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Shepherd Moons
Shepherd Moons
Shepherd Moons
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Shepherd Moons
Studio album by
Enya
Released4 November 1991
Recorded1988–1991
Studio
Genre
Length43:41
Label
ProducerNicky Ryan
Enya chronology
Watermark
(1988) 		Shepherd Moons
(1991) 		The Memory of Trees
(1995)
Singles from Shepherd Moons
  1. "Caribbean Blue"
    Released: 7 October 1991
  2. "How Can I Keep from Singing?"
    Released: 25 November 1991
  3. "Book of Days"
    Released: 22 June 1992
  4. "Marble Halls"
    Released: 1994

Shepherd Moons is the third studio album by Irish singer, songwriter and musician Enya, released on 4 November 1991 by WEA. After the unexpected critical and commercial success of her previous album Watermark (1988), Enya embarked on a worldwide promotional tour to support it. At its conclusion, she wrote and rehearsed new material for her next album with her long time recording partners, manager, arranger and producer Nicky Ryan and his wife, lyricist Roma Ryan. The album was recorded in Ireland and London and continued to display Enya's sound of multi-tracked vocals with keyboards and elements of Celtic and new-age music.

Shepherd Moons received generally positive reviews from critics and became a greater commercial success than Watermark. It went to number one on the UK Albums Chart and peaked at number seventeen on the Billboard 200 in the United States. The album was certified multi-platinum by the British Phonographic Industry and Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of 1.2 million and five million copies, respectively. Between 1991 and 1994, Enya released four singles from Shepherd Moons: "Caribbean Blue", "How Can I Keep from Singing?", "Book of Days", which charted at number ten in the United Kingdom, and "Marble Halls". As with Watermark, Enya supported the album with a worldwide promotional tour that included several interviews and televised performances. In 1993, the album won Enya a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album, the first of four she has won in her career. It was reissued in 1992 and 2009; the latter was a Japanese release with bonus tracks.[1]

Background and writing

[edit]

In September 1988, Enya released her second studio album Watermark. It became an unexpected commercial success, charting around the world helped by its international top-ten hit, "Orinoco Flow". The album propelled Enya to worldwide fame and she spent much of the following year travelling worldwide to promote it through interviews, appearances, and performances.[2][3] With such a length of time for promotion, Enya felt the priority was to return to the studio and record a new album rather than spend further time planning and completing a concert tour, partly due to the various difficulties involved in recreating her studio-oriented sound in a live setting.[4] Enya worked with her long time recording partners, manager, producer and arranger Nicky Ryan and his wife, lyricist Roma Ryan.[5] The success of Watermark complicated the writing process at first. Enya recalled: "I put a lot of pressure on myself at the beginning ... When I was composing new melodies I kept thinking "Would this have gone on Watermark? Is it as good?" Eventually I had to forget about this and start on a blank canvas and just really go with what felt right in the studio."[6]

"A continuation of where I'd left off with Watermark. It was new melodies, new emotions."

—Enya describing the album, 1991.[4]

When the process got underway, she was able to forget about the success of Watermark and start again. She added, "It felt like Watermark was a dream. It felt like it hadn't happened. And in a way it's nice because you can concentrate only on the music. You can forget about charts, how much you sold. You forget that."[7] As with all her albums, Enya considered a strong melody as a fundamental part to her songwriting.[8] Only when she has pieced one together, usually with vocal ideas or with piano accompaniment, does she then build a song around it.[9] As with Watermark, Enya sings Irish, her first language, English, and Latin.[10] Her Catholic upbringing and childhood experiences of hymns and church music, coupled with later studies in classical music, were big influences that helped form her albums.[9] She gained inspiration from several sources and stories, including her personal diaries and her grandparents.[7] Two tracks on Shepherd Moons are traditional songs that Enya rearranged with Nicky.[5] Initially, Enya felt worried that by recording non-original songs, she would be unable to perform them with the same amount of emotion as she might with her own compositions, though her strong feelings towards them coupled with their age, made recording them easier.[4]

Recording

[edit]

Shepherd Moons was recorded with new equipment purchased with the profits from Watermark.[11] Much of the album was recorded at Aigle Studio, the recording studio in the Ryans' home, then located in Artane, a northern suburb of Dublin. However, as with her two previous albums, recording and production had to relocate elsewhere as the Aigle facility lacked the correct equipment to complete the final mix and mastering. The album was finished at SARM West Studios in London, where "How Can I Keep from Singing?", "Book of Days", and "Lothlórien" were recorded with additional engineering and mixing carried out by Gregg Jackman.[5] As with Watermark, several musicians were brought in to perform additional instruments. Andy Duncan plays percussion on "Book of Days", Roy Jewitt plays the clarinet on "Evacuee" and "Angeles", Liam O'Flionn plays the uilleann pipes on "Smaointe...", Steve Sidwell plays the cornet on "Evacuee", and Nicky performs percussion on "Ebudæ".[5]

