Artist: Enya

Enya's 1988 recording, Watermark, achieved landmark success with her groundbreaking use of multi-tracking technology to fuse new age and Celtic themes and instrumentation. The meticulous production defines her sound and achieves continuity even while weaving together tender ballads, piano pieces, massively layered vocal harmonies and symphonic synthesizer movements. Although Enya's pristine voice isn't especially strong, her lead vocals possess a vulnerability that reflects the lyrics' sense of personal searching. From the ubiquitous, frothy single "Orinoko Flow" to the hard, bold edge of "Cursum Perficio", Enya's style remains fresh and engaging. --Richard Price
A must for your cd collection, 2009-11-14
This is a truly beautiful cd which takes you on a journey of peace and tranquilty.

Artist: Enya

Enya, 2010-01-30
Very good, my wife is the fan and it is never off, if she is busy in the kitchen or ironing then Enya is on the player.

Score composer Howard Shore has informed this first instalment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy with his distinctly modern sensibilities. Revolving loosely around a brief, heroic brass theme, the composer has infused this epic with a powerful rhythmic thrust and a musical range that encompasses centuries (from the Renaissance pastoralism of "Concerning Hobbits" to the fiery, Prokofiev-influenced drama of "A Knife in the Dark"). Key to his score's sense of mystery and magic are the rich choral passages that are interspersed throughout, some so ominously gothic they make The Phantom Menace's "Duel of the Fates" sound almost sunny by comparison. Enya's contributions ("The Council of Elrond" and the song "May It Be") add a sense of organic tranquillity, but it's Shore's Wagnerian-scaled orchestral score that will long be cherished by admirers of film music and Hobbits alike. --Jerry McCulley
Music maketh the film, 2010-02-23
I am a firm believer in the idea that "music maketh the film" - this soundtrack is a point in favour of my argument. Films just would not work without a great score to accompany them, and as one other reviewer stated, soundtrack composers are sadly looked down upon by the snobbish elitist composers of the classical world.

It is film soundtracks such as this which will begin to change that highbrow opinion. Veering wildly from flutey jauntiness for The Shire ("Concerning Hobbits") to the gothic drum-banging and eerie choral work of Moria ("A Journey in the Dark"), Shore manages to embroider the Peter Jackson's wonderful Middle Earth and create an even more enjoyable experience for the viewer. In the hands of a less capable composer, the soundtrack could have just remained as ambient noise in the background, but Shore has managed to create such excellent music that you can listen to it on it's own and enjoy it even more.

Stand-out tracks for me are:

Concerning Hobbits - jaunty, fun and thoroughly appropriate for the fun, childlike little Hobbits whose first loves are food and beer. I always picture Gandalf trotting through Hobbiton with his cart full of fireworks - sun shining, birds twittering, grass green and so on. You get the idea.

A Journey in the Dark - I still feel a sense of wonder as the music builds up and then whoosh - suddenly I can see on my mind's eye the huge expanse of the dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf (geek alert), even when I'm not watching the film and just listening to the soundtrack!

Lothlorien - the Lothlorien of the film is much creepier than the book and the music has an ethereal, ghostly tone to it which suits the otherworldliness very well.

The Breaking of the Fellowship - a very poignant piece, especially when the young soloist begins to sing There and Back Again. This is the piece which frequently reaches No.1 on film soundtrack charts.

Enya's contributions (Aniron and May it be) are also excellent, very in keeping with the elvish, otherworldly feel of Rivendell. Aniron, Aragorn and Arwen's love theme, is very pretty and delicate. It fit's Arwen very well.

All in all, one of the most extraordinary, wonderful film soundtracks I have ever heard. And it only gets better with The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

If you are a fan of the films or just really like film music, this is a must-buy!

Artist: Enya

Born Eithne Ni Bhraonain, this classically-trained pianist was kid sister in the musical family that became Clannad, joining the Irish band in 1979 but dropping out amicably three years later to pursue her own muse. This music, produced in the mid-'80s as the soundtrack to a BBC series, was released as her debut in 1987 and promptly ignored--yet its mix of atmospheric soundscapes and Enya's lush, layered vocals, sung in both English and Gaelic, is the template for her subsequent global hits, beginning with Watermark the following year. --Sam Sutherland
Simply Brilliant, 2010-02-19
I have listened to Enya for some years now, a talented musician with a beautiful voice. Her music is timeless and this album is another master piece. It's not really about chill it's about loosing yourself in the music and letting the worries and stress of the world slip away.

