Anúna

This is supposed to be a Christmas album. Please explain to me why it is then appropriate to include a setting of the Pie Jesu?!?! That is for funerals!!

I ran across this when looking for a unique version of The Coventry Carol and after previewing a couple of tracks, I decided to buy the whole CD. It's really great. Simple and beautiful. Very serene, relaxing. Incredibly talented group! The friends I have let borrow it love it as well. Definitely a great way to add some variety to your Christmas music collection.

I had seen Anuna on a PBS special, and was captivated by their gorgeous, haunting sound. In doing some research on the web, I found this early Christmas album by them, and had to get it. It's now my favorite Christmas CD; it barely left my CD player all season! In addition to some of the more traditional songs (albeit unusual versions of them), there are some more rare selections, like the Coventry Carol and the Wexford Carol. Their music brings me back to an ancient time and place, when people of the Earth lived life governed by the seasons and the land, and there was none of the crass commercialism of the holidays that we see today.

This CD is a must for anyone who loves not only traditional Irish choral a cappella music, but more ancient sounding, non-traditional holiday songs.

This is almost sensuous in delivery, this is a delight to the ears. Instead of New Age pablum or syrupy sweet and content free, this album comes out with the rich velvet of authentic cream and the delicate spice of pure maple syrup. I don't know if the Celts like maple syrup, but this is just a fantabulous disk for a cold night and a hot fire. Be sure to have some candles or Christmas lights nearby to complete the atmosphere.

Anuna has combined the traditional, celtic, and the new age styles of music of Christmas in to a moving mix that will please everyone. The sound of the vocals is an outstanding treat for the ears. This CD is a classic in the making, a great gift for those who enjoy good music.

This group is awesome. They range somewhere between mystical and Celtic.

I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys Celtic music

I LOVE THIS CD AND PLAY IN IN MY CAR AND AT HOME

This CD is marvelous Celtic Music. It is haunting and beautiful.It is a mix of classic and new music written and performed by the most beautiful voices. This is a CD that can be enjoyed all year long.

I was captivated when I first heard this, and it is now one of my favourite CDs. Anuna sound is so pure, so still. I don't have any other Anuna CDs, but I can say that each song on this album is a jewel.

This is an amazing cd on the sole fact...if youve never listened to Anuna,this showcases the 'Best of...' them.It gives you a touch of both Michael and John McGlynn's knack for choral arrangements and directing.

I have been following this group since I was 11 years old (I am now 21 years old.) I cant fathom any other group keeping my attention for so long.

And why?

Because Michael's arrangements surpass time.He doesnt follow any strict rules of how choirs should sound and shouldnt sound...he pushes the line and arranges in such a way,that most logical directors would get flustered over.It makes sense and it sounds good yet strays from the path and norm of conventional choirs.Somehow Michael has mastered making his singers sound seamless...the men and women harmonize and sound as one.Something I have never heard a choir do,and know how hard it is to achieve something as that...being involved in classical choirs for 5 years+.

Ireland has a wealth of writers,poets,dancers, and musicians.I dont know how this country churns them out,but nonetheless Anuna is proof that theres something in the water.

Another point to be made...is where the material is found.Michael combs through libraries,anicent texts,church music,etc.Reading his linear notes for songs...you feel like you're getting the untold history lesson of cultures long forgotten and an Ireland you wont see on St.Patrick's Day.

I had the chance this past March to attend Anuna's second tour of the U.S. in NY at a pub (the most unlikely place to see a choir,but I wouldnt have changed it.) I had waited for 10 years to see this,and it was worth the wait and more.The first two songs,I didnt breathe...I sat there,watching the singers proceed throughout the pub and I sat there with my eyes shut at times not exhaling until they took stage.The stage presence of the group was extraordinary.Being so use to performing in a choir where we had sheet music in our hands and the director standing in front of us...to actually see peoples' faces light up and see how much they thoroughly enjoyed singing (and at times singing in their own native tongue as Anuna showcases alongside Latin and English.)was such a blessing! John McGlynn led the choir,and taking some very funny introductions to songs and making the audience feel like it was more at a concert in their living room amongst family than at a pub.