Enya noticed a change in her own attitude when it came to recording Shepherd Moons, "the difference ... is that I've mellowed".[12] This was down to the greater amount of time Enya took away from the studio, particularly during "quite difficult" moments, while recording the album in comparison to Watermark. The process, she felt, improved her sense of creativity in the long run.[4] In some parts on the album, Enya recorded 500 layered voices without sampling or replication. When the melody to a song was completed, Roma Ryan would write lyrics to it.[6] Several months after recording and mixing was complete, Enya had not yet listened to the album. "I will find any excuse not to. And honestly, I have never felt so miserable as finishing this album. It's fear – fear that all your feelings and all your emotions have gone into the thing, and when you hear it, it won't live up to your expectations for it."[3]

Writer Molly Burke wrote about the album's artwork: "Shepherd Moons features Enya in what can only be described as an opera gown she could be twenty or forty but her delicate beauty is intact. There is a sense of timelessness here bathed in the dark but fragile blue of sorrow".[10]

Songs

[edit]

Side one

[edit]

As with Watermark, the album title opens with an instrumental title track with wordless vocals. Its title, devised by Roma, refers to two inner satellite moons around Saturn discovered in 1980, Pandora and Prometheus,[13] that "protect and preserve the rings very much like a shepherd guiding his flock". Enya also liked the title as the association with the moon "is quite romantic".[9]

"Caribbean Blue" is a waltz that depicts a journey through a fantasy world. It was named by Roma Ryan, as the melody that Enya had come up with reminded her of the Caribbean.[7] In writing about the song in 2002, Roma wrote: "As with all dreams we reach for the ideal and "Caribbean Blue" represents such a dream. The lyrics can be summed up in three words, Believe in yourself."[13]

Enya believed "How Can I Keep from Singing?" was a traditional Christian hymn from the Shaker sect. She chose to record her own rendition of it as she liked its melody and "very strong" lyrics. She added, "They talked about the trouble in the world, the strife, the turmoil, but at the end of each verse it simply said "how can I keep from singing?" ... I believe this in music ... at some stage you've got to try and forget the trouble that is around you".[4] Enya and her record company were sued for copyright infringement by Sanga Music, Inc. for recording the song because she had mistakenly credited this track as a "traditional Shaker hymn", thus assumed it as public domain. Pete Seeger had helped make the song fairly well known in the 1950s by publishing it with Doris Plenn's additional third verse in his folk music magazine Sing Out! (Vol. 7, No 1. 1957), recording it, and mistakenly credited it as a "traditional Quaker hymn" without copyrighting Plenn's verse, thus presenting the entire song as "public domain". It was again published by Sanga Music, Inc. in 1964. Seeger had presented the new verse as being public domain and Plenn had only wanted the song to be preserved rather than seeking to make a profit from it, so the court decided that Enya could use the verse without paying royalties.[14]

Scottish girls fulling cloth and singing waulking songs

"Ebudæ" is an ancient name of the Hebrides islands in western Scotland. The word was previously referenced in "Orinoco Flow", specifically in the lyric "From the north to the south, Ebudae into Khartoum". The song is composed of wordless mouth sounds that resemble Irish and Scottish Gaelic. Its story was inspired by the tradition of Scottish waulking songs sung by women as they fulled cloth.[15]

"No Holly for Miss Quinn" is a piano instrumental named after a novel by Miss Read. It follows its partner piece, "Miss Clare Remembers" from Watermark, also named after one of her stories.[13]

Side two

[edit]

Enya drew inspiration for "Book of Days" from her own personal diary, something which Roma suggested as she knew Enya enjoyed keeping one. Please note that the 1st version in Gaelic on the original 1991 release lasts 2:34 and the later English/Gaelic version lasts 2:55 as listed below. The song was adapted from its original form as an instrumental track for the soundtrack to the 1992 romantic film Far and Away, with Roma writing a set of lyrics based on the film's themes.[13] The song features Irish lyrics that describe the excitement of writing in the diary in the morning, "because you don't really know what's going to happen ... it's the expectation of that day really that she was talking about".[a][7]

"Evacuee" was written after she and Roma had seen a BBC documentary about a child evacuated from London during World War II and her subsequent reunion with her parents. A girl who was crying while recounting the story of her separation from, and return to, her home had moved them greatly. After Enya had written a melody for the song, the two imagined the scenario of the girl saying goodbye at the train station, "waiting until it's all over".[7][10]

"Lothlórien" is an instrumental in reference to the Elvish kingdom mentioned in The Lord of the Rings novels and adaptations.[13]

The album's second traditional song, "Marble Halls", is an aria from the 1843 opera The Bohemian Girl by Irish composer Michael William Balfe.[10][13] Enya felt a sense of challenge when she recorded the latter as it had only been previously sung in an opera setting.[4] For Nicky, it was necessary to incorporate reverb in the song as its title suggested to him that the listener should feel as if they are within a hall itself.[15]

