OnTheEdge - Ceol Mor Highlands
Pop, Ballad
Germany
Overall Impression: OnTheEdge serve up charming contemporary Celtic music, with their release of "Ceol Mor Highlands." This track blends humble, traditional folk instruments with magnificent orchestral elements and pop sensibilities in order to create a bold, sweeping sound that Celtic fusion audiences will love. Delicate piano is joined by dulcimer and harp in support of meticulously layered female vocals on this elegant jig, while Irish flutes highlight a lush symphonic backing arrangement that unfolds and builds in intensity and grandeur over the course of the tune. Poetic yet modest lyrics convey notions of community and connection, using natural imagery to express emotion. The stirring melodies, erstwhile sound and compelling themes of OnTheEdge's "Ceol Mor Highlands" will have strong appeal among worldbeat and contemporary Celtic music fans.
Strongest Point(s): Excellent production, solid mix. Outstanding composition and arrangement, gorgeous instrumentation. Fantastic dynamic build throughout. Piano sounds terrific. Very nice blend of folk instruments with modern classical elements, that gives it a regal, almost majestic character. Irish flute sounds incredible. Nice percussion arrangement towards the end. Lovely chord progression, paves the way for the sweet melodic content. Vocalist sounds amazing, great job of production and stacking harmonies. Lyrics are brilliant; very visual with remarkable prose and use of natural imagery, as well as a positive, inclusive theme that can be enjoyed by a wide array of listeners. Overall, this is a tremendous example of contemporary Celtic music that audiences are sure to embrace. Awesome work here, from top to bottom!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Folk, Contemporary Folk, Worldbeat, Celtic, Celtic Fusion, Contemporary Celtic, New Age
Artist target suggestions: Celtic Woman, Enya, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Loreena McKennitt, Clannad, Secret Garden, Sinéad O'Connor, Joanna Newsom, Maggie Sansone, Mary Black, The Corrs, June Tabor
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About the Reviewer:
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers.