Celtic Music - Reviews & Fan Mail

Magazine Reviews

Chris Lovegrove - Pendragon Magazine. Celtic Journey. Though not Arthurian as such, this collection of tunes (many of them traditional) comes from the countries of the Celtic fringe - Wales, Scotland and Ireland - which largely preserved the legend of Arthur in it's formative years. Supported by talented classical and traditional musicians on acoustic instruments, Hilary's own evocative arrangements ( some with keyboard arrangements) maintain a sense of timelessness for pieces both ancient and modern. Particulary effective were the heart-rending Tom Bowling and the modal My Lagan Love, but pretty much all the tracks that featured Hilary herself on gut or wire-strung harp created just the right mood of place and occasion, ably assisted by guitar, mandolin, fiddle, cello, flute whistle,bagpipes and bodhran. This is a CD that repays repeated listening
David James - Celtic Connections Journal. Celtic Sunrise - by Hilary Rushmer. Since the magazine began we have followed Hilary's delightful harp music from her first cassette through to the CD Celtic Voyage which many Celtic music enthusiasts will now be familiar with. Celtic Sunrise, her latest CD is truly magnificent and a credit to contemporary Celtic music. With the inclusion of Gregorian chant among the many and varied acoustic instruments this is a masterpiece not to be missed, and has already received wide acclaim on National radio and TV. Unlike some of the music labelled "Celtic", this is a fine example of 'the real thing' - music straight from the heart. Instruments incorporated includes harps, fiddle, cello, flute, whistle, pipes, concertina, accordions, guitars, bodhran, bouzouki and keyboards. Much recommended listening. -
Chuck Lipsig - Green man Review. The first track is Rushmer's "Sunrise," appropriately enough. This tune starts with the chanting of the "Kyrie Eleison" by a group of eight Benedictine monks and builds beautifully into a excellent musical expression of sunrise.

"Neil Gow's Lament For His Second Wife" is beautifully played with Rushmer on keyboard and Paul Hickman on cello accompanying Roger Benton's expressive fiddle playing. Rushmer's harp-playing on "The Parting Glass" makes this as fine an instrumental version of that song that I've heard. Her deftness with arrangement is shown on her tune, "Dance For a Little Princess." Written for her five-year-old granddaughter after her first ballet class, this could easily have been an overdose of musical saccharine. However, the inclusion of bass guitar in the arrangement gives the tune some guts.

More than for her harping (which is solid), Hilary Rushmer deserves praise for her skills at arrangement. This could easily have been a CD of insubstantial prettiness. Rushmer has made Celtic Sunrise a movingly special recording. -
Duncan Broomhead - Folk Buzz. (Celtic Sunrise) The first track on this CD is a Gregorian Chant with a sympathetic musical accompaniment and sets the mood for a relaxing, easy to listen to, selection of mainly Celtic tunes. Kick of your shoes, stretch out on the sofa and relax.

This is not a foot stomping CD, all the tunes are on the slow side, and range to haunting to finger tapping. Hilary has gathered together some excellent local musicians who between them play a wide range of instruments, including Uilleann Pipes, Accordion and Fiddle.

She has cleverly used a different number and combination of instruments for every track providing a pleasant contrast. On many tracks she plays the soft sounding Gut Strung Harp or the Wire Strung Harp, with its sharper crystal clear sound, whilst on others she plays the keyboard.

I found this to be a very relaxing and gentle CD providing a harmonious blend of music. Great to unwind to.
Sean McGhee - Rock 'n' Reel Folk Magazine. Hilary Rushmer entitled 'Skylark II' which has the woman herself performing sixteen traditional and Carolan pieces on Harp, accompanied variously by fiddle, cello, flute, whistle, mandolin and guitar. Enchanting is probably the best description, like 'New Age Music' without the hype and as pure, fresh and flowing as a mountain stream. The material is wholly Celtic in origin and arranged magnificently. For lovingly executed acoustic music with a haunting stylish simplicity and engaging quality you need look no further.

Letters

Hello Hilary,
Just want to express my delight with the CD I bought when you called at Skye Silver a short while ago. I play it each night while I am looking at the shop web-site and it calms any annoyance I feel at having to deal with this electronic intrusion. I re-play your own composition 'Journey of a River' many times before I can move on to the rest of the music.

The use of other instruments and voices on 'Celtic Journey' adds just the right touch of yearning and mystery to the music. Soft dreaminess, of which this poor world is in sore need. Too much harsh reality is around us and hurts the mind. Keep making this beautiful music for us please.

I hope that other listeners get as much pleasure as I do, and also now my husband, who is a classical music fan, but who heard the CD on Friday night, (especially the 'Tom Bowling' piece) and now is also a fan.

Regards,
Thelma Edwards.

Dear Hilary

I bought the Celtic Mist CD whilst on holiday in Skye a few years ago and it has become one of my all time favourites. I have always been a fan of traditional "celtic" music, e.g. Dubliners, Chieftains, Brendan Power, Corries - but you rank amongst the very, very best. The work you do to popularise and preserve our ancient traditional tunes deserves an award.
You are our true modern day Bard - Long may your harp sing Hilary.

