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of journey. Intricate piano riffs wash over you like the waves against the prow of the boat as the dynamic within the song rises and falls to create a range of sound within the song, from minimal unaccompanied vocals to full on orchestral power. This song introduces you to the originality of what Enya does, in its component parts the songs are formed from classical sound, the building blocks used by Wagner, Strauss and Mozart, but when mixed with modern electronic studio wizardry and the fantastic and richly textured vocal arrangements and a commercial bias, the end result is a unique creation, familiar yet totally original. It would be too much to relate the details of every song to you and that would also be to spoil the joy of listening to the album, which I believe you all should, so it must suffice for me to highlight the tracks that typify Enya's unique qualities.

Caribbean Blue seems to be a modern take on a Strauss like waltz, its gentle three-four beat and an almost harpsichord backing act as a structure for a vocal wash that takes the place of the orchestra of days past, Blue Danube for the new age. After the almost monastic chant of Book of Days comes a counterpoint in the form of Anywhere is. Almost as well known as Orinoco Flow it is a combination of classical rhythms and pop sensibilities.

You go there you're gone forever
I go there I'll lose my way
If we stay here we're not together
Anywhere is

The Celts, a track from the early work is sung in Gaelic and highlights the artists fascinations with language, at a turn Greek, Latin or Spanish may be called on to achieve the desired affect and comes from the attitude that the voice is as much an instrument as a means of literal communication, therefore it is not always necessary that you understand the actual words, the emotional connection between artist and listener is what is important. In this song as well as others on the album (Ebudae) it is enough to experience the overall effect without needing to know the literal meaning of what is being said and Gaelic is such a wonderful language to listen to details become unimportant.

Like the aforementioned Ms McKennitt that I constantly compare this artist to, the music has the ability to whisk you away to a place of the performers choosing, Storms In Africa evokes the dark skies prior to the dangers of a wild tropical downpour on the dark continent and at a turn a song such as Paint the Sky With Stars, incidentally one of the two composed for the album specifically, will whisk you off to fly through the night sky. Whilst most of the songs have a wistful feeling, there is as much celebration as reflection in this collection of songs and On My Way Home seems to contain an equal measure of both. As you would expect the vocal work is what stands out with this album, and with Enya's work in general, but that is in no way to say that there is anything lacking in the music, it is as beautiful, subtle, emotive and creative as the voice, which in many ways should be seen as an instrument itself and not a separate entity.

Whether looking for and introduction into the eclectic world of new age music, an overview of Enya or your just looking for a lovely set of songs to provide a relaxing ambience for those quiet moments, Paint The Sky is one album that fits the bill.

Learn more about this author, Dave Franklin.
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