An Ancient Journey

Kitaro, ??? | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Domo Records
• ASIN: B00005YDEO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,291 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Quick on the heels of 2001's Ancient, Japanese synthesist Kitaro returns with another CD based loosely on themes of ancient global sites, a template that's growing as old as the sites that inspire him. But while those sites become more inspiring with age, Kitaro's hackneyed sampled choirs, syrupy strings, and that whooping synthesizer line he's used since Astral Voyage a quarter century ago are becoming more kitschy. However, there are hints of something new on An Ancient Journey that make it Kitaro's best album in a few years. His use of environmental sounds goes beyond cliché, weaving them into the music as rhythms and counterpoint instead of simple backdrops. In addition, Kitaro plays Native American flute on several tracks, and the simplicity and one-octave range of the instrument seem to focus him into a delicate, more personal sound heard on pieces like "Waves of Sand" and "Inca." But he also finds fresh life on one of his patented dervishes, "Sitara IV," playing electric sitar over a modal percussion groove. As a double CD, An Ancient Journey is bloated, but there's an album's worth of music that nearly fulfills the promise of Kitaro. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A sprawling, experimental epic from Kitaro, September 14, 2005

By 

Jeffery K. Matheus (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Ancient Journey (Audio CD)

I have noticed that this, Kitaro's 2002 Double-CD release, "An Ancient Journey", seems to be the lowest rated of his albums, at least based on the customer reviews here at Amazon (although maybe it's noteworthy that that there have only been two reviews thus far : ) So, just out of fairness, I would like to chime in with a differing opinion...First off, it is important to note that this is not just a random collection of songs, but a conceptual work. The concept is stated in the liner notes as such; "Kitaro takes his audience on a trek to worlds far away. Listeners embark on a myserious crusade, witnessing the texture, life, and spirit of the worlds ancient people". As a long-time listener (and die-hard fan), I find "An Ancient Journey" to be one of Kitaro's most sprawling, experimental, and varied works. While it is admittedly not always as focused or melodic as his classic best-sellers ("Silk Road", "Kojiki", "Mandala") it does have a strange charm of its own, and is best appreciated after multiple (and attentive) listenings. That is not to say that there are not some moments of pure Kitaro melodicism here! The album opener, "Whisper", is unmistakably Kitaro, with a floating lead-line sweeping over a backdrop of warm synth chords and a harp-like counter-melody. "Daichi" features one of Kitaro's most memorable melodies, with a shimmering semi-orchestral arrangement to back it up. "Tabiji", a personal favorite, features a simple, hypnotic melody, coupled with some nice lead-synth playing and a subtle arrangement that gradually builds in power. "Fairy of Water" is an achingly beautiful piano-based piece. "Mori No Tami", another personal favorite, has a mystical vibe and makes clever use of Oriental sounds. And "The Pharaoh" & "Sampoma Dance" both bring to mind the exotic flavors of his "Mandala/An Enchanted Evening" period. But this is a conceptual double-album where Kitaro stretches beyond his usual artistic confines, so the more melodic tracks are interspersed with more experimental fare such as "Golden Mask" (which uses an unusual synth-bass sound as its lead instrument), "Sitara 4" (basically a sitar solo with some percussive "electronica"-flavored backing) and the multi-part "Wonderland" (which seems more like an experiement in sound textures that an actual song.) Personally, I love this album through and through today, but I must admit that parts of it did take a few listens to fully sink in. All in all, this is probably one of those special albums that will be best enjoyed by the avid Kitaro enthusiast, and not so much by the casual fan who only knows the "Best of" albums. It's probably best to purcase with that in mind.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not to be confused with "Ancient", May 24, 2001

By 

eveoflove (North York, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Ancient Journey (Audio CD)

Made in JAP in 2001, Serial# BVCP-27015~6, Playing Time 87:58

This 2-disc set is NOT the japanese equivalent of the "Ancient" album.

The music here is more in the direction he's used for the "Gaia" album than "Thinking Of You"; there's some occasional chanting and some flute here and there, and KITARO's keyboards and sound textures are as recognizable as ever.

Relaxing, but not as transporting as earlier albums "Oasis" or "Silver Cloud". I was also disappointed that the total playing time of the 2 discs barely exceeds the capacity of a single disc: I could have lived without 2 tracks in order to fit on 1 record, which would have reduced the price of this japanese import significantly.

This is typical 90's KITARO, and not one of my favorites. I would suggest you wait a while to see if this will get a US release.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Purely inspiration, April 4, 2007

By 

Latasha M. Dale "Tyydae" (Columbus, Ga) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Ancient Journey (Audio CD)

Greetings,
I purchased this album about 2/3 years ago and it is one of my favorite cds. I find that as you mature your spirit will let you know when you are able to handle music as peaceful as this. Listening to this cd help puts my soul at ease, calm my house and remind me of who I am. I recommend this cd to anyone who yearns for a taste of something different.