Customer Reviews

Beautiful Darkness: Celebrating the Winter Solstice

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

 

 

This is one of my favorite CDs this season. The songs are simply lovely. Sond of the songs have words that are spoken rather than sung as poems or stories being told. Beautiful flutes, bells ringing, guitars and the like. Its very gentle music that you just want to sit and absorb. The lyrics are beautiful - poetic blessings, celebrating our change of seasons, the winter, the wildlife. A few have a celtic sound to them but most do not. The voices, music are just so harmonious, melodic, wonderful. This cd was just what I needed to celebrate the darkness. An amazing work. I wish I could find more like this one!

I admit it is difficult for me to find music that both suits my earth-centered sensibilities and my need for really good (professional, grown-up) music. This CD is refreshingly both. Much Pagan-ish music comes across as slightly cheesy to me, perhaps partly because I spend a lot of time listening to genuine indigenous sound and the worlds most gifted musicians from multiple cultures. This is NOT your typical "almost Celtic" or "almost poetic but-a-little-predictable" blatantly Goddess-honoring CD. No, this, this is subtle, sensitive, brave, professional, and inclusive. The artists include brilliant poetry by both John and Caitlin Matthews (who are personal friends of theirs) and bring in imagery from traditional pre-Christian Russia. There is a sampling from France, England, and my favorite treat, a soulful rendition of a Romani Gypsy song. Their own poetry is simple, understated, and still emotional. My only wish is that one of the vocalists had a silkier voice that matched a few of the songs emotionality better, but her youthful, raspy quality is perfect for the rest of what she sings. It is a shame they haven't done more sacred music.

How does one begin to describe absolute musical and lyrical beauty? Beautiful Darkness is that description. It is mysterious, passionate, elegant, grand, heavenly, intoxicating and down to earth all at the same time. The artists on this CD have given music lovers a rare gift with this recording.

Finally, I found it. I've been searching for actual Winter Solstice music to play during the holidays. Not one with Christmas songs, but rather, actual songs about the Winter Solstice: the dark season, the return of the light, and the winter season. This is it! It is perfect! The songs have a wonderful earthy feel to them; they really get you in the mood for enjoying the winter season. The album has lots of songs on it, so you really get your money's worth and the songs have lots of variation and interest to them. There are some spoken words throughout that really help set an overall tone of reverence and enjoyment of the season. I love this CD and it will become an auditory staple in this Humanist/Pagan household every time the wheel turns to the dark time of the year! Thank you so much to the artists for creating such a wonderful work of musical art!

I bought this album a few years ago and look forward to playing it every Yuletime. I bought this unheard, fearing the worst, because we all know how bad pagan music can be!! For the music, it's nice and mellow and very well produced. It's the perfect music for introspective thought about the season, driving down a snowy lane or just curled up in blanket sipping cocoa.

I'd be nice if this album had audio samples to listen to before buying.
If someone would put them on the page it be appreciated.

Thank You.

Nice CD. Liked most of the music. They are very talented people, just not to my taste.