Raining Up

Sometimes an artist comes along who makes you believe in music again. Máiréad is one of those! This woman is quite possibly one of the most talented human beings I've ever come across. Her ability to blend classical with traditional is unparalleled. When you watch her perform, you can scarcely believe your eyes. She believes in her music, she loves the music and she loves to play. It shows. Anyway, on to her CD. After seeing her live, I knew I had to have it, and let me tell you, you will not be disappointed if you buy it. It's very different, in my opinion, from Celtic Woman material, and yet I feel that Celtic Woman audiences will love and appreciate it. Many of the songs have an almost ambient feel to them, and combined with the traditional element, you have a very unique CD. "There is No Night" is a sweet, beautiful song, and probably my favorite, though "Skidoo," "Finan's Isle" and several others come very close. There is an excellent combination of both slow and fast on the album, and I really feel that there's something for everyone. I often listen to her CD in the car and it's great on my morning commute. Her playing is both wonderful and awe-inspiring. "Captain H" is another fantastic song, written by Máiréad herself, along with "Bluelights." There is one vocal track on the CD. A very interesting, very traditional Irish song sung by Máiréad herself. I was a bit perplexed by it at first, but grew to love it purely because it is so different from anything I've personally heard before. If you've enjoyed Máiréad in Celtic Woman, you will more than likely love her album. She's a very talented lady who will not soon be forgotten. There is so much more in store for her in the future. I just know it! She just enjoys playing so much that she enables her audience to truly enjoy it as well, whether live or on CD! Also, I would encourage anyone to go out and see Máiréad in concert with Celtic Woman. You'll never forget it!

Fans fresh from having seen the amazing Mairead Nesbitt in the just-concluded Celtic Woman tour of the USA may be searching for more on this fiddling phenomenon. Well, your search is over! "Raining Up" is the product of this amazing talent, supported by a host of other talented musicians, including family members. Those who have seen her in action, whether on tour or through her multitudinous appearances with Celtic Woman on Public Broadcasting (PBS) Service stations everywhere, already know what to expect and are eager to hear more! For others, "Raining Up" may serve as an introduction to Mairead Nesbitt and will be rewarding in it's own right on the strength of the music and performances therein. In either event, the listener will be rewarded and left eagerly waiting for more. We hope to see and hear much more for many years to come from the incomparable Mairead Nesbitt!

Although I am captivated watching Mairead dance and play her fiddle on the PBS special "Celtic Woman" I had low expectations when I ordered the CD "Raining Up." I expected the music to suffer without the visual effect of this incredibly personable entertainer. To watch her play is mesmerizing. I also expected a whole CD of Fiddle music to be too much. Wrong! so happily wrong. The magic transcends the visual. The entire CD is arranged into an ethereal journey and when it was over I felt lightened. Instead of the little bits and pieces I had expected to listen to, I listen to the entire CD over and over again. I strongly recommend this CD. Buy it, Play it, and be lifted up.

Unfortunately this album is not exactly what I thought it was going to be. It is much less traditional than I had expected, but its still very good. Mairead is a brilliant fiddle player and it's always enjoyable to hear her play.

This album leaves you wishing... for more songs, and an accompaning DVD. Mairead is the only fiddler I've seen that can play while leaping, spinning and dancing to her own music. There Is No Night, Bluelights, and the three movements of Within The Blue Suite will leave you wanting to hear more of this talented violinist, now with the group Celtic Woman. Additional songs including The Ashoken Farewell/ The Contradiction, My Lagan Love, Shenandoah/The Pacific Slope, and Granuaile's Dance are available on Celtic Woman CDs and viewable on Celtic Woman DVDs. I highly regard and recommend all of the above mentioned albums and DVDs. I only wish there were more of them available.

I have been a fan of Celtic Woman for many years now, and own several of their albums. This independent album by their great fiddler, Mairead, does not disappoint. It is an enjoyable way to spend your time, listening to this talented lady perform. I would recommend purchasing this album.

"Raining Up," the solo record by Celtic Woman's reknown fiddle played, Mairead Nesbitt, will not disappoint fans of the group. The talented musician's fiddle playing is always one of the highlights of the group's performances, and her selections on Raining Up is just as captivating. "Skidoo," "The Finan Isle's Suite," "An Raibh tu ag an gCorraig," and the title track, as well as the other songs on the record, are excellent. Raining Up is another great solo release from an extremely talented group of musicians.

Mairead created a beautiful album with her fiddle. From first piece Sikdoo to the last piece of music she is an AMAZING album. So up beat is her music and just a fanastic way to create with out saying a word. I would say she is the best fiddler in all of Ireland and quite possible most parts of the world. This is one album like all Celtic Woman CD that is a must buy with out a doubt.