Description
Whisper to the Wild Water is the sophomore CCM album by the Irish folk singer and songwriter Máire Brennan of Clannad fame (since 2002 she is known under the phonetic spelling of her name, Moya Brennan), released on Word Entertainment in 1999, with distribution by Epic Records, a division of Sony Music. The album was recorded at Mo Studio and Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland; with Denis Woods and Máire Brennan producing.
Perfect Time was exquisite, but if it had one fault it was that repeated plays showed a samey-ness of many of the tracks. But this breathtaking sequel is near faultless. The opening track «Follow The Word», with its deft interjections of Irish reel, still retains all that ethereal cushion of introspection that has become Maire’s (and indeed sister Enya’s) trademark, is to my ears the finest thing either Maire or Clannad have ever recorded. After such a dazzling opener, one might have wondered if such delights could be sustained throughout. They are. «Where I Stand» is an exquisite ballad, «Hard To Break The Seal» has an infectious undulating rhythm while her sadly short closer, a version of «Be Thou My Vision» using the Gaelic words of her late grandfather Hugh Duggan is breathtakingly lovely, and shows that, despite the seeming dozens of versions of the hymn since the Celtic revival took hold, there is still room for Maire’s rendition. Even the questionable tactic of getting her son to speak some Gaelic words (based on Francis Of Assisi’s “Make Me An Instrument” prayer) works. In an age of urban bustle and technological overkill, this most gifted singer/songwriter continues to give us material shining with a peace-filled spirit. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, December 1999]
A recording artist for more than 25 years, Máire Brennan’s voice is recognized around the world from movie and television soundtracks (Robin Hood, Titanic), to commercials (Volkswagen), to more than a dozen stunning albums with her Irish family’s band, Clannad, not to mention her solo debut project, Perfect Time (Word). If you’ve heard Word’s brilliant Streams project (and if you haven’t, get it), then you’ve also heard «Don’t Give Up», Brennan’s moving duet with Michael McDonald.
There are a few tracks on new release Whisper to the Wild Water that skew close to pop and even rock. The opening «Follow the Word» rides on a bubbling percussion track and features electric guitar accents, but then addresses the traditional with a Uileann (elbow) pipe solo. «Hard to Break the Seal» and «Life» are also awash in electric guitar and percussion, reminiscent of world music pioneer Peter Gabriel.
Although it is easy to appreciate the modern pop influences on the album, Brennan is most adept at making sure traditional musical overtones are displayed. She comes close to a choral sound on «I Láthair Dé (In God’s Presence)». Brennan sings in the ancient Gaelic language on several tracks, while her ability on Celtic harp is also prominently featured. With «Sign From the Hills» Brennan tries her hand at what comes close to sounding like a folk ballad.
Whisper to the Wild Water simply and beautifully draws the listener into God’s presence with evocative poetry and masterful arrangements. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, November 1999]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/whisper-to-the-wild-water/1166000613)
CD tracklist:
01. Follow The Word – 5:13
02. Where I Stand – 5:17
03. Hard To Break The Seal – 4:36
04. To The Water – 3:25
05. Whisper To The Wild Water – 4:44
06. Peacemaker – 4:29
07. Ageless Messengers – 4:45
08. I Láthair Dé (In God’s Presence) – 3:44
09. Life – 4:51
10. Rinne Tú – 5:02
11. Mary Of The Gaels – 4:24
12. Sign From The Hills – 4:35
13. Bí Thusa Mo Shúile (Be Thou My Vision) – 1:54
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Word.
A full-page advertisement for Maire Brennan’s Whisper To The Wild Water was featured in the December 1999 issue of CCM Magazine.
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