Search - Jeff Johnson, Brian Dunning :: Celtic Legends: Bard & Warrior

Full of mystery and atmosphere

Brianna Neal | USA | 11/30/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In "Music of Celtic Legends: The Bard and the Warrior", lyrical and original compositions are tied together as a whole by recurring themes, which are reworked and rewoven throughout the compositions. Brian Dunning's soulful flutes and whistles soar above the creative keyboards of Jeff Johnson and the added guitar and percussion of other artists. While this is definitely New Age music in style, rather than Celtic, these ambient compositions all have a subtle purpose and yearning about them that evokes images of a quest--perhaps not a quest of fear and gratuitous violence, but of seeking, exploring, and allowing oneself to be awed by the beauty and wonder in the world, and all that one does not (yet) know. I imagine that this is music of a reflective protagonist or two, and that their journey through the wilderness is one of self discovery. These compositions were inspired by writings of Stephen R. Lawhead, historical fantasy author and collector of Celtic legends, and the insert contains vignettes written by Lawhead about Taliesin and CuChulainn, two central figures in the mythic tradition of the Celts. For more storytelling music in the adventurous vein, try also Johnson and Dunning's subsequent release, "Byzantium: The Book of Kells and St. Aidan's Journey", and Ed Van Fleet's "The Forgotten Tribe"."

The Ancient Song

OAKSHAMAN | Algoma, WI United States | 02/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are looking for one excellent collection of Celtic music for your library, then you have found it. This is music to both heal and inspire the soul. The blend of traditional instruments, human voice, and sounds from nature come close to perfection. If you close your eyes you can clearly see the various legendary themes covered:

1) The Bard and the Warrior,

2) The Dream of Taliesin,

3) Tylwyth Teg,

4) The Crossing,

5) The Fortunate Isle,

6) Lady Sovereignty,

7) CuChulainn's Last Battle,

8) The Raven Stone,

9) Way of the Warrior,

10) Isle of the Everliving,

11) Ancient Song.



A well-written and designed little booklet is included to retell the tales of Taliesin (the bard) and CuChulainn (the Warrior.) The tale of the Ancient Song is also included- of how the Celts of old believed that the world was upheld and sustained by a single all-embracing melody. After listening to this collection on a quiet evening, you will have no doubts that this is so.

"

Great Relaxation Music

Brianna Neal | 02/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD will put you in a mellow mood in a heartbeat. This is not only my favorite album by Johnson and Dunning, it is also one of my all time favorite Celtic music CDs. If you like this CD, try any of the albums by Brian Dunning's group "Nightnoise". You'll not be disappointed. However, avoid 'Byzantium-The Book of Kells & St. Aidan's Journey" (the follow-up CD to this), it is no where near as good as Celtic Legends"