"Afer Ventus" is Latin for "African Wind". Roma was inspired to name the track by listening to its sound and structure with the melody lines constantly "sweeping in between each other", which created a wind-like effect.[16]

"Smaointe...", roughly translated from Irish as "Thoughts...", was originally released as a B-side to the 7" single of "Orinoco Flow" as "Smaoitím... (D' Aodh Agus Do Mháire Uí Dhúgain)", released in 1988. The song refers to the story of a large tsunami destroying the church, and everyone inside, at Magheragallon Beach in Gweedore, where Enya's grandparents are buried. The theme of loss, something that Enya depicted in Watermark and Shepherd Moons, stemmed from her leaving home at age eleven to attend a strict boarding school, which she described as "devastating".[10]

Release

[edit]

Shepherd Moons was released on 4 November 1991 in the United Kingdom;[17] its release in the United States followed on 19 November 1991 by Reprise Records.[18] A promotional box set containing a CD and cassette of the album, plus a 14-page booklet autographed by Roma with her words on each track and lyrics, was released and limited to 1,000 copies.[19]

The album became a greater chart success than Watermark, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart for one week for the week ending on 16 November 1991. It spent a total of 110 weeks on the chart.[20] In the United States, it entered the Billboard 200 at number forty-seven, the week of 7 December 1991.[21] It then rose to its peak at seventeen[22] on the week ending 28 March 1992.[23] It was present on the chart for a total of 238 weeks.[24] On the Billboard New Age Albums chart, the album was number one for twenty-nine weeks[25] during its 266-week stay.[26]

In its first week of release, the album sold over 250,000 copies in the United States,[6] and became Warner Bros. Records' top selling album in early 1992. This commercial success spread across Enya's catalogue; three months after Shepherd Moons, an additional 250,000 copies of Watermark were sold in the same country.[8] By July 1994, seven million copies of Shepherd Moons had been sold worldwide.[27] It sold close to one million copies in the United States each year from 1992 to 1996; in March 1996, it was certified quintuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipment of five million copies.[18] In January 1997, the album was certified quadruple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipment of 1.2 million copies.[17] By 1994, the album spent 52 weeks on Spanish charts and sold nearly 400,000 copies in Spain.[28] The album has sold an estimated 13 million copies worldwide.[29]

Between 1991 and 1994, Enya released four singles from Shepherd Moons. "Caribbean Blue" was the lead single, released in November 1991. It peaked on the singles chart in the United Kingdom at thirteen,[17] and received some crossover airplay exposure on alternative rock radio stations in the United States.[8] "How Can I Keep from Singing?" was also released in 1991 and features two previously unreleased B-sides: "Oíche Chiúin (Silent Night)", the Irish language version of the Christmas carol "Silent Night" recorded in 1988, and "'S Fágaim Mo Bhaile", an original composition recorded in 1991.[30] In July 1992, "Book of Days" was released as the third single and peaked at number ten in the United Kingdom.[20] "Marble Halls" followed in 1994 following its inclusion in the 1993 film The Age of Innocence.

On 4 November 2021, the 30th anniversary of the release of Shepherd Moons, a live "watch party" video was broadcast on Enya's YouTube channel. The video featured the album played in its entirety, with poems by Roman Ryan and commentary on each track.[31]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[32]
Calgary HeraldB[33]
Chicago TribuneStarStarHalf star[34]
Entertainment WeeklyB (1992)[35]
A− (1993)[36]
NME7/10[37]
QStarStarStar[38]
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStarHalf star[39]

Shepherd Moons received generally positive reviews from music critics. In his review for The Washington Post, reviewer Mike Joyce praised Enya's vocals as "impressive" and "crystalline" that bring "unmistakable poignancy to much of the album". However, the tracks that focus on her piano playing, like "No Holly for Miss Quinn" and "Shepherd Moons", make the album "succumb to the usual new age doldrums".[40] Barbara Jaeger gave a positive review for The Record. The three-year gap between Watermark and Shepherd Moons, she wrote, was "worth it" as the album, like its predecessor, contains "rich sonic tapestries that envelop the listener" that brings a "lush, semi-New Age instrumental atmosphere" that is "only part of the inviting package". She picks "Angeles" and "Caribbean Blue" as highlight tracks along with her singing in Irish.[41] In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Ned Raggett acknowledged similarities to Watermark, while also opining that "in terms of finding her own vision and sticking with it", Enya "polished and refined her work to a strong, elegant degree" on Shepherd Moons.[32]

In 1993, Enya was awarded a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album for Shepherd Moons. She also won an IFPI Platinum European Award, a Billboard Music Award, and a National Association of Recording Merchandisers Award for Best Selling Album.[42] Saxophonist Colin Stetson credited Shepherd Moons as an influence on his album All This I Do for Glory (2017). He said the Enya album "made me think about how the air is manipulated in my own music."[43]

Track listing

[edit]

