Mychael and Jeff Danna
This CD I purchased based purely for the cover art. Not being familiar with the name of Mychael Danna, I was very pleased with what was inside as well. A Celtic Tale tells the haunting story of Deirdre, two excerpts of which are used in CelticMelt.
"This is by far the most beautiful way to tell the "Legend of Deirdre" . . . haunting melodies, beautiful instrumentals. For those who like this type of music, it will be played over and over. "
Based on the above, I purchased two other Danna recordings. While much more firmly
in the "New Age" camp, then the Celtic world, they nonetheless remain soothing
and tranquil audio journeys of their own. From Sirens, I used Durga and Sirens.
And from Skye, you will hear Sky 7, Sky 8 and Sky 10.
"Danna has produced a splendid composite of tones and textures, where one's imagination is freed through melody. Listening to this CD is like taking a virtual journey through worlds I only dreamt of exploring. With Sirens, these journeys become possible."
Nightnoise
"On its new album, Shadow of Time, Nightnoise unveil a new lineup that reunites Johnny Cunningham, the fiddler for Relativity and Scotland's Silly Wizard, with guitarist Micheal O'Domhnaill and keyboardist Triona Ni Dhomhnaill of Relativity and Ireland's Bothy Band. These are three of the finest Celtic musicians in the world, and with Irish flutist Brian Dunning, they make chamber-folk music of uncommon gravity and beauty. The instrumental tunes are powerful enough, but when Ni Dhomhnaill adds her ghostly soprano to the proceedings, the emotional impact is often spellbinding." --Amazon Review
CelticMelt features the tracks Fionnghuala Mouth Music, The March Air, and The Rose of Iralee.