Crossing to Skellig, by Magical Strings

Crossing to Skellig

by Magical Strings

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$10 USD or more

1.	Knocknagow 03:13	buy track
2.	Astronomer's Dream 04:44	buy track
3.	Fairy Dances from Magic Hill 03:52	buy track
4.	Lament for the World 06:28	buy track
5.	Song for my Mother 04:36	buy track
6.	McHugh's 02:30	buy track
7.	Lady Owen's Favorite - Diferiad Y Gerwin - Croeso'r Weynen 03:21	buy track
8.	Norwegan Aire 02:59	buy track
9.	Crossing to Skellig 04:02	buy track
10.	O'Mahoney's Fancy 03:28	buy track
11.	Nathaniel Gow's Lament for the Death of his Brother - Ag Criost an Siol 04:37	buy track

about

Skellig Michael (Great Skellig) is a massive seven hundred foot rock pinnacle eight miles off the coast of County Kerry, which makes it the western-most point in Ireland (and indeed in all of Europe). Resting precariously upon its summit is a well-preserved sixth century monastery that served as one of the last great bastions of Celtic Christianity. After a rough sea crossing and a rigorous climb, we found a place of great peace amidst the ancient stone-layered “beehive” huts where twelve monks and one abbott lived a sparse, contemplative life. Gazing over the vast expanse of sea and sky, we felt that here one could truly seek divine mysteries without the distractions of civilization.

This classic Celtic album inspired by a spectacular monastic island off Ireland's Kerry coast artfully blends original compositions with traditional jigs and reels, including a haunting Norwegian flute solo. Pam's "Song for My Mother" on piano is the most requested score of all Magical Strings' music! ". .. more than a few times while listening to this CD you might wonder if they really use magic..."
- The Rocket

“Crossing to Skellig... is wrought with sounds of sorrow, love and strength in songs with Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Norwegian and classical themes... an emotional roller-coaster... uplifting... haunting... rapturous... 'Song for My Mother' is delivered in breathtaking fashion on piano and cello...”
- The Patriot Ledger (Boston)

credits

released January 1, 1990

℗ © 1990, Flying Fish Records, Inc.
Produced by Micheal O’Domhnaill
Engineered by Billy Oskay at his Nightnoise Studio, Portland, OR, August 1989
Mastered by Roger Seibel, SAE
Digital Mastering, Phoenix, AZ
Design by Peggy Sheehan
Cover photo: view toward the final ascent to the monastery on Skellig Michael by Pam Boulding, August 1989

All arrangements and original compositions by Philip and Pam Boulding, Magic Hill Music, BMI

Philip Boulding - wire and nylon strung Celtic harps, hammer dulcimer, and whistles
Pam Boulding - hammer dulcimer, piano, and harmonium
Brenin Williams - Cello on “Song for My Mother” and the Welsh tunes
Tom Cregan - Irish pipes on “Lament for the World”
Tommy Hayes: Bodhran (Irish drum) on “Knocknagow” and “McHugh’s”
Billy Oskay: Violin on the Welsh tunes

The harps and hammer dulcimers used on this record were designed and hand-crafted by Philip Boulding

license

about

Magical Strings Seattle, Washington

Philip and Pam Boulding form the core of Magical Strings, creating their singular sound with Celtic harps and hammered dulcimers of their own design and construction since 1978. Their lush mix of traditional Celtic and original music infused with classical/world music influences is supplemented by virtuosic multi-instrumentality on whistles, accordion, concertina, guitar, piano, valiha and more. ... more