Guest Review by Scott Manke

One of our contest-winning Guest Reviews

"Lisa" is an amazing CD that should not only be in every Celtic music fan's collection, but every music fan's collection. Lisa Kelly has a marvelous, clear voice with terrific range, and her renditions are memorable to say the least. The following are what you will find, in order, within this little treasure chest of a CD.

1) Siúil A Rún. This is a traditional Irish piece that is about a couple with one heading off to fight. It is in Irish and is a haunting song and melody. Several very talented people have done this piece, including Lisa's CW stablemate Orlagh Fallon. I actually prefer Orlagh with this piece, but Lisa does a lovely rendition of it.

2) Carrickfergus. Another wonderful traditional Irsih piece that has been done by many great artists from the emerald isle. As in the previous piece Orlagh does this one usually accompanied by her lovely harp play. For that reason I prefer her version of it. Lisa's clear vocals lend to it a nice quality worth hearing though.

3) Lift the Wings. First of a couple of pieces by Bill Whelan from Riverdance. This is a beautiful piece that lends itself very well to Lisa. If you have never seen Riverdance this will make you want to go.

4) The Soft Goodbye. First of several original pieces by the master craftsman David Downes who has been so instrumental (pardon the pun), in the success of Celtic Woman. This is a truly beautiful piece that has wonderful, yet sometimes sad images that come to mind. There is no better voice for this song than Lisa. You will play this piece over and over again.

5) Dubhdarra. One of two here by Shaun Davey. This has a marvelous nautical theme to it, and brings very vivid pictures of fishing boats, rugged seaman, and magical coastlines like those at Clew bay. Lisa works this song right into your soul, and you can nearly smell the salt air and feel the sea breeze. Beautiful.

6) Home and the Heartland. Another one from Bill Whelan and Riverdance. It is clear that Lisa has great experience with this show and these tunes. Each handshake is like a warm embrace as it says in the song. Well, so is Lisa's performance of it. I'm from the heartland of the U.S. originally, and this song makes me think of home, rolling fields of grain, and the warmth of friends.

7) May It Be. The theme song to the movie "Lord of the rings" originally performed by another Irish lass, Enya. Lisa does this song so well that you can easily forget Enya's version of it. every time I watch that movie now I hear Lisa singing that song. Lisa and Enya have different qualities ti them, but I much prefer Lisa singing this.

8) Homecoming. This is another David Downes piece, and really needs to be in the next concert. It starts with the wonderful Aontas choir singing the first verse, and it is really gripping. Lisa sings the rest at times with choir support. Try listening to this while looking up at a starry sky and see if you don't get a wee tear in your eye. Absolutely lovely.

9) The Deer's Cry. From the movie "The pilgrim" which I have not seen but feel I need to after hearing this. It is actually the words to "St. Patrick's breastplate" that he penned. It will stir your soul, and touch your faith very deeply. Christ is all in all here, and Lisa singing it shows you that she is a woman of deep faith. You can hear it in her voice. I like to play this right before I go to bed as part of my nightly prayers.

10) Send Me a Song. Oh my, where to start. This original David Downes piece is made just for Lisa, as several of his pieces are. There is no other artist who could or should sing this. On April 14th just prior to going to bed I had listened to this piece for the first time. At 325 am on April 15th my first poem/song lyric came to me. It is quite simply the most special piece of music ever for me. If it does not inspire you then you are dead inside. I sing with her now nearly every night. This song has the full range of Lisa in it from soft to strong with wonderful breath control. Send me a song? How about 200 Lisa? such is your gift and David's in this marvelous piece of music.

11) Now We Are Free. From the movie "The Gladiator". This is a stirring piece that again gets Lisa in several ranges all wondrous. The words are haunting yet are from no known language. They were written by Lisa Gerrard, and she ascribes the gift of tongues to them. If it is not a real language it should be, as the words and the style are like tapping into Atlantis. Lisa will have you spellbound with this piece. One of the credos in entertainment is to always leave them wanting more. This piece, and yes this entire CD will do just that.

Lisa's next CD can come none to soon for this reviewer. She has a clear vocal gift and glorious range that will have you singing along readily once you know the words. This CD is a must have if you enjoy great music and wonderful talent, regardless of what genre of music you enjoy. David Downes produced this little gem, and his gifts seem to know no bounds. David and Lisa are a musical match like has seldom existed. Enjoy this masterpiece from Ireland.

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