All music composed by Enya, except "How Can I Keep from Singing?" and "Marble Halls" trad. arranged by Enya and Nicky Ryan. All lyrics by Roma Ryan.[5]

No.TitleLength
1."Shepherd Moons"3:44
2."Caribbean Blue"3:59
3."How Can I Keep from Singing?"4:14
4."Ebudæ"1:56
5."Angeles"4:01
6."No Holly for Miss Quinn"2:43
7."Book of Days"2:55
8."Evacuee"3:50
9."Lothlórien"2:07
10."Marble Halls"3:54
11."Afer Ventus"4:06
12."Smaointe..."6:07
Total length:43:41
2009 Japanese reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Book of Days" (Gaelic version)2:36
14."As Baile"4:06
15."Oriel Window"2:22

Personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the 1991 CD liner notes.[5]

Musicians

Production

  • Nicky Ryan – producer, arranger, recording engineer (all other tracks), recording and mixing on "Ebudæ"
  • Gregg Jackman – mixing engineer, recording engineer on "How Can I Keep from Singing?", "Book of Days" and "Lothlórien"
  • Robin Barclay – assistant engineer
  • David Scheinmann – photography
  • The New Renaissance – wardrobe
  • EMI Songs Ltd. – publisher
  • Rob Dickins – executive producer

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for Shepherd Moons
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[78] 2× Platinum 120,000^
Australia (ARIA)[79] 3× Platinum 210,000^
Belgium (BRMA)[80] 2× Platinum 100,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[81] Platinum 250,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[83] 3× Platinum 334,000[82]
France (SNEP)[84] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[85] Gold 260,000[82]
Ireland (IRMA)[86] Platinum 15,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[87] Gold 199,000[82]
Korea — 207,000[82]
Netherlands (NVPI)[88] 2× Platinum 200,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[89] Platinum 15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[90] 5× Platinum 500,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[91] Gold 25,000^
Taiwan — 156,000[82]
United Kingdom (BPI)[92] 4× Platinum 1,200,000^
United States (RIAA)[93] 5× Platinum 5,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 13,000,000[29]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates for Shepherd Moons
Country Date Format Label
Europe 4 November 1991
WEA
United States 19 November 1991 Reprise
Japan March 2009 CD Warner Music Japan
Worldwide 2 December 2016 LP
  • Warner Music
  • Reprise

Footnotes

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Shepherd Moons

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Shepherd Moons is the third studio album by Irish , and , released on 4 November 1991 by internationally and on 19 November 1991 by in the United States. Produced by with her longtime collaborators Nicky Ryan and , the album features her signature ethereal and Celtic-inspired sound, blending layered vocals, synthesizers, and atmospheric instrumentation. It includes the hit single "Caribbean Blue", which reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, and the instrumental track "Book of Days" (added in some editions). The album was a commercial success, topping the and peaking within the top ten in sixteen countries, including number 17 on the US 200. It has sold over 13 million copies worldwide as of 2025, contributing to Enya's status as one of the best-selling music artists ever. Shepherd Moons received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its lush production and emotional depth, though some noted its formulaic approach compared to her previous work.

Background

Conception

Following the international success of her 1988 album , which sold over four million copies worldwide and featured the hit single "", sought to expand her signature sound into even more atmospheric and immersive territories for her next project. This breakthrough provided the creative momentum to explore broader sonic landscapes, blending layered vocals and keyboards with subtle Celtic influences to evoke a sense of ethereal vastness. The album's title, "Shepherd Moons", originated from the concept of Saturn's small inner moons that orbit the planet's rings, acting as gravitational shepherds to confine and preserve their structure. Devised by lyricist , it drew specifically from the moons and —discovered in and named for their role in guiding ring particles—symbolizing themes of celestial protection, guidance, and harmonious balance that underpinned the album's overarching mood. Producer Nicky Ryan played a pivotal role in conceptualizing the album as a natural evolution of Enya's ethereal new-age , emphasizing innovative vocal techniques to create a " of one" effect that enhanced the atmospheric depth. Initial brainstorming sessions took place during 1990–1991 at Aigle Studio in Ireland, where , Nicky, and collaborated closely to lay the thematic foundation before transitioning to full recording.

Writing process

The writing process for Shepherd Moons centered on the longstanding creative partnership between , who composed the melodies and performed all vocals and most instrumentation, producer and arranger Nicky Ryan, and lyricist . This trio's dynamic typically began with Enya developing initial ideas at the piano, where she crafted emotional melodies drawn from personal experiences and influences, before presenting them to Nicky for feedback on viability. Roma would then contribute lyrics that complemented the music's mood, often after multiple iterations to ensure emotional alignment, with the group discarding ideas that did not resonate. Enya's approach emphasized multi-layered vocals from the outset, dozens of her own voice tracks per song to build rich choral textures, a technique Nicky Ryan encouraged to treat the voice as a primary instrument. This method, refined through trial and error, allowed for expansive, ethereal effects that defined the album's sound, evolving from simple sketches to complex arrangements. Roma Ryan's lyrics frequently drew inspiration from Celtic mythology and the natural world, evoking themes of journeys, ancient lore, and elemental forces; for instance, "Caribbean Blue" merges these Celtic roots with broader global imagery of seas and winds, creating a sense of transcendent exploration. The overall process was iterative, starting with basic demos in and progressing through revisions in studios in and , culminating in full demos by mid-1991 before entering recording.

