VARIOUS ARTISTS
Holding Up Half The Sky, Vol. Two (Shanachie)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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While much of the current interest in Celtic music has focused on the instrumental virtuosity displayed in the recreation of traditional jigs, reels and airs, Celtic artists from Ireland and Scotland continue to pursue the equally strong tradition of vocal ballads. This may be particularly true among female artists, who have many of the best voices and produce much of the best material.

Fourteen of those voices are heard on this second volume in what is hopefully a continuing chronicle of the voices of Celtic women from Shanachie. Scottish and Irish, in English and Gaelic, traditional and contemporary--the range of music presented among these fourteen tracks is impressive, yet it's all held together by that golden thread of cultural tradition that has made Celtic music a distinctive art for centuries.

Fair warning--by the time you've finished listening to the fourteen tracks collected here, you're likely to find yourself in search of at least a dozen albums, which will lead you in a quest for at least that many more. The voices, songs and spirit on this disc are that good.

Track List:

Cathy Jordan w/Dervish - Aililiu na Gamhna * Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill - Martha The Flower Of Sweet Strabane * Dolores Keane - The Low Low Lands Of Holland * Karan Casey w/Solas - Sraid an Chloig * Ray Fisher - Far Over The Forth * Susan McKeown - Banks Of Claudy * Triona Ni Dhomhnaill - When I Was A Fair Maid * Talitha MacKenzie - 3 Things * Frances Black w/Arcady - I'd Cross The Wild Atlantic * Maire Ni Bhraonain - Gaoth Barra na dTonn * Mairead Ni Mhoanaigh w/Atlan - The Jug Of Punch * Cathie Ryan - Lovely Willie * Niamh Parsons w/Arcady - The Boys Of Barr na Sraide * Antionette McKenna w/Sean Nua - O Ro Song Of The Sea

© 2000 - Shaun Dale