This absolutely breathtaking album features four women who, even though are not as well known as artists such as Eyna, Loreena Mckennitt, Clannad and The Chieftians, have made a monumental impact on not only the Celtic music industry, but also in my own life.

First there is Mary McLaughlin who sings "Bring The Peace", "You Saw His Eyes", and "Sealwoman/Yundah". Born in North Ireland, Mary moved to London at the age of 18 where her music career began to flourish. The album begins with "Sealwoman/Yundah", a spellbinding, almost erotically charged song inspired by the Celtic legand of the selkies (sea-like creatures able to take human form). In it the "Sealwoman" (selkie) is torn between her home (the sea) and human love. Next up is "Bring The Peace" a lovely song about gaining wisdom after a period of seperation, and for coming "full circle." Rounding off the three songs Mary contributes is "You Saw His Eyes" whose message resonates any pop song that's out there today: to love someone only to be brokenhearted.

next up is Connie Dover, born in Arkansas and raised in Missouri. She sings "The Wishing Well", "In Aimsir Bhaint an Fheir", "Siuil a Ruin" and "Cantus". Praising the birth and final sacrifice of Christ as well as the devotion of Mary, his Mother, "Cantus" is exceptionally emotional. "In Aimsir Bhaint an Fheir" (at haycutting time) is a stark contrast to "Cantus". More lively and upbeat, this traditonal song finishes with a dance tune written by Phil Cunningham who has had a long and fruitful working relationship with Connie. The mood changes drasticlly once again for "The Wishing Well", inspired by a poem written by Padraig Prease. This poignant song is about the sometimes overpowerful feelings of love and the fear of "losing yourself" in the process. "Siuil a Ruin" (go, love) is the heartbreaking tale of a woman's love for a solider who has fled to France in times of war.

After Connie's beautiful voice, there is the equally stunning voice of Maireid Sullivan,who was born in Ireland and at age 11 moved with her family to San Francisco, and later moved to Melbourne, Australia. She sings "Colour Me", and the more traditional "She Moved Through The Fair" and "Waly Waly". "Colour Me", co-written by Maireid and guitarist Steve Wilson, paints a lovely picture of a river on a sunny day. "She Moved Through The Fair" has been a favorite among celtic artists (Lorenna Mckennitt also sings a rendition of it, among others)and "Waly Waly", another traditional favorite is sometimes refered to "The Water Is Wide"

Closing out the album is harpist and Isle Of Man native Emma Christian who contributes the songs "Ushag Veg Ruy" (Little Red Bird), "Oikan Ayns Bethlehem" (Birth In Bethlehem),"O Kirree, Tou Goll Dy Faagail Mee" (O Kirree Thou Wilt Leave Me), and (very fittingly) "Arrane Oie Vie" (The Goodnight Song). Sung in her native language, Manx Gaelic, Emma creates a serene, intimate atmosphere for her audience. Keeping close to her roots, all four songs are rich with the Manx tradition.

The Title for this cd (Celtic Voices:Women Of Song) is so perfect because I feel the human voice is one of the most complex and beautiful instruments. This cd clearly demostrates that in the stunning, impressive talents of these four women. This is a wonderful album for immense lovers of Celtic music (such as myself) and also for those who are new to Celtic music. I highly recommend it.

Four accomplished female vocalists--Mary McLaughlin, Connie Dover, Maireid Sullivan and Emma Christian--offer haunting and heartfelt renditions of both new and traditional tunes, gently accompanied by an assortment of instruments. The voices of the vocalists, though not heard concurrently, are remarkably well-matched--rich, velvety, resonant and bell-clear. A standout number is the striking lament "Sealwoman/Yundah" by Mary McLaughlin. My other favorites include Connie Dover's wistful "Siuil a Ruin", and "Cantus" (her multi-tracked take on the carol "Personent Hodie"), Maireid Sullivan's bluesy version of "The Water is Wide (Waly Waly)", and singer/harpist Emma Christian's plaintive "Little Red Bird". For more music by and about Celtic Women, try the Green Linnet's 3-CD set, "The Voice of Celtic Music".

this CD is amazing. The voices fo the women are hauntingly above the normal human voice. The selections really emphasize the talents. In song number 5, Connie Dover truly shows the magical Celtic music experience and proves that she is one of the best, along with the rest of the wonderful ladies on the CD. A definite must have for anyone who truly loves music and the magic that it can create.

True to the title of this CD, each of the recordings showcases the vocal talents of the four featured women to a full extent. The music is a combination of very traditional songs and more recently written, New-Agey selections, which complement eachother very well. Some of the better tracks (they're all pretty good) include: the haunting, pleading "Bring the Peace"; the playful harvest song "In Aimsir Bhaint an Fheir"; the tragic traditional song "Siuil a Ruin"; and the contemplative "Waly Waly," better known as "The Water is Wide". Perhaps my favorite track, though, is "She Moved Through the Fair," a song which has been recorded by many artists, but never more beautifully than Maireid Sullivan. If you're a fan of Celtic music, or just enjoy hearing beautiful voices, buy this CD - it's definitely a must-have.

I am so glad I purchased this cd. If you love celtic music, and love the women of celtic music, this is a must. Personally I feel celtic music is much more haunting and beautiful when sung by a woman.

Here are 4 women all with beautiful, but different voices offering you a sampling of haunting irish tunes. Songs are done in both english and gaelic. What I like is that in the booklet all the words to the songs are printed out. On the gaelic songs it has both the gaelic and english words printed.

My 2 favorite vocalists on this disc are Connie Dover and Emma Christian.

I have Connie's albums and she is one of the most gifted vocalists out there. "Cantus" is a lovely song about the birth of Christ, and his mother Mary. I will definately play this one at Christmas time. Her other songs are equally beautiful also, and can be found on her albums "The Wishing Well" and "Somebody".

Emma Christian I had never heard of before until this cd. She has an amazing voice. Her "Birth In Bethlehem" (also Christmasy) is so haunting and chilling. Emma sings in Manx Gaelic with very little or no musical accompanyment. I went to seek her album on the internet after hearing her music. Unfortunately it is not available in the US. I found a few online British music stores, but converting from pounds to dollars and paying international shipping is just too much of a hassle. I finally found ONE place in the US (online) that had it. If you purchase "Celtic Voices Women Of Song" and love Emma as much as I do, feel free to e-mail me and I will tell where to go to find her disc.