Internet Info 1997 December/Internet_Info_CD-ROM_Walnut_Creek_December_1997.iso/faqs/alt/answers/music/enya-like

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Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!faqserv
From: [e-mail] (Jean Debord)
Newsgroups: alt.music.enya,alt.answers,news.answers
Subject: Enya-related artists
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Date: 30 Sep 1997 09:50:30 GMT
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Summary: A list of musicians related to the Irish singer/composer Enya.
X-Last-Updated: 1997/09/28
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Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu alt.music.enya:22400 alt.answers:29281 news.answers:113420

Archive-name: music/enya-like
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Last-modified: September 97

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This list of Enya-related artists is based mainly on messages posted to
alt.music.enya or the Enya mailing list, with the supplementary
information that I have received by e-mail, or found on web sites. Many
thanks to all contributors. Comments, critics and suggestions are always
welcome.
**********************************************************************


ADIEMUS
=======

Adiemus is comprised by Karl Jenkins and vocalist Miriam Stockley. Their
music features a combination of classical compositions (performed by the
London Philharmonic Orchestra), added percussions, and 'ethnic'-type
incantations (no lyrics). They have released two albums: 'Songs of
Sanctuary' and 'Cantata Mundi'.

"Despite Adiemus' use of invented language with African, Latin, and
Eastern European flavors, the vocal styles of lead singer Miriam
Stockley and backup singer Mary Carewe, combined with the artful
compositions by Karl Jenkins, continues to remind me foremost of Enya.
'Cantata Mundi' is more complex, varied, and innovative than 'Songs of
Sanctuary', with woodwinds, horns, and new percussion added to the
London Philharmonic instrumentation. It consists of 7 long 'Cantus'
pieces and 7 shorter 'Chorales' and runs about 66 minutes." [JB]

Audio sample files are available on Miriam's web page:
http://www.1212.com/music-cast/singersuk/miriam/home.html

See also the unofficial Adiemus web site:
http://www.netxpress.com/~nst/adiemus/


ANUNA
=====

This Irish choral group, directed by Michael McGlynn, has released 4
albums: 'Anuna', 'Invocation', 'Omnis' and 'Deep Dead Blue'.

As with Enya, their repertoire includes songs in English, Latin, and
Irish Gaelic. Most songs are of traditional and/or religious origin.
They have also participated in the musical show 'Riverdance'
(http://www.riverdance.ie).

More information, including discography, lyrics, audio samples,
interviews and a complete story of the group, is available on their web
page: http://www.anuna.ie


BEAL, JEFF & JOAN
=================

As with Adiemus, the last album of these musicians, entitled 'The
Gathering', has no lyrics but incantations performed by Joan Beal.

"Jeff departs from his jazz roots to create a more new age-style album
with vocals by wife Joan." [JB]


BEAUTIFUL WORLD
===============

Beautiful World is produced by Phil Sawyer (one of the founders of
Fleetwood Mac). They have released two albums : 'In existence' and
'Forever', which features the participation of Miriam Stockley and Mary
Carewe, the two singers of Adiemus.

"Lots of world music influences. The sequel, 'Beautiful World: Forever'
continues in the same vein (check out Miriam Stockley's beautiful vocal
on the track 'Africa')." [JB]

A web page is available at:
http://discoveryrec.com/artists/beaworld/index.html


BRENNAN, MAIRE
==============

Maire Brennan is Enya's older sister. In addition to her work with the
family band Clannad, she has released two solo albums: 'Maire' and
'Misty Eyed Adventures'.

"Although I liked 'Maire', I have to say that 'Misty Eyed Adventures' is
definitely my favourite. The greatest strength of this album, I feel, is
its variety of styles in the songs. The songs range from traditional
folk (such as 'Eirigh Suas a Stoirin'), to 'pop' (including a cover of
Joni Mitchell's 'Big Yellow Taxi') to almost country ('Dream On'- though
this is my least favourite song of the album.) Like Enya's music, both
English and Gaelic songs are sung. And as well as on the album 'Maire',
this album also features the other three Brennan daughters- Olive, Dee,
and Bridin, as backup singers; proof enough that Maire and Eithne did
not inherit all the musical talent!" [DS]

Maire has also participated in Aoife Ni Fhearraigh's 'Aoife' album, and
in Iona's 'Journey into the morn' album.


