Perhaps what makes Celtic lullabies truly unique is their initial inspiration. If one has ever visited the Atlantic coast of Eire, or the Hebrides, or Land’s End, or the Gower Peninsula, or bleak Prince Edward Island, or Brittany’s rugged, pine-covered coastal hills, it’s easy to imagine how the sadness, yearning, uncertainty, remoteness and eeriness of the choppy northern waters can transmute into plaintive song and story. In this context, Liz Carroll’s fiddle, Margie Butler and Alan Stivell’s harps, the Protestant-Celtic choral majesty of Plethyn and the Glasgow Hebridean Choir, the more contemporary (yet still mystery-laden) pleasures of Flook and Altan, the fiercely guarded integrity of Jerry Holland and Kirkmount and the playful crib-side charm of Tommy Sands are all so clearly part of one continuity.     

The Rough Guide to Celtic Lullabies is a soothing selection of songs that will lull any baby to peaceful sleep, but also stands alone as an exceptional collection of Celtic folk music. Other highlights include contributions by Canadian-Celtic songstress Teresa Doyle, Scottish champion banjoist Alastair McDonald, and German electro-harpist Nadia Birkenstock.The full-length bonus album is a beautiful solo harp collection by esteemed Irish harpist, Gráinne Hambly. Hambly is a leading light on the international Irish harp scene today. This evocative album showcases a hand-picked selection of slow, soothing works that construct a peaceful reverie.

Parents, children and world music fans alike will relish the quality, calm music included on this Rough Guide.