This Japanese release is coveted in the US solely for this track. You may have downloaded it from the Net but believe me when I say that it is WELL WORTH the price of this CD to have 'Isobella' on disc.

'Isobella' is at once spiritual and haunting, bringing back memories of 'Smaointe' and 'Na lactha geal m'oige', though it beats those tracks by a wide margin. Enya has never sounded better, and its nice to see that all the hype surrounding this one song was well placed - it does live up to all the talk about it, and gives us back the Enya we know and love - I almost thought we had lost her when I first listened to 'A Day without Rain'.

'Isobella' is a hymn and a chant at the same time, but it also breaks new ground in New Age music. I wont give too much away, but just get this CD and give the song a listen. Its incredible, magical, and absolutely breathtaking. Fabulous work, Enya !


ISOBELLA <> Enya's culminating achievement.   May 27, 2001
T (Nowhere)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

As an ardent fan of Enya, I can truly and honestly say, (with having heard everything she has ever done) that "Isobella" is her finest work of art.

Both haunting and beautiful, "Isobella" combines gorgeous lyrics (along with a beautiful translation) and a sensational score. Why this is not released on all versions of the CD is beyond me, it fits perfectly along with "Flora's Secret" and "Pilgrim," I guess Enya prefers Japan get the special treatment. :( No matter the reason... She must have good intentions for doing this. But Actually out of all "A Day Without Rain" albums, the US version is by far the worst. Missing "The First of Autumn," a fantastic instrumental and of course it's missing "Isobella."

There are many non-album tracks, "Isobella" has been considered one of them. Along with "Eclipse" , "The Promise" , "Willows on the Water" , "Song of the Sandman" , "As Baile" , and more... Enya should stop and create an album full of her non-album b-side tracks. There is over ten of them! It would be a bestseller, I can already smell it. But who knows what the future will bring us? "Isobella" could well be the theme of her next album... We can only hope.

Buy this CD, the Japanese Import version of "A Day Without Rain"... I would honestly pay hundreds of dollars just for "Isobella"... The song it's self is priceless.


Exquisite   March 3, 2002
Bryan Bradford (California, USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

A Day Without Rain, Enya's latest heralded achievement, was missing something in my estimation. The US pressing was a meager 34 minutes, and just didn't feature the same passionate Gaelic songs of her other masterpieces, Watermark and Shepherd Moons. As a devoted fan of Enya's, I was intrigued by the Japanese pressing of the album, because of the very rare bonus track, Isobella. I was not disappointed by it in the least, upon receiving this import album a few months ago. It is a vast improvement over the US pressing and Aussie pressing of the album. Isobella, track 11, is an amazing piece with Gaelic lyrics written by Enya herself. While the title doesn't translate, the song itself transcends language boundaries. It's an atmospheric masterpiece with stunning voice layering and clear and distinct lyrics that surround one in what Enya defines as a veritable "wall of sound." Comprised of a lighter section of music and then a more passionate, earnest section of music, it exemplifies why Enya is one of the top recording artists of our time. Beyond this track, other bonuses include a lyric booklet that is printed on harder material, an additional booklet containing an interview with Enya in Japanese and translated lyrics, and a disc that is evergreen on light green versus the red on seafoam of the US release. While I own all three versions of A Day Without Rain, this is clearly the most prized and most stunning of all. I truly recommend this cd, especially for collectors.

Track listing: 1. A Day Without Rain (2:38) 2. Wild Child (3:47) 3. Only Time (3:38) 4. Tempus Vernum (2:24) 5. Deora ar mo Chroí (2:48) 6. Flora's Secret (4:07) 7. Fallen Embers (2:31) 8. Silver Inches (1:37) 9. Pilgrim (3:12) 10. One by One (3:54) 11. Isobella (exclusive bonus track) (4:30) 12. Lazy Days (3:42)
Total Time: 38:48


Isobella: Enya's best song in years!   November 12, 2001
Distant Voyageur (Io)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I reviewed A Day Without Rain about a week ago however I managed to download Isobella onto my computer and wow! WShat a song. While I liked Enyas latest album Isobella surpasses every other songs on A Day Without Rain.

Isobella is a beautiful song that has a hounting chorus and beautiful Gaelic lyrics. I have no idea why Japan gets all the good songs. All countries deserve to hear this song.

While I somewhat disagree with Kabir Ahamed about it beating out Na Leatha Geal M'Oige and Smaointe, Isobella is a song that stands out on its own. It's a somewhat dark song that could have propelled ADWR to a five star. Enya hasn't put out such a great song in a long time.

I highly reccommend that you get this version of ADWR. Incredible work Enya! I hope your next album is a return to your darker more Boadicea-esque sound.


Day without rain   February 5, 2002
ioes supriyadi (Jakarta, Indonesia)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I hear many kinds music in my life, but Day without rain Enya is different song. That's song make me always happy, fully hope the live is verry nice in peace. I go to my office and back home with this song. It's real.