CD Reviews
Check Out these Carolan Releases

Carolan’s Receipt: The Music of Carolan, Vol.1 Artist: Derek Bell Irish harpist Derek Bell’s solo album of compositions by the great bard Turlough O’Carolan is one of the more important documents of traditional Celtic music. Many of these tunes will be familiar to lovers of Irish music. Interestingly, Bell plays a steel-string harp on most of the tracks—though gut-string harps are more commonly used in Celtic music today. On several tracks Bell is accompanied by fellow Chieftains members. —Rick Anderson

Celtic Harp 1: Music of Turlough O’Carolan Artist: Patrick Ball Lovers of folk, classical and new age music have all described this album as enchanting. It features the bell-like tones and spacious resonance of the traditional wire-strung Celtic harp. Patrick Ball plays 17 instrumental pieces, of which all but two were composed by the Irish bard Turlough O’Carolan. Carolan’s music blends the richness of Italian Baroque influences with the lilting charm of the music of his native Ireland. —MusD

Celtic Treasure: The Legacy of Turlough O’Carolan Artist: Various The world’s finest contemporary Celtic musicians perform the enduring music of Ireland’s best loved composer, Turlough O’Carolan. —Jerry O’Sullivan