Comments
BRENNAN, MOYA
The concept album is not a new concept to rock music, but it’s doubtful that anyone has ever attempted anything else quite like Moya Brennan’s new Two Horizons release. This album chronicles the history of the legendary harp that was used for celebration in Celtic mythology, and to help tell this story, Brennan—best known for her lead vocal work with Clannad—plays harp throughout. One would be hard pressed to even find albums with actual harp playing on them, let alone a whole album centered on this rarely used instrument; this one is unabashedly all about the harp.
Although the Gaelic-tongued “Bi Liom” features Brennan’s harp work at the forefront of its mix, this album is a deeply layered musical affair. For instance, Brennan’s vocals have that deep echo, angelic choir quality and she’s surrounded by a whole lot of strings, pipes, guitars and other such Celtic things. Legendary folk guitarist Martin Carthy is also featured as a special guest on a few tracks. Even though the music on this album might be termed the aural equivalent to an Impressionist painting, it’s not always about beautiful things alone. For instance, “River” speaks about how this harp is “offered as a gift to a tribal chief” and how its “transcendent beauty captivates passing slave traders.” Obviously, this instrument is asked to provide light in a few very dark places of man’s history. Two Horizons is a unique listening experience, from one uniquely talented artist, and probably the best publicity the harp has received in a long, long time. [DECCA RECORDS]
© 2004, HM Magazine
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