Paint the Sky with Stars: The Best of Enya

For most of us, Enya didn't so much introduce us to a new kind of music. It felt more like she invented a genre and then invited us to listen in.

This anthology of sixteen of her hits is appropriately headed by the beguiling 'Orinoco Flow', the piece that first caught the public's attention and remains a compelling, joyous ode in a Celtic-tradition-in-variant-form sort of way.

Enya's song is not really about the words. Her lyrics are sometimes unintelligible, either because they're spoken in a language with which the listener is not familiar or simply because the music overwhelms them. Indeed, they are not printed in my CD liner. One does not much grieve the loss, for the flowing, passionate, enigmatic surge the music consistently produces is reward enough. In fact, some of her best work is entirely non-verbal though not non-vocal, 'Watermark' for example'.

Indeed I am oddly tormented by the mysterious lyrics of two pieces, one of which in this reviewer's fevered brain sounds like the repeated statement 'Pilpel', this being the name given to an obscure Hebrew verbal form. The other, more prosaically, puts me in mind of the repeated musical statement 'Your underwear!'. None of this should be held against Enya.

What makes Enya sound so different? Her formula layers coquettish rhythms played on well-beaten strings with very little conventional percussion over lush harmonies vocal background themes that fade in and out enigmatically. Very seldom does Enya's voice appear alone. In this she is more creator than soloist.

In becoming reacquainted with this CD after some years and in listening to it more attentively than before, I am struck by what a fine artist Enya is. Yes, I think 'artist' *is* the word. She defies conventional categorization in the way that pioneers often do. What is more, the highly *produced* nature of her work means that she will be dismissed often as unworthy of association with the word 'pioneer' and, for that matter, 'artist'.

I think this is mistaken. She is both. Her only perceived fault in this regard might be her commercial success, as though it is incumbent only upon compromised, sold-out schmucks to experience this blessing. She appears to this reviewer to be a much finer artist than all of that.

I still find her work profoundly moving and pleasant for long periods of time as I work and listen. This 'greatest hits' anthology makes a fine introduction to it.

Goose bump music...Enya reaches in your soul and makes you feel wonderful. Much More than a musical experience! 16 songs...and all of them are great...perfect for a best of album i find it great for stress relief..I could not recommend more highly...go buy it

Enya has produced so many wonderful cd's over the years. Paint the Sky with Stars, is a beautiful collection of her best work. Her smooth and soft voice along side nature, makes for a perfect evening for: study, wine, date, yoga, relaxing, etc. This album, is definitely her finest work yet!

Every track on this CD is a winner. If you like albums like Celtic Woman you'll love this.

And love this album. Not many things can "take me away" and help me relax like listening to Paint the Sky with Stars.

Anyone who loves harmony will enjoy this album.