Women of the World: Celtic
This 1995 assemblage of Celtic (which is to say, Irish and Scottish) female artists, mostly sopranos of the more ethereal sort, is drawn from the pick of the crop. Some sing in Irish, others in English, and the selections move from contemporary singer-songwriters to hard-core trad mavens to airy New Age goddesses complete with wavery tin flutes and tsunamis of synth wash. A newcomer to Celtic music will find the selections enjoyable and the liner notes by Fiona Ritchie and Caitlin Ni Bheagain speak knowledgeably about where it all came from and why it matters. However, compilations of music by women have become too ubiquitous over the past few years, milking a tiresome marketing concept for all it's worth. To be fair, this was an early entry and the producers very likely meant well. But these brilliant artists deserve better than to be lumped together by gender.--Christina Roden