This is an amazing cd if you havent checked out Anuna before..you get a sample of everything.Try out the tracks...August,Deep Dead Blue,Kyrie,and Blackthorn.A few of my faves!

A spiritual experience Vince Gill and Sinead O'Connor, laced with levity Mick Maloney, add to this recipe Eileen Ivers on Fiddle, the Chieftans, Van Morrison are some of my favorites. There isn't one track on this CD that you'll skip. The theme thoughout is amazing - this is truly Celtic Amazing Grace. If you have any Irish in your blood this is a must buy.

CD in fine shape but packaging just so-so. Wouldn't say very good. Delivery a tad slow -7 or 8 days to receive.

1. Van Morrison & the Chieftains - "Shenandoah" (3:52)
2. The Irish Film Orchestra - "Main Theme" Instrumental (4:25)
3. Mary Black - "Paddy's Lamentation/Ships Are Sailing" (4:47)
4. The Irish Film Orchestra - "Emigration Theme" Instrumental (5:08)
5. Vince Gill - "The Bard of Armagh/The Streets of Laredo" (5:03)
6. Sinead O'Connor - "Skibbereen" (4:15)
7. The Chieftains & Friends - "The Night Larry Was Stretched/Jig" (2:27)
8. Liam O' Maonlai - "White Potatoes" (3:31)
9. The Irish Film Orchestra - "Famine Theme" Instrumental (3:37)
10. Mick Moloney - "Muldoon, the Solid Man/Grandfather's Tune" (3:42)
11. Sissel - "An Raibh Tu' Ag An gCarraig?" (5:30)
12. Derek Bell with the Irish Film Orchestra - "O'Carolan's Farewell to Music" Instrumental (2:30)
13. Kevin Conneff - "Bean Pha'idin" (1:44)
14. Eileen Ivers - "O'Donnell's Lament/Reel with the Beryle" (2:45)
15. The Irish Film Orchestra - "American Theme" Instrumental (2:57)
16. Elvis Costello with Anu'na - "Long Journey Home Anthem" (4:16)

If you like these kind of compilations, may I suggest a couple that are better than this one. The first is called "Common Ground: Voices Of Modern Irish Music", which I consider the best of the contemporary Irish artists doing traditional songs.. it has songs by U2, Crowded House, Elvis Costello, Sinead O' Connor, Kate Bush, Christy Moore, and many others (ASIN: B000002U4V). Then after you get that one, check out the soundtrack for the movie "Gangs of New York"... with songs by U2, Peter Gabriel, Afro Celt System, and many others (ASIN: B00007DT8M). Unfortunately, though, they left out the Sinead O' Connor song from that movie "Paddy's Lamentation", which can be found instead on her album of all traditional Irish songs "Sean-Nos Nua", which is absolutely spellbinding (ASIN: B00006L4HB). If you want some more great contemporary Irish artists doing traditional songs on compilations, do a song search and type in "Clannad" (that is Enya's sister's band, one she used to be a part of), she is on a grip of Irish/Celtic compilations. Happy Hunting! :) 7.5/10

This soundtrack to the acclaimed television mini-series is heartbreakingly beautiful in its selection of music to represent the Irish diaspora. Surprising are the renditions of traditional songs by artists as diverse as Vince Gill, Sinead O'Connor and Van Morrison, and the orchestral pieces bring tears to my eyes, they are so beautiful. As the descendent of several waves of Irish migration in the past two centuries, it makes me wonder what prompted some of my own Irish ancestors to leave their homeland and come here. This music will break your heart, make you tap your toes joyfully and will make you both smile and cry, true Irish stuff if ever I heard it. I feel both intense sadness and pride at my Irish roots when listening to these songs and instrumental pieces, and if you have even a drop of Irish blood in you, or just wish you were Irish, I urge you to listen to this album. The music will haunt you long after you finish listening, and this is one album you will want to play again and again. A great companion album is the soundtrack to the television mini-series "Out of Ireland", another documentary about the Irish diaspora in the United States. You will find some of the same acclaimed Irish and Irish-American artists on that album as you will this album, such as Mick Moloney and Eileen Ivers. Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains obviously put a lot of love into this album and it shows in the choices of pieces they selected to represent the Irish struggle both in Ireland and in the US. A brilliant compilation of artists and music, and highly recommended, even if you aren't Irish, but just wish you were. If you are Irish, keep that box of Kleenex handy - you're going to need it!

