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Some of the most insightful entries are those in which Sullivan's interest are most in sync with interviewees: a fascinating conversation with singer Noirin Ni Riain touching on everything from gender issues in Celtic music and the Catholic Church to comparative thoughts on the pain and pleasure of performance; a historically informative interview with singer-harpist Maire Ni Chathasaigh; and an entirely different perspective on Celtic music from American-born singer Connie Dover. The book is an easy and fascinating read, with Sullivan's gentle but persistent questioning allowing her subjects to illuminate themselves in a fashion that inevitably provokes a desire to hear their music. " Review by Don
Heckman
MORE REVIEWS Frank Mills, Editor, Brigit's Feast , (Celtic Journal) March 2000 I've been hearing about Celtic Women in Music for a little over a year. Now, it has at last been released, and it is everything that I anticipated that it would be. Afraid that maybe a male perspective would not do justice to the book, I have asked several female acquaintances, not Celtic musicians, to read the book and give me their opinions. Unanimously, they have agreed that this book is exactly what it claims to be, a celebration of beauty and sovereignty. For my part, the book has been anxiously anticipated because I fully expected Mairéid to insert her own particular application of Celtic spirituality into her questions. I had better interject here that Celtic Women in Music is not about Celtic women who musically perform, but, through the media of interview, Celtic Women in Music is the combined spiritual voice of thirty-one women who express themselves through the medium of Celtic music. What makes the book special that it is musical peer to musical peer. Mairéid, herself, is an accomplished artist with poetry and a number of exceptional CD', such as For Love's Caress , a Celtic Journey (Lyrebird Music, 1998), to her credit. That Mairéid exclusively interviewed each of the women profiled makes Celtic women in Music all the more special. When someone such as Loreena McKennitt speaks of home being a community of friends and family, or Máire Brennan talks about the incredible yearning found in Celtic music, this is Loreena McKennitt and Máire Brennan from the heart, not some publicity piece seeking to puff up a tour or a recently released CD. It's not just a few speaking from the heart. It's every woman interviewed. Mairéid has a way about her that creates a deep intimacy with those whom she converses. Mairéid and I have discussed this. While she might disagree with me, I think it is her unique sense of her own spirituality that brings this about. Mairéid is on what she calls a "personal mission:" A mission that has no fixed boundaries, no preconceived expectations, just a deep desire to fulfill her life's purpose, however that unfolds. The book is but one example of this. Her music, too, is indicative of this spiritual mission. Australian writer Gary Lewis' interview of Mairéid at the beginning of Celtic Women in Music brings out Mairéid's sense of mission and sets the pace for Mairéid's interviews. The format is especially helpful for one who wants to research a particular artist's works further, providing, in addition to the interview, a brief bibliography and complete discography, along with a website URL if one is available. Mairéid's URL is www.maireid.com. Bette Timm, NAPRA ReVIEW, Music Scene, January/February 2000 Celtic Women In Music: A Celebration of Beauty and Sovereignty is a new Book by Celtic singer/songwriter Mairéid Sullivan. ... In it are 30 short biographies of the genre's top female songbirds and instrumentalists, along with full color photos and a transcription of Sullivan's interview with each artist. A tremendous resource for the Celtic fan, the book includes a recommended reading list and a list of Celtic websites. Among the stars included in her shining net are Máire Brennan, Sheila Chandra, Mary Coughlan, Loreena McKennitt, Susan McKeown, Nóirín Ní Ríain, Bonnie Rideout, and Kate Rusby. Need I say more? Greg Ozimek, PhenomeNEWS, Detroit, Oct. 1999 Celtic Women In Music is an intimate book that reveals the insights of authentic women who live for music. It is skillfully woven from exhaustive interviews with each artist by a woman who herself has recorded two solo albums. Celtic Women In Music is about bonding and the nurturing spirit these women bring with them. The reader delves into the most intimate thoughts of these Celtic women as performers, artists in their own right, and can make connections between them that perhaps have never been made as most of these women are independent artists who don't personally know each other. Even though the artists appear alphabetically there is a story that flows from the simplicity of tin flute player Mary Bergin to Steeleye Span's vocalist Gaye Woods' weavings of the ancient archetypes about Danu, earth mother and Dagda, male god of concepts of knowledge. One interview steps to the next ,cultivating a texture of diversity. Ms. Sullivan's knowledge and insight into Celtic life,historical, ancient, and present day is vast. She both keeps her artist interviewees on their toes and maintains their pace. This book also contains a fascinating interview with the author. Naturally omitted--lost in the transcription and
publishing process--are the brogue and vocal intonation that carry the
soul of these wonderful Celtic ladies of music. Thankfully, each soul's
voice and life's intent are captured and preserved here for our inspiration,
...we eagerly await Volume Two.
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Mairéid
Sullivan