Customer Reviews

Dralion

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have to admit I did not like "Dralion" the first time I heard it. I found it quite a departure from the music we have come to associate with Cirque. However, if I had to describe Cirque in a few words, 'original', 'ground-breaking', 'different' and 'facsinating' all spring to mind. And music from "Dralion" just happens to be all that, and much more.

"Dralion" the CD can really only be dismissed as being new-age at the very first listen. It is such a unique and different sound from other Cirque releases, that it might not grow on you at first, but after a couple of listens, you will agree it's definately up there with the best of Cirque. The music itself can best be described as a seamless fusion of asian (mainly indian,chinese), western and african melodies, enveloped by modern contemporary flavours of pop-music and electronica.

The opening track 'Stella Errands' is just stunning with amazing vocals from Erik Karel. This is followed by the nature-loving 'Ombra', one of the slower and less upbeat tracks on the CD. This melodic and lyrical piece is sung so beautifully in Italian by Agnes Sohier. The faster tracks in the CD are also brilliant. 'Nikou Latora' starts off pretty slow and subtle, but eventually climaxes to a brilliant and majestic up-beat tempo with inspiring vocals from Erik Karel. 'Hinko' is so sublime and surreal, it could almost send you into a trance with it's mysterious and exotic feel and sentiment. Other tracks like 'Aborigines Jam' and 'Ravendhi' are just pure fun!

In all, not what you expect from Cirque du Soleil. But that's the beauty of it all, they never ever cease to amaze me!

For the 11th time, Cirque manages to put out an incredible CD. Rather than managing to tackle complex topics (such as being one of millions in a society, or death and rebirth) like Benoit did, Dralion's CD seems to tell a simple love story. "Ballare" is one of the best Cirque ballads, second only to Quidam's heart-wrenching "Let Me Fall". As the music progresses, it gets deeper, more suspenseful. The clouds break momentarily in the electric "Aborigines Jam" (track 9), then return for the superbly dark "Hinko". The finale, "Kamande", is everything that a Cirque ending should be- bright, upbeat, and triumphant are some words that come to mind.

This is Violaine Corradi's first time ever composing for Cirque du Soleil. Dralion leaves me certainly hoping that it won't be the last.

Not being an opera fan, I listened once to this one and put it away in favor of Quidam and Journey of Man. I disliked it so much I didn't see the show when it was in Boston. Welllll....a few weeks ago I decided to try one more time..then another...before long I found myself humming some of the music while working and trying to remember where I'd heard it. This is now my favorite Cirque CD and I am flying to Texas to see the show....if only I had listened a few more times at first I'd have saved myself that flight. Erik Karol has the most fabulous voice...Stella Errans is a masterpiece and Miracula Aeternitatis is almost as good!! Buy the CD, I know it will become a favorite,opera fan or not.

Dralion, being the 9th Cirque du Soleil soundtrack release, continues the tradition of outstanding music. This time however, even more words (real meaningful words, not just ah and la) are used then in Quidam, which is a lot. The words are also in a large variety of languages, Ballare being in Italian, Miracula Æternatatis being completely in Latin, Kamande in French (I think), Aborigine Jam being in sampled Native American tongue, and Ombra being in Italian, French, and English. The main singer, Erik displays a marveleous range, singing above the treble clef in Stella Errans, and rapping in Latin below (or near there) the bass clef, and then doing a two octave jump in Miracula Æternatatis. This is another hit definetly worth getting for any Cirque du Soleil fan.

If you want the Dralion music straight from the show, without any changes, then don't bother with this CD.

It's not the Dralion show music.

And that is a good thing, if you're willing to listen to this CD without expecting it to be the same music as in the show.

When I first listened to the CD, I really didn't like it. I had been expecting music nearly identical to that on the show, and was immediately disappointed. I was especially upset by the versions of the double trapeze act (Ninkou Latora) and the aerial pas de deux (Ballare). Not nearly as passionate and haunting as in the show, in my opinion.

Now, I like this music even more than what's on the show. After my first disagreable run-through, and after wondering if I weren't missing something extremely important to the experience, I decided to listen to the CD again. This time, without comparing it to the show. It worked -- I realized that this CD is more of a descendant of the Dralion show than it is a companion. The music has changed...evolved...into something that is Dralion, and yet is something more. It isn't necessary to see the show to enjoy this CD. One of the tracks, Spiritual Spiral, isn't even present on the DVD/Bravo version, but it hasn't prevented me from enjoying it anyways.