BRIGHTMAN, SARAH
================

"Sarah Brightman, best known as the former wife of Andrew Lloyd Webber
and the original 'Christine Daae' in the London production of 'Phantom
of the Opera', has also released a number of albums. Though most of
these have been classical, 1993's 'Dive' was more of a 'pop' album.
'Dive' is for the most part based on the theme of water (sound
familiar?) Actually, the songs range in style from 'jazz' to 'pop', but
a few were quite "ambient" and thus Enya-like, including the main
single, 'Captain Nemo'. Other songs, including 'La Mer', almost sound
like Enigma, not surprising considering that Michael Cretu worked on
parts of the album. Overall, a good album and a good show-case of
Brightman's voice." [DS]

There is an unofficial web page for Sarah Brightman at :
http://tnj.phys.tue.nl/users/jos/cits/sarahbr.html


CLANNAD
=======

Clannad is Enya's family band. Before starting her solo career she has
toured with them and participated in two of their albums, 'Crann Ull'
and 'Fuaim'.

Clannad has released 20 albums, featuring songs in English or Irish
Gaelic. The last one, 'Lore', was released in 1996. A complete list of
their songs, together with some lyrics and translations, can be found on
John Whatmough's page: http://www.empire.net/~whatmoug/clanhome.htm

Paul Brennan, who left the band in 1989, has collaborated with two
Japanese musicians to produce the album 'Trisan', which has been
described as a hybrid between Japanese and Celtic music styles.


COCTEAU TWINS
=============

"If you expect Enya's tranquility you won't find it here, but there is
some common roots in the multi-layered vocals and dreamlike atmosphere
in most songs. It can be described as music Enya would do if she were on
something (and I do not mean a ladder, thank you). I heard their
'Treasure' and 'Victorialand' albums, and them both are very good. Also
I heard the track 'Alice' on 'stealing beauty' soundtrack, which was
also good." [SB]

"Some tracks are indeed very close to the crystalline/dreamy style of
Enya. The closest being the track 'Essence' on their release 'Four
Calendar Cafe'. In the light of this similarity let me recommend 'Blue
Bell Knoll', probably their best CD to date. A fantastic mixture between
multi-layered vocals and impressive soundscapes. I'm sure you will enjoy
it like many Enya-fans seem to do." [DA]

Check their official web site: http://www.cocteautwins.com/


CRUISE, JULEE
=============

"The similarity of Cruise to Enya is in the voice and the sense-of-life
of their music; Cruise has the same ethereal, airborne quality in her
music on the album 'Floating into the Night' (dated 1989, on the Warner
Brother label in Canada). The track that has received the most airplay
in Toronto is 'Falling' from this same album, and that is the one that I
find most striking." [JM]


DA DA WA
========

"She's Chinese and she performs Tibetan music (with lots of high-tech
injected). She's being compared as the Asian Enya (but that is
debatable!)." [MM]


DEAD CAN DANCE
==============

"It doesn't have the smooth, new-age sound of Enya, but it is similar in
that it has great diversity, and a high proportion of instrumentals,
along with several incantation-sounding tracks." [PS]

"Often a mixture between medieval, gothic, religious and ethnic
influences. Their latest is more 'tribal' and rythmic. A very impressive
album. But I would suggest to begin with 'Into the Labyrinth'. A good
starting-CD if you want to discover this band. The opening track
'Yulunga (ghost song)' is simply to die for. The way it changes from an
almost religious chant to a rythmic 'eastern'-flavoured track is
stunning to say the least. Liza Gerrard's vocals might be not very
similar to Enya's, they are haunting and enchanting in their own way."
[DA]

Their official home page is located at: http://www.nets.com/dcd/


HASLAM, ANNIE
=============

Annie Haslam was the lead singer of a mythic band of the 70's named
Renaissance. Their music featured an elaborate combination of rock,
jazz, and classical styles, and they often played with a classical
orchestra. Although apparently devoid of celtic influences, some of
their songs are very Enya-like, particularly on the album "Scheherazade
and other stories" (1975), which is usually regarded as their best
album.

