• Brendan Soul by Cory Engel of CelticChristianTunes.com
• Holy Thorn by Heather Beckmyer for CelticChristianTunes.com

Brendan Soul

In Brendan Soul, Carol Arblaster has lent the exquisite instrumentation of Holy Thorn, her 2003 debut, to an album themed around journeys of faith. Inspired by saints such as Brendan and Columba, the songs of Brendan Soul reflect Carol's own 2002 journey of faith from her home in the Pacific Northwest to ministry in England, where her harp can be heard in the streets of Glastonbury.

From the title track:

Over salty foam we ride,
enduring tempest and the tide,
Oh Spirit, make me a Brendan soul,
Thy Holy Island is our goal...
So shine brighter as we roam,
and pilot us safely home.

Carol's harp serves as a musical anchor, built upon by a variety of stringed instruments, and on occasion by Troy Donockley's uillean pipes and whistles. Contrasted by her folky vocals, Brendan Soul's ethereal instrumental tapestry invites the listener to meditate upon prayers that draw inspiration and strength from the examples set by the British isles' saints of old.

The album includes six original vocal pieces, two traditional hymns ("The King of Love" and "Oh the Deep Deep"), and three instrumental works. In a nice twist, it also includes two poems set to original music: G. K. Chesterton's "Child of the Snows" ("The Ancient Inn") and Oliver W. Holmes' "Lord of All Being". The chorus of "Apart From You", the closing song, is weirdly reminiscient of Dolly Pardon's "I Will Always Love You", yet it astonishingly seems at home on this Celtic harp album.

Brendan Soul is a fine sophomore outing; we look forward to more music from Carol.

--Cory Engel of CelticChristianTunes.com

Holy Thorn

The persistent appeal of Celtic music through the ages is reflected in the title of the CD, Holy Thorn, by Carol Arblaster. The faithful blooming of the tree said to be planted by Joseph of Arimathea, marking the beginning of Christianity in Britain is a metaphor for the endurance of the Christian faith.

Lovely crystal clear Celtic harp playing is heard throughout Holy Thorn's, adaptation of traditional hymns. The instrumental arrangements are pleasant. The harp consistently provides a strong foundation for the other instruments to build on, adding colourful variety. Wes Arblaster, David Butzu, and Jimmy Keller skilfully play tasteful additions of guitar, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, violin, recorder and occasional light percussion. Linda and Bob Kellar also provide moments of vocal backup.

The cover art, picturing Carol Arblaster and her harp above the Hardknot Pass, Cumbria, Lake District, England is beautiful, setting a tone of peaceful reflection suiting the timbre of the Celtic harp and the theme of the hymns perfectly.

Unfortunately, the vibrato vocal style will not appeal to everyone. Moreover, syncopation of lyrics is overused and seems unsuited to the otherwise traditional Celtic instrumental approach. This results in a disjointed melodic effect. Most of the tracks are vocal. The best tracks are the instrumental numbers: "Before the Throne", "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "All Creatures of Our God and King".

Carol, with her husband Paul, uses her harp and CD's as evangelism tools on the streets of Wells in Somerset. Funds from CD sales support their ministry.