Classic Rock Album of the Day- Enya- Shepherd Moons (1991) ***
Didn't expect this one? I am not a fan of New Age Music, but I am a fan of enormous talent, and especially those who are at the apex in their genre. Enya is a hugely successful New Age Artist who has had world wide admiration. There may be a few that come to mind to me later, but her tonal perfection and range is unparalleled, by maybe just a very select few, like Whitney Houston. I don't think even Pat Benetar could manage her catalog technically. In any case, humor me for a guilty pleasure, and enjoy beauty on vinyl.
Enya has a strong catalog, but this particular album, is head and shoulder what I feel is the next best..... "The Memory of Trees". Very much more consistent, and utterly ethereally, and celestially beautiful. This is the kind of music I like when stuck in crazy Houston Freeway traffic, ....relaxing. She draws from her Celt/Gaelic roots, into folk, neo-classical, and new age etherics to make magic. Many of her songs are sung in her native Gaelic language, along with English, and Latin. My all time favorite of hers, includes the mixes of these in "Afer Ventus"
Shepherd Moons is from a style perspective more ethereal (sorry for the overuse) and choral melodic than her other LP's. There are as always some strong Gaelic contributions like "EBudae", but more of the fare is airy and strong on flowing and rolling melodies.. One anecdotal add is one that is kind of eery in a way. When I first heard the song Marble Halls, I had a strange kind of dejavu feeling. It brought goosebumps and an emotional response. Though through research, there is no way I could have heard that song before. Come to find out it was written in the 19th century. Enough of that. But overall this is an exceptionally pleasant and consistently good LP. Even the lesser cuts are worth of a listen. Hope it is a good change of pace.
Fun Fact: Enya is the second best selling Irish act of all time behind U2.
Side 1-
----------
Shepherd Moons- Come to find out this is an ode to Saturn's inner 2 moons. Mostly a stunning keyboard instrumental with a tad of out oof this world-ish chorus blending in a nice package The production of some how bleeding, to near reverb-itude is a very nice touch. 4
Caribbean Blue- The recognizable tune that got the most radio play. Has that Orinoco Flow vibe, that seemed a bit redundant. I do like how she did use that harpsichord like fill. Her best example of that is "China Roses" from her next album "The Memory of Tree" 9
How I Can Keep From Singing- The best example of Enya's range. Song comes across like a hymn, with background subdued small church organ. Her ability to maintain resonance on those high notes is amazing. 7
Ebudae- A total change of pace, as Enya sings a traditional Gaelic folk/ battle? tune that really highlights her lower range. I love the fact that this song is so un-like the other theming of the album, but is still a great addition. 6
Angeles- Another almost hymnal like number with beautifully blended harmonies. Add an infused bizarre clarinet solo at the end? Wow. 5
No Holly for Ms. Quinn- Very good piano instrumental that, even that good is a weaker cut on the LP. 10
Side 2-
----------
Book of Days- The most commercial song on the album, and somewhat pedestrian and boring versus the adventurous content elsewhere. I must not have been alone, because I found out today this was an award winning song- It got a Golden Raspberry Award for Original Film Score-
12
Evacuee- Now the LP starts ramping up. Song begins with an eery Marble Halls intro, and in almost anthem like hymnal flows into a spectacular variation of that same, but decidedly different melodic line into an excellent song that highlights all aspects of Enya's voice. Mesmerizing. 2
Lothiorien- Kind of works off the ethereal Shepherd Moons melodic theming. Another out of this world feeling instrumental, Her technical and production crews are just as talented, and this is such a good example. 8
Marble Halls- Stunningly beautiful 19th century waltz Angelic vocals might give you chills as they augment the melody in 3/4 Time. 3
Afer Ventus- My favorite song in the entire Enya catalog. If you only have time for one song, please try this one. Two competing melodies sang in unison in two languages Gaelic and Latin. How they intertwine and flow is jaw dropping. Celestial chorusing transition soothingly and finally climaxes to a pseudo-harpiscord like music box ending. Afer Ventus is Latin for African Wind. 1
Smaointe- Gaelic ballad that is lower tier. I do like the bagpipe work though. No new ground or interest generated. 11
Didn't expect this one? I am not a fan of New Age Music, but I am a fan of enormous talent, and especially those who are at the apex in their genre. Enya is a hugely successful New Age Artist who has had world wide admiration. There may be a few that come to mind to me later, but her tonal perfection and range is unparalleled, by maybe just a very select few, like Whitney Houston. I don't think even Pat Benetar could manage her catalog technically. In any case, humor me for a guilty pleasure, and enjoy beauty on vinyl.