Absolutely hauntingly beautiful melodies! A must for anyone of Irish descent.

I heard some Anuna songs on Comcast's Digital Music "Soundscapes" channel and was really transfixed and moved by it. This CD is wonderful - ethereal, relaxing and magical. I loaded it onto my iPod and play it on my SoundDock in the evening after the kids have gone to bed so I can relax while I unwind & read. It's the perfect combination of Classical, New Age & Celtic sounding music and really transports me to a different place. Love it!!!!!!

This is a wonderful CD thats as beautiful as the fields of Ireland themselves. Its relaxing and inspiering music warms the heart and soothes the soul. Enjoy

First - I love Anuna's other albums, without exception, and any other one would have gotten five stars from me. That's what made this one such a disappointment for me - I expected better.

This one is "messy" sounding; I don't know if it's the engineering, the fact that it was recorded live, or something else entirely, but it just doesn't work. Everybody on the recording (with a couple of notable exceptions) sounds nervous; if I didn't know better, I'd say they recorded at the first concert of the tour. Timing seems off, instruments go flat, and they just don't seem to be listening to each other in the way I've come to expect from this group of normally fine and experienced singers.

The exceptions I mentioned include "If All She Has is You," and "Our Wedding Day." These came off nicely, so it's not a total loss as an album. It's still Anuna, and that means it's not BAD; buy it, as it's still worth having, but don't expect what you've heard in the past.

This CD is the excellent product of the PBS Special of the same name. If you were lucky enough to get to one of their concerts during their recent US tour, this is truely a must have for your collection. Their presentation of "Jerusalem" on this CD alone makes it worth buying. Anuna's sound is moving no matter what your taste in music.

Anuna


If the Celtic Woman group added men you'd get ANUNA. Not quite as good ,but pretty good. I'd give Celtic woman a 99 out of a 100 possible score and ANUNA a 95. Still well worth the money.

Highly recommended for fans of Celtic music.


Gunner August,2007

I have been a huge fan of the Irish vocal group Anuna for over a decade. They have hit it big now with their niche audience when their PBS special begins to air around the nation. I believe they are such an amazing ensemble, that this acknowledgment of their work is long overdue! I wasn't sure if I should purchase their recording that is at Borders, as I already own all of their recordings. They are singing all of their great songs (although they have plenty, plenty more!) on this recording, and I didn't know if it was just a compilation their past albums. If you are unfamiliar with Anuna, their music really displays a whole spectrum of sound... from the ethereal to toe tapping rhythms, and it's all filled with soaring melody and rich and lush harmony-- some of which is modern, other parts which are a modern revival and reinterpretation of medieval sound.

So back to this album-- I did buy it yesterday, and I am so overjoyed as I'm listening to it, as this is a new recording of their PBS program material recorded at the same time as their TV special was, at a church in Cleveland, Ohio. The album was recorded separately, as there is no applause after the tracks. All of the pieces are approached with the same grandeur as their originals and there is no need to refresh the material, because it is truly timeless. They have added a couple of standards to appease the masses on this recording-- Greensleeves, as well as Scarborough Fair. John McGlynn (brother to Michael-- the group's director and composer extraordinaire) also includes one of his own beautiful songs, "If All She Has is You."

If they are coming to your town, go and hear them. They open their mouths and sound just as heavenly as they are on their recordings. It is stunning and breathtaking.

