Customer Reviews

Cirque Du Soleil: Journey of Man

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This recording is the music from the motion picture "The Journey of Man", released in May of 2000. The film is playing in select IMAX theaters around the world, but none-unfortunately-are near me. I thought perhaps I shouldn't invest in the soundtrack of a movie I hadn't seen, that I would only be frustrated and bored by references I couldn't experience.

But such is not the case. The music is wonderful--lush, rich, pictoral in and of its own right. The CD is totally self contained and musically enriching to the listener. The composition of Benoit Jutras is stunning, and the musicianship is flawless. Invest in this recording, even if you never have a chance to view the film.

In all honesty, I wasn't really expecting this to be a great CD, and the first song (being kind of light-rock and sung in English) made me think that this was going to be a rather pandering, commercial CD. But it grew on me after a few listens, and the rest of the tracks are great. I love the arrangement of "Reveil", "The Forest" is a nice play on some of the "Quidam" musical themes, and it is just so wonderful to have a recording of the Banquine theme. I think that this CD should not serve as an introduction to Cirque music, but for those who are familiar with Cirque (and Jutras' compositions), this is a fantastic addition.

The music on *Journey of Man* brings to mind a spring evening. Skies embued with subtle shades and barely there clouds. A soft breeze carrying the undefinable scent of the season. It's infinitely soothing.

I had the chance to see *Journey of Man* on an Imax screen and as wonderful as the movie itself was, the music was even more enchanting. It's one soundtrack that can truly stand apart and be appreciated on its own.

From listening to this cd you will be invited to feel a beautiful kind of melancholy, revitalizing energy, and subtle strains of menace. For a writer, or a dreamer, it's a must. You will forget yourself within minutes of first turning it on.

If there were no sight, only sound, *Journey of Man* would be the music to live by.

I've never seen Journey of Man yet, in theatre or on video, but it's not from a lack of trying! So, with those two outlets blocked, I decided to buy the soundtrack and see what it was like, with semi-high expectations. The track titles were a little misleading to me - tracks like " Taiko " I thought would be very Oriental-traditional and not have the quality I was looking for but I was fortunately mistaken. All the tracks are beautiful! I heard the vocaled " Journey of Man " song and wasn't disappointed at all! The instrumentation blended harmoniously with the voice and it is now one of my favorite songs. For those who were disappointed with Cirque's Quidam soundtrack, don't be. The people at Cirque du Soleil are one of the rare treasured groups of people who see their mistake and go to any length to fix it - they put the extraordinary, spine-tingling "Banquine" onto their CD where the Quidam soundtrack lacks it and I think it was more a choice to fix the error than a " Oh, I think that repeating this theme from Quidam would be good for this show." I have complete faith and trust in Cirque because they have never once disappointed me. I'm getting the Quidam soundtrack for Xmas so I won't be listening to it until then - the wait is irritating for me but I found to my intense delight that " Reveil " has one of the themes of Quidam I absolutely LOVE!! that being the " Atmadja " tune. It's so haunting, so lyrical here with the classical violin, with a lovely ghost of a childlike vocal " la la la " -ing along and then the deep silence with the eerie sounds of the dramatic darkness of Quidam. All of the other tracks are gorgeous as well. The music becomes a part of you, even after you've left the CD player, playing in your head it's music, persisting to be heard again. Obey it; lock yourself in its world with all its emotions and don't let Reality interfere... Don't wait for the video to come out. Seize the opportunity like I did and give yourself the chance to be ensnared in the magical, lyrical world of Cirque du Soleil!

Benoit Jutras proves once again that his composing talents are as great as anyone's, including John Williams. Why he has never been recruited to write a major motion picture soundtrack is way beyond me. The title track, with Cirque du Soleil's <<O>> singer Roxanne Potvin, is commercially appealing with a melody that will echo through your head all day long. The highlight of the soundtrack, for me, is the song "Banquine," named after the act of amazing acrobatics performed by artists from the "Quidam" show now touring Europe. This is another must buy for all Cirque du Soleil enthusiasts.

Just saw the IMAX production at Metrion in SF today, absolutely beautiful. Brings their art to a new dimension. I don't usually by soundtracks, but this one is a must-have if you enjoy this type of inspirational showmanship. It would be wonderful to see a world where more film of this quality could be seen. Quite a change from the usual blood & guts story. Something is being translated here that can't be put into words, an expression of humanity that transcends the commonplace.

I have tons of soundtracks--including ones of movies I've never seen--and this one rates up there as one of the few that can stand on its own merit whether you've seen the movie or not (which I haven't...yet!). Other examples of a good score can be found in soundtracks such as The Wrath of Khan (Horner) or The Interstellar Suite (Bhatia)--they're just great tunes to listen to either get your adrenalin going or as background music to stir your creative juices...and this CD falls into the latter. The haunting melody of The Journey of Man alone is worth the price alone.

One of Cirque's best CD's. Has strains through it that are very similar to other of the music. Great CD especially if you are a Cirque fan. Otherwise - just great 'new age' music.

The soundtrack of this IMAX film is incredible. If you have never listened to a cirque CD you have to get this one. I haven't seen the film, btu this CD makes me want to see it even worse than I did before I got it. This is Benoit Jutras at his best, period. He was the composer for Quidam and Mystere. These are the best musical shows that cirque has. You are doing yourself a disservice if yo don't buy this CD now.

Hi! If you have ever seen this movie, especially on the big IMAX screen, you know what I'm talking about when I say it's the BEST! The songs that are in the background make the movie even better! I think you should buy the movie and soundtrack!!!