All the best - Mark McKay
Dear Mrs Rushmer

I have obtained your three tapes of Harp Music and they are the background music to which I always compose and type the magazine of which I am the editor. I find they create a peaceful atmosphere in which to work.

Fred Steadman-Jones

Chairman/Editor: Pendragon
Dear Ms Rushmer

Please send me two CD's - Celtic Mist and Celtic Sunrise. I look forward to receiving them and trust they will give me as much pleasure as Skylark II already has.

Yours sincerely - Karen Baldwin-Jervis
Dear Hilary Rushmer

I am sitting here writing and listening to your beautiful Celtic Sunrise. Your obvious love of Celtic history, music and culture which echoes both mine and my wife. I believe from your writing that you feel for Lindisfarne. I too have watched the dawn in all it's majesty. I have marvelled at creation as the pastel colours build a new day. So from one Celtic lover to another thank you .

Yours sincerely - Mike O'Rourke
Dear Hilary

I have just got the stereo all reassembled and the first thing I ran on it was your new CD (Celtic Sunrise) marvellous, wonderful, fantastic, many many congratulations, it is so varied in mood, tempo and feeling that it almost has the feel of the currently very popular relaxation tape. It is just so beautifully relaxing I can see this one getting worn out rather quickly.

Cheers - John & Chris Phillips.
Dear Hilary

Please send me a copy of Celtic Sunrise. I am so looking forward to hearing the whole album and especially the track 'Home Before the Storm' which I first heard on the radio one morning while still half asleep.

Thank you - Des Turley
Dear Miss Rushmer

While on holiday in Scotland we purchased one of your tapes entitled 'Skylark' and is of course, one of yours. I should like to say that it is already giving us much pleasure, being lovers of the 'traditional' sound my wife and I appreciate your unspoiled arrangement of the various melodies, Miss Rushmer and what a relaxing sound it is. With every good wish and "Slainte Mhor".

Yours sincerely - Captain and Mrs L.D.A. Bolton
Hilary

Your tape Celtic Sunrise is rich in - oh, depth, heart pulling - warm - beautiful compositions. I love your keyboards of course - what ever you do, you do it 'proper'. I just sat and my heart warmed. Thank you for being so clever.

With best wishes - June Smith
Dear Hilary

I look forward to hearing more of your wonderful music.

Kathy Wood
Dear Hilary Rushmer

Thank you for the response from my email and thank you for the enjoyment and relaxation that Celtic Mist has given us over quite a few years now please send me two more Celtic Mist, one Celtic Voyage and one Celtic Sunrise.

Sue Sinclair
Dear Hilary Rushmer

I would like to purchase a copy of your latest album Celtic Sunrise. May I take this opportunity to tell you how very much I enjoy your music.

I remain. Yours sincerely - J Connelly
Dear Ms Rushmer

Thank you for sending me your CD Celtic Sunrise. Wonderful, another one for my collection.

Best regards - Joe Waters
Dear Ms Rushmer

We play your music every evening before dinner. We find it helps us to relax after a stressful day. Looking forward to hearing Celtic Sunrise.

Yours Sincerely - Mrs D P Bridges
Dear Miss Rushmer

Two Discs received, your music is lovely and plays beautifully. Thank you very much may your mind still contain and your fingers obey your gift for music for all the years which lie ahead.

Alistar Brown
Dear Ms Rushmer

I would like to order two cassette tapes from you, Skylark II and also your new recording out recently. I am a great lover of your music and it has helped me through some upsetting times and has become very much a part of my life.

Mrs Montague
Dear Hilary

You have every reason to be proud of your latest CD (Celtic Voyage) I have listened to it twice through already and it really is superb. What a lovely selection of tunes played beautifully with lovely arrangements and recorded so well.

Beryl and Bill
Dear Hilary

Many thanks for the beautiful CD Celtic Voyage, the music is very inspiring. I been listening to people like Alan Stivell and Robin Williamson, so I'm very fond of the harp. Good luck with your new album, I'm sure it will be a huge success.

Best Wishes - Simon Rouse
Dear Hilary

I am so pleased I had an opportunity to tell you how much pleasure and soul nourishment I, and many that I have contact with get through your music. I am asked many times from members of my groups of details of your CD's. It must be wonderful to have such a talent. Please add me to your mailing list for Celtic Sunrise Many thanks once again.

With warm regards - Sandra Gregson
Dear Hilary

I am a yoga teacher in New York. Two years ago, my brother who lives in Ireland, sent me your album 'Celtic Mist' for my birthday. I love the Celtic Harp and your album is particularly lovely and quickly became my favourite. I enjoy it so much that I started to play it during every yoga class as a soothing, light accompaniment to our flowing movements and postures.

With gratitude - Chaya Spencer
Dear Hilary

Many thanks for the delightful tapes and CDs of your music. I think your arrangements are splendid and very easy on the ear. With very best wishes for your future success.

Yours sincerely - Sean O Neill

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