Customer Reviews

American River

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like his last masterpiece "The Prayer Cycle", Jonathan Elias has successfully inspired thoughtful minds with his moving music and his companions' profound words on "American River". This cd is a refreshing break from the superficial pop music we're constantly inundated with. He's created a great compilation of soft tracks and sweet words as this album satisfies the classical lovers' soul and the wandering heart. The music suggests a long transformation down the river of our history to the end where we find rebirth and renewal. What's also amazing about this album is that he's collaborated with such great artists, including the last ever recordings of Johnny Cash. I recommend this cd to all- for inspiration or mere enjoyment. When you get this cd, check out number 3 and 8. Top tracks for sure.

Bought this after I saw a Valspar commercial and tracked down the composer. Always loved Thomas Newman and just had to have this. Sounds alot like Newman's works and its very laid back for any occasion.

There is something about this album that brings me back to it over and over, especially when driving on long road trips, or camping beside an American river. The music is at times haunting or lilting, conjuring images of mountain streams splashing over boulders, or mighty methodical waterways with their mesmerizing rhythm, and a touch of melancholy that the river goes ever on and on, oblivious to my presence. Some of the Amazon samples are not nearly long enough to convey the feeling of the tracks.

While I prefer the instrumental tracks, the spoken tracks have become almost like instrumentals to me, with their subdued, cadenced tones. The only thing missing is a guest who could give tribute to the high mountain streams west of the Mississippi. (I guess that was left to Dan Fogelberg.)

I wish Elias would follow up with another album of the same music. I have searched mostly in vain for other works that match the sound of this album. You can, however, hear a similar viola-based soundtrack for the "Five Farms" series from Duke University and Public Radio International, written by Wesley Horner (you can google it). Mr. Horner, alas, is not a recording artist. Perhaps Mr. Elias would like to do a "Five Farms" project!

The music on this cd is awesome. It seriously sounds so good. On about 1/2 the songs there are lyrics about American rivers, and I wish it wasn't there. But now they make me laugh, lol.

This album is a thoughtful blend of poetry, traditional American themes, and new harmonies all executed meticulously by various artists. It has the same feeling as "Appalachian Spring." In these days when the spirit of America is being questioned at home and abroad we all need to look inside and find the soul of America. This album helps me reflect on the long simmering spirit.

Ever since I heard Jonathan Elias's piece called "Move" from a Nike commercial a couple years ago, I was enamored with his music. At the time, it took some time to figure out who was behind this great score. I'm happy to finally have a good copy of it on cd. The rest of the tracks are equally impressive. Hope to hear more of his work in the future.

"American River" shows us how spoken words can be as powerful and moving as those that are sung. In his new album, Jonathan Elias matches his hauntingly beautiful melodies with spoken messages from some of music's legendary artists. My absolute favorite has to be "Continuance," which Elias collaborated on with the late Johnny Cash and his daughter, Roseanne. When I first heard it, I got a knot in my stomach from hearing Cash and his daughter speak about their struggles of fitting into the American society. The rest of the album certainly delivers as well as "Continuance" did... other featured guests include Kris Kristofferson and Emmylou Harris. "American River" is the perfect album to wind down to... the amazingly composed pieces of Elias will surely soothe and refresh anyone who listens to it.

An album very inspiring, sprititual and soothing. If your looking for something along the lines of country and classical American River is one of those albums that is heart felt.

American River has a sound that is so relaxing that it is almost hypnotic. It just puts you into a trance that is incredible, you can feel the instruments. My personal favorite is the track entitled 'move'. It's definantly worth the purchase.

Inspiring words from well known country artists and heartfelt music played by a talented group of musicians add character and emotions to Jonathan's "American River."

His talent for combining classic music pieces have made me a firm believer in doing good things for yourselves: whenever I need some time for myself to gather my thoughts or unwind, I listen to the cd.