Strings Of Gold (Reviews Cont.)

Alternative Rock Review (www.entertainment.inuk.com)

"Likely to cross over into New Age fandom is this pleasing homage to Celtic music, sounding so authentic that you almost feel as if you're in Ireland while listening to it. Celeste Ray and her collaborators - guitarist James Gilchrist, flute player Darius Kaufmann, bassist Eric Mauriello, and percussionist Andrew Potenza - have palpable affection for the traditional Irish music that they cover here.

There are no modern facelifts on Strings of Gold, making "Scarborough Fair" and "Whiskey in the Jar" as classical sounding as they should. Combining instrumentals with vocal tracks, Ray is able to display both her skills with the bowed psaltery ("Psaltery Danse No. 1" is a knockout) and her wondrous voice, which is best showcased on "Come by the Hills" and "Blessing for Setting Forth." - 2006, Elizabeth Jacobsen

CD Reviews (www.cdreviews.com)

"Completely faithful to her music's Celtic roots, Celeste Ray creates a time-spanning experience that takes the listener to faraway lands as well. Of course, to those who live in Ireland and Scotland, the songs on Strings of Gold are more likely commonplace, but given that most Americans are completely unaware of their own musical heritage beyond Frank Sinatra, it makes one wonder whether these centuries-old compositions would remain in the public consciousness if artists like Ray didn't cover them.

The hauntingly pretty "Scarborough Fair," transformed by Simon & Garfunkel into an anti-war folk anthem in the late '60s, regains its medieval majesty with Ray's bravura performance. It's a plaintive song about unrequited love, and Ray delicately unreels its frames of sadness. It's almost tempting to put "Whiskey in the Jar" on a mix tape for head bangers. A number of hard rock fans mistakenly believe that it's a Metallica original. Actually, Metallica heard it from Thin Lizzy's cover, but Ray's version - sung here by guitarist James Gilchrist - is what the track was intended to be, no longer bastardized by hard-rock theatrics. As you can guess from the title, Strings of Gold surrounds listeners with scenic beauty. "Come by the Hills" and "Farewell to Music" (its instrumental hook strangely recalling Nik Kershaw's "The Riddle") have a lushness to them that is irresistible. Ray's vocals are consistently strong throughout the album, achieving ethereal qualities like on "Blessing for Setting Forth" with its enchanting "la la la's." Much of it is quiet and pastoral, although there are some numbers like "Swaggering Jig" that can inspire a dance step or two." - 2006, Michael Sutton

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