Artist: Enya

The success of her first international hit, Watermark, confirmed Enya as less a singer or songwriter than a sonic architect: working with producer Nicky Ryan and his wife, lyricist Roma Ryan, the classically trained pianist built vaulting cathedrals of sound, framed by luminous piano, shimmering synthesizer orchestrations, and, above all, the seemingly infinite layers of vocal harmonies she applied to every song. The deeply romantic Celtic pop on its 1991 successor, Shepherd Moons, sustains the same spectrum of hushed reverie and surging, rhapsodic releases, as well as its mix of ballads, floating midtempo pieces, and forays into Celtic and Latin-- and it's every bit as seductive. The terminally hip will sneer, but it's no accident that "Caribbean Blue", the best known song here, managed to sneak onto modern rock, top 40, and adult-oriented radio playlists. --Sam Sutherland
A relaxing gem, 2010-02-15
One of Enya's earlier CD's and I can only agree fully with another reviewer that this is perfect for a quiet evening in with a glass of wine, just to let the music wash over you. To be fair, this is not my favourite Enya CD but this does not detract from the mix of smooth instrumentals, layered vocals and faultless production. It was hearing her version of "Marble Halls" a few years ago that put me on to her and I have now got all her cd's to date. This is definitely one for your collection.

Absolutely brilliant !!, 2009-08-25
I bought this as a gift for a friend of mine who likes classical type stuff ( I usually don`t go in for it myself ).
However when I gave it to her she insisted on playing a couple of tracks and I was hooked !
How do you describe something so wonderfully fresh and vibrant and give it the full credit it deserves ?
You have to take a chance and buy this, you will love it - these kids are fantastic - go on buy it - I did - Twice !!

Artist: Enya

Enya seventh studio album, And Winter Came can be enjoyed in two ways. With songs like “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”, “Journey Of The Angels”, the children’s song “Toy Soldier” and a Gaelic version of “Silent Night”, (“Oiche Chiuin”) it is, at least half of the time, a celebration of Christmas, flush with joyful, traditional festive cheer (and those haunting, floating vocals). But other songs here are less overtly religious. The ambient title track, the ethereal “Last Time By Moonlight” and the chugging, rhythmic “Trains And Winter Rains”, although equally emotive, conjure up slightly different imagery--namely, landscapes of ice-covered forests and star-strewn nightscapes. Of course all the songs somehow together to create a coherent winter tapestry that’s broken only by the surprisingly poppy "My! My! Time Flies!”--an upbeat number that features, believe it or not, some adroit blues guitar. Perhaps on Enya’s next album we’ll see more of her pop side let loose; but for now this is as “adult contemporary” as it gets. --Danny McKenna
Another beauty!, 2010-01-09
Having listened to this album for a year, even during the summer months, and then reading the reviews by others, I found myself agreeing, particularly, with two of my fellow reviewers. As Lee Kaay said, "other reviewers have missed the point." Remember, "this is Enya, not different Enya". If you REALLY like Enya, why would you want something different? Me, I don't want anything different, I want her, in all of her glory - and this is a glorious album. In fact, this album is probably second only to Watermark, if not THE best.

Then, there is Julia Gemstone. I am not a stressed parent (my two lads have flown the nest), but I agree entirely with her when she says she loves Enya and find her music soothing. I find great peacefulness in her music. Strangely, I am not a fan of Christmas, but do like Christmas music; but I think this album, as the title states, goes beyond Christmas and goes into the whole winter season.

I find the whole album has great warmth and a variety of textures. It also feels like an album accessible to all - the children would like "One Toy Soldier", those who like a bit of tempo in their music have "My! My! Time Flies!" and "Trains and Winter Rains" to listen to, whilst those who want a hymnal slant can have the beauty that is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and the fantastic new, Chorale version of "Oiche Chiuin" (Silent Night in gaelic). For us romantics, I think the highlights of this album, and tracks I just can not stop playing are "Dreams Are More Precious" and "Last Time By Moonlight" - in my opinion, the two best tracks I have ever heard from Enya. The first has such beauty in the lyrics and are wonderfully sung as a single voice; the second, as with other tracks on this album, has a whole choir of Enya and is just the most magically romantic song - I get goosebumps listening to it.

Yes, I know it's all subjective and it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I find this to be a beautifully produced album, with stunning music, singing and instrumentation. The CD booklet is even a masterpiece, in snow white, with great pictures of our heroine and containing Roma Ryan's lyrics.

For me, this is sheer bliss - New Age music at its very best. Thank you, Enya. Some may have doubted whether you, Roma and Nicky Ryan, still had the ability to come up with another great album, but you've done so here with something bordering on superlative. What I want now is a DVD of all the tracks....or is that one request too far?

