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Post by Treecat on Jun 24, 2008 21:46:07 GMT -5
Enya has no idea of what an album is going to be about when she steps foot into the studio. It's only as the melodies develop, as she and Nicky and Roma work together on the songs that she realizes a theme to each album.
It's easy to grab a theme to some of the albums. Others require more thought.
This thread is to discuss whatever theme you find running through the 12 songs of "Shepherd Moons". What are these songs about? What is the total album about?
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Post by riene on Jun 24, 2008 22:57:39 GMT -5
Perhaps the theme here is Faith...not religious faith, but faith and belief in oneself, in the guide, in the journey, that all will be well.
Shepherd Moons--are the tiny guiding moons that keep Saturn's rings in place Caribbean Blue is about believing in yourself, according to Roma How Can I Keep From Singing?--is hope and faith that things will work out in the end, no matter the strife or conflict Ebudae--a weaving song, women on the Hebrides singing of times past Angeles--asking angels for promises to be kept No Holly For Miss Quinn--in the story, Miss Quinn gave up her peaceful life to care for her brother and family, in a time they needed help. Family and faith that the relationships would sustain them Book of Days--wasn't the theme of the movie taking a risk in coming to America, and having the belief/faith that it would be a move for the better? Evacuee--keeping strong, holding on, having trust Lothlorien--the Elvish home, a place of peace and sanctuary, protected from evil and outside of time Marble Halls--the belief that no matter what, he still loves her Afer Ventus--winds and stars--perhaps symbolizing change? and life is brief. Smaointe--dedicated to grandparents, remembrance of their love, the belief that their love will continue to guide.
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Post by Treecat on Jun 25, 2008 7:31:42 GMT -5
Riene, I've never seen Shepherd Moons explained clearer than that. Thank you! It's one album whose overall theme has escaped me--until now. I've never read the Miss Read books (do I have the author correct?) and didn't know the story of Miss Quinn. I finally see a reason for HCIKFS being on the album. Great analysis. I can't wait to see more opinions on themes of the songs, overall theme of the album.
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Post by riene on Jun 25, 2008 10:45:16 GMT -5
The Miss Read books are set in post-WWII England, in a rural village. The central character is a teacher.
NHFMQ is a companion book to the series. Miss Quinn is a single woman, dark-haired and slender, a professional, not married/no kids. She has a career instead of a family. When her brother's wife falls ill, she gives up her well-deserved holiday and goes to take care of the family. She's a great auntie to the kids!
I've often wondered at the parallels...
Anyway...I have no idea if my idea is correct or not...those are just random thoughts from late at night.
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Post by marie on Jun 25, 2008 10:54:01 GMT -5
I find a theme of spiritualism or faith on this album also. This is one of her more magical albums. I find this CD inspiring and it can be helpful in troubled times to listen to and feel better about things.
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Post by Moe on Jun 30, 2008 19:27:53 GMT -5
I really like Riene's analysis - I had never thought about SM in those terms before. And "belief in oneself" might be very natural as a theme in Enya's second album. The success of Watermark must have given her self-confidence a huge boost.
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Post by phantas on Apr 7, 2009 11:53:46 GMT -5
I also think Riene has the theme spot on, I've never really given it much thought to be honest, but it makes sense. I would add that perhaps the theme is also about following your dreams, following your ideal and believing in it is part of that. Both Caribbean Blue and Book of Days, as well as HCIKFS and Evacuee may link to that theme in more ways than one.
I've always felt SM was about dreams also - Shepherd Moons, Lothlorien, Caribbean Blue...they all relate to fantasy, dreaming....
Afer Ventus is about epiphany according to Roma in OT:TC the Collection IIRC. Perhaps the moment to realize you're on the right track, and thus the theme of believing in oneself returns.
Love, Phantas
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Post by phantas on Apr 7, 2009 11:54:53 GMT -5
I really like Riene's analysis - I had never thought about SM in those terms before. And "belief in oneself" might be very natural as a theme in Enya's second album. The success of Watermark must have given her self-confidence a huge boost. How fitting - the songs on Watermark bear the marks of one who is uncertain, while the songs on Shepherd Moons speak of self confidence, or at least the belief in one's self. There couldn't be a greater contrast between the two albums. Love, Phantas
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Post by Moe on Apr 8, 2009 12:02:13 GMT -5
I've always felt SM was about dreams also - Shepherd Moons, Lothlorien, Caribbean Blue...they all relate to fantasy, dreaming.... Afer Ventus is about epiphany according to Roma in OT:TC the Collection IIRC. Perhaps the moment to realize you're on the right track, and thus the theme of believing in oneself returns. Love, Phantas Perhaps "having faith in oneself" also allows one to "dream" of thing to come?
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Post by phantas on Feb 22, 2019 12:24:25 GMT -5
Giving this thread a bump...
Where Watermark has a theme of water, I've always felt Shepherd Moons has a theme of air, with the title song, Caribbean Blue and Afer Ventus being clear references to it. Also, SM to me is still the most new age of her albums, it's very spiritual and flowing and ethereal.
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Post by Moe on Feb 22, 2019 13:28:43 GMT -5
Giving this thread a bump... Where Watermark has a theme of water, I've always felt Shepherd Moons has a theme of air, with the title song, Caribbean Blue and Afer Ventus being clear references to it. Also, SM to me is still the most new age of her albums, it's very spiritual and flowing and ethereal. I think you're on to something, and yes, SM (for me) still seems the most "ethereal" of the albums, and the video for Caribbean Blue is still my fav! Not that I dislike any of the albums to date, but SM speaks to me in a special way - maybe because I'm a sea person with direct knowledge of how many kinds of wind there are. But I still like the analysis of SM posted by Riene a few years ago.
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Post by phantas on Feb 23, 2019 3:25:34 GMT -5
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Post by Moe on Feb 23, 2019 10:55:27 GMT -5
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Post by Versatis on Sept 25, 2020 4:37:29 GMT -5
Riene, I've never seen Shepherd Moons explained clearer than that. Thank you! It's one album whose overall theme has escaped me--until now. I've never read the Miss Read books (do I have the author correct?) and didn't know the story of Miss Quinn. I finally see a reason for HCIKFS being on the album. Great analysis. I can't wait to see more opinions on themes of the songs, overall theme of the album. To the themes so brilliantly shelled out by Riene, I would add friendship β understood also quite metaphysically β sincere, caring, sheltering, motivating, providing space and comfort, also leading onto a life adventure. It all dawned on me not that long ago when I read the liner notes from the "Shepherd Moons" memento. It was when I turned my attention especially to "Angeles", which has become a sort of the heart of the album since then. I have no words to describe how I love this album. It's also amazing to me how my first imaginations to the music, although I didn't even know English too well back in the day, corresponded to these themes. A pool of epiphanies to this day.
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Post by phantas on Sept 25, 2020 8:50:04 GMT -5
Nice touch there, Versatis. I'm still amazed at how juxtaposed her first album and her second album are. Watermark bears feelings of loss, of fear, of the uncertain. And then comes Shepherd Moons, which bears the marks of faith, hope and standing strong. It also ties in with Enya's own story, of leaving her family home to move in with the Ryans , and seeking her own voice to communicate with the world. Right down to her having found her "niche" and exploring the boundaries of that niche.
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