Connie Dover

Looking Back:Connie Dover’s Somebody

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TPM101I first discovered American singer Connie Dover when I got a copy of CD Review in the early 90s.This line caught me and I knew I have to find her recordings:

 

“Just occasionally, a voice arrives on the folk scene that is so pure, so beautiful, so magical, that it tells you: this is how to sing a song. Such a voice has Connie Dover.”
— The Scotsman (Scotland’s National Newspaper)

 

  Connie posseses one of the rarest voice in the folk music industry. I find it totally beautiful. The title track  Somebody evokes longing, driven by acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies. The Baron of Brackley has that old Fairport Convention feel to it. Other tracks are mid-tempo, divided into lively and traditional airs.Cantus is one some that’s actually based on a Gregorian chant but translated into 3 parts: Latin, English and Gaelic. Connie indeed has a knack for doing tireless research and singing in multi-language.O’er The Hills and Far Away is a paean for unrequited love set on a lively sway with a Scottish feel. Shenandoah is sung acappela with her voice dubbed several times to create harmony vocals. Rosemary’s Sister is about the perils of war. So far this collection pays tribute to the journeys of different people coming from Ireland and Scotland, and then settling into early America, bringing with them songs that’s as old as a thousand years.

 

For detailed information,please visit her official websiteconniecowgirl

Also visit Amazon.com to purchase the album.

Celtic Spirit(A compilation by Narada records)

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41XM3CG0QQL__SL500_AA240_  If you are into meditation or spiritual music then you better pick up Celtic Spirit . Released by Narada records ( which brought us a lot of World and New Age compilations), this abum promises to draw new listeners and sooth old ears.

 

  Artists like Connie Dover, Aoife Ní Fhearraigh and Sheena Wellington will attract people who like Enya, Loreena McKennitt and Moya Brennan. You will also find wonderful Instrumental pieces by Anjali Quartet and Áine Minogue. If you are into Gregorian Chants, then othe compositions in accapella will delight you.

  What I like about Narada compilations is that they introduce the best recordings of each artist under the theme. Therefore it makes you want to look for an album release. That’s what Connie Dover did to me. So, if you want  something spiritual but with a bit of secular style, then this is for you. If you just love heavenly voices then Celtic Spirit will give you a glimpse of angels at the gates of heaven.

Tracks

   
1. Ubi Caritas – Connie Dover  
2. Seacht Sauãilcena Maighdine Muire [Seven Joys of the Virgin Mary] – Aoife Ní Fhearraigh  
3. Kyrie Eleison, an Ghlóir, an Phaidir [Lord, Have Mercy; the Glory…] – Áine Minogue  
4. Be Thou My Vision – Anjali Quartet  
5. Salve Splendor – William Jackson  
6. Noelenn Brehed – Groupe Vocal Jef Le Penven  
7. Mo Ghrá Thú [I Love Thee] – Aoife Ní Fhearraigh  
8. Bí, A Íosa, Im Chroí-Se [Jesus Be in My Heart] – William Coulter  
9. Our Father God Celestial – Baltimore Consort  
10. Puer Natus [A Child Is Born in Bethlehem] – Áine Minogue  
11. Christ Child’s Lullaby – Sheena Wellington  
12. Rosa Mystica – Theresa Schroeder-Sheker  

 

Visit Amazon tolisten to samples and buy the album.

New stuff in Celtic world

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 Sorry to be away for a long time fairy brothers and sisters.As luck would have it ,I have been seduced by vinyl records and have been thriving in analog music.I am just glad to aquire the following CDs.

Tapestry by Moya Brennan.

I love this deeper and warmer sister of Enya. She has such an acoustic presence in Celtic music and her projects never fail to disappoint. My personal pick is Gone are the Days which has a soulful quality.But I tell you, the rest are must haves and best to listen to when the days is stressful. It sort of takes the blues away.

Celtic Voices Various Artists

Mary McLaughlin,Connie Dover,Maireid Sullivan and Emma Christian.These four women of magical voices, all make  music that is evocative of Ireland,Scotland and the rest of the British Isle.All tracks sound as if they were made from gold. Timeless,crisp,lush and totally heavenly.