Annie Haslam now continues her career with other musicians. She has
recorded several solo albums.

See the unofficial Renaissance web page at:
http://user.mc.net/~jtl/nlights/index.htm

A musical entitled "Scheherazade", partly based on the 1975 album,
should be staged in London in December. For more information, see:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rwelliot/shindex.htm


IONA
====

As with Anuna, the repertoire of this band includes many religious
songs, often of medieval inspiration ('Iona' is indeed the name of one
of the Hebrides islands, where St. Columba founded his monastery in the
sixth century). Their music, however, is quite different, being a
surprising (but very successful) combination of many styles (Jazz, Rock,
New Age, Folk...).

Iona has released 4 albums. The last one, 'Journey into the Morn',
features Maire Brennan as guest musician. The lyrics are mainly English,
with some Irish Gaelic. Unlike Enya and Anuna, they have no Latin songs.

Iona's unofficial web page is located at:
http://www.mindspring.com/~iona

See also the Celtic Christian Music Index:
http://www.open.org/curtis/celtxian.htm
for links to sites related to Iona's themes.


JOHN-KROL, LOUISA
=================

The first album of this singer and songwriter, entitled 'Argo', features
poems by Blake, Walter de la Mare, Kipling... and a tribute to Marsile
Ficino, a priest, physician and neo-platonist philosopher from the
Italian Renaissance.

She says: "The title of my CD, Argo, refers to the legendary ship of the
Argonauts [...] These are the timeless realms of myth, keys to hidden
treasure stores, our House of Legend."

Soundclips and more information are available on her web page:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/evolving/louisa.htm


LAMOND, MARY JANE
=================

Mary Jane Lamond is a singer from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her
second album, entitled 'Suas e', has been released recently.

"The entire album is sung in Scottish Gaelic; all 11 songs are
traditional arrangements (there are no original compositions, for
example). The liner notes give a little description about the origins or
thoughts behind each song (similar to the notes in Clannad's 'Fuaim'
album.) Besides Mary Jane, and her backing musicians, there are a few
other singers as well. One song is sung by an older woman named Margaret
(Mairead in Gaelic), who, as far as I could gather, was one of Mary
Jane's teachers. The final song includes a very large chorus group, both
men and women, and was recorded all in one sitting, so it has a very
live and traditional feel to it.

Though not exactly like Enya, a few songs make use of a bit of vocal
over-dubbing for harmonising, or else harmonising with a back-up singer,
and it produces a very interesting sound. (I would say that such
over-dubbings are done maybe 5 to 10 times at most, instead of the
hundreds of layers that Enya uses.) The second song on the album, 'Seinn
O', is easily my favourite and uses the 'harmonising' effect quite well.

I would say that this album fits much more under the straight Celtic
Folk label, rather than the somewhat more 'country' style of the
Rankins. Overall, I think it is a really good album. If you're
interested in traditional Celtic Folk music, then I would say it is
something to look into. If you're looking for something exactly like
Enya, though, I'd be a bit hesitant." [DS]

Mary Jane Lamond also has a web-site:
http://www.chatsubo.com/mjlamond/core.html


LAVELLE, CAROLINE
=================

"Caroline indeed has a really sensual alto voice. As far as I know she
also sang in Vangelis' 1995 album 'Voices'. She participated, as a
celloist, in the Afro-Celt Sound System project, in Loreena McKennit's
Christmas EP 'A Winter's Garden' and also in the upcoming Loreena
McKennit full-length album 'Book of Secrets'." [FP]

"I have Caroline Lavelle's 'Spirit' for almost a year now. I really like
it very much. She has a very soft voice and a lot of talent. The
similarities to Enya's music are not coincidence. If you read carefully
the package, you'll see that Rob Dickins is the executive producer. I
don't know how much it affects the music itself, but for me is enough to
link both singers.' [GM]

There is a web page at:
http://www.discoveryrec.com/artists/clavelle/index.html


MAC KENNITT, LOREENA
====================

Loreena McKennitt is a harpist and songwriter born in Manitoba, Canada,
but her family is of Irish origin. Although she appears to be one of the
artists most often cited in reference to Enya, her music is more
traditional and is often inspired by poets such as Shakespeare or
Tennyson. She has also incorporated Spanish, Middle Eastern, and North
African musical influences into her compositions.