Production

Recording

The recording sessions for Shepherd Moons primarily took place at Aigle Studio in , , , beginning in early 1991. This home-based facility, owned by producer Nicky Ryan, provided an intimate environment for , Ryan, and lyricist to collaborate closely without external distractions. The sessions spanned approximately six months, featuring daily work routines centered on experimentation with ambient sounds and layered arrangements to capture the album's atmospheric quality. played keyboards and synthesizers, including models like the and , which contributed to the lush, synthetic textures, while elements added delicate, Celtic-inspired accents. Custom vocal setups facilitated multi-tracking, with recording harmonies in isolation to build the reverb-heavy choral effects characteristic of her sound. Enya's approach to vocals involved singing in real time, often layering up to 500 individual takes on a single track to achieve emotional depth and immersion, a process she described as both draining and fulfilling. This isolated method, emphasizing personal expression over group performance, overlapped briefly with the writing phase by allowing immediate refinement of vocal techniques during composition. Certain tracks, such as "Angeles," were also partially recorded at Sarm West Studios in for additional engineering support.

Post-production

Following the initial recording sessions at Aigle Studios in , the post-production phase for Shepherd Moons took place primarily at SARM West Studios and Wessex Studios in , where engineers Gregg Jackman, Nicky Ryan, and Ross Cullum handled the mixing. This stage emphasized refining the album's ethereal quality through careful application of spatial audio techniques, including and reverb effects to enhance the depth and immersion of 's multi-tracked vocals. Orchestral elements were seamlessly integrated using synthesizers, such as the and , to emulate lush strings and woodwind timbres like , creating a symphonic texture without relying on full live ensembles—though select acoustic contributions, including by on "Smaointe...", added authentic Celtic nuances. The production team drew on advanced studio equipment from the era, including digital reverbs and multi-track consoles, to layer these components cohesively. Final mastering was performed by Barry Diament, who adjusted the overall dynamics, frequency balance, and loudness to optimize playback across and vinyl formats, ensuring the ambient expanses translated effectively to both digital clarity and analog warmth. A primary challenge during mixing involved balancing 's vocals—often layered up to 500 times in real time—with the dense ambient backdrops, preventing sonic overcrowding while preserving emotional intensity and spatial separation. This meticulous refinement contributed to the album's polished, otherworldly polish that defined its commercial and critical success.

Composition

Musical style

Shepherd Moons blends elements of , Celtic, and , incorporating influences from Enya's time with the family band and the synthesized sounds of . The album is classified within the Celtic genre, characterized by its dreamy and ethereal aesthetic. Central to the album's sound are Enya's ethereal, multi-layered vocals that create a choral effect, paired with lush instrumentation featuring atmospheric synthesizers and keyboards. Thematic motifs of and permeate the work, evoking serenity and through Irish folk-rooted melodies. Clocking in at 43 minutes and 41 seconds, Shepherd Moons is designed as a cohesive whole, rewarding continuous listening for its immersive flow. Building on the success of Watermark, Shepherd Moons doubles down on Enya's established vision with expanded production that achieves a more orchestral and globally inflected scope, as seen in tracks drawing on diverse cultural inspirations.

Songs

Shepherd Moons opens with its title track, a 3:44 instrumental that sets a celestial tone through delicate harp motifs and layered piano, inspired by the discovery of Saturn's shepherd moons— and —which maintain the planet's rings like guardians of a flock. The piece evokes the Voyager mission's revelations of cosmic beauty and mystery, providing a serene prelude to the album. The lead single "Caribbean Blue," clocking in at 3:59, introduces nautical themes with its dreamy, repetitive chorus and Latin phrases alluding to winds like the Afer Ventus, portraying an imaginative escape to an idyllic, wind-swept paradise. Enya's multi-tracked vocals create a swirling, oceanic texture, blending pop accessibility with ethereal elements. Following this, "How Can I Keep from Singing?" (4:25) reinterprets a traditional 19th-century American Christian first published in 1868, emphasizing themes of resilient joy and spiritual endurance amid life's trials, with organ-like keyboards underscoring the arrangement. "Ebudæ" (1:55) is a brief Gaelic vocal piece drawing from the Hebrides islands in Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, incorporating rhythmic chants that recall ancient weaving traditions and childhood soundscapes for a tribal, introspective feel. The piano-driven ballad "Angeles" (4:01) explores guardian angels as protective presences through life's storms, featuring a clarinet solo and Enya's soaring, layered harmonies that convey quiet reassurance. These tracks form the first half of the album, building from ambient opener to vocal-driven reflections for an uplifting progression. The album continues with the playful instrumental "No Holly for Miss Quinn" (2:43), a lighthearted piano composition inspired by the rural English tales of author (Dora Saint), evoking simple village life and serving as a companion to the earlier "Miss Clare Remembers" from . "Book of Days" (2:55) is a multilingual piece reflecting on personal histories through diaries, blending Gaelic verses with English for a timeless, narrative quality. "Evacuee" (3:50) tells the story of a child evacuated during World War II, capturing the emotion of separation and hope for reunion. "Lothlórien" (2:07) is an instrumental evoking the enchanted Elvish realm from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, with shimmering synths suggesting golden trees and timeless beauty. "Marble Halls" (3:54) reimagines the aria from Michael William Balfe's 1843 opera The Bohemian Girl, using reverb to simulate singing in a grand hall. "Afer Ventus" (4:06), meaning "African Wind" in Latin, conveys moments of clarity and enlightenment through sweeping melodies. The album closes with "Smaointe..." (6:07), a Gaelic reflection on loss and memory inspired by a destructive wave at a Donegal beach near Enya's grandparents' graves, blending sorrow and serenity.

