39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely. Uplifting. A Blessing., April 1, 2005
This review is from: Abba Pater (Audio CD)
Perhaps this will be a rather strange review of this CD, but in writing it this way, I mean only to illustrate that there is something special in this CD even for those who are not Roman Catholic. Additionally, I write this review on the very day that Pope John Paul II may leave this life and enter the next.
I am not Roman Catholic. I have never studied the Catholic faith. I never attended Catholic schools. I have strong and irreconcilable disagreements with the Roman Catholic church's policies in many areas.
That said....
I have this CD of John Paul II's voice, with accompanying music, saying prayers. I am writing this Amazon review to say that I truly find it uplifting and comforting.
Even without knowing the Latin or Italian, perhaps even without being a Christian at all, it is possible to appreciate this very special music. It's beautifully composed and performed. This CD is not at all the stiff and formal liturgy you might associate with the Catholic Church. There is rhythm, joy, a variety of music with world flavor, and a loveliness to this CD.
Music is the universal language. This composition is spiritual poetry in that universal language. I hope you will listen to it and find its blessings.
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Deeply Moving, April 10, 2005
This review is from: Abba Pater (Audio CD)
I purchased this CD several years ago, listened to it once or twice, and then put it away, quite unimpressed. It seemed like a hamhanded attempt to cash in on the New Age music phenomonen.
Whether I have changed in the last few years, or whether the demise of Pope John Paul II made me listen more closely, I don't immediately know. I do know, however, that this is an excellent CD; comforting, inspiring, and far from a New-Age ripoff.
The producers and composers have assembled a fascinating sample of John Paul II's prayers, statements from homilies, etc., and have grafted these atop an eclectic orchestration, weaving in Latin chants, Polish prayers, and African rhythms in a surprisingly effective way.
Of notable impact are the Pater Noster in the song Abba Pater (sung first by John Paul II and then by a male choir), the Inno di Pentecoste segment of Vieni, Santo Spirito, the distorted & strangely clipped Polish Pater Noster in Padre Della Luce, and perhaps most moving, the Marian antiphon interspersed with Latin verse in Madre Di Tutte Le Genti.
John Paul II's voice is heard from 1980 through 1998. At times it is a bit jarring to hear how his voice changed from strong and clear to slurred and aged. But through it all, it is affecting, regardless of the language he speaks in.
A final note - the images contained in the CD jacket and liner notes are tasteful and impressive as well. Overall "Abba Pater" is a wonderful work of art that is particularly poignant today.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
unforgettable..., April 7, 2005
This review is from: Abba Pater (Audio CD)
As a Pole, I've never experienced such a soul gathering as we've had throughout the last week. Commercial radio stations speak through our Holy Father's voice - Appa Pater. "All yours" the Pope used to say. Now he gives us the chance to once again listen to him, and him only... I never thought I would listen to this cd, but now I do, over and over again.
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