Artist: Enya

New Age diva Enya first became widely known when her 1988 album Watermark sold 4 million copies and launched the single "Orinoco Flow". Her follow-up, Shepherd Moons, was even more successful, selling over 10 million copies despite its slightly lower grade of ethereal enchantment. In 1997 she released Paint the Sky with Stars, an assortment of her best work from these two early albums plus gems from 1995's The Memory of Trees and the soundtrack to the BBC series The Celts. The most melodic and atmospheric examples of Enya's lovely Celtic-flavoured songwriting shine on this disc. Those unfamiliar with the former Clannad member will find charm in such sweet lullabies as "Marble Halls" and "China Roses" while delighting in the more energetic "Book of Days", "Storms in Africa" and "Caribbean Blue". Overall, an outstanding collection from an artist who gives New Age a good name. --Karen Karleski
Amazing, 2009-02-09
Enya's best album, so soothing and beautiful. You'll never be not be able to sleep again with this. as a child growing up in our house we always had Enya on standby, & this album remains the greatest. With most of well know tracks included & over 20 of them at that!

Artist: Enya

Enya's greatest moment in music!, 2007-10-04

One of the greatest albums of the decade and most certainly one of the greatest works ever to be captured on CD! Undoubtedly Enya's greatest moment which she can never hope to better - but only ever hope to match. She manages to capture every emotion here - and every tempo. A masterpiece where Enya reaches perfection in the extreme. This also includes her greatest single ever (that ironically did not chart - and there goes the British Public for you again! Shame on you!!) in 'Wild Child'. It is one of those songs reminiscent of the days when singles would be bought and played over and over again 'til they were worn out! Each track is perfectly placed, and clearly much thought has gone into this arrangement. There's not a single song that does not belong on this album, and it would be like having a jigsaw with a missing piece without any one of them. This is one of the most tuneful and melodic collection of songs you will ever find gathered together in one place!

The album opens with the beautiful and tranquil title track: 'A Day Without Rain', and one of many short songs on this album that leave you wanting more and more - once again; this proves the point that some of the best and most greatest works are indeed the shortest of all! This track is then followed by the aforementioned 'Wild Child' followed by the hauntingly melancholic 'Only Time', which is based upon a lovely and reflective mood. After this we get 'Tempus Vernum' which is a marvellous interpretation of the dramatic and sudden arrival of spring - this is yet another short track, which then fades into the beautifully sad 'Deora Ar Mo Chroi'. After this, we go into an 'upbeat' mode for 'Dora's Secret' which has a distinctly happy tone to it. 'Silver Inches' is a merry little track - short and sweet, and one is almost able to imagine a minuet being performed by an ancient group of little old-fashioned people! This is followed by the magnificent 'Pilgrim' - another inspiring 'shortie'. The uplifting tempo of 'One by One' is quite 'jolly', and 'The First Of Autumn' is interpreted like the startling arrival of the said season after a long and seemingly endless summer. 'Lazy Days' is the last track on this classic album, and is somewhat an 'odd' finale for such a moody and classic collection of perfect works of art that cannot be matched!

You will have to go a very long way to find another album that is so complete, perfect and magnificent as this is in every way, and most certainly has to be the peak of Enya's long and outstanding career!

Artist: Enya

To many people, Enya has become synonymous with new age music. Her haunting voice, clear and crisp above richly woven musical arrangements and adaptations, represents some of the best in the genre. Her performances on The Memory of Trees justify the Celtic songster's reputation. Songs like "China Roses" and "Hope Has a Place" complement the simple elegance of traditional folk music with luxuriantly layered instrumentation and highly crafted studio production. The ultimate effect is dazzling, to be sure. Whether she sings in English, Gaelic, or Latin, Enya conveys a profound, if slightly disconcerting, mix of spirituality and sensuality. --L.A. Smith
MUSIC TO ROMANCE TO, 2009-12-09
THIS WAS A DREAM OF A CD WITH SOME BEAUTIFUL HAUNTING TRACKS, I JUST LOVE ENYA SHE REALLY PUTS HER HEART INTO HER MUSIC SO FAR I HAVEN'T PURCHASED A BAD CD BY ENYA AND THIS ONE IS SO BRILLIANT I HAVE JUST BROUGHT A CD FOR MY FRIEND AS SHE ALWAYS LIKES TO LISTEN TO THIS ONE IN MY CAR SO NOW SHE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE ENYA ON WHENEVER SHE LIKES TOO.