Rating:
Genre:
Celtic
Release Date: 03/01/2005
Manhattan Records' release of
Celtic Woman is a compilation/collaboration between five unknown vocalists, introduced only by their first names (
Chloë,
Lisa,
Órla,
Méav, and
Máiréad), who take turns chirping Irish
ballads as heard through a dramatic, lush
new age filter. Via reverb-heavy and thick keyboard atmospherics, the singers cover contemporary ground, such as
Enya's
"Orinoco Flow," to traditional melodies like
"Danny Boy" and
"Ave Maria." While each vocalist brings a separate lovely timbre to the table, each song shares a similar theatrical arrangement and plodding tempo that smoothes over any subtleties that might distinguish track from track, therefore fitting well sonically side by side, but leaving the listener yearning for a bit more dynamic. Overall
Celtic Woman is a decent set of well-performed
vocal pop, but ultimately more a soothing background soundtrack than anything memorable.
~Gregory McIntosh, All Music Guide
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