Green Linnet records, America's foremost Celtic music label, released a number of compilations in the late 1990s, most of which were thematic collections of previously released material. This one is different. Of the 15 tracks, only one (Altan's eerily lovely "Si Do Mhaimeo I") has already appeared on a Green Linnet album; all of the others are licensed from various Irish, British and European labels. The material varies widely in style -- the album opens with a haunting Breton air sung by Annie Ebrel, then proceeds to sketch a kaleidoscopic pattern of international Celtic music, from the puirt a beul of Tannas to the sean nos singing of Noirin Ni Riain, from the a cappella vocal group Anuna to the Celtic/Serbian fusion singing of Talitha McKenzie. The result is a fascinating and beautiful collection, one which successfully avoids the sameness that can often bog down collections of traditional Celtic music. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide