"...this way could be my Book of Days..."

Enya made it again! After Watermark she created another wonderful album - Shepherd Moons. I like every track, though Caribbean Blue and especially Book Of Days are my two favourites. Besides, Book Of Days was a no. 1 hit on the Swedish track chart back in 1992 when the song became a worldwide hit since it was included - with English lyric - on the soundtrack to the film Far And Away. The original Book Of Days (which was only in Gaelic) was replaced by the re-recorded hit on later pressings. I like them both though I think it's pretty sad to replace an original song. Other songs which I really like are Ebudæ, Lothlórien and Afer Ventus. I suppose this is my favourite Enya album, even though I like everything from her. By the way; have you ever seen such a beautiful CD cover???



Here comes a short description of the tracks on Shepherd Moons:



1. Shepherd Moons - Instrumental; very relaxing

2. Caribbean Blue - English & Latin; great, wonderful, special*

3. How Can I Keep From Singing - English; beautiful

4. Ebudæ - Gaelic; pretty powerful, special*

5. Angeles - English; beautiful, relaxing, special*

6. No Holly For Miss Quinn - Instrumental; relaxing

7. Book Of Days - Gaelic / English & Gaelic; great, wonderful,

very dynamic and powerful, special*

8. Evacuee - English; beautiful, pretty calm

9. Lothlórien - Instrumental; extremely beautiful

10. Marble Halls - English; relaxing, pretty calm

11. Afer Ventus - Latin; very beatuiful, special*

12. Smaointe - Gaelic; calm and relaxing



* Hard to say why these songs are special, but perhaps because they don't sound like any other musical stuff. There's only one person that's able to create songs like these and her name is - Enya. You must hear them, but don't forget to try her other albums such as Watermark and The Memory Of Trees.

"Shepherd Moons"-Absolutely Gorgeous In Gold!

This Japanese import 24K Gold CD of Enya's "Shepherd Moons" is gorgeous in so many ways. The packaging and the gold cd itself is a thing of beauty. This CD has definitely been remastered and has a more fuller sound than the US version. Another plus is that this CD has the original version of "Book of Days"(Not the version that was featured in the film "Far and Away"). Along with "Watermark", "Shepherd Moons" is my favorite Enya CD. Enya's singing throughout the CD is absolutely exquisite and wonderful and the music is lovely as well.

A masterpiece or a fraud?

New Age music has always left me cold with the possible exception of Kitaro. Enya's contribution to the New Age genre is unremarkable to say the least. She is pretentious, which her loyal following would never admit to. She tries too hard at putting forth an image of a grand mystic. Her vocals make an aborted attempt at trying to reinforce that image, but it is her vocals that are the most pretentious of all. They are lazy, hazy and are buried beneath a foggy mix. I truly believe she thinks too highly of her own talent. Her voice glides along the surface of the music without making any attempt to get at the very heart of the song. Her voice is merely a special effect. The songs are ambitious and nicely arranged, but once the vocals start you forget about the music. In New Age music the vocals should never over-shadow the music, but Enya's vocals invade the music like an unwanted thief. I would not recommend this album because Enya the singer is more important than Enya the musician and that should never be the case with New Age music.

Orinoco who? Shepherd's 24kt is pure Gold

I remember the day I first learned about Enya. I went to see a Ron Howard film called Far And Away. Being the true movie goer that I am I stayed to watch the credits and to my surprise came across the most beautiful song. It was wonderful. I watched for the name as the credits rolled by and discovered it was called Book Of Days by Enya. Well I went and bought the soundtrack since I didn't know much about her and found that her song was the only track I listened too on the CD. I said to myself "I have to get more of her music", so I went to the local store and found 2 albums in the long rectangular cardboard cases that they use to be stored in. One had a red and orangy yellow cover and the other was a dark, mysterious blue. I saw a sticker on the dark one that said "Includes the hits Caribbean Blue and Book Of Days". I decided to buy both. But I listened to Shepherd Moons first and was completely blown away. From the beginning title track of piano and vocal harmonies I was hooked and when I listened to Caribbean Blue I became a fan. I have noticed that some reviewers have said not to buy Shepherd Moons first but rather get Watermark, The Celts or even Memory Of Trees instead. But being a person who found Enya thru this album I must disagree. I never tire of it and I have listened to it since 1991 and still cherish every song. Ebudae (which was used in the Robin Williams movie Toys), How Can I Keep From Singing (which became a Japanese single), Angeles, Marble Halls, Afer Ventus (which is also actually a lyric used in Caribbean Blue)ect. I remember later when I listened to Watermark and heard Orinoco Flow I said "Hey! It's that song used in those Bahamas Vacationing commercials! It's sad, I know. But I love Watermark as I do every Enya album but Shepherd Moons was my first and now in a lovely 24kt Gold edition. The sound is so crisp and clear it makes the music even more brilliant.

Quite good

I love this album! Of the three Enya albums I own this is easily my favorite. It is relaxing and is pleasing to listen to while one passes the time or as background music for some other activity. I personally like to listen to this album while I pracice yoga. It is an overall calming album without becoming boring and montonous.

The best Enya album of all time

I bought this album when I was a teenager, and at the age of 23, I still listen to it on a regular basis. The way that she uses her voice is an utterly amazing feat! Carribean Blue is the reason that I bought the album, and I ended up loving every last song on it (especially "How Can I Keep From Singing" and "Shepherd Moons"). Like her native Ireland, Enya is both soothing and awe inspiring all at once.