Search - Meav :: Meav

Traditional Celtic songs sung by a lovely thrush

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 10/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I figured I'd be in for some quality music when I read the back of the CD cover, that Meav (pronounced Mave) was a former soloist for the choral group Anuna. Vocally, her smooth bird-like voice hits those high notes.The high pipes give the forlorn "Ailein Duinn," the theme from Rob Roy, extra Celtic flavour as does Meav's Celtic vocals. The title is Celtic for "brown-haired Alan." He has drowned apparently, and she sings, translated in English, "If your pillow is the sand/If your bed is the seaweed/If the fish are your bright candles/If the seals are your watchmen/I'd drink, though all abhor it/Of your heart's blood after your drowning." Devoted or twisted, I don't know."I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls" is the same traditional song covered by Enya on her Shepherd Moons album. David Agnew's oboe and the string section make this different from her countryfolk's rendition, and she hits those high notes with as much aplomb as Enya. A dream of a princess who's waited on hand and foot, courted, but nothing elates her more than her being loved the same by her dear one."She Moved Through The Fair" is another traditional song, covered by Charlotte Church on her sophomore album. Meav's rendition sports light drums and oboe and chant vocals by the choral group Aontas.Next up is "Solveig's Song", the tragic final piece from Edvard Grieg's epic Peer Gynt, of the woman Gynt left behind who keeps waiting for him and is now an old woman. David Agnew's oboe. The poignancy of this song is told: "The winter may pass and the spring disappear/The spring disappear/The summer too will vanish and then the year/And then the year/But this I know for certain: you'll come back again/You'll come back again." Boy, does Meav hit that high note inbetween verses! The second best song here. Sarah Brightman did this on her first concert video."Im A Doun" is a brief anonymous poem which goes thus: "I'm a doun, doun, doun/I'm a doun for lack of Johnny/Came, Johnny came, I was ill/I'm sure he would come to me/But what if he's forsaken me?/Ochon, what will come of me?" Some parts of this song are reminiscent of that "bonnie bonnie beach of Loch Lomond" melody.The lovely "I Wish My Love Was A Red Red Rose" drives me close to tears upon hearing Frank Gallagher's mournful fiddle and Meav. "I wish my love was a red, red rose growing in yon garden fair/And I to be the gardener, of her I would take care/There's not a month throughout the year, but my love I'd renew" she sings. My favourite song here."Si Do Mhaimeo I" is a traditional song with a folkish beat. It asks the question whether the young Sean Seamais Mor will marry the much older "rich old bag"Maire Ní Chathasaigh.My third favourite song is "Since You And I Were True", about how living in a harsh land dulls the initial love felt. "In a country where we are headed, love/There is nothing but rocks and stones/No friendly plant or animal/No angel to guide you home.""The Death of Queen Jane" has a medieval flavour what with the lute and tells of Henry VIII's third wife, Jane Seymour, who in 1536 died after delivering the future Edward VI. As the song says, "there was fiddling, aye, and dancing on the day the babe was born/But poor Queen Jane beloved lay cold as the stone/Lay cold as the stone." To which the king laments: "Adew adew, my heart is lost/Adew, my joy and my solace/With double sorrow, complain I must/Until I die, alas, alas." Pretty devoted for the king who exploited women, but she was his favourite wife after all."Close Your Eyes" is a mother's lullaby to her child, promising that the father will come back with food. It's set in the village of the coastal fishing town of Tra Li, in West Ireland. Another great showcase for Meav's voice."One I Love" is a woman shunned for falling for a man below her station. The refrain goes "One I love, two she loves/Three she's true to me."David Agnew wrote "Celtic Prayer", which is as chirpy with the oboe and fiddle as any Irish dance tune but I can envision Dave Brubeck doing this as an improv back in the 50's. This celebrates the fact the children having a better life than their parents. "Our song and dance will bring us peace today" sings Meav. That's for sure.Anyone who loves Enya, Sarah McLachlan, and traditional Celtic music is in for a real treat, with traditional instruments and a songbird whose voice is simply beautiful."

What a Find!

Maudeen Wachsmith | Port Townsend, WA | 11/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard this CD in a bookstore and immediately knew I had to have it. It is the most beautiful CD I've ever heard and has been in constant play since I received it nearly a week ago. Meav, the lead singer of the Irish group, Anuna, sings like an angel. Her voice is so pure, so soft, so beautiful. She sings I DREAMT I DWELT IN MARBLE HALLS as if the song was written just for her. From the traditional songs to Loreena McKennitt's DANTE'S PRAYER her selection of tunes is magnificent. The liner notes reveal Meav was a part of the original Dublin and London runs of RIVERDANCE as well as the original run at New York's Radio City. She was the sole vocalist with the Irish National Concert Orchestra during its 1997-98 US Tour. This is her debut solo CD and should appeal to fans of Enya and Loreena McKennitt, as well as anyone fond of hauntingly beautiful music of any type."

Beautiful Vocals and Ancient Soundscapes

d-moonshadow | 05/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of my favorite tracks of all time, "I Dreamt I Dwealt In Marble Halls", is done with superb vocal talent by Irish vocalist Meav. A pure soprano with a nice range, Meav shows she is just as talented as the other more recognized Irish singers out there at the present. With beautiful instrumentation and terrific arrangements, Meav does not fail to stun. The Theme From Rob Roy is of course included here, sung incredibly well. "She Moved Through The Fair" is a traditional Celtic piece with a great rhythm section. "Solveig's Song" has an astounding section with just mouth music--no words, just Meav's high tones. Fabulous. "Im A Doun" features sweet harmonies over an insistent beat. "The Death Of Queen Jane" is a very baroque sounding piece, complete with accoustic guitar and harpischord. The last two songs done on this CD, "One I Love" and "Celtic Prayer", accent Meav's voice greatly. "One I Love" is mostly a cappella, and "Celtic Prayer" has only a few vocal parts, but each track leaves you in awe of the amazing vocal ability of this young Irish woman."