I wholeheartedly agree with the 2 other reviewers. This is the first CD I turn to at Christmas. It is what I listen to while I decorate, and do any of those gazillion Christmas tasks on my list. I especially LOVE the B-Tribe song at the beginning. It gives me chills. I have to stop what I am doing and actively listen to it. I just get a feeling of being connected to the whole world and wondering what I could do to help bring peace to our world. I find all the music in this CD has me thinking in that vein. It really touches my soul. I find all the songs beautiful and earthy. But it may not be for everyone. It does have a lot of world music in it. If Santa is out there, can you make more of these types of CD's? I WISH that I could find another CD or two out there like this, made by the genius who put this together. That is what I want for Christmas, ... that and peace on earth!

I use this seasonal CD whenever I feel for an originality fix. This whole world in your hands com"YULE"ation from under the Atlantic label tree seems refreshing with each listen. Perhaps it`s the four tracks in unfamiliar tongue that allow for a dreamy flow of imagination and wonder. Perhaps it`s the exclusion of tried and true seasonal standards that for me have become like Santa`s sour milk and stale cookie treat left out at each house. Perhaps it`s the serenity of serendipious instrumentation that allows time for personal reflection upon the real reason. Perhaps it`s the "ideal model" for any label to use for a com"YULE"ation , as it favors more of a feminine anglelic vocalization to aid in seaonal balance. Perhaps it`s that one of my favorite Yultides ,that is just becoming a more of seasonal standard with each years passing, fills the ninith track here.Perhaps it`s the complier's intoxicating mix of track arrangement and the involvement of talent that truly defines feeling. Perhaps...ah no need to be rambling on. This CD is lost Yuletide Treasure and with so much orginality it`s worthy of a flyer by you. Merrily Mix : 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,1,3,14,and 15 ~ no bahhumbugs here.Post Script: Thanks for tune in to those before me.***buyit*saveit*shareit*giveit*donateittothelibrary***

This has become the release I cannot live without at Christmas. It is completely undiscovered and overlooked, having been released in 1995, and would be at the top of your favorites list if you heard it. The producers who assembled this incredible collection of moving music, which so thoroughly captures the spirit of the holiday season as well as any classic you can think of, deserve all too late praise for their taste and insight. Instead of relying on the familiar it makes the unfamiliar as comfortable and comforting as all of those warhorses one associates with Christmas. There are so many favorite tracks here it is unfair to break them out from the piece as a whole, even though they are all different artists performing a variety of styles and even cultures. Get this cd and be forever grateful to me--but more so to the idea of Christmas and the incredible job done by people I had (mostly)never heard of before. You will find peace and joy for a few dollars. Treat yourself.

I think according to Michael McGlynn (director/producer/writer guy), the first release of this album was the ugliest cover art they ever produced. I think the "green forest" theme is the newer, more beautiful release, but the music is exactly the same, so it doesn't matter which one you end up with. This is one of my favorite Anuna albums because I'm a choir nerd and it's heavy on the choral singing. It consists of a lot of their sacred music sung in Latin, and some of their more chamber-sounding Irish tunes. My absolute favorite track is "Victimae," because the singing is very unique and their harmonies slide around, instead of typical choral jumping from note to note. I'm sure there's a technical word for it. In any rate, this album reminds me of all the early music I'm so fond of, both early-Irish and Latin-chanty-type-stuff.

I agree with Daniel. This is my favorite Anuna CD and I think I have them all!. I particularly love the opener - Igitur Servus. Just imagine being in the Cathedral with your eyes closed! the clip doesn't do it justice.

For all of you Anuna fans out there, this is one CD that you DON'T want to leave out of your collection. I'm up to six Anuna CDs now, and I can honestly say that this is their best work. Omnis, Invocation, and Anuna 2002 come close, but this one takes the cake. Congrats to Michael and crew for another wonderful masterpiece!!

