Customer Reviews

Ankh: Sound of Ancient Egypt

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

 

 

Michael Atherton's "Ankh" is a good showcasing of the instruments of the ancient world - however the vocals leave alot to be desired. Although he uses "ancient Egyptian" words in the spoken chants and singing in some of the songs, his choice of vocalists is incorrect for the subject matter. In short they sound far too "Western". The vocalists were far better suited to hymns with the Sunday Choir in a cathedral than in the columned halls of Ancient Egypt. Had Atherton used vocalists with a touch more passion and ethnicity, along the lines for example of Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance(Soundtrack for Gladiator) or Azam Ali ofthe group Vas, this album would have worked.

Michael Atherton did an excellent job re-creating the music of Ancient Egypt or what it might have sounded like in antiquity. A very relaxing CD oveerall.

The only shortcomming was the female vocals. The singers, though good, sounded far too much like the Nuns of St. Hildegard of Bingen rather than more middle eastern sounding vocals. Had Atherton used vocalists similar to Azam Ali of Vas, or even from India or Egypt then this CD would have been absolutely perfect.

Very well done otherwise.

Those of us interested in the spendor of the distant past will appreciate the purity of this CD. Stripped of the clutter of stylized production, the sound of the instruments carries one mentally into the period. I would recommend listening to this CD several times (with open mind) as 'background' music before consentrating on the musical structure. The unusual nature of the ancient style should be absorbed until 'familiar' to the ear. The fascination begins when one begins to really 'listen' to this marvelous recreation of musical history.

First thing to hit me once the CD player started was.... THIS IS NOT another good sounding New Age from Egypt track. As I listened I was struck at the realism of this CD, its not fancy or high-tech sounding or New Agish at all. It reality in movement as I think of it. The chants from the high-priestess as very well done as well, plus the added bonus of having actual Egyptian scripts being read in the background to some of the chants made it all the more enjoyable. If your looking for something different from all the rest, get this CD!!! It clearly stands out from all the others as a one of a kind. Once again very realistic....

Atherton starts with a splendid idea and certainly enough talent to carry his idea off. Despite some fine moments in a couple of the vocal selections, the rest is very forgettable. Having done his bit for research, Atherton seems to succumb to the temptation to ride the CD out using a lot of faux-Near Eastern musical riffs that simply get tedious. Adding to what others have already said, I also wonder if the ancient Egyptians had such a paltry knowledge of musical form. This recording might have worked as an evocation of dockside bar music, New Kingdom, but that's about it. The vocal areas, unlikely as they seem, get the CD three stars. For too-brief but still shining moments, Egypt is evoked pretty well. Pity the rest was so blah.

Although we don't know for sure how Ancient Egyptian music sounds, I believe this is the best duplication made. They have added the soft flute sounds, soft drum beats and certain tracks have inspirational singing. This is definitely the best one I have heard yet!

Loved hearing the sounds of instruments from ancient Egypt and the interpretation of the music and the hymns to the Gods and Goddesses.

Beautifully reproduced ancient sounds of what Egyptian music may of sounded like. Something about it pulled me right in without even thinking I said, "I have to have this." and then bought it. I cherish it.

It seems unthinkable that the ancient Egyptians had NO concept of using pleasurable patterns of sound to create melody. This CD, however, seems to argue that notion. Few patterns emerge... it seems more often that one completely random note is followed by another and another.

Definately a very different CD, notable perhaps for its novelty, but not much more.

as you can see i didn't like this cd. i am very interested in ancient egypt. i didn't like this cd because it was filled with mostly flutes and soft drums. there is hardly any singing and the singing sounds more like music from my church. and of the 18 tracks 13 of them are instrumental. i found this cd to be a waist of my money and i believe it will be for you as well.