Paradise Music
New Age, 2013

Celtic Music for Relaxation is exactly what you’d think it is – all that flute-pan pipes-tin whistle woo-woo music with some vocal wailing now and then, just the kind of clichéd new age music that reminds me of every similar music of this kind in other CDs. The tunes have titles like Lady of the Lake, The Water Kelpie, and Two Swans in Flight – the kind of background music for gift shops, elevators, and motivational seminars.

Still, they do make me feel quite relaxed. I have to confess, I was quite irritable and generally annoyed with the kind of people who deserve one’s annoyance, and it wasn’t long before I calmed down while listening to this CD. Okay, I eventually ended up falling asleep with drool leaking out from one corner of my mouth, but still, it was a wonderful nap and I woke up all refreshed and ready to smile at the world.

Therefore, I can’t in good conscience claim that this CD doesn’t do what was claimed in its title. It’s relaxing, just the kind to play when one needs a change from Enya, Yanni, and all those folks who typically do this kind of music with very little variation to the formula. Woo-woo-woo, indeed.