Release

Formats and editions

Shepherd Moons was first released on November 4, 1991, by in across multiple physical formats, including (catalog number 9031-75572-2), cassette (catalog number 9031-75572-4), and vinyl LP (catalog number 9031-75572-1). In the United States, the album was issued by on November 19, 1991, primarily on CD (catalog number 9 26775-2), with similar cassette and vinyl options available shortly thereafter. Regional variations existed in early pressings; for instance, the initial European CD featured a Gaelic-language version of "Book of Days" lasting 2:32, while U.S. editions from mid-1992 onward included a multilingual (English and Gaelic) version running 2:56. Cassette releases were also produced in various territories, such as a 1991 European edition ( 9031-75572-4), though unofficial or bootleg cassettes appeared in some markets. Subsequent reissues expanded availability and included enhancements. A European repress by retained the core tracklist but aligned with the multilingual "Book of Days" for broader consistency. The 2009 remastered edition, released by Warner Music, was available on (catalog number 5194-64698-2) and featured improved audio quality from digital remastering; the Japanese edition included bonus tracks: the Gaelic version of "Book of Days" (2:36), "As Baile" (4:06), and "" (2:12). Vinyl reissues followed, with a notable 2016 limited-edition LP by Rhino Records (catalog number R1 26775) pressing the remastered content on 180-gram audiophile vinyl for collectors. Digital formats became prominent in the , with the available for streaming and download on platforms such as and ; the standard edition includes the original 12 tracks, while a remastered bonus track version (from the Japanese edition) offers the Gaelic "Book of Days" and two additional tracks. As of 2025, no significant new physical or digital editions have been announced beyond these established releases.

Promotion

The promotion of Shepherd Moons centered on a strategic rollout of singles to build anticipation for the album's November 1991 release, leveraging Enya's ethereal sound to target and adult contemporary audiences through visual media and selective media exposure. The , "Caribbean Blue," was issued in late October 1991 across various formats including vinyl, cassette, and , marking the first taste of the album's celestial themes. Its accompanying , directed by Michael Geoghegan, featured dreamlike imagery inspired by painter , with Enya performing amid pastel-hued landscapes and ethereal dancers, enhancing the song's otherworldly appeal. Subsequent singles further amplified the campaign, with "How Can I Keep from Singing?" released on November 25, 1991, as a vinyl and CD single that adapted the traditional folk hymn into Enya's layered vocal style. The track "Book of Days" followed in 1992, re-recorded with bilingual English-Irish lyrics specifically for inclusion in Ron Howard's film Far and Away, where it underscored scenes of migration and longing starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman; this version appeared on the single formats and integrated film footage into its music video, also directed by Geoghegan. These singles were issued in standard 7-inch vinyl, 12-inch maxi, and CD editions to suit diverse markets. Enya's notoriously reclusive shaped a restrained promotional approach, eschewing large-scale tours in favor of targeted media engagements that preserved her mystique while reaching global audiences. Promotional efforts included select interviews and live vocal performances over pre-recorded tracks on television programs, notably appearances on the BBC's to support "Caribbean Blue" and "Book of Days," where she performed alongside backing musicians to simulate a live atmosphere. This limited visibility contrasted with more extroverted artists but effectively fueled intrigue around her studio-crafted sound. Post-release, tracks from Shepherd Moons gained additional exposure through commercial tie-ins and media placements, extending the album's reach beyond initial singles. "Caribbean Blue" featured in a 1991 Japanese for the album, while the broader collection influenced in films and ads, with "Book of Days" prominently tied to 's narrative of epic journeys. These integrations helped sustain the album's cultural footprint without requiring extensive personal promotion from .