Loreena has released 6 albums, the most famous being 'The Visit' and
'The Mask and Mirror'. She has also provided music for several films,
theatre productions and TV programs. Her last album, entitled 'The Book
Of Secrets', is scheduled for September 30.

There is a "web-ring" which lists all the many web pages devoted to
Loreena McKennitt (including a web-zine):
http://www.geocities.com/~stolenchild/loreena.htm


MADREDEUS
=========

"A Portuguese ensemble with heavenly vocals by the female lead-singer.
Especialy their release 'O' Espirito da Paz' has some timeless music on
it. I love tracks like 'Amarguro' and 'Os shenores da Guerra'. Pure
beauty." [DA]

There is a web page for Madredeus at:
http://www.EUnet.pt/Lisboa/i/ouvir/madredeus/madredeus.html


MARCOME
=======

The debut album of this Canadian singer and composer is entitled 'Seven
Seas'. It uses a combination of English lyrics and wordless language
'onomatopoeia'.

"'Seven Seas' contains the gentle, soothing vocal styles that are very
reminiscent of Enya's. She has already been labelled the 'Canadian
Enya', and I think the label is aptly deserved." [JB]

Some audio samples are available on her web page:
http://sonicimages.com/marcome


MINOGUE, AINE
=============

Aine Minogue is a harpist and singer from County Tipperary, Ireland, now
living in the United States. She has released two albums : 'Where You at
the Rock' and 'The Mysts of Time'.

"Aine Minogue is a reknown Irish harpist who also happens to have a very
sweet and pure soprano, much in the same vein as Enya and Aoife. Her
songs also have that soothing 'Enyaesque' quality." [JB]

A web page is available at: http://www.bcnmusic.com/minogue/minogue.htm


NI FHEARRAIGH, AOIFE
====================

Aoife Ni Fhearraigh is an Irish singer from Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore),
the region of County Donegal from which Enya hails. She has studied
music with Maire Ui Bhraonain (Enya's mother). Her first recording,
entitled 'Loinneog Cheoil', was released as a cassette only and featured
10 tracks, two of them being re-issued on her recent CD 'Aoife'
(Gael-Linn CEFCD 172) which is co-produced by Maire Brennan. Her
repertoire is mainly traditional, and is sung in Irish Gaelic, but with
more modern Clannad-like arrangements. Most of the songs come from the
Ranafast area, which is located near Gaoth Dobhair.

"A beautiful combination of traditional and modern Celtic songs by
another Donegal county singer whose voice and style are quite similar."
[JB]

"If you enjoy vocals in Irish, Aoife's album is a must." [RM]

"The main difference between both recordings is that the first sounds
far more traditional than the second and would be more of the taste of
the purists of Irish music. The second album looks far more professional
and the production of Maire Brennan gives the work an Enya-esque sound
which some people would label as new age stuff inappropriate for
traditional music but I am sure it will be very much of the taste of
Enya fans." [CN]


THE RANKIN FAMILY
=================

This group, originating from Nova Scotia, sings in English and Scottish
Gaelic. A compilation entitled 'Collection' has been released recently
(Grapevine, GRACD 218). It is an enhanced CD which contains a video
presentation of the group.

"Some of their music sounds a bit country, but a lot of their music has
Celtic flavor and they have a love of harmony. Check out their album
'North Country' and in particular, their song 'Rise Again' off that
album. Also, their album 'Fare Thee Well, Love' is worth checking out."
[JW]

There's a web site for the Rankin Family at:
http://www.chatsubo.com/rankins


RHOADS, ELIZABETH
=================

'Unspoken Touch' is the debut album of this singer from Sedona, Arizona.

