Coupled with the enthralling traditional melodies of Ireland, this intermediate to advanced level collection of ten arrangements will be challenging as well as rewarding and are some of King's Singers favorite and most requested concert selections. 'Tis The Last Rose Of Summer SATB a cappellaĮngland's King's Singers are known for their impeccable musicality. The Star Of The County Down SSATB a cappella She Moved Through The Fair SATBB a cappella Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussels) SATBB a cappella With some Irish harp accompaniment.ĭanny Boy (Londonderry Air) SATB divisi a cappella Styles have changed since 1968, when this was originally released,īut songs such as "The Girl I Left Behind Me" and ŒThe Parting Glass" have a A mixed chorale, but soloists are featured on some tracks, as suggestedīy the text. The Alice Parker arrangements are simple, merely fleshing out the melodies,īut the full, resonant tone of this famous classical ensemble lends eleganceĪs well. Irish traditionals are given a refined treatment by the Robert Shaw Chorale. Sometimes sprightly, sometimes pensive, but always graceful, these A powerful, impressive collection of friends, and songs, from Maura O'Connell! Some favorites among these 13 haunting cuts are Jimmy McCarthy's "The Bright Blue Rose," Cheryl Wheeler's "Arrow," Rhonda Jo Fleming & Janis Ian's "Some People's Lives," "Ae Fond Kiss," traditional tunes "The Blacksmith," "Anach Cuain" and "I Know My Love," Joan Armatrading's poignant "Weakness in Me," Darrell Scott's "This Beggar's Heart" and Holly Near's "Hay Una Mujer Desapercida." There's no vocal percussion here, just singing and sweet harmonies that move you and touch your heart. When interviewed as her fame slowly grew, they would ask "Why don't you play an instrument, why don't you write?" Her stock answer was, "Yeah, I'm just a singer." She says that "Naked with Friends" has been following her around for a very long time, and her friends include Aine Derrane, Sarah Dugas, Liam Bradley, Paul Brady, Alison Krauss, Tim O'Brien, Dolly Parton, Kate Rusby and Darrell Scott. Maura has always been singing, growing up in Ireland, where she tapped into the vast treasury of soulful folk songs, which she absorbed by osmosis. Listen to " Deep Dead Blue" in RealAudio. Another amazing, unforgettable recording by Anuna. The liner notes are gorgeous and stunning photos of the group in Irish landscapes follows the tone and spirit of the music exactly. 13 songs, beginning with the title tune, written by Bill Frisell and Elvis Costello, McGlynn-arranged Irish and English Medieval masterpieces "Nobilis Humilis," "Dicant Nunc," "Ther Is No Ros" and "Quem Queritis," originals written by Michael, "Blackthorn," "Kyrie," "The Green Laurel," "Island," "The Fisher King" and "The Sea," and traditional songs like "Sliabh Geal Gcua," also McGlynn-arranged. Sublime Dublin composer Michael McGlynn and his talented mixed ensemble Anuna bring us their 6th haunting CD, based on the music of the ancient Celts. We expected no less! Some light accompaniment.
The result is a lovely, seamless collection whose beauty touches us once again on so many levels. There are 19 songs, many of our favorites are pieces written by group founder Michael McGlynn, the moody "The Wild Song," "Wind on Sea," the soaring "Kyrie," "Blackthorn," "Victimae," the sublime "Pie Jesu" and "Hymn to the Virgin," the dance tune "The Rising of the Sun" and the fast-moving a cappella "Dulaman." Where the piece is Medieval Irish like the powerful "Cristus Resurgens," or traditional Irish like "The Flower of Maherally" and "Siuil, a Ruin," McGlynn arranges it, where the words are not his, as in "Behind the Closed Eye" and "August," whose lyrics were written by Francis Ledwidge, McGlynn writes the music. "Essential" is right there with the group's program, haunting, surreal soundscapes. Their connection with Riverdance, which began with the recording of their hit "Cloudsong," exposed millions to the group's music. Since their first, self-titled debut CD in 1993, Irish mixed-voice choral ensemble Anuna has created an additional four excellent CDs in their quest to explore their Celtic heritage and develop and discover their own sound.