Commercial performance

Charts

Shepherd Moons achieved significant commercial success upon release, debuting at number one on the for the week ending November 16, 1991, where it held the top position for one week. In the United States, the album peaked at number 17 on the in March 1992 and was certified multi-platinum by the RIAA. The record reached the top 10 in several other markets, including number 8 on the and number 21 on the German Albums Chart.
CountryChartPeak Position
1
17
ARIA Albums Chart8
German Albums Chart21
The album's strong chart performance reflected its broad international appeal, contributing to worldwide sales of over 8.7 million copies across 18 countries. The lead single "Caribbean Blue," released in October 1991, peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, marking Enya's return to the top 20 following her earlier hits. "Book of Days," issued in July 1992 and featured in the film , fared even better, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming one of the album's most enduring tracks. On year-end charts, Shepherd Moons ranked number 41 in the for 1992, underscoring its sustained popularity throughout the year.

Sales and certifications

Shepherd Moons has sold over 18 million equivalent units worldwide as of recent estimates, encompassing physical , digital downloads, and streaming equivalents. Pure alone are estimated at approximately 13.3 million copies. These figures underscore the 's enduring within Enya's catalog, contributing significantly to her overall exceeding 80 million records globally. The album has received numerous certifications across various countries, reflecting strong commercial performance in key markets. In the United States, it was certified 5× Platinum by the RIAA on March 15, 1996, for shipments of 5 million units. In the , the BPI awarded 4× Platinum status on January 1, 1997, for 1.2 million shipments. Other notable certifications include 3× Platinum in (210,000 units, April 1996), 3× Platinum in (300,000 units, 1993), 5× Platinum in (500,000 units, 2005), and 2× Platinum in the (200,000 units, 2001). It has also achieved Platinum status in countries such as (250,000 units, 1996), (2× Platinum, 120,000 units), (2× Platinum, 100,000 units), (15,000 units, 2013), and (15,000 units), among others, totaling certifications in at least 15 countries. Gold certifications were issued in (100,000 units, 1993), (250,000 units, 1994), (106,460 units, May 1992), and (25,000 units, 1992). Sales milestones for Shepherd Moons include its role as one of Enya's top-selling releases upon debut, with over 250,000 copies sold in the during its first week. The demonstrated steady performance through digital channels in the post-2000 era, bolstered by streaming, which accounts for a portion of its equivalent growth. No new certifications have been issued since the , yet the title maintains enduring catalog , supported by its long-charting presence and reissues.
CountryCertificationUnitsDate
United States (RIAA)5× Platinum5,000,000March 15, 1996
United Kingdom (BPI)4× Platinum1,200,000January 1, 1997
Australia (ARIA)3× Platinum210,000April 1996
Canada (Music Canada)3× Platinum300,0001993
Spain (PROMUSICAE)5× Platinum500,0002005
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)Platinum250,0001996
Netherlands (NVPI)2× Platinum200,0002001

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release in 1991, Shepherd Moons garnered mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its atmospheric qualities while others noted its repetitiveness. Positive aspects centered on the album's escapist appeal and meticulous production. Entertainment Weekly's initial 1991 review was lukewarm, assigning a B grade for its perceived blandness, but a 1993 re-evaluation upgraded it to an A-, lauding Enya's relaxing melodies as a soothing retreat from modern pop's intensity and daily stresses. In a retrospective review, awarded Shepherd Moons 4.5 out of 5 stars, commending its expansion of Enya's signature style into a more refined vision of serene, immersive sound. Criticisms often framed the album as overly formulaic , echoing concerns about its similarity to prior works like . Modern reassessments have been more favorable, with a 2020 Pitchfork feature reflecting on Shepherd Moons as a key entry in Enya's oceanic, folklore-infused catalog that influenced subsequent ambient artists. The album's commercial success has retrospectively bolstered its critical standing, solidifying its role in popularizing Celtic sounds.

Accolades

Shepherd Moons garnered significant recognition following its release, most notably earning Enya the Grammy Award for Best New Age Album at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in 1993, marking her first win in the category. Building on the album's impact, Enya, alongside longtime collaborators Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan, received the Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement in 1998 from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, honoring their collective contributions to global music. The album's track "Book of Days" further extended its cultural footprint by appearing on the soundtrack for the 1992 film , directed by , where it underscored key emotional sequences and introduced Enya's ethereal sound to broader cinematic audiences. Elements of the album draw roots from Enya's 1987 soundtrack work for the documentary series The Celts, and have been revisited in documentaries and retrospectives, contributing to its lasting legacy. Shepherd Moons maintains a devoted fanbase and features prominently in discussions of Enya's career milestones, as highlighted in analyses of her influence on ambient and genres as of 2020. No major new accolades were announced for the album in 2025, though it continues to appear in fan-curated lists of essential 1990s releases.