"Elizabeth's beautiful piano compositions and soft vocals are very
Enya-like. Ladyslipper Music has this CD. I recommend it highly." [JB]


RILEY, PHILIP
=============

"Philip Riley is a New Zealand composer. The CD 'Visions and Voices'
contains female chants and vocals that are reminiscent of Adiemus,
Elizabeth Rhoads, and Enya." [JB]


RUSSELL, HEATHER
================

Heather Russell is a singer, keyboardist and songwriter from North
Carolina. Her first album, entitled 'Just in Time', is scheduled for
October 13.

She says: "I don't sound exactly like Enya, but I have a strong Celtic
influence in my music, and most of my listeners seem to be also big fans
of Enya".

Soundclips and more information are available on her homepage:
http://www.freecloud.com/heather


SHANON
======

The album 'Celtic Classics, An Enchanted Journey' "is a collection of
haunting tunes that are catchy, melodic and highly emotive. The sound is
reminiscent of a subtler side of Enigma with a Celtic tinge minus the
Gregorian chants. The subtitle is called 'An Enchanted Journey' and the
word 'enchanting' describes this music perfectly. Shanon is the
performance name of Ronan Hardiman, an Ireland composer. He combines
state-of-the-art instrumentation with traditional compositions and
arrangements to produce a rich Celtic sound (ala Enya and Clannad). This
is the ideal music to relax to, and 'provides the images and magic of an
ageless music, which comes to us through the mists of time'." [RS]

A sequel entitled 'Celtic Classics II' has just been released. For more
information, see: http://www.onemusic.com

Shanon / Ronan Hardiman has also composed the soundtrack of the musical
show 'Lord of the Dance'.


TALIESIN ORCHESTRA
==================

The Taliesin Orchestra, conducted by Charles Sayre, has recorded an
orchestral version of some Enya songs, entitled 'Orinoco Flow The Music
of Enya', and produced by Intersound Music (http://intersoundmusic.com).

"It contains eleven tracks with titles from all albums, they are as
follows; Orinoco Flow, Athair ar Neamh, The Memory of Trees, No Holly
for Miss Quinn, Lothlorien, From Where I am, Book of Days, China Roses,
Watermark, Bard Dance, and The Celts (the best track on the album). I
encourage everyone to go buy this CD, it is to me like a new Enya album
with all of our favorites played a little differently." [CA]

Note: This CD has resulted in very conflicting reports. In addition it
seems that, among the people who like it, each listener has a different
choice of preferred tunes, so that it is impossible to make a synthesis
of the different contributions which have been posted. The reader is
therefore invited to make his/her own opinion.


WHITE, JENNIFER
===============

Jennifer White is a harpist and storyteller from Ontario, Canada. Her
first CD is scheduled for November and will feature the harp and other
original compositions, and original arrangements of popular celtic
tunes.

Soundclips, summaries of stories, and more information are available on
her homepage: http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~jenwhite


**********************************************************************

OTHER SITES OF INTEREST
=======================

Russ Elliot's musical discoveries:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rwelliot/index.htm

Sean Rhea's list of celtic, world and progressive bands:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/2174

See also the archives of the Enya mailing list:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palladium/4050/enyalist.html

**********************************************************************

Compiled by Jean Debord
<[e-mail]>
<[e-mail]>

Contributors:

[CA] Chris Atwood <[e-mail]>
[DA] David Ausloos <[e-mail]>
[JB] John Blackburn <[e-mail]>
[SB] Shahaf Borenstain <[e-mail]>
[RM] Richard Manser <[e-mail]>
[GM] Gustavo P. Mantovani <[e-mail]>
[JM] Jim May <[e-mail]>
[MM] Mark Mulingbayan <[e-mail]>
[CN] Carmen "Nil Fhios Agam" <[e-mail]>
[FP] F. S. L. Poon <[e-mail]>
[RS] Ram Samudrala <[e-mail]>
[DS] David Smith <[e-mail]>
[PS] Philip Strapp <[e-mail]>
[JW] Jim Waters <[e-mail]>

**********************************************************************

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