by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Damh the Bard
Album: "Spirit Of Albion"
Year produced: 2006

A modern-day Bard with depth and a way around a story, every track on this CD has layers and an interesting complexity woven throughout the lyrics. The music here is a simple but steady accompaniment to the tales told, and the sound of the vocals lend themselves to the emotion the words call forth.

Sometimes wistful, sometimes authoritative, this CD is definitely for the thinkers out there. The lyrics are carefully crafted and whir and spin, curling themselves around the music, encouraging the listener to enjoy, learn and feel. Whether talking about a Goddess, reflecting a traditional Folk song or sharing a myth of old, the songs all have the feel that the mood was set carefully and deliberately by the Bard.

The album is a celebration of the island of Albion and a way to honor the ancient Spirit of Britain. Songs such as "Domeanna," a traditional Folk tune from Sussex, have such a lovely flow to them and the vocals are such that the voice becomes instrument. The gentleness of the music in most tracks helps to underscore the intensity of the lyrics without fading away into the background entirely. A well-done arrangement on each and every track. Those who love a good story in a song will truly enjoy this CD.

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Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at www.moonbeamdigital.com.

Labels: cd_review_2007

Posted by Marc Gunn, Saturday, May 19, 2007.
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