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Secret Garden's formula is plain
to hear. They have the lush string orchestrations of Yanni, the layered vocals
of Clannad and Enya, and the stage-show Celtica of Riverdance. In the
past these elements have weighed down the music of Irish violinist Fionuala
Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland with a sweetness that would make
tiramisu taste like poi. On Dawn of a New Century, they finally
dance closer to the line that divides schlock from serenity, beauty from the
banal. Capercaillie singer Karen Matheson gives a haunting vocal performance on
"Prayer," surrounded by Clannad-like harmonies. "Children of the River" is a
cinematic expanse with Asian overtones, while "Lore of the Loom" swoops through
orchestral landscapes that could be Ireland or Norway. But there's also the
hokey faux-Baroque of "Divertimento" and the title piece, which could stand in
for "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." --John Diliberto |