Iarla O'Lionaird is best known as a singer with Afro Celt Sound System. However, he has also been an award-winning sean-nos singer since he was a child.

"Sean-nos" roughly translates to "old style," but this does not fully describe this type of singing. For traditional Irish singing to be considered sean-nos, the songs must be sung in Irish Gaelic, unaccompanied or with minimal accompaniment, and the singer must be able to get feelings and emotions across to the listener. With this type of singing the words are not the most important part of the song; it is the intense emotional feelings that pass from singer to listener that essentially define the essence of sean-nos. Without this intense emotional involvement, the song is just a Gaelic song.

I admit I was a bit skeptical of this CD since it was produced by Michael Brook, who is very well known for ambient music and electronic sampling. I was concerned that these sounds would detract from Iarla's sean-nos singing. My skepticism was quite unfounded as Brook's ambient sounds and programming beautifully complement the singing of O'Lionaird, who totally immerses himself in the songs. On two of the tracks you can actually hear him take a deep, cleansing breath in preparation to sing, becoming a medium for ancient thoughts and emotions passed on generation to generation.

"Lament at Calvary" alone is worth the price of the CD. Here a cello and minimal sampling accompany Iarla's achingly beautiful voice. You can hear and feel the pain in his singing; the raw emotion crosses any language barrier. I have yet to sit and listen to this song without getting a lump in my throat and moist eyes.

Other highlights include an a cappella song "Loch Lein" and a song about bees. Yes, bees. I discovered that I am not the only one who thinks bees buzzing about in a field of flowers are a beautiful thing. Some of the translated words from the liner notes of "The Humming of the Bees" are: "Oh give me the wild mountain in heather flower covered over a clear summer sky. Without dust, without shadow. Swarms gathering all about me and the song of the bee in the sky above me." Listen for the programming at the end of the track that sounds like bees buzzing about.

The only song I did not care too much for was "The Old Man Rocking the Cradle." The music and Iarla's voice were muffled due to an "antiquing" treatment that seems to be popular these days.

I have to include one last highlight of this CD. The final track is a recording of a "vision-song" recorded when Iarla was 14. His voice was already very powerful and moving at this young age. It gave me the goosebumps, as did the majority of the songs on this album. It was quite difficult for me NOT to describe each and every track in detail.

This is a CD that needs not just to be listened to, but experienced. I've listened to it many times and each time it moves me in ways I cannot adequately describe. Very highly recommended!

- Rambles
written by Erika S. Rabideau
published 15 November 2003