Search - Dagda :: Sleeping With the Gods of Love

MYSTICAL & DREAMY--FULL OF LONGING & SINCERITY

Soaring Heart | 07/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SLEEPING WITH THE GODS OF LOVE is a cd that I will never part with; it's staying with me for life! How many cd's can you say that about? I know I haven't said it about many. Five stars doesn't do it justice. How the songs flow together from start to finish as well as the balance of lyrical melodies spaced with instrumentals is brilliantly compelling. It pulls the listener into it. I Love music that does this to me! You can lean back and float while this is on. It's great for meditation, relaxing, yoga, tai chi, studying, writing--ANYTHING! PROLOG sets a perfect mood--reaches out and demands your attention right away. I wish all artists knew how important the first song on a cd is! Fifty-six seconds well spent!
ANTHEM OF THE GODS is an instrumental that flows smoothly, raising the listener higher as it complements and multiplies the ethereal mood set by "Prolog."
DELILAH is beautiful, however, my least favorite. It's the only song with some negative lyrics. I prefer lyrics and music that make my heart Soar! However, I feel it was very appropriate to include it to show that no one is perfect--not Delilah, and certainly not me. There is good in everyone--that's the bottom line.
ANGEL EYES blows me away with its gorgeous lyrics and vocals by Aisling O'Neil. "No matter where it leads you, this destiny that calls you, you must be true to your heart from the start. And where your spirit leads you, just follow through your own way. You'll see it through and there'll be stars in your eyes." My favorite song on the cd.
SAILING BY as well as the rest of the cd, has the angelic, yet at the same time, sensual voice of Aisling. I can picture myself on a sailboat and feel the warm sun on my face as the cool breezes blow my clothes and hair.
DREAMING is my second favorite song with lyrics. The instruments used are perfect to convey the feeling of drifting off to dreamland. If you have insomnia, you need music like this--not just this song, the entire cd!
HOLD ME NOW, GODS OF LOVE LIVE HERE, SPIRITS FLY (my favorite instrumental with PIPES OF EROS a close second,) and last but definitely not least, KARINA. It leaves a question mark--a lovely ending to a gorgeous cd.I can't recommend this any higher. If you like Loreena McKennitt, Dead Can Dance and Lisa Gerrard, Govinda and/or Enigma, I am pretty certain you will enjoy SLEEPING WITH THE GODS OF LOVE.Soar!"

Sleeping With The Gods of Love

Soaring Heart | 11/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had previously read reviews of Dagda's music and thought it sounded quite interesting. While shopping I happened to come across the only Dagda album available at the store, "Sleeping With The Gods of Love". Overall, I think that this was a soothing and quite subdued album (in a good way).1. "Prolog" - The words spoken during the "prolog" were printed in the liner notes... who is this "him" who sleeps with the Gods of Love?2. "Anthem of the Gods" - Although an "instrumental", this was quite an enjoyable and melodic tune.3. "Delilah" - This song was apparently about Delilah from the Bible, Samson's lover who cut off his long hair (which was the source of his superhuman strength), but what is new to me is the rendering of her as a Goddess? All in all, a lovely sung song, although the (male?) backing vocals during the chorus didn't do much for me.4. "Angel Eyes" - A calm song encouraging personal discovery and being true to one's own heart. The singer has a lilting (Irish?) accent and hits some high notes, not just on this song but throughout the entire album, but manages them well.5. "Sailing By" - Some of the lyrics in the liner notes weren't sung in the actual track, which also goes for a few other tracks. Although serene, the unsung lyrics tell a short but sad story of a loved one leaving and "sailing by" and how the singer is lonely.6. "Dreaming" - A picturesque song about laying with a lover.7. "Hold Me Now ('Til I Die)" - Another melancholy tune about the singer having to leave, and although she still feels for her beloved, she denies her "breaking heart".8. "Gods of Love Live Here" - Strange, but pretty. About an area between Heaven and Earth where the Gods of Love live, and echoes heard from there.9. "Spirits Fly" - There is a whole column of lyrics dedicated to this song, although none are actually voiced! Still atmospheric.10. "Pipes of Eros" - Magical, harmonic, quiet background vocals are the delight of this song, along with Uilleann pipes (fitting!).11. "Karina" - another column-filler of which about five lines are sung. About conflicting feelings and realizing that you don't love the person you're with, and looking forward to the summer while facing the brutalities of winter.Always loaded with pulsating dance beats, the combination of Celtic instruments and ethereal vocals make for an interesting and relaxing combination. An enjoyable album, and I look forward for furter Dagda purchases in the future."

Never Falls Down!

Soaring Heart | 11/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once again the Celtic miracle produced a magical and wondrous work of art. "Sleeping With The Gods Of Love", continues their unique blend of Celtic and trance music.Dagda are Reg Keating providing all the words and music for "Sleeping With The Gods Of Love" and Phillip O'Reilly on keyboards and programming. The two musicians are joined by Martin Rolan on Uilleann pipes and whistles and the main vocals are by Aisling O'Neill. Una Ni Baoghaill also provides additional vocals on the "Delilah" track.The whole CD can be summed up in Reg Keating's haunting introduction vocal:"Do not search for him in fields of clay
His spirit hasn't changed now that he's free
of mortal coil and temporal earthly bonds
Look up and see his light among the stars
When you don't hear his voice upon the breeze
Nor taste his tears in gently falling rain
That's when he rests above the universe
Celestial...Sleeping with the Gods Of Love."My favorites on this eleven track CD are "Prolog", "Anthem Of The Gods", "Delilah", "Angel Eyes", "Gods Of Love Live Here", "Spirits Fly" and the closing track "Karina". My pick for best tracks on "Sleeping With The Gods Of Love" are "Sailing By" and the very moving instrumental entitled "Pipes Of Eros". As on Dagda's previous releases the songs on this CD move seamlessly from one track to another."