description

Peaceful relaxation and meditation music performed on the Celtic harp by master harpist Paul Baker. Following in the tradition of “The Tranquil Harp”, “The Ladder of the Soul” presents eight improvisations in keys corresponding to the energy centers of the body. The improvisations are designed to ground your body, open and tune your mind, balance your emotions and soothe your spirit. The pure and ancient sound of the harp, sometimes called “the ladder between earth and heaven”, is ideal for relaxation, meditation and integration. Each track is provided with a suggested meditation.

Customer Reviews:

Centering and healing.......2007-02-22

This healing music can be used with babies, little children, and testy adults! Paul Baker's unique inovative style provides wonderful, soothing sounds that can be used for meditation or to create a quiet space.

Time for Ladder of the Soul #2.......2006-04-11

Beautiful throughout. Mr. Baker, your music is wonderful. I feel totally peaceful while stretching the morning. It' time for another masterpiece.

beautiful music, beautifully played.......2005-03-30

Lovely music, not only played with great skill by Paul Baker, but also music whose heart and sincerity of compassion shines through. Not overly simplistic like some massage music, but rather with real musical interest and beauty.

My Heartfelt Review for "The Ladder of the Soul".......2004-05-23

Thank you, Mr. Baker, for sharing yourself in such a way that allows all of us to unfold in ourselves and in the world with true happiness and peace.

The Most Beautiful Music.......2002-03-19

The Ladder of the Soul has become my favorite CD of all, and with good reason. I love this CD! It`s the most beautiful relaxing music I have ever listened to. If you have a stressful job or just want to unwind this is the CD for you. A cup of tea with Paul Baker is a peaceful way to end any day.

Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King

Average customer rating:

Wolcum Yule
lovely and unusual Yule album
Goose Flesh!

Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King
John Tavener , Richard Rodney Bennett , Peter Maxwell Davies , Geoffrey Burgon , Henry VIII , Benjamin Britten , Anonymous 4 , and Andrew Lawrence-King
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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American Angels
On Yoolis Night: Medieval Carols & Motets - Anonymous 4
Gloryland
Legends of St. Nicholas: Medieval Chant & Polyphony
The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen

ASIN: B0000AZKK4
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Awake, And Join The Cheerful Choir
Good People All
The Seven Rejoices Of Mary
The Lamb
A Scots Lilt
Balulalow
Balulalow
The Holly And The Ivy
The Reel Of Tullochgorum
I Saw Three Ships
A Calendar Of Kings
Air: La Fuar Geimhreadh
An Teicheadh Go Heigipt
A God, And Yet A Man?
Grene Growith The Holy
Wel, Dyma'r Borau Gorau
The Cherry Tree Carol
Can Wassel
A New Year Carol

Amazon.com

This offbeat disc of seasonal songs and carols by the Anonymous 4 will delight their fans and please everyone else. The 19 selections include traditional folk melodies and texts, some of which date back to the Middle Ages, interspersed with fitting selections by contemporary composers including John Taverner, Benjamin Britten, and Peter Maxwell Davies, whose ethereal a cappella A Calender of Kings gets its first recording. Andrew Lawrence-King, playing Irish harp, Baroque harp, and psaltery with his accustomed finesse, is a major reason for the disc's success, accompanying most of the vocals and contributing three lovely solos. The disc is crammed with highlight tracks, like the lilting Cornish Wassail song and the Irish Good people all, and haunting numbers like "Flight into Egypt," sung in Gaelic, and "Behold, here is the best morning," sung in Welsh. Excellent sonics and Harmonia Mundi's typically fine production values also help make this a Christmas disc that will give joy in July. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Wolcum Yule.......2006-01-17

The recording is fine . . . it just didn't appeal to me personally

lovely and unusual Yule album.......2004-01-06

Anonymous 4 has brought us a beautiful selection of 19 traditional songs from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. These include a lesser known work by Henry VIII as well as more contemporary songs by John Tavener, Richard Bennett, Geoffrey Burgon and Benjamin Britten, and a piece commissioned for the group from Peter Davies. Andrew Lawrence-King accompanies on Irish harp, Baroque harp and psaltery. There is a short essay on the traditions and legacy of the concept of Yule, a Cetic midwinter celebration, and this and the informative liner notes are given in English, French and German, accompanied by Celtic drawings.

The songs are pure, simple and very beautiful -- a welcome addition to your holiday listening.

Goose Flesh!.......2003-12-09

This is a remarkable quartet, singing with purity and style, from the haunting to the merry, medieval chant to modern settings of Celtic religious texts. Where there are arrangements, they are lovely and the instrumental pieces are simple and beautiful. This is the first time I have heard this group of women, and I am enchanted. It's a cappella at its very best: look to your laurels, King's Singers and Chanticleer, here come the ladies!