Personnel

Musicians

  • – vocals, all instruments, percussion, arrangement
  • Andy Duncan – percussion ("Book of Days")
  • Roy Jewitt – clarinet ("Angeles")
  • Liam O'Flionn – ("Smaointe...")
  • – ("Evacuee")
  • Nicky Ryan – percussion ("Ebudæ")

Production

  • Nicky Ryan – producer, engineer, recording, mixing
  • – lyrics
  • Greg Jackman – mixing engineer
  • Robin Barclay – assistant engineer
  • Rob Dickins – executive producer
All tracks recorded at Aigle Studio, (except "Caribbean Blue", "Book of Days", and "Storm in the Stars" at Sarm West Studios, ).

Track listing

All tracks are written by Enya and Roma Ryan, except where noted.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Shepherd Moons", Nicky Ryan3:44
2"Caribbean Blue"3:59
3"How Can I Keep from Singing?"traditional, arr. , Nicky Ryan, 4:25
4"Ebudæ", Nicky Ryan1:56
5"Angeles"4:01
6"No Holly for Miss Quinn", Nicky Ryan2:42
7"Book of Days"2:57
8"Evacuee"4:50
9"Oriel Window", Nicky Ryan2:12
10"Tea-House Moon"2:41
11"S Fágaim Mo Bhaile"3:44
Total length:43:31
The original 1991 release features a Gaelic-language version of "Book of Days" lasting 2:32; the version listed here is the English-language edit included on most reissues.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/master/27537-Enya-Shepherd-Moons
  2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/shepherd-moons-mw0000275476
  3. https://chartmasters.org/cspc-enya-popularity-analysis/
  4. https://www.rhino.com/article/im-30-enya-shepherd-moons
  5. https://pitchfork.com/features/article/enya-is-everywhere/
  6. http://enya.sk/shepherd-moons-liner-notes/
  7. https://www.discogs.com/release/2500754-Enya-Shepherd-Moons
  8. https://thequietus.com/interviews/enya-interview-roma-nicky-ryan/
  9. https://diffuser.fm/enya-shepherd-moons/
  10. https://musicbrainz.org/release/e2e59e6c-6ec7-40d7-9184-3c42f3f7096f
  11. https://equipboard.com/pros/enya
  12. https://genius.com/albums/Enya/Shepherd-moons
  13. https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29564
  14. https://gearspace.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/372716-what-synth-used-enya-song.html
  15. https://www.quora.com/I-ve-read-that-singer-composer-Enya-plays-almost-all-of-the-instruments-on-her-recordings-Can-she-duplicate-the-sound-of-strings-on-synthesizers-or-is-this-a-real-orchestra-I-m-asking-with-songs-like-Only-Time-and
  16. https://enya.sk/music/shepherd-moons/
  17. https://www.musicmusingsandsuch.com/musicmusingsandsuch/2022/1/27/feature-a-buyers-guide-part-ninety-one-enya
  18. https://newagemusic.guide/enya/rediscovering-the-music-of-enya-a-journey-into-ethereal-soundscapes/
  19. https://mrsgiggles.com/shepherd-moons-by-enya/
  20. https://gnudb.org/artists/4323-enya
  21. https://open.spotify.com/album/3SkCmzvX7X6li6Ox0fzyaa
  22. https://www.npr.org/2017/11/01/560451598/shocking-omissions-enya-watermark
  23. https://newagemusic.guide/enya/30th-anniversary-of-enyas-shepherd-moons/
  24. https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/how-can-i-keep-from-singing
  25. https://www.discogs.com/release/514212-Enya-Shepherd-Moons
  26. https://www.discogs.com/release/315931-Enya-Shepherd-Moons
  27. https://www.discogs.com/release/876274-Enya-Shepherd-Moons
  28. https://www.discogs.com/release/11982941-Enya-Shepherd-Moons-
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/9303377-Enya-Shepherd-Moons
  30. https://music.apple.com/us/album/shepherd-moons/253334781
  31. https://www.discogs.com/master/27570-Enya-Caribbean-Blue
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12604622/
  33. https://www.discogs.com/release/1412295-Enya-How-Can-I-Keep-From-Singing
  34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiBwr4U59EI
  35. https://www.discogs.com/master/27459-Enya-Book-Of-Days
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtDbM9b3qYQ
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgL6BrKB1Os
  38. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/enya-shepherd-moons/
  39. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-46699
  40. https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Enya&titel=Shepherd+Moons&cat=a
  41. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/13978
  42. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/enya-caribbean-blue/
  43. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/enya-book-of-days/
  44. https://bestsellingalbums.org/year-end/UK_Top_Albums_1992
  45. https://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Moons-Enya/dp/B000002LRT
  46. https://enya.fandom.com/wiki/Shepherd_Moons
  47. https://ew.com/article/1993/04/16/enyas-shepherd-moon-re-reviewed/
  48. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/26/arts/1993-grammy-winners.html
  49. https://musicforstowaways.wordpress.com/2018/12/06/ivor-novello-awards-winners-1956-2018-part-two/
  50. https://www.discogs.com/release/9971647-John-Williams-Far-And-Away-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iARn9Emo1NM
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