When Silly Wizard broke up, the Cunningham brothers went on to team up with siblings Micheal O' Domhnaill and Triona Ni Dhombnaill to form the aptly named Relativity band. Their first album was an INDIE winner and most deservedly so. "Gile Mear" is a thrilling anthem from the 1700's singing the praises of Prince Charles Stuart, in whom the people had hopes of withstanding the English advances. "An Seanduine Doite", from a bawdy Irish song, starts out slow but ends most lively.

Should you like Celtic Spirit, there are other albums in a similar vein. Áine Minogue has recorded The Mysts of Time: Chants and Melodies of the Ageless Celtic Lands. Her silky voice and flowing harp, along with the talents of other musicians make for a spiritual, refreshing listen.

Nóirín has a gentle, almost thin soprano voice, but the great sincerity coming from the deep well of her spirituality shines forth and listening to this can transport you into the realm of the Divine immediately. There are a couple of songs from the Hindu tradition, along with ten songs of the sean nós (old style). Her "Ode to Bridget", on which she does voice and shruti box, and others play cello, harp synth, kanjira, and tanpura is deeply moving.

Celtic Twilight

by various musicians

This is an album that makes one think of the Celtic landscape. Listening to it, I can imagine I am on the coast of Scotland, in the summer, with the cool breezes gently blowing. This album, on the Hearts of Space label weaves eight selections from their signed artists roster with six others from musicians in the Celtic field. It is entirely soothing, and the only thing wrong with it, is the 'dream' ends too soon. But HOS has answered that dilemma with two sequels to this fine album.

While we are on the ethereal vein, Enya's efforts come to mind. Her Shepherd Moons, ellicits dreamy reverie and relaxing as if floating in pools of warm limpid water. Her Memory of Trees was a deserving Grammy winner.

In refreshing contrast to Enya's elegant smoothness, is the rough and rowdy appeal of the Clancy brothers with Tommy Makem in Luck of the Irish. They sang in the 50's and 60's. This album captures them live in concert, with humorous songs such as "Mr Moses Ri-Tooral-I-Ay" and "They're Moving Father's Grave to Build A Sewer." Tommy Makem's "Four Green Fields" gives me chills down my spine, it is so passionately moving.

There are many compilation albums out there, for every preference in Celtic music. The Narada label has produced three such fine albums for those who prefer a mellow, mystical mood to their music. Windham Hill's Celtic Christmas II has a peaceful mood that can be enjoyed year round. Shenachie's A Treasury of Irish Song reflects this label's folk music specialization. Green Linnet, the major producer of Celtic music here in the States, has three excellent.compilation albums that display the variety and range of the various artists affliated with that label. But my most favorite is the Putumayo sampler. It features contempory Celtic music, my most-listened to speciality. Mary Black is a surprising discovery here. I turn the volume up loud on her "Treasure Island". Mary Black's rendition of "Song for Ireland" is so powerful and moving, it brings chills to my spine. Nancy McCallion's "On We Go" is an energetic tune that invites singing and dancing. Karen Matheson does "Waiting For the Wheel to Turn" which is on the Capercaillie Delirium album, but here it is spruced up with a new live version that is even hotter than the original.

A group I've just discovered is Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies in their fine album The Parish Notices. The label on the outside of the shrink wrap describes Jez as one of England's best folk songwriters. The twelve songs here prove that well enough. Most memorable are "Tom - Tom" (which celebrates the invention of music, although an early accomplishment of humanity, certainity not its least!) and "The Parish Notices", a true story of two lovers, both women, persecuted by an ignorant and frightened community.

This album is a classic, a must-have. Aoife's silken voice makes each song an intimate experience. Each tune, ballad or jig, is strong. Best, however, is Yeats poem, "The Lake Isle of Innisfree", to which Aoife's music is hauntingly beautiful. Aoife is related to the Clancy Brothers. I look forward to future albums of this constantly maturing group.