Average customer rating:

Actually 14 tracks
Very Soothing
Enchanting~
Definitely off the beaten path
Fairy This, Fairy That.

Fairy Heart Magic
Gary Stadler , and Stephannie
Manufacturer: Sequoia Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fairy Night Songs
Deep Within a Faerie Forest
Reflections of Faerie
Fairy of the Woods
Fairy Lullabies

ASIN: B00004Y6OZ
Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

Fairy Nightsongs
Petals
Mystery
Otherworld
Heartmagic
Sa'Brooke
Deanash
Edge Of Dawn
DonaCreiTun
Ehsellyei
Garden Of Dreams
Veil Of Elphame

Amazon.com

The follow-up to Fairy of the Woods, Fairy NightSongs, and Fairy HeartMagic finds Gary Stadler back at the piano spinning out lush emotive songs that conjure moonbeams, star-blanketed nights, and enchanted forests. Layers of light synthesizer, Lisa Lynne's dreamy Celtic harp, and the fantasy language lyrics of fine new vocalist Stephannie dance with Stadler's soft-pedaled playing. Fairy HeartMagic, rather than featuring starkly individual pieces, plays more like slightly varied movements of one unified piece, just right for pre-slumber, soft-focus Saturday mornings, or unwinding after a long afternoon. While not written specifically for children, little ones will find this frolicsome but gentle music pleasant to the ears and soothing to the psyche. Stadler, whose songs often begin as bedtime songs for his wife, has composed and arranged a dilly of a lullaby for the magical landscape of vision and reverie. --Paige La Grone

Album Description

Acclaimed composer Gary Stadler (Fairy of the Woods, Fairy NightSongs) takes you further into the world of ancient Celtic lore, featuring extraordinary " Enya-esque" vocalist Stephannie and Celtic Harpist Lisa Lynne. Together they take you on a soul-healing journey into a place where innocence and wisdom are one. Listen, and your heart will be renewed with a mystical beauty.

Customer Reviews:

Actually 14 tracks.......2007-03-20

I was going to rate this 4 stars, because I was unhappy to find so many instrumental tracks. They are pretty (though nothing special), but there are 6 of them. Out of twelve that's disappointing, but then I read the booklet and found that there are an additional 2 tracks you can get on the computer. One of them is called Story, which is more of a spoken poem; the other I'm not sure but I'm calling it Far Away and it's very beautiful.
A lovely album altogether.

About the extra tracks, you can get them only on the computer. For windows I'm not sure, but the 'presentation' doesn't work on my Mac. However, you can access the folder called 'gary media' and drag the tracks to iTunes (or your desktop). Along with the two complete songs, you also get a lot of sample songs for other albums.

The booklet that comes along with the CD explains how to get the tracks, and has the lyrics for the 12 tracks on the CD. Pretty artwork!

Very different from the first Gary Stadler CD I got, Deep Within a Faerie Forest (the tracks in addition to being beautiful are also cool), which I recommend, but Stephannie has a sweet voice and the songs are pleasing to the ear with a few treasures.

Very Soothing.......2007-03-02

Do you need some soothing, yet uplifting background music? That is what I was looking for, and I was not disappointed! It is suitable for an adult, who I purchased it for, as well as children for quiet times. I will be checking out more titles from this artist.

Enchanting~.......2006-03-09

I disagree with Marc Ruby... Stephaine has a beautiful voice.
Its my fav of all the Gary Stadler Fairy cd's..Stepahine's voice takes you to another time..another place.. I love it! Wish I could find more of her but so far have been unable to..
This Cd is definalty worth your money!

Definitely off the beaten path.......2005-11-09

This is a CD I enjoy. It is definitely not within the mainstream of most musical styles. It was the inclusion of Lisa Lynne on a couple of selections that encouraged me to buy it without having heard it. Generally, I was not disappointed although this CD doesn't inspire me as much as some other New Age and Native American music I have.
For me, the treasure in this CD is the song "Sa'Brooke", which features Stephannie singing softly over gentle, evocative music in a gaelic-sounding language which, according to the insert, she essentially came up with herself. Her voice is sweet, passionate and inspiring in a simple melody which perfectly compliments the gentle arrangement.
"Deanash", though nice, is basically "Garden of Dreams" without the vocals or orchestral arrangement. The same could be said for "Heartmagic", a piano solo which is really "Sa'Brooke" without the vocals or orchestral arrangement. To my ear, these two variations represent a failure on the part of the producer to avoid repetitiveness.
It is a good CD for background ambiance while reading or writing.

