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Review from Celtic Music Magazine
Artist: Birch Creek
Album: Celtic Enchantment
Year: 2010
Embark on a journey in sound toward the essence of unsung beauty led by "The Chanter".
An ancient Celtic otherworld is conjured in a rhapsody of melded musicianship deliberate as the "Broken Mist", eloquent
as "Star of the County Down" and heart-wrenching as "Marble Halls".
In addition to original
works by acoustic guitarist/keyboardist Brian Horton's mentor Al Petteway, instrumental Celtic aires, jigs and reels are
rendered works of art with a contemporary twist. Multitalented Horton is a driving force where Sandra Lynn perfects
the Appalachian dulcimer, Alex Miglowiec shines on flute and piccolo, Kevin Gallagher showcases bass and mandolin, Linda Umstead
graces the Celtic harp and Arlene DeMaris' fiddle skills are in a word- haunting.
This CD is an open book where
Sean Fox's Uillean pipes forge "The Dragon's Breath" and "Song of the Water Kelpie" evokes imagery
of chivalric Medieval pageantry. The time-tendered "Mary Young & Fair" is an example of the patient mastery
prevalent throughout this eclectic collection. "Haste to the Wedding" quickens the pace while sacrificing
not one note of quality. With 16 song selections, there is quantity as well, and it's all good. "Celtic
Enchantment" is only the beginning of great things for Birch Creek. It should only be a matter of time before there
are blockbuster fantasy soundtracks in the band's future.
Dionne Charlet is a freelance writer
based in Greater New Orleans. She is a contributing writer for Where Y'at Magazine and reviews music for Marc Gunn's
Celtic MP3s Music Magazine.
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