Customer Reviews

Ancient & Modern

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

 

 

This is a wonderful album with rich full and deep tones. The atmosphere is full of the Anglican tradition from which it sprang. I first heard a review on NPR Sunday and was completely satisfied by the actual work. Ms. Dudley shows her theatric side, only adding to the mysterious and wonderful qualities of the inspiring melodies. A good buy!

I bought the album after listening to it in a local store. The first cut is supurb, and most of the rest of the album is very good as well. The album has a hypnotic spiritual quality (somewhat like Gorecki or Arvo part). Turn out the lights, lay back and be transported.

This is intoxicating. But I bought this version (1995 on Echo), only to find that a friend had a original from-the-manufacturer (1999) CD with 2 additional cuts. So, it was released with more music, and it was quality stuff too: Canzonetta and The Testimony of John are not included on the earlier version. I was disappointed to find that I received a diminished version. But, even reduced, this is alluring, gorgeous music that skillfully blends the 13the century with the 21st. The arrangements seem so simple, but get more and more complex with repeated listenings.

Just be sure you're getting the 1999 version, and you'll listen endlessly.

In a sense Anne Dudley made her name by sampling."Close To The Edit" by the Art Of Noise actually sampled a CAR DOOR!!!
So it was appropriate really that I first discovered this album via its 3 track SAMPLER.
The door had opened and I went in,purchasing the whole album when I managed to locate a shop which actually stocked it.
Firmly pitched into the Classical Crossover market its really a reinvention of the artiste,who got the Art Of Noise out of her system and left it in the hands of others.
This collection of hymn and carol adaptions is quite Astleyan in places.And Anne had enough of a sense of humour to claim every one of them as her own work!!!

4.2 stars

Checked this out due to my old time love for Art Of Noise. I was lucky enough to see them live in 1986 and was impressed by Dudley's ability to make music with odd sounds from her Fairlight, and her fine piano playing. She's still an excellent musician, and clearly a very eclectic and fascinating composer.

This cd is a strange but pleasing mix of classical traditions and modern gestures; Phil Glass meets Hildegard von Bingen is how some of it sounds. Oddly enough, nearly all of the pastiches work nicely, creating plenty of odd moods via one's ears being confronted by new combinations of sounds heretofore not encountered together.

There is a vaguely medieval feel to some of these tracks, even with their post-modern touches. Goes well with thick red velvet drapes and the huge tapestry on your castle wall. Makes a good soundtrack for the dark days of the winter solstice.

One of a kind, and recommended for adventurous ears and/or fans of liturgical sounds.

This is my favorite cd. Ann Dudley beautifully blends high worship with a "new age" sound. (Remember, even Enya is considered new age, its not a devil sound. As a matter of fact, most of the songs are about God.) It is the most wonderful musical experience that I have ever had and continues to be each time I press play.

This is a holiday favorite! Truly fresh-sounding orchestral treatment of some favorite old melodies, such as the sweeping "Veni Emmanuel", and "The Holly & The Ivy". in respectful modern treatments and instrumentation. It's not exclusively a Christmas CD, but I find it plays best during the season. I always thought Anne Dudley was great, but this stuff is just brilliant!

FYI, it's not like Art Of Noise, nor her middle-eastern grooves with Jaz Coleman. It's not really like her soundtrack work. This is different.

A masterful recording. Anne Dudley has a great gift. She can create amazing classical and classically influenced pieces. They are mercurial and timeless pieces. This is a stellar work, a soundtrack for Life.