Fairy This, Fairy That........2005-05-02

This is the kind of album that pushes me into a new age crisis. While there is nothing inherently wrong with it, the fact that Stadler opted for a 'cute' title and album cover is a warning that the potential for great silliness in the name of a music genre lurks in the bushes.

For the most part, this never materializes, although my slight deafness reduces the impact of lyrics that are a bit lightheaded. Musically the album is sometimes hackneyed (angelic choirs, etc.), but always pleasant to hear. Little moments, like Deanash make up for the less successful parts and overall I rate this album as good background for contemplative or creative moments.

This album was originally intended for performance with Singh Kaur. Unfortunately, the singer died before the recording and Stephannie took Singh Kaur's place. Unfortunately, I say, because Stephannie's voice has a 'little girl' edge and breathiness that was totally absent from Singh Kaur's. This gives the singing a trivial sound when it deserves better. On the bright side, though, is Lisa Lynne's appearance on harp. Essentially, this is a break-even for the listener.

Frankly, I would go with Fairy Night Songs and only buy this album if it is exactly your cup of tea. New age vocals are difficult on a good day and you are likely to be a bit disappointed. Listen to Fairy Night Songs and Sa'Brooke - you will see what I mean. But the instrumental work is good. You will have to decide for yourself.

Average customer rating:

I cannot say enough about this CD!
Great Lyrics~!
Rite the first time is very RITE!!
Just wonderful
Sisters in Witchcraft

Rite the First Time
Three Weird Sisters
Manufacturer: Bedlam House
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Hair Of the Frog
The Best of Pagan Song
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Chants: Ritual Music
Archives of Ages to Come

ASIN: B00005O3W4
Release Date: 2001-08-01

Tracks:

Dumb Dumb Dorothy (Sutton)
Rite of Passage (Knighton)
What'll I Do With the Baby-O? (Traditional)
On We Go (McCallion)
Pity Party (Sutton)
Little Boy Blue (Knighton)
Boys Want Sex in the Morning (Ratshin)
Six Days (Knighton)
The Bird Rock (Bok)
Absolutely Bonkers (Sutton)
Song of Fey Cross (Knighton)
When Fall Comes to New England (Wheeler)
Spring Strathspey (Pendderwen)
Iowa (Williams)
In a Gown Too Blue (Sutton)

Album Description

Folk with a Celtic and even Bluegrass flavor, Rite the First Time swings from the sublime to the silly and from the material to the spiritual in eclectic mixes of harmonic vocals and acoustic instruments (harp, guitar, bodhran, and upright bass).

Customer Reviews:

I cannot say enough about this CD!.......2007-05-01

I love it for its intricate harmonies (I love to sing along in harmony) and its brilliant, original, and hysterical lyrics. Pity Party is my absolute favorite. These ladies have a scathing sense of humor. My two year old, autistic daughter is completely enchanted by this CD, as well. I expect we'll be playing a whole lot of it in the Mommy-mobile for many years to come.

Great Lyrics~!.......2007-02-04

I love the lyrics! There's such humor in some of the tracks - really wonderful rhythmic well made music - unlike anything really - so refreshingly NOT new agey. More, please!

Rite the first time is very RITE!!.......2006-08-18

I bought this CD based on the name of the group, and the name of the CD, just having heard the little bitty preview on Amazon and I'm glad I did. It is intelligent humor; entertaining musically as all three women are talented both in voice and instrument. Sometimes, in the Craft, we take ourselves a little bit too seriously. This is an excellent reminder that there's another side to it all.

Just wonderful.......2005-12-09

I love this cd. The eclectic mix of music that sing about the mundane and make it so fun. I enjoy just singing along with these women. They have done a great job and made a wonderful cd. This album is quirky and light-hearted and well worth the money spent on it. Great music!

Sisters in Witchcraft.......2005-09-23

Anything by the 'sisters is great. C'mon, how many voices wax poetic about Iowa? This CD is solid and well thought out, with vocals that penetrate the mind; and enrich the believers nights. And it's too bad so few people will ever hear of them. This celebration is NOT just for us; it's for everyone. Blessed be.

Average customer rating:

Great music, and this coming from someone not in to Celtic music
Soundtrack for your dreams!

