This is one of my favorite CDs of all time. The songs and performances are top notch, and the result just grabs your soul. Many "Celtic" CDs available do not impress me, but this one is truly wonderful. My husband and I have had it for years, and we keep coming back- it never dulls. I recommend it to anyone without reservation.

Amazing, too say the least, Celtic Odyssey is one of the finest examples of contemporary Celtic music, in the world. It blends a multitude of traditional styles and rhythms with a refreshing use of modern instrumentals. It is a must have for music lovers, and a must listen for the skeptical. Celtic Odyssey will hook you too the transient art of Celtic music. Give it a listen, you will not be disappointed.

A very nice compilation album with a pleasant blend of styles and techniques. Though a few of the numbers are rousingly lively, the emphasis here is on intense yet gently wistful pieces with a contemporary mixture of both accoustic and electronic sounds. The featured artists are Northern Lights, Orison, Altan, Alasdair Fraser, Paul Machlis, Scartaglen, John Whelan, Eileen Ivers, Moving Hearts, Relativity, Capercaillie, Sileas, Gerald Trimble, Laurie Riley, Bob McNally and Simon Wynberg. Several of these groups were new to me, and I especially appreciated the opportunity to become acquainted with the intriguing work of Northern Lights ("Carolan's Ramble to Cashel"), Orison ("The Butterfly") and the vocal quartet Scartaglen ("Chuaigh Me 'Na Rosann"). In all, "Celtic Odyssey" belies its name--not a difficult journey at all, but instead, a beautiful and relaxing listening experience. Similar music can be enjoyed in another Narada compilation, "Celtic Legacy".

Of all the Celtic compilation CDs I own, this has been my favorite over the years(with some very strong competition). "Chuaigh Me 'Na Rosann" is a gorgeous rendition of a tune which I've always found haunting. But it's the final "Strathgarry" that sometimes moves me to tears with its beauty: a combination of slow lyricism, melancholy and echoes of heroism(those faint drumbeats), which, on a recent hearing, reminded me strongly of the track "The Breaking of the Fellowship" in Howard Shore's score to "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring." At any rate, both touch some deep chord in me, a mingling of beauty and sadness, that is at the heart of most Celtic music - though joy and hope are there as well.

Just to listen to Moving Hearts' 'Tribute to Peadar O'Donnell' is a must to own. The original music comes from their 'Storm' album, a fine Irish album to add even if you're not a Moving Hearts fan. Other ones to listen to are 'Trip to Skye' with John Whelan with an accompaniment of Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers. The ambient sound of Relativity's 'Siun Ni Dhuibhir' are some of the best that make up this great album.