Awake Inside A Dream

The Angels of Venice | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1996)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Epiphany Angel Records
• ASIN: B00001ZWVN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,065 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > Indie Music > New Age > Ambient

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ambrosial at Best, A Little Repetitive at Worst, May 4, 2004

By 

"berwynne" (Freeport, Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awake Inside A Dream (Audio CD)

I love the Angels of Venice, but this is not one of my favorite recordings by them. The music on this CD feels a little uneven; the lyrical beauty of pieces such as "China Moon" seem almost too melodic compared to more vocally twisting pieces like the rather eerie lullaby, "Nana." But eerie is very much the feeling that Carol Tatum seems to be focusing on: the sharp steely vocals on "Nana" seem to be the rule rather than the exception -- "Three Nightingales," and "Awake Inside a Dream" carry hallmark haunting voice and speech renditions.

"China Moon," "Lionheart," and "Chanter Mer" (also a vocal piece) are definitely the shining gems on this CD. The other pieces are all rather similar sounding, but still interesting, and worth a listen.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nowhere NEAR "new age" music! And not the least bit "silly", August 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Awake Inside A Dream (Audio CD)

With all due respect to the previous reviewer, the music on "Awake..." isn't anywhere CLOSE to "new age" music- not even a distant eighth cousin. I'm not sure what was meant by the "sound" effects being "shonky" but, to MY ears, the effects subtly enhance the many varying moods of the music on this recording. Head Angel Carol Tatum (who also happens to be one of the best arrangers around) keeps the music from "wilting" VERY effectively- it's more of a slow, sweet simmer. The harp, flute, and cello staple of the Angel's sound is enhanced, but not overwhelmed, by percussion, voice, and spare sounding synths. It's a musically brave excursion, one that reveals it's wonders with repeated listens.

25 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Often sublime, occasionally silly, August 16, 2000

By 

Vince Cabrera (Wellington, NZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awake Inside A Dream (Audio CD)

This is quite a beautiful album, adding vaguely mediteranean and world music touches to medieval(ish) music. Think "Dead Can Dance" with less bombast and without the guy's braying vocals.

The results are often quite sublime. And don't get me wrong, this is a wonderful record. The only things I don't like are:

a) the band's fondness for shonky sound effects (rain, wolves, etc) which makes this record a cousin to those dreadful "sounds of nature" CDs one can buy in bookshops and supermarkets (ie tinkly piano plus whales)

b) Some of the tracks tend to well, **wilt** after awhile. I suppose this problem is inherent in "atmospheric" music. There is a tendency for the whole thing to drift aimlessly and then stop suddenly. Occasionally the vocals sound bored. One almost feels the need for a film to give some direction to the whole thing.

Neither "defect" (and in referring to them as "defects" I am merely stating my personal opinion) detract from a terrific record. If you don't mind occasionally coming up against the tackier sides of new age music, then this record is well worth buying.