Celtic Woman's Master Fiddler is Enchanting In Solo Effort
937336
"Raining Up," the solo record by Celtic Woman's reknown fiddle played, Mairead Nesbitt, will not disappoint fans of the group.

The talented musician's fiddle playing is always one of the highlights of the group's performances, and her selections on Raining Up is just as captivating. "Skidoo," "The Finan Isle's Suite," "An Raibh tu ag an gCorraig," and the title track, as well as the other songs on the record, are excellent.

Raining Up is another great solo release from an extremely talented group of musicians.
576422
This is an amazing collectection of tunes, masterfully played with soul, heart, and attention to nuance. Arranged like an album should with flow between songs as it should be. This will be a treat for those with a love of the fiddle! Get it.
3864963
She is definitely one of (if not) the best new age/Celtic artists out there, her music is simply amazing and beautiful!!!
2360792
I've had the pleasure of seeing this band live several times. They are extremely versatile, each playing several instruments, and their warm humor and obvious rapport with each other is a delight. All of that is captured on this enchanting CD of their favorite Irish songs, which range from the humorous song to poignant melody. Classically trained Maura Dwyer on violin and cello produces a sound that tugs at your heart strings one minute, then starts your feet a tapping the next!  This album conjures up the spirit of Ireland at its very best.
3358979
I have loved Celtic Woman since they first came out years ago! Their newest CD/DVD Celtic Woman "Destiny" is FANTASTIC! The 3 'new' singers: Susan McFadden, Mairead Carlin and Eabha McMahon, along with Mairead Nesbit the violin/fiddle player who has been with Celtic Woman from the very beginning, was almost like watching the original Celtic Woman singers perform! Meav Ni Mhaolchatha, an original Celtic Woman singer, added her expertise as Vocal Director! She also sang in a few of the songs~~even did a solo on the DVD with the song "Si do Mhaimeo I". I have had this CD/DVD for a couple of months now and I still continue to listen to the CD over & over again (that is, when I get a chance)!! The DVD I don't get as many opportunities to watch. However when I do get a chance to watch and listen to it, I LOVE every second of it!!!! If you are a Celtic Woman fan you will love their new "Destiny" CD/DVD!
4302504
Well,  After reading the glowing reviews for this Cd I went ahead and bought Celtic Woman:  A Christmas Collection along with Oleta Adams Christmas release and Bette Midlers.

The reviewers on this Cd have to take a step back.  The orchestration and production is top notch.

Wayyyyyy to much time is given to each individual singer and not enough time to the harmony that these ladies are known for.  Now it seems like one of these ladies had more time to lay down tracks than the others.  She is featured the most on this CD.

I am a huge fan of this group but what I love the most is thier combined harmony.  It is the sound of the collective voices that knocks your socks off.

I would listen to the sound clips and try and download the few tracks off this CD that are exceptional and ship buying the whole CD.
1055537
I took a chance on this one.  I wasn't familar with Lucy Farr, or her playing.  I am someone who is starving for good Irish fiddle.  I want the authentic stuff.  Don't want the synths, a hip hop bass line, or big production.
This is a real joy.  It's like sitting with a fine fiddler in her living room.  Nothing more, nothing less.  These are not the tunes you hear all the time, so that was a bonus as well.  What you get is the fiddle, and sometimes someone accompanying on an instrument in the accordian family.
This was made out of love.
2425587
I am such a fan of Celtic fiddling.  It is amazing to hear all these female fiddling stars playing together.  There is such intensity and finesse.
867205
IF YOU LOVE GOOD MUSIC YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE GREAT ENTERTAINERS!  WONDERFUL SINGERS AND VERY TALENTED MUSICIANS.  IF YOU ARE A FAN OF CELTIC WOMAN OR OF THE BEST IN CELTIC MUSIC THIS DVD AN CD ARE A MUST TO OWN!!
3500755
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.
3542941
I heard Laurie Lewis a few years ago at the Cambridge Folk Festival and really enjoyed her performance (as well as having her collaboration album 'Blue Roses') which led me to buy this CD. The album has a classic sound  but with a clean and modern presentation - standouts are the great duet  'Goin' to the West' (the harmonies on this are top notch) and the Jeanne  (sp?) Richie song about the coal mining 'Black Waters'.  ***** out of *****  The guitar & string arrangements on this album is mesmerizing.  It's  been on my CD player since I bought it in May.
  Missing the KCLC  Bluegrass show in St. Louis...  cheers,  pwb in Brussels
509969
People who enjoy fiddle driven Celtic music will like this album, which demonstrates that Liz Carroll and John Doyle have been playing together long enough to compliment and enhance each other.  The few songs also are good, reflecting that much of the Celtic song history reflects the troubles in their lives.
1375644
Meav, former Celtic Woman vocalist, has a voice for the ages. Unique for the beauty and clarity of her instrument, Ms. Ni Mhaolchatha does it again on "Silver Sea." She continues to provide melodic celtic, celtic-tinged music that is soothing, relaxing, melancholoy, and beautiful.

