We were so taken with the mystical opening track on the anthology Celtic Voices: Women of Song, we told you that it alone was worth the price of the album. Well, it also opens this entire 1994 album by this amazing artist (we've been hoping one would materialize), which combines Irish, ambient, and world beat sounds with her incredible vocal range. It contains mostly original songs which are thematically linked by images of Ireland, Women and the Sea. The title track ""was written after watching a television programme on prominent Irish women, and I was struck by the particular quality of spirit they had.'' The song Motherland uses the allegory of ""the poor old woman'' who is Ireland: a woman with strength and love who had been battered so much she had reached the point of saying ""No more.'' Eyes of Africa contains gorgeous harmonies... but Sealwoman combined with the Hebridean chant Yundah is still the winner here. We have space limitations, so I must stop now... Very recommended!"

Mclaughlin,Mary