Celtic Soul

Noirin Ni Riain (Noreen O'Ryan in Anglicized versions) is a legendary sean nos (traditional a cappella) singer in Ireland, but on this project her keening, clear-as-a-bell soprano is backed by America's pastoral-jazz ensemble, the Paul Winter Consort, and such special guests as Joanie Madden and Jerry O'Sullivan. Nine traditional sean nos songs are sung in Gaelic; two Indian hymns are sung in Hindi, and a delightful arrangement of William Butler Yeats' "Down by the Sally Gardens" is sung in English. Winter's arrangements emphasize elongated phrasing and sustained notes, and the near-droning effect creates a spiritual stillness not unlike that produced by the chanting monks who were all the rage a few years ago. --Geoffrey Himes