Renaissance of the Celtic Harp
Alan Stivell
Manufacturer: Rounder Select
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

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

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Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music
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Master Serie
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1 Douar

ASIN: B000000338
Release Date: 1994-05-02

Tracks:

Ys
Marv Pontkellec
Ap Huw And Penllyn
Eliz Iza
Gaeltacht

Customer Reviews:

Great music, and this coming from someone not in to Celtic music.......2005-11-30

Renaissance of the Celtic Harp was my first try at Alan Stivell, one of the big names of Celtic music from Brittany in France, the area where the language and culture is Breton, in which the language is Celtic, unlike French which is a Romance tongue. I am not familiar with Breton folk music, but from my understanding is this album contains Breton, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Manx styles. Since that time, I also acquired Chemins de Terre (1973) (actually the German LP version called Attention!), 'Roak Dilestra (Before Landing) (1977), Journée à la Maison (1978) and Celtic Symphonie (1980), and they all are quite varied, from the folk-rock of Chemins de Terres to the more proggy (but without forsaking his Celtic roots) Before Landing to the more mellow Journée à la Maison to the highly ambitious symphonic style of Celtic Symphony (no surprise the style given the album title).

What I understand of Alan Stivell is he helped launch the careers of Malicorne (Gabriel Yacoub played with Stivell up until 1973's Chemins de Terre) and Dan Ar Bras (who would eventually become a member of Fairport Convention, one of the biggest and most important British folk/rock groups).

Renaissance of the Celtic Harp aka Renaissance de la Harpe Celtique was released in 1971 as the followup to Reflets (1970) and unsurprisingly (as the title suggest) the Celtic harp is the most dominant instrument, although some tabla, bass guitar, drums, fiddle, and bagpipes are used, even a little orchestra and choir used on one cut. Unlike Reflets, or most of his other albums, this one is all-instrumental. The original cover was more psychedelic, with the harp clearly shown. That was the harp that Alan's father made and gave to him as a child. The Rounder reissue shows an older Alan Stivell with a different harp (not the one seen on the original pressing).

I am not a fan of Celtic music, I tend to prefer prog rock, and Alan Stivell is one of the few Celtic musicians that's of interest to prog rock fans. Strangely a lot of this album reminds me of the more acoustic moments of Anthony Phillips (like what you hear on The Geese & The Ghost) or Trespass-era Genesis (when he was still in that group) during that album's more pastoral moments, without the rock influence of that group, and (unsurprisingly) a stronger Celtic feel. His music is often of interest to progressive rock fans, because he often had a progressive attitude towards Celtic music, that's something Irish groups generally didn't do (with the possible exception of Horslips). Perhaps it's because France was more prog friendly than Ireland (France, after all, did give us groups like Ange, Pulsar, Magma, Gong, Atoll, etc.).

Renaissance of the Celtic Harp starts with "Ys" which is a collection of different Breton harp songs, with the sounds of the ocean seguing the songs. The album tells the story of the town of "Ys" in Armorica which was destroyed by the ocean due to the sins of the local townsfolk (it sounds a whole lot like a Celtic version of Atlantis). Much of the rest of the first half of the album also consists of more Breton material. The big exception being "Ap Huw/Penllyn", which are Welsh songs. The second half contains the side-length "Gaeltacht", which really is a collection of various songs, including some jigs and reels from the Gaelic speaking regions, that is Irish, Scots, and even Manx.

Renaissance of the Celtic Harp tends to have a more somber mood, and the use of electric guitar from Dan ar Bras is pretty limited here. On Alan's more rock-oriented albums like Chemins de Terre or Before Landing, Dan really gets to show what he's made of.

Alan Stivell really is a pan-Celtic musician, he realized that if he concentrated solely on Breton material, he probably would not have gone as far. Of course he's done other things than cover traditional Celtic material, like the Before Landing album, which was all self-penned, or the occasional cover of a non-Celtic folk song, like "The Trees They Do Grow High" (yes, the Pentangle did their version of off their album Sweet Child) which was an English folk song (but remember: English folk music often gets put in the Celtic category, probably due to musical similarities, and sharing a similar geographical location, but England and English culture is not Celtic). Or Celtic Symphony where it's really difficult where he gets all the ideas, since so much is going on on that album. Plus I haven't heard everything from him, and I'm certain he probably had a dry spell (releasing albums not worth listening to).

Truly a wonderful album to have if you enjoy Celtic music (and even someone like me who isn't in to Celtic music).

