Moya Brennan - Two Horizons

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Ever since we first heard that spine-tingling voice on the TV soundtrack of Harry's Game, we have thrilled at Moya's stunning, other-worldly voice. Now of course "the voice of Clannad" can be heard all over this summer's epic movie King Arthur. So this is a good moment for Fierce! Distribution to get UK Christian retail rights of the album Universal released into ordinary record shops some months back. Those looking for another evocation of Christian spirituality which made 1998's 'Perfect Time' such a classic album will have to work harder to unwrap the lyrical riches of this set. Songs here evoke ancient legends, specifically the path of the ancient harp that played through the halls of Tara - the seat of power for generations of Celtic kings and then mysteriously disappeared. Now in response to a prophecy Moya received in the USA urging "the harpist to play again" in the presence of "the High King of all the universe," Moya, with producer Ross Cullum, has produced a stunning, multi-layered soundscape. I suspect meat and potato evangelicals will find all the enigma and symbol just too confusing and possibly immersed in the dread "New Age". But for less suspicious ears, the ethereal delicacy of "Bright Star", the wistful harp and violin instrumental "Harpsong" and the dramatic closer title track all demonstrate Celtic music of the highest quality.