Avalon: A Celtic Legend
It's nothing new forDavidandDianeArkenstone, the core members of New Age quartet Enaid, to be inspired by mythology; the appropriately timedMusic Inspired by Middle Earthis proof enough of that.Avalonis another collection in a similar vein, a compendium of instrumental pieces that take their titles from landmark events and concepts within the classic story. This CD is somewhat less driven by narrative, and occasionally, the music appears to refer to nothing in particular. The opening "Road to Camelot," a dance-appropriate piece with a medieval flavor, leads into "Enchantment," which features wordless vocals and a slower, more ethereal mood. While "The Spirit of Excalibur" and "The Round Table" put the listener on firmer ground, this collection has a less universal flair, tending rather toward personal interpretation. In that sense, it's vintage David Arkenstone; not, perhaps, a groundbreaking work, but diverting enough in its own right.--Genevieve Williams