Anuna is truly producing wonderful music. However, can anyone tell me where to get the lyrics for their albums? As a writer, I feel words are important. I'd appreciate any help in this matter and would gladly pay to have a lyrics sheet. But for those who just like sounds, it's astounding stuff.

If there is music in heaven, this is what it must sound like. The only reason why the Cynara album gets 4 stars is because their earlier release "Invocation" is Anuna's Pet Sounds/Sargent Pepper disc, so naturally that one gets 5 stars.I own all of the discs by this group with the exception of Winter Songs (which is on order)and they are all gorgeous. This incredible Irish vocal group sounds like no other that I know of. Their choice of material and ethereal vocal colors set them apart from all of the other vocal groups, Cambridge Singers, Canticleer etc. Christus 2000 is haunting and Ocean will take you to another place in time. Cynara is a welcome addition to Anuna's stunning catalog of works.

Every time I find myself awake past midnight, I listen to this CD. It does indeed have that "three-in-the-morning feel". I'm not a classical music buff but every piece on Night Tracks is well-chosen and played beautifully. No matter I stressed out I may feel, this CD never fails to relax me and fill me with peace and tranquility --- I can't recommend it highly enough. The album cover is striking and moody.

I love this recording for its thought-provoking selections. I wouldn't suggest reading while you listen, you'll get too distracted. Maybe a long soak in the bath and a nice glass of wine. It's great for thinking things over. If I have a criticism, it's the odd themes from Dvorak, Copland, Vaughn Williams and Verdi. Playing just a taste of a theme from something doesn't satisfy. But the Bach, Kilar, Espere and the rest are wonderful.

This is by far one of my favorite cd's to listen to at the end of a long day. Especially in the winter months curled up by a fire and a good book.

I always fall asleep by the third song. It is so relaxing and wonderful in assortment.

Truly one of the best collections of relaxing classical music. A must have for couples when the kids are gone, or just some quiet time alone. Soothing to the mind, body and soul.

The outstanding music of Anuna combined with the fantastic voice of Meav Ni Mhaolchatha (of Celtic Woman) you have a CD that is worth listening to over and over. If you are a fan of of Anuna, Meav or both this is a CD that needs to be in your collection.

Meav is a beautiful talented singer/preformer. Her voice and music is just great to set down and listen to.

There are two songs that particularly send one into states of rapture when listening to them during meditation they are: Nobilis Humilis and Beati Quorum Via. The entire album is quite a spiritual journey full of mystical melodies and angelic voices.

The songs are different but they are growing on me. Meav is awesome as usual. Her voice is as high and clear as ever. I'm so glad this was released. Makes my collection of all things Meav easier to obtain. Great listening!

OUTSTANDING, TOTALY MESMERIZING, BEAUTIFUL VOICE. WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT ABOUT A WOMAN WITH AN ANGELISTIC VOICE? A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR COLLECTION

This group is from Ireland but they aren't singing any Irish music, just
"New Age" music that gets quite boring.

This recording contains some of Anuna's best music, and performing in general. There is an electric, otherworldly quality throughout which is due to Michael McGlynn's extraordinarily appealing writing, the mix of influences (Celtic, medieval music, and minimalist composers such as Arvo Part), and the uniquely transparent ensemble sound which stems from a specially formulated blend of classically trained choral singers and more "raw" Celtic/folk singers.

Of particular note are "Nobilis Humilis" which is an incredibly complex multi-layered choral piece with cluster harmony built from a medieval conductus, "Blackthorn" with a gorgeous soprano solo and harp accompaniment, and "Island", which is a stunning masterpiece highlighted with McGlynn's unearthly clear tenor voice.

This is a pretty unexpected treat for any lover of choral music or Celtic music! The quality of the singing is amazing, particularly from Lucy Champion on "The Sea" and "Blackthorn" - she leaves so many of these celtic-type female vocalists standing at the starter's gate. I bought this based on the reviewes, and I have not had it off my turntable since. An "essential" purchase.