Songs like "The Wicked Sister," "A Maid In Bedlam," "Martha's Harbour," and "Youkali Tango" demonstrated that Meav's voice deserves to heard and enjoyed by many.
3644012
Wolfscote is a little bit like  Clannad meets 1990s Joni Mitchell.  A beautiful mix of gutsy, emotional vocals supported by ambient instrumentation that comes from somewhere above the clouds.  Cathy Lesurf  (Fiddler's Dram, Albion Band, Fairport Convention) has taken great care of her lovely voice.  "Turn The Glass" has  a wide variety of song selection not sounding  computer generated.  This album is one those pearls in the ocean found in modern contemporary folk.  Right from the first song - "Twa Corbies" moves mountains.
1602897
With over a decade under their belts as a creative team, the Irish duo of Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill return with another set of subtle, elegaic fiddle-guitar instrumentals. It's moody, mournful and utterly entrancing - one of the most interesting aspects of their style is how unobtrusive and unassuming Cahill is as an accompanist for Hayes' masterful violin work. Guitarists are often expected to come up with some sort of hot licks, but Cahill seems utterly content to play a strictly supporting role. This sets the tone for all their work, music that doesn't dominate or assault your ears, but does provide a rich, rewarding experience. If you've ever felt turned off by stereotypical Celtic instrumentals -- all those hyperactive jigs and reels -- give Hayes and Cahill a shot. They find the soulful, melodic core of the music and linger there, in the hurricane's calm eye, just drinking it all in. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue music reviews)
4132536
Anyone who has enjoyed one of Robin Williamson's solo concerts recently will need little persuasion to buy this album: Robin, always a multi-talented player, has grown into a true master of one of the world's loveliest intruments: the celtic harp. His playing has none of the cold perfection of the classically trained musician - his technique is superb but what makes this music so special is that it has heart, and soul, and guts. Robin is a storyteller by nature and each of these pieces tells stories of their own. As the title makes plain, some are nimbly-skipping dance tunes while others are more reflective, meditative "airs", but all are full of light, colour and movement. This is music to soothe the spirit and make all things well.
2543539
I would like to be able to claim that I have in fact been a fan of Loreena McKennitt right from the beginning of her long and illustrious career, but alas! The sad truth is that I only discovered her a few short years ago thanks to a friend who had her "The Visit" CD playing in his SUV when he picked me up for lunch. Needless to say, I was blown away by what I heard as we tooled down the snowy streets of Cambridge past the ivied halls of Harvard on our way to a local spaghetti place. Having already become a confirmed fan of Celtic music with Irish artists like Van Morrison and Clannad, I quickly bought all of her CDs, and as a result have come to admire her work a great deal.
  Her voice is hard to describe, other than to say it has a haunting, ethereal quality that is the perfect vehicle for her wide-ranging compositions and arrangements. It is hard to classify her work, because it does encompass quite arrange of different genres. It is safe to say that she draws from an amazingly rich store of different kinds of traditional music, and seems to breathe her won unifying force in delivering them in a manner that is at once both traditional and innovative. Thus, from the opening strains of "All Soul's Night" through the mystical treatment of "Greensleeves" to the ending sounds of  "Cymbaline", the work seems to thread itself together seamlessly, even though the sources for the individual songs is often quite different. The only way to properly appreciate her wondrous abilities is to experience them. Otherwise, I feel like the guy trying to convince his lady friend to take her first roller-coaster ride. You have to exp-lode down from the top of the edifice to understand the rush. So it is with our lady Loreena. Buy it and get ready for the rush!