"Once in a Red Moon" continues Secret Garden's tradition of organic storytelling melodies and straight from the heart performances with a wink back to the innocence and raw simplicity of their debut. Lovland and Sherry felt that their second and third recordings, White Stones (1997) and Dawn of a New Century (1999), were conceived as larger - scale projects which would help build the scope of their live performance presentation. This time, they wanted to let the natural performance of the piano and violin be the leading force; to this end, they built their productions based on the first, original sensitive and raw takes in the demo phase. There are also some unique new elements: guest appearances by the Irish National Symphony Orchestra and RTE Concert Orchestra players performing live in the studio fronted by Sherry; guest vocalist Karen Matheson of Scotland ; Swedish harpist Asa Jinder. ~ Jonathan Widran

Earthsongs is a curious title for an album that is unrooted in the firmament and seems far removed from any traditions therein. Instead, the duo of Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland make music lost in a gauzy haze of nostalgia and sentimentality. On Earthsongs, they move further from the safely exotic, Celtic-meets-New-Age sound in which they forged their early successes and float down an easy-listening path. ~John Diliberto

"White Stones" is Lovland and Sherry's second collaboration, and, despite a few side trips into weighty sentimentality (e.g., the heart-clutching earnestness of "First Day of Spring"), it nicely conveys the pair's simple yet endearing children - of - the - cosmos spirit. Highlights here include the disc's energized, Celtic-influenced tunes ("Steps," "Moving," "Escape") and an infectious, regal charmer ("Celebration") Lovland composed in honor of the Queen of Norway's 60th birthday. Accompanied on nearly every piece by a small orchestra or Celtic instrumentalists, Sherry's violin sometimes evokes moods of melancholy that seem better suited for a two-hanky, movie - of - the - week film score. Yet a piece such as "Hymn to Hope" shows she can also elegantly trigger deeper feelings of longing and anticipation that can linger for hours ~ Terry Wood

Songs from a Secret Garden is the debut album from Secret Garden, released in 1996. It consists of 13 tracks. I find the songwriting to be proficient, the musicianship to be skillful, and the sound quality to be satisfying. Secret Garden is made up of duo Rolf Lovland (piano/keyboards) and Fionnuala Sherry (violin). Except for the upbeat "The Rap," the rest of the compositions are somber, yet beautiful and soothing.
The album, however, offers much more than this duo; it is awash in orchestral strings (real ones), a choir (real one), and as many percussionists, harps, fiddles, keyboards, and whistles as are needed. Songs from a Secret Garden, a chart-topper in Europe, is unabashedly romantic, absolutely gorgeous.. ~ Carol Wright

This two disc set is a compilation put together by Universal Music Korea. The first disc contains songs from the first four Secret Garden albums, along with three songs arranged for soprano (replacing the violin part), and featuring Korean singer Youngok Shin. The last two tracks, Hymn to Hope and Song From a Secret Garden, feature the soprano singing Korean lyrics. The track Swan is an arrangement of the song Adagio, with the soprano singing English lyrics written by Brendan Graham. Disc two features ten selections drawn from the live concert "A Night With Secret Garden" available on video and DVD. Most of the best tracks from the first four Secret Garden albums are here, and it's nice to have some of the live concert performances available in audio format. The three arrangements with soprano vocals by Youngok Shin are very well done, and she has a great voice! ~ mts.net

Dreamcatcher, not listed as a greatest-hits collection, is made up of previously recorded works. Secret Garden, Irish violinist Fionnuala (fi-NOO-la) Sherry, and Norwegian pianist / keyboardist Rolf Lovland, along with various guest musicians, always manage to surprise and execute their craft with a remarkable gracefulness of sound. Lush, rich, full-bodied, and passionate, Secret Garden stands eye - to - eye with other successful Celtic / world - music hybrids such as Loreena McKennitt and Clannad. Highlighted by the ethereal vocal styling of Gunnhild Tvinnereim ("Nocturne") and the tender laments of Karen Matheson ("Prayer"), Secret Garden weaves a mystical tapestry of classic Oriental notes, Irish flutes, deep bodhran, and bold violins. The songs soars with a wild, sea - swept energy, a true soundscape of white-sand beach and blue sky. A bonus cut, "Last Present," closes out Dreamcatcher with a simple, balanced melody - poised and inspiring. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

Secret Garden's formula is plain to hear. They have the lush string orchestrations of Yanni, the layered vocals of Clannad and Enya, and the stage-show Celtica of Riverdance. In the past these elements have weighed down the music of Irish violinist Fionuala Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland with a sweetness that would make tiramisu taste like poi. On Dawn of a New Century, they finally dance closer to the line that divides schlock from serenity, beauty from the banal. Capercaillie singer Karen Matheson gives a haunting vocal performance on "Prayer," surrounded by Clannad - like harmonies. "Children of the River" is a cinematic expanse with Asian overtones, while "Lore of the Loom" swoops through orchestral landscapes that could be Ireland or Norway. But there's also the hokey faux - Baroque of "Divertimento" and the title piece, which could stand in for "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing". ~ John Diliberto

This Odyssey - this second fantastic journey - for Hayley and for all of us is about to begin..... 'Prayer' opens with unaccompanied vocals from Hayley and the Conventus Choir and immediately conveys an atmosphere of peace and serenity. Members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra gradually fuse with the vocals, almost unnoticed. The first-time listener might now expect an up-tempo number to contrast with the opening track but the fact that it doesn't happen is a stroke of genius. A second sublimely gentle song underlines the peaceful mood.

Enchanting traditional British Isles Celtic melodies, passed down through many generations of musicians, in a beautiful new arrangement for guitars, flutes, percussion and dulcimer. ~ cdisle.ca

Celtic Twilight 7: Sacred Spirit weaves a Celtic knot of sacred music from antiquity to the present. The central feature of the Celtic worldview is the intimate relationship of humans with the natural world--"a holy intimacy between the human and the divine in nature"--and "a sense of spirit presences in nature" as Thomas Berry says. This feeling is expressed in many of the pieces on this album........

Loreena McKennitt, the Enya alternative. She is producing her mix of Celtic and Folk music sometimes based or derived from traditionals. Of course she is songwritter too and she's able to craft her own music. This is her latest album.