Japanese reissue of the beloved Irish vocalist's 1995 & fourth album on a 24 karat gold disc limited to the initial pressing only. 12 tracks, including the hit singles 'Anywhere Is' and 'On My Way Home', plus the Japanese bonus track 'Oriel Window'. 1999 release.

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Of the opening instrumental title tracks, "The Memory Of Trees" is the most potent, sporting the usual instrumentals, pianos, haunting wall-of-sound choir-like vocals, pounding drums recalling "The Longships" from Watermark.

The brisk "Anywhere Is", whose dominant tempo reminds me of a horse having a gentle canter down a park, is backed by strings and backing vocals. There's an interesting motif in the first line of her reaching a horizon but finding another, where something that looks like an end is actually a new beginning. Bit like life, isn't it?

"Pax Deorum" is a Latin track begins with a cold dark wind, which sets the grim bass pulsing keyboard permeating throughout the song, as well as an ominous sound that sounds a bit like a foghorn, though not as loud or brash. This part sounds a bit like an incantation. Her voice alternates between a soft but lower register and her full vocals.

The piano (and later some other instrument) ballad "Athair Ar Neamh" is a sad but beautiful sung tune, full of yearning. Makes me want to learn Gaelic. My favourite song here, and Enya sounds her best singing like this.

The wistful, reflective piano only instrumental "From Where I Am" is a variation of "Miss Clare Remembers" from Watermark, with some shades of "Epona" from the Enya album.

"China Roses" is one of her visual and visionary poetic songs and it's an enchanting delight to hear. I see melodic strains of what would later become "Only Time." That wall of sound really enhances her vocals, and the following lyrics really create the image of a dreamland: "A new moon leads me to/woods of dreams and I follow/a new world waits for me/my dream, my way" and "Rain and river, a world of wonder/may be paradise to me". Gosh, how I love this woman!

OK, all you romantics. "Hope Has A Place" is the song for you. Enya's vocal echoes hauntingly here and that dreamy wall of sound is in full bloom. And how's this for some sagely advice: "Look to love/you may dream/and if it should leave/then give it wings/But if such a love is meant to be/Hope is home, and the heart is free." I can't decide whether I like this better than "Athair Ar Neamh."

The third instrumental, "Tea-House Moon", has some Oriental strains, with some otherworldly synths and conjures the image of one looking up at the stars. As for the title, a nod to Teahouse Of The August Moon, set in post-WW2 Japan and starring Machiko Kyo?

"Once You Had Gold" is a proverbial seasons come, seasons go type, and has a mystical sense of why things go wrong: "No-one can promise a dream for you/Time gave both darkness and dreams to you." and "What is the dark, shadows around you/why not take heart in the new day?"

"La Sonadora" is her first Spanish song and it's more an interlude. The backing wall of music rise to a crescendo in the song's midsection.

A reminiscing night traveller's thoughts comprise "On My Way Home", where "I remember all the best days/I'm on my way home/I can remember every new day" is surrounded by the dreamy wall of sound.

Compared to her first three albums, Enya's voice is more mesmerizingly beautiful than I've ever heard. She seems to be a one-woman band here, as it's "all instruments and vocals by Enya" per the credits. There's more a wall of dreamy sound here--check out how many times I've mentioned this. Repeated listenings will tell whether it'll dislodge Shepherd's Moon as my favourite Enya album.

31 of 33 found the following review helpful:

A Brilliant Change in Atmosphere!Oct 14, 1999

All of Enya's past albums have all been very solemn CDs, with songs that capture very peaceful moods. I've loved all of them, but THIS is one heck of a great change! It still holds Enya's theme of peace and a world in fantasy where everything's practically what it should be, or even better, but kinda jolts the listener with a more vibrant tone and, not to mention, RHYTHM! I enjoy ALL the tracks on this album (which has proved quite amazing considering my high standards for an avid fan of Enya's), and I'd practically WANT everyone to have a go at it! Listen out, especially, for "Anywhere Is (absolutely WONDERFUL)", "Tea-House Moon (a solemn yet catchy instrumental recital)", "Pax Deorum (kinda gives you an eerie feeling, nonetheless it gets Enya's message across)" and, most of all, "On My Way Home". On "Paint the Sky with Stars", you can only catch the shortened 3-minute version of this song; catch the original, full-length 5-minute version on this CD (that would make this song her second longest, down from "Smoainte" from 1991's "Shepard Moons"). It includes more instrumentation in a never-before-caught song bridge; and more life in its chorus. Enya has boasted great skill in producing this album, especially in writing the latter track - definitely something to look out for for EVERYONE and not just Enya fans!

16 of 18 found the following review helpful:

A BRILLIANT Change In Atmosphere!Dec 26, 1999

All of Enya's past albums have all been very solemn CDs, with songs that capture very peaceful moods. I've loved all of them, but THIS is one heck of a great change! It still holds Enya's theme of peace and a world in fantasy where everything's practically what it should be, or even better, but kinda jolts the listener with a more vibrant tone and, not to mention, RHYTHM! I enjoy ALL the tracks on this album (which has proved quite amazing considering my high standards for an avid fan of Enya's), and I'd practically WANT everyone to have a go at it! Listen out, especially, for "Anywhere Is (absolutely WONDERFUL)", "Tea-House Moon (a solemn yet catchy instrumental recital)", "Pax Deorum (kinda gives you an eerie feeling, nonetheless it gets Enya's message across)" and, most of all, "On My Way Home". On "Paint the Sky with Stars", you can only catch the shortened 3-minute version of this song; catch the original, full-length 5-minute version on this CD (that would make this song her second longest, down from "Smoainte" from 1991's "Shepard Moons"). It includes more instrumentation in a never-before-caught song bridge; and more life in its chorus. Enya has boasted great skill in producing this album, especially in writing the latter track - definitely something to look out for for EVERYONE and not just Enya fans!

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

A true gem, even if you don't love conventional "new age"May 12, 2003
By guillermoj
Many times, AND WITH GOOD REASON, the "new age" label gets slammed for lacking originality and conviction. Enya is not an artist who blends in with the rest and this release is, in my opinion, her best to date.

There is certainly an ethereal quality associated with new age and Enya is certainly a new age artist, but she has strong writing skills and gorgeous and very unique voice that sets her apart from her peers. And if you look at what is being released these days, many groups are ripping off elements of her uniqueness and plastering them on down tempo songs with session singers who do an ok job of copying Enya, but don't reach the depths of beauty and passion that only Enya seems to find.

What makes this a 5-star review for me is that the songs work independently and even better as a cohesive set that keeps you involved and feeling like you are living in an even better world than this one we know. I know this sounds ridiculous, but take this review from someone who usually prefers an entirely different type of music. Al the songs are great and although this CD can be great background music, it works even better when it's in the forefront of your attention because the production work is so masterful.

Many artists/fans are critical of the work that the producer brings to the table, but I am always very appreciative when the final product does not sound like it was manufactured by an assembly line, but rather reflects a balance of the artist's intent with the listener in mind.

Thanks for reading and I would like to thank ALL reviewers as their opinions (even when I disagree) give me clues as to what I may like and even more importantly provide exposure to artists who I may have missed if it were not for work. Also, thanks to Amazon.com for providing this forum as I think that it clearly benefits the company, but ultimately it also can be a great place for a potential buyer to find his or her next favorite CD.

11 of 12 found the following review helpful:

A DREAM MAKERFeb 08, 2000

I am 18 and i fell in love her music. Enya makes you cry, smile, and remember the good old days. Enya should be consider as a goddess to the world.

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