Search - Declan Masterson :: Drifting Through the Hazel Woods

New-Age Garbage

Luke D. Powers | Seaford, NY United States | 02/09/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know what to make of Declan Masterson. He is a highly-skilled uillean piper. I have another album of his, "After the Harvest," and it is a beautiful album done with, for the most part, acoustic instruments and featuring wonderful piping.Either he has an evil, New-Agey doppelganger, or he has a split-personality, because this portentious, pretentious, "mystical," New-Age load of ambient crapola is worthless.There is not an ounce of Irish traditional playing on the album. The biggest disappointment is that for a noted uillean piper, I could make out the pipes on only one track, and that was just a long, warbling note in the background. The rest of the album is all low whistles and synthesizers.The tunes are mostly originals, and they are awful, structureless pieces that you would hear in Zen meditation class. There are a few traditional tunes, but they are also done in this soulless, bland, synth-drenched style (one of which is a blatant, and I mean blatant, rip-off of the Bothy Band's version of The Maids of Mitchelstown).This disappointment made me fearful of buying other Masterson CDs because I was unsure if I was getting the pure drop or the pure garbage. This CD is of the latter category. Masterson can do much better, and so could you. Do not buy this waste of plastic!"

The Spirit of Eireann

A. Galbraith | New York, NY United States | 04/01/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Declan Masterson captures the natural spirit of Ireland and translates it through the music on this CD. This is subtle music...almost subconscious at times. If you are looking for traditional Celtic music, you won't find it here. Instead, it's a reinterpretation of the sound of the wind blowing off Galway Bay, or the trickle of mist that kisses your skin when standing by Glencar Waterfall. I have heard this music before...soft, lilting tunes carried through the foggy woods in Sligo or the rippling of the grasses in a field in Drogheda.
Play this CD on a chilly, rainy day, keep the volume low, and sit by a fire and sip some tea...and let the music inspire you...you may remember your time in Ireland, or you'll find yourself there sooner than you realize possible."

Drifting Through the Hazel Woods - Excellent Choice

Catherine Wallace | Washington, DC area | 08/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Declan Masterson is someone whose music I recognize, but didn't realize who he was until hearing this CD. His contribution to other artist's efforts are not well known. Masterson's concept of music and ability to take the listener to another place in time, seems to be his trademark on this CD.
For those who think they know what Celtic music is, and may not like it, this music might change their mind. I can only tolerate about 3 minutes of 'Irish Drinking Music,' and then after all that foot-stomping-beer-drinking songs, I am ready for something different.
Drifting Through the Hazel Woods, is a CD I can relax with and accomplish other things, without being distracted. As a writer, reviewer and Journalism major, it is important to me to have something I can listen to, yet it doesn't absorb everything I have mentally on any given day.
Declan Masterson's music is amazing, ethereal, hypnotic and worth the investment. This CD is destined to become one of my top ten favorites in my Celtic collection. I recommend it."