Customer Reviews

After Moon

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overall an excellent cd for those seeking mysterious dreamy, middle eastern music. Unfortunately, there are two duff vocal tracks. But you can skip those!

This outstanding C.D. begins with a haunting intro that develops into an entire world of beautiful colors and interesting grooves that weave throughout these extraordinary compositions. Timbres of percussion, sitar, strings, vocals and the soloistic mastery of Sultan Khan on Sarangi heighten the listeners senses. The tune Sol Azul tells a beautiful story and is accompanied by clear and pure vocals which shows Nana's versatility as an arranger and vocalist. Nana's use of many different instruments and musicians from around the globe bring a fresh and new sound that deserves worldwide recognition.

The music on this CD is hauntingly beautiful. A blend of exotic sounds from around the world with luscious vocals. Mysterious, sensual and deep. Inventive compositions are stimulating and accessible. Great musicians play on this album from all over. One of my favorites of all time.

Sitar and bouzouki player Nana Simopoulos offers eclectic, original compositions blending elements of Greek, Indian and Middle Eastern traditions with smooth club jazz and a touch of modern chamber music. She is joined by a variety of instrumentalists and vocalists, including percussionist Arto Tuncboyacian, Silvia D'Avanzo on violin, Mary Wooten on cello, Carol Chaikin on soprano sax, and a chorus of Byzantine chanters. Mysterious, mellow and sometimes deconstructed, her music has a strong improvisational jazz flavor to it, and in fact, Simopoulos notes that her many Tuesday nights of improvisation at New York's Bell Cafe resulted in tracks 3, 4, 6 and 8. "After Dark" is a nice, Mid-Eastern-tinged duet for the unusual combination of cello and sitar, and the gently exotic opening track, "Midnight", is especially interesting, chronicling without words a gathering of women in the desert to share stories, secrets and dances. This CD makes for pleasant and intriguing listening, though there's a "not-fully-realized" quality to Simopoulos' laid back music, making me wonder how truly stunning it might sound with fuller instrumentation, more compelling melodic motifs, and greater intensity of performance. That might not be the purpose of these particular compositions, which could easily serve as cool background music in a city coffee house, but the promise is certainly there if future exploration in that area is chosen. Nana Simopoulos and friends return in "Daughters of the Sun", which complements this album nicely. Other artists who experiment with coolly eclectic fusions of east and west include the violinists Claude Chalhoub and Farzad, and Jordanian pianist Zade.

Sitar and bouzouki player Nana Simopoulos offers eclectic, original compositions blending elements of Greek, Indian and Middle Eastern traditions with smooth club jazz and a touch of modern chamber music. She is joined by a variety of instrumentalists and vocalists, including percussionist Arto Tuncboyacian, Silvia D'Avanzo on violin, Mary Wooten on cello, Carol Chaikin on soprano sax, and a chorus of Byzantine chanters. Mysterious, mellow and sometimes deconstructed, her music has a strong improvisational jazz flavor to it, and in fact, Simopoulos notes that her many Tuesday nights of improvisation at New York's Bell Cafe resulted in tracks 3, 4, 6 and 8. "After Dark" is a nice, Mid-Eastern-tinged duet for the unusual combination of cello and sitar, and the gently exotic opening track, "Midnight", is especially interesting, chronicling without words a gathering of women in the desert to share stories, secrets and dances. This CD makes for pleasant and intriguing listening, though there's a "not-fully-realized" quality to Simopoulos' laid back music, making me wonder how truly stunning it might sound with fuller instrumentation, more compelling melodic motifs, and greater intensity of performance. That might not be the purpose of these particular compositions, which could easily serve as cool background music in a city coffee house, but the promise is certainly there if future exploration in that area is chosen. Nana Simopoulos and friends return in "Daughters of the Sun", which complements this album nicely. Other artists who experiment with coolly eclectic fusions of east and west include the violinists Claude Chalhoub and Farzad, and Jordanian pianist Zade.

Sitar and bouzouki player Nana Simopoulos offers eclectic, original compositions blending elements of Greek, Indian and Middle Eastern traditions with smooth club jazz and a touch of modern chamber music. She is joined by a variety of instrumentalists and vocalists, including percussionist Arto Tuncboyacian, Silvia D'Avanzo on violin, Mary Wooten on cello, Carol Chaikin on soprano sax, and a chorus of Byzantine chanters. Mysterious, mellow and sometimes deconstructed, her music has a strong improvisational jazz flavor to it, and in fact, Simopoulos notes that her many Tuesday nights of improvisation at New York's Bell Cafe resulted in tracks 3, 4, 6 and 8. "After Dark" is a nice, Mid-Eastern-tinged duet for the unusual combination of cello and sitar, and the gently exotic opening track, "Midnight", is especially interesting, chronicling without words a gathering of women in the desert to share stories, secrets and dances. This CD makes for pleasant and intriguing listening, though there's a "not-fully-realized" quality to Simopoulos' laid back music, making me wonder how truly stunning it might sound with fuller instrumentation, more compelling melodic motifs, and greater intensity of performance. That might not be the purpose of these particular compositions, which could easily serve as cool background music in a city coffee house, but the promise is certainly there if future exploration in that area is chosen. Nana Simopoulos and friends return in "Daughters of the Sun", which complements this album nicely. Other artists who experiment with coolly eclectic fusions of east and west include the violinists Claude Chalhoub and Farzad, and Jordanian pianist Zade.

i might have expected a little too much. if you have no preconception for indian and middle eastern music, you will like this CD.