Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Spellbinding
After years of listening to Enya's music on the radio and loving it, constantly tuning stations to see if it was being played, I decided to get of my backside and buy a CD. This Best-Of compilation seemed the most obvious CD to buy first and I can say it was worth every penny.Some of the most disitinctive songs: The opening track is unique in every way, still captivating 12 years after it's release. Though Orinoco Flow is easily her most famous song, it's probably not her best, Carribean Blue first seems a bit slow coming right after the opener, but you soon realise it is the most well planned, most perfectly crafted track on the album. Anywhere Is and Only If were played a lot on the radio and both are very up-tempo and jumpy. China Roses is beautifully soft and gentle, Storms in Africa conjures up pictures of African plains and wildlife, just what it's meant to. Inevitably a Best-Of album is never going to have the same flow has an album of new material, but Enya and producer Nicky Ryan always keep the sound and vibe connected throughout, the opeining tracks are the most up-beat, while the sound slowly winds down towards the end, but never bores. The end effect is something that captivates your ears and stays there after the music stops. A must have from perhaps the most distinctive artist of modern times.
Rating: - Paint The Sky With Stars
Irish singer Enya rose to stardom after her 1988 surprise hit 'Orinoco Flow' and the album 'Watermark'. After some more sameish sounding releases, it was time for this career retrospective. This beautifully titled 'best of' set includes 14 favorites + 2 new tracks. It's an excellent document of her first decade as a solo artist.Anyone who wants to get a view on Enya's music can safely purchase this wonderful compilation. In addition to 'Watermark', she issued three more albums - all according to the winning formula. Although all quite pleasing in its way, buying all those albums may be a bit too much of a good thing for those who are no real fans. 'Paint The Sky With Stars' includes all the hits, plus a collection of album faves - making it her most lively album, even though there are some strange absentees. Apart from 'Orinoco Flow' some other powerful songs include 'Caribbean Blue' and 'Book Of Days' (the soundtrack to 'Far & Away'). 'Anywhere Is' resembles the music of Clannad, and is the most atmospheric song of the album. 'China Roses' is another standout cut. 'Only If...' is a nice enough song, which sounds like 'Anywhere Is'. The other new track is the title track, but it is very lethargic. 'On My Way Home' is obvious proof of self-plagiarism, as it sounds excactly like 'Oricoco Flow'. Enya excells in (largely) instrumental tracks, as is proven on 'Storms In Africa', 'The Memory Of Trees' and 'Watermark'. 'Marble Halls' is a much more classical interpretation than any of the other songs. It is no wonder that Enya's music is often chosen as background music to tv-documentaries. The music is very atmospheric and will be enjoyed in years to come.
Rating: - Simply the BEST!
This is the first CD of Enya that I got and I love it! My sister first got me started on Enya's music and boy am I glad she did.
Enya has the most awesome music. Really soothing and mellow. Not rocky or slam-your-head-against-the-wall type of music and there are no bad lyrics. This CD is great for listening to in the car, while reading, and even falling asleep to.
My favorite songs on this CD would be Orinoco Flow, Carribean Blue, Anywhere Is, Only If and Boadicea. I like Only Time also but that isn't on this CD. I could lisen to Enya's music over and over again and still never tire of it. Most of her music is orchestrated but she sings in a few of the songs.
If you have never listened to Enya before, you really are missing out. You should some time and see if you like it. If you do decide to get one of her CDs I recommend this one because it contains some of her best songs.
Enya is very talented and I am looking forward to new albums that will be coming out.
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