MARCILLE WALLIS: A Celtic Heritage

Marcille Wallis

A Celtic Heritage

© 2004 Celtic Heritage Productions, Inc. (783707888828)

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Instrumental tunes from traditions with a Celtic influence, played on dulcimer, guitar, fiddle and harp -- lively jigs and reels contrast haunting slow airs

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Dirty Linen says, "Marcille Wallis is a fine dulcimer player ... distinctive ... [she emphasizes] the beauty of the old melodies."

Rambles.net says, "a beautiful collection of traditional Celtic instrumental music ... you will want to listen over and over again."

How sweet it is when Marcille Wallis plays the hammer dulcimer! ... captivating music lovers of all ages with haunting melodies from Brittany and Galicia, rousing reels and jigs from Ireland, and traditional Scottish pipe tunes with a non-traditional twist. Her repertoire also reflects the influence of her Southern Appalachian heritage with old-time fiddle tunes and ballads, even a touch of bluegrass! Marcille's musical interests have taken her from the grand opera houses of Europe, to one-room cabins in remote coves of North Carolina, to the Wonderful World of Disney. With eight CD's to her credit, Marcille's music can be heard on radio stations and Internet broadcasts world-wide and on PBS Television across the U.S.

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  • author: Ranald Alasdair MacDonald of Keppoch Chief of the Honourable Cla

    I have had the privilege of reviewing another of Marcille's music "Celtic Heart" which I found enthantic and most enchanting and that is from a Celt through and through on both Scottish Highland Irish Highland descent. You can say that I do understand Celtic music. It is in my blood. My family love her recording of "Celtic Heart" and now we have another authentic piece of her music to enjoy to the full. It is not only authentic as if she was in Scotland playing before a Scottish or Irish audience who would certainly appreciate her gift. It is for real! As a Bardic Celt as well as Chief of my clann, her music reaches me deeply and it is soothing as we Celts can produce such beautiful inspiration melodies. Everyone should buy her music. All of it and listen to it in a subdued quiet setting, where they can really listend and enjoy her music in the most relaxed setting. It soothes. It heals the spirit! Please carry on with you fine work Marcille. We enjoy it so much! Mac Mhic Raonuill

  • My favorite Celtic CD
    author: Kate Carpenter, Folksinger

    I love to put on this CD when I want to experience some "instrumental joy". Marcille and her fellow musicians certainly know how to kick it out in true Celtic style. You can feel the great energy coming through the dulcimer, the fiddle, the guitar....all the instruments. Put in on in the car, while you're cleaning house, as background music for your next romantic dinner. If you ever get a chance to hear Marcille play live, do it, but if you can't, you'll just have to imagine the big smile on her face as she's hammering away on that great-sounding dulcimer. Highly recommended!

  • A beautiful collection of traditional Celtic instrumental music
    author: Jean Emma Price

    The dulcimer is probably not the first instrument that comes to mind when thinking of traditional instrumental Celtic music. This misconception might lead people to dismiss this album out of hand, and that would be their great loss. Marcille Wallis plays the hammer dulcimer beautifully, and manages to be both innovative and conservative at the same time. Her music occasionally has a medieval sound, but is always lovely and often lively. Many of the pieces are traditional or, at the very least, quite old. Versions of "Barbara Allen," "The Rose of Tralee" and "Greensleeves" are all worth a listen. Although they have been recorded a multitude of times before, Wallis's arrangements don't make them sound tired or worn. Wallis also appears to have a love of Burns; particularly well done is "Miss Admiral Gordon's Strathspey/O A' the Airts," with a vibrant fiddle to contrast with the softer dulcimer. "Eleanor Plunkett" is a soft aire, while "David Glen's Jig" has a stateliness to it. "Lochleven Side/Atholl Highlanders" begins slowly before changing to a more upbeat tune. "Greensleeves," although a tune many times recorded, rarely goes wrong. Wallis does a fantastic job of this ancient song including some inspired syncopation. The lively "Off to California/Blair Atholl/Mason's Apron" provides a nice counterpart to the more subdued previous and following tunes and gives the lead over to the fiddle for a part of the set. If this set of tunes doesn't make you want to dance, nothing will! Ending on a slow note, "When You and I Were Young, Maggie" has a melancholy air to it. The music is skillfully accompanied by several musicians who provide a very suitable background for Wallis's dulcimer. The fiddle, played by Frances Pisacane, is well used throughout. Ann Margaret McKillop on harp and Michael DeLalla on guitar both blend well with the other instruments. Special guest Matt Miller plays on "Jerusalem Ridge" to great effect. The final product is a full, rich sound. Wallis's dulcimer never overpowers the other instruments and is never overpowered by them. Wallis knows exactly when to let the other instruments take the lead making the most of the highly skilled musicians. Wallis' album is a beautiful collection of traditional Celtic instrumental music. This is an album you will want to listen to over and over again. The range of tempos and styles ensure that the music is never boring or repetitive. For anyone interested in exploring their own Celtic Heritage, this album is a wise investment. published 18 June 2005

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