Soundtrack for your dreams!.......2003-10-06

On one of my trips to Japan I had the pleasure of listening to a harp being played by a beautiful young lady with no accompanying instruments (solo) from few feet away. It was Vivaldi's "Four Seasons", a composition very popular with the Japanese. Knowing what a harp sounds like in its pure form and in reality even though it was not the Celtic harp, I'd say that the natural ambience and delicate sound of the harp is captured on this album very beautifully. Recording a solo harp is one of the most daunting tasks for any recording engineer. On the other hand, getting the audio system to reproduce the sound of harp faithfully is equally frustrating. If you need to perform maintenance of your system, a harp is an instrument of choice for finding out which screws need to be tightened! You will be surprised how many of them are loose once the harp starts to resonate. On equipment capable of bringing out the last ounce of detail, a very slight hiss can be noticed, only on certain very quite passages where the harp is the only instrument playing, that too if heard very, very carefully. I personally did not find it disturbing in any way whatsoever and I am sure most would not even notice it. At times, if you are really engrossed, the sound of the harp will be like a breath of fresh air.

I have five Alan Stivell albums in my collection and if I were asked to recommend another album of Alan Stivell to complement "Renaissance of the Celtic Harp", it would be "Harp of the New Age", recorded and mastered in digital domain. This album is actually a sequel to "Renaissance....." and is a solo effort by Alan Stivell, which also features the newer electro-acoustic harps built by him. You can actually revitalise your soul by sprinkling some of the music from this album.

On several occasions I have come across websites featuring graphics where angels are depicted playing the harp in heavenly surroundings. Could it be that the angels, from amongst all the known instruments, prefer the harp? Well, we may never know. Nevertheless, harp is an instrument that at times, I believe, is featured in one's dreams. "Renaissance of the Celtic Harp" is perfectly suited to be the soundtrack of your dreams.

Deep Within a Faerie Forest
Average customer rating:

Disappointed

Spellbinding

The fairies are closer than ever now

Brilliant.

ANOTHER GREAT ALBUM!

Deep Within a Faerie Forest
Gary Stadler & Wendy Rule
Manufacturer: Sequoia Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
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Reflections of Faerie

Fairy Night Songs

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Fairy of the Woods

ASIN: B0002SPPP0
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Tracks:

Invocation
FlyAway
Dance of the Wild Faes
Are You Coming with Us?
Uyll
Lus y Vaaish
Midwinter
The Infinite Shore
L'Pavane
Deep Within the Forest

Album Description

Rediscover the magic - Become filled with exquisite beauty as you journey into a mystical land of dreams. This new collaboration from bestselling composer Gary Stadler (Fairy HeartMagic) and Australian vocalist Wendy Rule leads you through landscapes of forest, deep into the heart of nature. Those who are familiar with Gary's previous albums will recognize the soulful beauty of his piano based soundscapes. To this Gary now adds artful Cello, Uilleann Pipes, and classical guitar. Combine that with the magical voice and gentle guitar of Australian singer/songwriter Wendy Rule and the lovely Celtic harp of Lisa Lynne, and the result is absolutely breathtaking. While their music can be compared to Enya or Loreena Mckennitt, they have crafted their own special style. Come along with them on this serene and spellbinding journey, as images of the ancient Celtic Faerie realm come alive once more and touch you with enchantment.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointed.......2006-08-29

I was hoping for more of an ethereal sound. The CD isn't bad, just not what I expected.

Spellbinding.......2006-02-26

I absolutely LOVE this album. It is magical, spellbinding, and very calming. My grandson, age 6, also loves the CD. It is his and my favorite CD, and we play it often.

The fairies are closer than ever now.......2005-03-18

Beautiful, magical album that really sends my consciousness to dance with fairies and gets me dreaming of living in a green woods with lovely people around. For the one who was blaming the album I would say that you yourself are a freak, because your senses are so dull that you can't feel this magic anymore. And if you ask enlightened people, they say that fairies exist, but only in the right side of a brain... So only your feminine, intuitive part can see the fairies, and ghosts and other spirits that co-exist in another dimension parallel to our own. Small children can also see them. But if you live too much in your head you can't feel any of these things...
The artists in this records sure have experienced themselves and they share it in such a beautiful way that brings tears of gratitude to my eyes. So maximum respect to them!

Brilliant........2005-01-24

This is the most "Gothic" or "dark" sounding album of Stadler's. I'm not familliar with Rule's other work, but this disk is my favourite of the Faerie series. It's absolutely gorgeous, with transcendental musick and divine near-operetic aethereal vocals atop. She does sound like a Fae queen. I would recommend this to anyone who embraces the more dark side of Fae; someone big on introspection and meditation. This is a great release.. thanks you guys for such a gift.

~DJ Raven~
KBGA 89.9fm
Missoula, MT

ANOTHER GREAT ALBUM!.......2005-01-05

Another lovely addition to Gary Stadler's fairy albums. He has joined with another enthralling female vocalist to produce very soothing songs and a magical mood throughout!!

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