Description
After listening to this album you will "know who wears the crown" in the renowned musical Brennan clan(nad). Forget categories, this is just plain beautiful music, with inventive instrumentation, gorgeous harmonies, and interesting songs, all but three written by Maire. There is much variety in the instrumental sound here. Of particular note is the Arabian-style playing of the bouzouki in "Days of the Dancing", dobro (a very effective Nashville flourish) in "Dream On" and "Misty-Eyed Adventures". Also in the title song is a lead melodic instrument that sounds like a muffled wooden marimba -more… could that be the African djembe? And what provides that resonant xylophone sounding melodic percussion in "The Mighty One"? For anyone interested in these unusual sounds, song-by-song musical credits would have been welcome. But for those simply interested in beautiful music it hardly matters. Although Maire mixes English and Gaelic lyrics on many songs, only "A Place Among the Stones" seems fully Celtic in inspiration, perhaps cloyingly so, and is my least favorite song on the CD. These are my favorites: "Pilgrim's Way" has clanging church bells and multilayered vocals. Maire gives me chills on the low notes (e.g. "city of joy"). "The Mighty One", brings an air of suspense "Will they know who wears the crown?" and up-tempo chanting. Thrilling is not too strong a word for this, and it's my favorite song on the album. "Heroes" is a mixed success, with a great Gaelic intro, just Maire and drums, developing into a drum-driven extravaganza, but marred by excessive "la-la"-ing from Maire's backup sisters. "Misty-Eyed Adventures" (the song) is tenderly rendered and full of exquisite vocal harmonies. Just listen to Maire's gentle trill on the word "you" in "I'm there when you fall", and she will make you shiver. Behind that pure, quiet voice hides a lot of skill! Finally, "Dream On" is the most American sounding of the songs (Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" excluded), with dobro taking the lead and a gentle rocking beat, my second favorite on the album. Dare I suggest in this age of crass commercialism that it could have been a hit? The other songs are good too, but these merit special attention. This is a very, very strong album, and Mighty Maire definitely wears the crown.
| 1 |
The Days of the Dancing |
| 2 |
A Place Among the Stones |
| 3 |
The Watchman |
| 4 |
An Fharraige - Máire Brennan, Brennan, Dee |
| 5 |
Pilgrim's Way |
| 6 |
Big Yellow Taxi - Máire Brennan, Mitchell, Joni |
| 7 |
The Mighty One |
| 8 |
Heroes |
| 9 |
Misty Eyed Adventures |
| 10 |
Dream On |
| 11 |
Éirigh Suas a Stóirín (Rise Up My Love) - Máire Brennan, Traditional |
Info:
- Category:
- Music > Albums
- Case Type:
- CD
- Release Type:
- Retail
- Comments:
- 1 read add
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Cover Info:
- Title:
- Máire Brennan - Misty Eyed Adventures (1995) Retail CD
- Part:
- Front
- Dimensions:
- 1414 x 1401 px
- Size:
- 140 KB
- Downloads:
- 28 (0 today)
- Uploaded:
- 06/08/10 by pontiacc
- Quality Rating:
-
- Currently /5 Stars.
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