| The Celtic Book of Days | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 10, 1998 | |||
| Recorded | April 1996 | |||
| Genre | New age | |||
| Length | 66:39 | |||
| Label | Windham Hill | |||
| Producer | David Arkenstone | |||
| David Arkenstone chronology | ||||
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
The Celtic Book of Days is an album by David Arkenstone, released in 1998. It is the first of two Celtic albums by Arkenstone, the other being Spirit of Ireland .
David Arkenstone is an American composer and performer. His music is primarily instrumental, with occasional vocalizations. Most of Arkenstone's music falls into new age category; however, he also worked in other genres, including even a heavy metal soundtrack for Emperor: Battle for Dune video game. His music has been described as 'soundtracks for the imagination'. Throughout his career, Arkenstone released over 50 albums and composed music for video games, including World of Warcraft, and for television, including NBC's Kentucky Derby. Arkenstone has been nominated for Grammy Awards five times.
River of Souls is the twelfth album by American singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg, released in September 1993. The album features a variety of genres ranging from Celtic, Brazilian, country, and African soft rock. It received mostly positive reviews from fans and critics alike, praising the instrumentation and vocals. However, some of the song's topics, which included war and politics, were not well received.
Inarticulate Speech of the Heart is the fourteenth studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1983. Morrison said he arrived at the title from a Shavian saying: "that idea of communicating with as little articulation as possible, at the same time being emotionally articulate". As his last album for Warner Bros. Records, he decided to do an album which had more than the usual complement of instrumental tracks. As he explained in 1984, "Sometimes when I'm playing something, I'm just sort of humming along with it, and that's got a different vibration than an actual song. So the instrumentals just come from trying to get that form of expression, which is not the same as writing a song." Although not expanded upon, of note is that a special thanks is given to L. Ron Hubbard in the liner notes. The reissued and remastered version of the album contains alternative takes of "Cry for Home" and "Inarticulate Speech of the Heart No. 2".
Poetic Champions Compose is the seventeenth studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1987 on Mercury Records. It received generally positive reviews from critics, most of whom viewed it as adequate mood music.
Another Star in the Sky is an album released by David Arkenstone. It was released in 1994 on the Narada label. It was a groundbreaking album because up until this point, a lot of new age music didn't have lyrics or even vocals. David was able to create an album that successfully combined the style of new age music with lyrics to match. The CD release was also one of the first CD Album releases to be mixed for Dolby ProLogic surround sound.
Citizen of Time is an album by David Arkenstone, released in 1990. The liner notes contain a short story about a character called The Citizen of Time. Each track relates to a part of his travels.
Quest of the Dream Warrior is an album by David Arkenstone, released in 1995. It is the second album in a trilogy that begins with In the Wake of the Wind and concludes with Return of the Guardians. The album is based on a fantasy story by Arkenstone and Mercedes Lackey that appears in the booklet. The album also comes with a fold-out map of the world in which the story is set. Three tracks contain vocals by Arkenstone: "Prelude: Tallis the Messenger", "The Voice" and "Road to the Sea". As with many David Arkenstone albums, the music often has an epic, cinematic feel and blends new age, rock and world music elements.
Return of the Guardians is an album by David Arkenstone, released in 1996. It is the final album in a trilogy that includes In the Wake of the Wind and Quest of the Dream Warrior. The album is based on a fantasy story by Arkenstone and Mercedes Lackey that appears in the booklet. It revolves around the characters of Andolin from In the Wake of the Wind and Kyla from Quest of the Dream Warrior. The album also comes with a fold-out map of the world in which the story is set. Of note is the prominent violin in several tracks. Unlike the previous album in the series, there are no songs sung by Arkenstone.
Island is an instrumental album by David Arkenstone with Andrew White, released in 1989. It is a departure from Arkenstone's mostly electronic debut album Valley in the Clouds.
Valley in the Clouds is the debut album by David Arkenstone, released in 1987. Much of his trademark compositional style is already evident.
In the Wake of the Wind is an album by David Arkenstone, released in 1991. It is the first album in a trilogy that includes Quest of the Dream Warrior and Return of the Guardians. The music is based on a fantasy story contained in the booklet that tells of a strange wind called The Lion's Breath and a young man named Andolin who desires to vanquish it. This album contains some of Arkenstone's most evocative, varied, and sweeping compositions and arrangements, with frequent use of orchestral instruments. It reached #1 on the Billboard New Age chart and received a Grammy nomination. The track "Morning Sun on the Sails" is dedicated to Aaron Copland. Its first track, "Papillon ", plays once every twenty minutes in the loop of songs played at Innoventions Plaza at Walt Disney World's Epcot. The Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps, from Toledo, Ohio performed arrangements of "Overture", "Morning Sun on the Sails", "The Lion's Breath", and "Sailing" as part of their 1993 field show for Drum Corps International, entitled, "A Voyage Through Imagination".
The Spirit of Olympia is an album by David Arkenstone and Kostia, with David Lanz, released in 1992. It is a celebration of the Olympic games and incorporates several musical styles from around the world.
Spirit Wind is an album by multi-instrumentalist David Arkenstone, released in 1997. Most of the music was written for a film called Legend of the Spirit Dog. A Native American feel is present on several tracks.
Sketches from an American Journey is an album by David Arkenstone, released in 2002. It is inspired by the natural landscapes of the United States. There is far less focus on synthesizers than on most other Arkenstone releases. Piano and an orchestra are featured prominently throughout the album.
Flyer was the eleventh studio album released by singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith. Released in 1994, it contained 15 tracks, mostly of original material. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards. The album had contributions from Peter Buck, Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, Larry Mullen Jr., Adam Clayton, Adam Duritz, The Chieftains and the Indigo Girls.
Diane Arkenstone is a multi-genre musician.
Caravan of Light is an album by David Arkenstone, released in 2000, on African themes and subjects, with some farther travels along the great caravan roads of the Old World. Once again Arkenstone combines elements of new age and world music with an orchestral, cinematic flair. It has an unusual number of tracks with vocals for his work.
Citizen of the World is an album by David Arkenstone, released in 1999. It is the first in which he purposely makes a tour of world music forms, mixing them with jazz, rock, and New Age elements.
The Spirit of Ireland is an album by David Arkenstone, released in 2003. It is the second of two Celtic albums by Arkenstone, the other being The Celtic Book of Days. It was recorded at The Bamboo Room, Westlake Village, California.
The Promise Ring is the eleventh solo album by Yes lead singer Jon Anderson, released in June 1997 on the OM Town label.