Enya has a strong catalog, but this particular album, is head and shoulder what I feel is the next best..... "The Memory of Trees". Very much more consistent, and utterly ethereally, and celestially beautiful. This is the kind of music I like when stuck in crazy Houston Freeway traffic, ....relaxing. She draws from her Celt/Gaelic roots, into folk, neo-classical, and new age etherics to make magic. Many of her songs are sung in her native Gaelic language, along with English, and Latin. My all time favorite of hers, includes the mixes of these in "Afer Ventus"
Shepherd Moons is from a style perspective more ethereal (sorry for the overuse) and choral melodic than her other LP's. There are as always some strong Gaelic contributions like "EBudae", but more of the fare is airy and strong on flowing and rolling melodies.. One anecdotal add is one that is kind of eery in a way. When I first heard the song Marble Halls, I had a strange kind of dejavu feeling. It brought goosebumps and an emotional response. Though through research, there is no way I could have heard that song before. Come to find out it was written in the 19th century. Enough of that. But overall this is an exceptionally pleasant and consistently good LP. Even the lesser cuts are worth of a listen. Hope it is a good change of pace.
Fun Fact: Enya is the second best selling Irish act of all time behind U2.
Side 1-
----------
Shepherd Moons- Come to find out this is an ode to Saturn's inner 2 moons. Mostly a stunning keyboard instrumental with a tad of out oof this world-ish chorus blending in a nice package The production of some how bleeding, to near reverb-itude is a very nice touch. 4
Caribbean Blue- The recognizable tune that got the most radio play. Has that Orinoco Flow vibe, that seemed a bit redundant. I do like how she did use that harpsichord like fill. Her best example of that is "China Roses" from her next album "The Memory of Tree" 9
How I Can Keep From Singing- The best example of Enya's range. Song comes across like a hymn, with background subdued small church organ. Her ability to maintain resonance on those high notes is amazing. 7
Ebudae- A total change of pace, as Enya sings a traditional Gaelic folk/ battle? tune that really highlights her lower range. I love the fact that this song is so un-like the other theming of the album, but is still a great addition. 6
Angeles- Another almost hymnal like number with beautifully blended harmonies. Add an infused bizarre clarinet solo at the end? Wow. 5
No Holly for Ms. Quinn- Very good piano instrumental that, even that good is a weaker cut on the LP. 10
Side 2-
----------
Book of Days- The most commercial song on the album, and somewhat pedestrian and boring versus the adventurous content elsewhere. I must not have been alone, because I found out today this was an award winning song- It got a Golden Raspberry Award for Original Film Score-
12Evacuee- Now the LP starts ramping up. Song begins with an eery Marble Halls intro, and in almost anthem like hymnal flows into a spectacular variation of that same, but decidedly different melodic line into an excellent song that highlights all aspects of Enya's voice. Mesmerizing. 2
Lothiorien- Kind of works off the ethereal Shepherd Moons melodic theming. Another out of this world feeling instrumental, Her technical and production crews are just as talented, and this is such a good example. 8
Marble Halls- Stunningly beautiful 19th century waltz Angelic vocals might give you chills as they augment the melody in 3/4 Time. 3
Afer Ventus- My favorite song in the entire Enya catalog. If you only have time for one song, please try this one. Two competing melodies sang in unison in two languages Gaelic and Latin. How they intertwine and flow is jaw dropping. Celestial chorusing transition soothingly and finally climaxes to a pseudo-harpiscord like music box ending. Afer Ventus is Latin for African Wind. 1
Smaointe- Gaelic ballad that is lower tier. I do like the bagpipe work though. No new ground or interest generated. 11
