Celebration

Artist: Sally Oldfield Label: Castle Music UK Category: Music Average customer rating: Format: Import Media: Audio CD Number Of Discs: 1 EAN: 5013428781036 ASIN: B0000040MD Release Date: 1992-06-30

Tracks:

1. 5:16 Mandala
2. 5:37 Morning Of My Life
3. 5:05 Woman Of The Night
4. 5:03 Celebration
5. 8:13 Blue Water
6. 6:27 My Damsel Heart
7. 4:34 Love is Everywhere

Customer Reviews:

Breathtakingly joyful and romantic art pop!.......2001-10-23

Lyrically and melodically, the music here is upbeat, with lots of major keys and (at the risk of sounding too 'touchy-feely') life-affirming lyrics-- as you might guess from song titles like "Love is Everywhere" and "Morning of my Life" (as well as from the album title itself). Even those songs which delve into what might normally be considered a darker, or more dangerous side of human sexuality like "Woman of the Night" (yes, it's about what you think) or "My Damsel Heart" (about a young gypsy seductress) are infused with a spirit that is warm, sensuous, romantic, and ultimately joyful and celebratory. There's nothing cynical, tawdry, embittered, or depressing about this album-- although, that said, I hasten to add that it's not saccharine-sweet bubble-gum either. It acknowledges pain and loss, and sorrow, and the troubles and complexity of life-- I think the lyrics from the danceable reggae-grooved title track perhaps sum it up best , reminding us, "Come on, come on, you're gonna die someday" but saying that the best attitude to adopt towards this is to "Wipe your tears away...... join in the celebration".

One of the neat things about this album are the lush arrangements and instrumentation. Tuned percussion (chimes, vibraphone, etc.), played by Pierre Moerlen (of Gong fame!) is used amply here, especially on Mandala and the title track, and there is a good deal of acoustic guitar (played very romantically on "My Damsel Heart") and gentle keyboards. There's also some other percussion used for rhythm, but there's no actual drum kit on most (any?) songs, which gives a laid-back feel that makes a lot of tunes sound like mellow prog rather than pop. And of course, there's Sally's beautiful voice on all tracks. Beautiful stuff, all around, although I suppose it's not for everyone. Folks looking for unhappy, angry, aggressive music would do better looking elsewhere.

Music CD:

1. All Around My Hat ~ Steeleye Span
2. Spinning Song: Duck Baker Plays the Music of Herbie Nichols ~ Duck Baker
3. Live and Alone ~ Hugh Moffatt
4. Broken Bones ~ Kate McDonnell
5. All the Walls Are Bare ~ Adam Selzer
6. Songs of the Mormons & Songs of the West ~ Various Artists
7. My Brilliant Masterpiece ~ Don Conoscenti
8. Changing Horses ~ The Incredible String Band
9. Live in Concert ~ Tom Paxton
10. Big Huge

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Snap a Little Owl ~ John Renbourn

Bestwishes: Best of Nightwish ~ Nightwish

Born Dead ~ Body Count

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz ~ Victor Jara

M.I.U. ~ Miyuki Motegi

Celtic Journey

Declaracao De Amor ~ Various Artists

Sun Is Rising ~ Chris Rea

Pirates (1986 Film) ~ Philippe Sarde

It's a Finger Lickin' Thang, Vol. 3 ~ Various Artists