What I’ve found surprising since undertaking this project is just how much music from Enya I have featured here and continue to do so. When I first started in 2019, I had about three songs ready to go, but her contributions have more than doubled since then as I’ve heard more of her music.
I know Enya is not everyone’s cup of tea because of how much her “sound” saturates the commercial landscape, but it’s typically those songs which aren’t so well known – mostly instrumental and musically simple – that draw me in. This leads us nicely to today’s featured piece, the piano-driven instrumental From Where I Am, which is about as elementary as Enya’s music gets. Sometimes less really is more.
When I hear From Where I Am it feels homely, nurturing, yet spiritual and renewing, akin to the feminine side. It is the fifth track and the second of three piano instrumentals from Enya’s fourth studio album The Memory of Trees (1995). The album is Enya’s first to be recorded entirely in Ireland. It became a worldwide commercial success, reaching No. 1 in Australia, No. 5 in the UK and No. 9 in the US.
In terms of mood and cadence, From Where I Am reminds me of another piano instrumental – the title track from her next record A Day Without Rain. In fact, I was so taken by A Day Without Rain that I used it to conclude a family DVD I created for my son’s third birthday, thirteen years ago.
Both of these pieces I hold dear, and I feel a sense of acceptance and gratitude whenever I hear them.
Enya Patricia Brennan known professionally as Enya, is an Irish singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. She began her music career with her family band Clannad, but left in 1982 with their manager and producer Nicky Ryan to pursue a solo career. She has sung in 10 languages; eight more than me. The commercial and critical success of Watermark (1988) propelled her to worldwide fame. You could describe her music as new-age Celtic.
References:
1. The Memory of Trees – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Love this song!
If there was anyone I was hoping who would love it, it was you.
Thanks for this; I was on WordPress Reader the other night and happened to spot Enya in your titles, making a mental note to come back and check this out.
Both this track and “A Day Without Rain” are indeed similar, and lovely. The youngest of my older brothers introduced our family to Enya when she came onto the scene with ‘Watermark.’ I’ve enjoyed her music through the several phases of life since then. I remember he originally referred to the music as incorporating a kind of Gregorian chant, which I suppose is not far off, especially on some tracks.
And serendipitously, a couple of weeks ago when looking for a gentle piece of music on a tough day, I landed on the opening/title track of ‘Watermark” and it really fit the moment, a repeat-worthy song. So beautiful.
The only piece I’ve shared of hers is the wonderful folk song adaptation of a Christian hymn, “How Can I Keep from Singing.” Must take another look at her catalogue and share more….
When I was doing Pilates or relaxation classes here, Enya was sometimes the go-to music. I’d heard most of it before, but then one track would suddenly appear and completely enrapture me – like “It’s in the Rain.” I remember asking the instructor to backtrack just to find out what it was.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with Watermark and the song “How Can I Keep From Singing?” – another wonderful piece from Enya that I hadn’t had the good fortune to hear before. It’s gorgeous. Moreover, Celtic music really strikes a chord with my family’s age-old heritage.
You’re welcome re: “How Can I Keep From Singing?”. I listened to some of Enya when I cam back from an evening out with some friends last night. Very soothing.