Release Date: 1/01/1991
Recording Date: 1/1991
Tracks: 12
Length: 00:43:09 Hrs
Label: Reprise
Type: CS,CD
- Genre/Styles
- Adult Alternative, Ethnic Fusion, Contemporary Instrumental, Celtic Pop, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Celtic, Celtic New Age
Album Tracks (12)
Currently 0.0 / 5.0 Stars
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What the Critics Say
Calling Shepherd Moons a near carbon copy of Watermark puts it quite mildly. Like Watermark, Shepherd Moons opens with the title track, a calm instrumental, has another brief instrumental titled after a Dora Saint book smack in the middle ("No Holly for Miss Quinn"), and concludes with a number incorporating a striking uilleann pipes solo, "Smaointe...." In general, Enya's own musical style and work remains the same, again assisted on production by Nicky Ryan and with lyrics by Roma Ryan. Shepherd Moons does have one key factor that's also carried over from Watermark -- it's quite good listening. Though the total continuity means that those who enjoy her work will again be pleased and those who dislike it won't change their minds, in terms of finding her own vision and sticking with it, Enya has increasingly polished and refined her work to a strong, elegant degree. "Caribbean Blue," the lead single, avoids repeating the successful formula of "Orinoco Flow" by means of its waltz time -- a subtle enough change, but one that colors and drives the overall composition and performance, the closest Enya might ever get to a dance number. Some songs call to mind traditional Irish music even more strongly than much of her earlier work, while two other tracks are haunting rearrangements of old, traditional numbers. With her trademark understated drama in full flow many other places, especially on the wonderful "Book of Days" (replaced on later pressings with an English language version done for the film Far and Away), Enya shows herself to still have it, to grand effect. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide
11/21/2008 2:52 AM
To say that "Shepherd Moons" is a carbon copy of "Watermark" is an insult. Yes, like "Watermark", there are some similarities, but this album works on its own merits. Enya continues to push the envelope, and experiments with vocal layerings that are even more dizzying than they were for "Watermark". Take the song, "Angeles" for instance. The singer overdubs her voice over 500 times to create the perfect angelic choir. "Marble Halls" is a sweet little operatic tune, Evacuee is full of sorrow and heartbreak, and "Lothlorien" is based on "The Lord of the Rings" and was written and recorded ten years before the film was ever conceived. There is a lovely renaissance feel to this album, which is filled with visual images of castles, stars, and fairytale heroes and heroines. Take some time and listen to this album, there is nothing else like it out there.