Album Notes

Laura Powers
Beyond the Pale:

Legends of the Goddess II
Red Harp Records

Legends of the Goddess
Red Harp Records

Something magical is bound to happen when a painter with a background in metaphysics, a knack for storytelling, and a desire to interpret her Celtic roots, combines those elements to create a musical journey leading the listener into her world.

"Legends of the Goddess" and "Beyond the Pale: Legends of the Goddess II" are the first and second cd in a three volume collection ("The Goddess Series") which feature musical themes based on the Celtic Goddess of ancient myth.

Powers' fascination and extensive research in Celtic mythology, combined with her talent as a singer/songwriter, led her to the creation of this project.

The music, enhanced by instrumentation such as tin whistle, uilleann pipes and Irish flute, melds with the lyrical imagery and her oil paintings, to present a timeless collection of music and art.

"This has been a work in progress for some time," says Powers, who adds that, when she conceived the project, "I was thinking partially in terms of the kind of music that I'd like to paint to, because when I paint I'm on a different level of awareness, and I wanted songs that would help take me--and the listener--to that level." From songs like the mythical "Goddess of the Sea Mist" to "Answer Me With Silence," her music captures the heart and soothes the spirit.

As the daughter of a military officer, Laura Powers spent much of her youth living in various parts of the world.

She studied abroad and began singing professionally in college.

She went on to land a recording deal with Carrere Records in Paris, France where she had several successful singles and appeared internationally on radio and television.

In addition to her background as a live performer, Powers' craftsmanship as a songwriter has made a name for herself in the music and film industries.

Her songs have been covered by numerous recording artists, and is reaching an international audience with her songs recorded in French and Spanish.

Powers, who first began songwriting in her late teens says, "I'm big on melody, beautiful harmonies and layered voices, as well as the time-honored classic structure of pop songs." Musically, the influence of European pop can be heard throughout the records, and lyrically, it is the metaphysical/mythological aspect of Legends that is the central focus.

The songs from the first cd "Legends of the Goddess" are full of ancient Celtic references, including "Tir Na Nog (Land of the Ever Young) a Celtic/Euro-pop reverie about the mystical land of the Ever Young; "Samhain Madrigal," which heralds the coming of the Celtic "season of darkness"; "Circle of Stone," a majestic look at Stonehenge and the feeling of deja vu at having been there before; and "Morrighan's Quest," an ode to the lusty, boisterous Celtic goddess of battles.

The first album ends, appropriately, with "Song of One." "I wanted a song to hold the album together," says Powers.

"This song speaks of the oneness of all people everywhere.

I felt that was a good place to sign off." "Beyond the Pale: Legends of the Goddess II" continues the musical journey, delving into the classical world with "A Heart in Winter" which intertwines Pachelbel's Canon, spoken French and a lush pop chorus.

"Beyond the Pale" is a pearl of vocal harmonies and countermelodies.

"Goddess of the Sea Mist", "Sisters of the Wind" and "In the Arms of the Milky Way" reintroduce the mythical goddess and allow us to soar alongside them in their world that is both ancient and new.

"Long Way Down" is a stirring song about continuing to miss someone after they've passed on.

"Sometimes you don't feel like you've made much progress in getting over a loss.

We maintain and push on with life, but there is a hole, and the pain can resurface.

This is a song that I don't know if I could get through performing live, but I felt there would be people that would relate to it and it needed to be included." The evocative "Pipes of Inishmore" and "Sailing Home" close the second album.

"People have told me that this music takes them into a special world and creates a mood that is uplifting and peaceful.

Since my intention was to take the listener on a musical journey to another time and place it's very satisfying to get that positive feedback."