Downriver is a gently rolling album, featuring Karen Matheson's resonant vocals on a handful of songs mostly in Gaelic. Everything -- the vocals, the songs, and the spare arrangements -- works in unison to evoke the quiet river of the album's cover. With their peaceful foundation, songs like "Chi Mi Bhuam" and "Gleann Baile Chaoil" are perfectly suited for quiet moments of reflection or just plain relaxation. Matheson is joined by a number of players, including pianist Donald Shaw (who also produced the album), guitarist ...
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Downriver is a gently rolling album, featuring Karen Matheson's resonant vocals on a handful of songs mostly in Gaelic. Everything -- the vocals, the songs, and the spare arrangements -- works in unison to evoke the quiet river of the album's cover. With their peaceful foundation, songs like "Chi Mi Bhuam" and "Gleann Baile Chaoil" are perfectly suited for quiet moments of reflection or just plain relaxation. Matheson is joined by a number of players, including pianist Donald Shaw (who also produced the album), guitarist James Grant, fiddler Aidan O'Rourke, and, in various places, several background singers, each helping to craft a seamless backdrop behind her vocals. Unless one happens to speak Gaelic, Downriver holds a certain air of mystery, because the lyrics aren't reprinted in the liner notes. The album deviates from this course in two instances with English versions of "I Will Not Wear the Willow" and "Singing in the Dark." This will probably matter little to most listeners, though some may find these deviations distracting to the flow and mystery of the album. Taken as a whole, however, Downriver is a very enjoyable effort that manages to combine the best of the old and new, and it will serve as a fine introduction to Matheson's warm vocals. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi
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Add this copy of Down River (Uk) to cart. $24.32, new condition, Sold by Books2anywhere rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2007.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Audiobook. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Down River (Uk) to cart. $25.85, new condition, Sold by Paperbackshop International rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2007.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Audiobook. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Down River to cart. $11.57, like new condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2007.
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Like New. Signed Copy Collectible-Like New. audioCD. Signed/Inscribed by artist on case. Case Very Good. Quality guaranteed! In original artwork/packaging unless otherwise noted.
Add this copy of Downriver to cart. $27.41, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Compass Records.
Add this copy of Down River (Uk) to cart. $42.97, new condition, Sold by Paperbackshop rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensenville, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2007.
Of the eleven songs on this album eight are sung in Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic), two in English and the last track, "Crucan Na Bpaiste (Burial Place of the Children)" with heart rending lyrics sung in Gaeilge (Irish Gaelic).
The mood selection of tunes ranges from wistful to lively. The first track: "Chi Mi Bhuam (I See Afar)" is soft and laid back. Track five: "O Mhairi 's Tu Mo Mhairi (Mary, You Are My Mary)/Riobainean Riomhach" is lively and light hearted. Imagine a young girl dancing in a field of yellow flowers with colorful ribbons in her hair.
"O Nach Eisdeadh Tu'n Sgeul le Aire (Oh That You Would Listen to ...)" reminds me of the intensity that religion has played in the highlands' history. The lyrics evoke an immediacy that Matheson delivers as a serious and imploring intonement with a message of blood and sacrifice that is very intense in feeling with a hint of battles won and lost, a theme the Scottish people know so well from their recent past.
Do you need a knowledge of this ancient language to enjoy this album? Well, if you are not gaelic adept you may actually be more charmed by the tongue-tripping linguistic gymnastics that Karen Matheson displays as with "Puirt a Beul (Mouthmusic)". The words do have meaning but who cares? This tune is lively and fun. And after the hundredth time you will feel impelled to listen again so that you might even try to sing along. It just sounds like she havins such a blast you will want to try and match her pace.
And the angelic voice of Karen Matheson is hard to praise, words seem inadequate. Her aria-like singing of the refrain in "Crucan Na Bpaiste" is so sad-sweet and the lament of a mother who has buried her beloved child tear deeply at the heart: (English translation)
In the name of the Father And Mother Mary full of grace In the name of the Holy Spirit Don't leave me alive With my little angel in Crucán na bPáiste
As she sing these lyrics and even in a tongue unknown, you will feel strongly some part of this mothers anguish.
Karen Matheson is has the gift to be able to resonate with strings of your heart that you finally have found, that may surprise you to be waiting to be plucked with this most powerful combination of artist, language and song. I highlty recommend this album. But a Warning: You will wear out the CD and need to get at least one more.