Here are the tracks on the CD, matched with the DVD scenes:

1. Stella Errans (Single-hand balancing)
2. Ombra (Foot juggling)
3. Spiritual Spiral (Not on DVD)
4. Miracula Aeternitatis (Spirits)
5. Bamboo (Bamboo poles)
6. Ballare (Aerial pas de deux)
7. Ravendhi (Teeterboard)
8. Ninkou Latora (Double trapeze)
9. Aborigenes Jam (Hoop diving)
10. Hinko (Ballet on lights)
11. Kamande (Skipping)

My favorite tracks are Ballare, Ninkou Latora, Stella Errans, and Hinko. These four are also the tracks most different from their counterparts in the Dralion show. Ballare is the best, both sad and sensual. It begins with a slow tempo but picks up shortly, and is truly passionate and haunting (yes, I completely reversed my initial impression). Ninkou Latora is fast, and starts and ends softly. The entire song soars like the trapeze artists from the show. My favorite part of Stella Errans is the string solo (viola perhaps?) in the middle of the song. It's very haunting and mysterious. Hinko has the most radical departure from Dralion (it took me nearly a minute to realize which act it corresponded to) but its uniqueness sets it apart from the other tracks in a positive way.

Two other tracks deserve special mention: Ombra and Spiritual Spiral. Ombra is a solo by Agnes Sohier, and probably has the slowest tempo on the CD. But what it lacks in speed is more than made up for in sheer elegance and sensuality. Though Spiritual Spiral is not on the DVD, it is a nice addition to the CD. The sound effects are interesting, for lack of a better word (I can't describe them justly). I can only imagine what the original act was.

The CD seems to favor the instrumental background music, in several cases making it stand out strongly against the vocals. It generally works. Oh, but the vocals. Both Erik Karol and Agnes Sohier are outstanding, but I do prefer Erik Karol. His range and ability to manipulate his voice are just amazing; his voice is largely what makes Ballare, Ninkou Latora, Stella Errans, and Hinko so wonderful. The lyrics to the songs are a mix of languages, mostly Romance (French, Spanish, Italian, Latin) with some nonsense words mixed in. The background music has an international flavor, with Asian, Indian, African, and European influences. Dralion is truly a cultural soup, and a tasty one at that.

Several reviewers have mentioned that the CD has poor audio quality. Perhaps I have less-discriminating ears, but I think the audio quality is fine. I've listened to this CD on five different sound systems, and each time I've had no problems. It could also be that the other reviewers expected the verbatim music from the show, and thought it was poor audio quality that made the music sound odd.

My only quibble is that I wish they would have included the musicto the opening act. I absolutely love that music, and I think it would have been a nice addition to the CD.

So, if you want only the show music, with no alterations, then buying the actual Dralion show is probably best. The DVD format is very nice--I sometimes turn off the TV and just listen to the audio. But if you want something different, and you're willing to leave behind any expectations you have, then this CD is spectacular and very much worth the money and time spent.

Dralion's music, a combination of Oriental themes spiced with different music, sparkles with originality and creativity, and it appears that Violaine Corradi, Cirque du Soleil's newest composer, is not going to be a disappointment. Kamande (track 11) is lively and wonderful, with a vocalist to match, and Ombra, sung in Italian, is a beautiful, soothing melody. Definitely worth buying. Oh, Dralion (the show) is great too!

Let me just start off by saying that Dralion is the first CdS show I came across on Bravo. After seeing it for the first time, I couldn't wait for it to come on again!

Soon after seeing it yet again, I knew at that moment I had to get the DVD and the soundtrack. I have acquired both, and I think the CD is amazing! I was immediately blown away by Erik Karol's vocals once I heard the soundtrack. I'd have to choose "Stella Errans" and "Kamande" to be my favorite songs on the soundtrack. Although, I would have to give 5 stars to all of the songs on the soundtrack.

The music from Dralion is probably the best music I have heard from CdS. Again, I was blown away by the music on the Dralion soundtrack and recommend it for all Cirque fans out there!

On the first listen, I was not immediately drawn in by Dralion. The music was not my usual genre: it seemed overly dissonant and electronic. There did not seem to be any sense of continuity between the tracks. Some had a pseudo-African drum beat, one reminded me of the intro to Ricky Martin's "La Copa de la Vida"...it sounded like a synth-induced roaring soccer crowd.

Twenty or so listens later, I've grown to love Dralion, mostly for the solos by Erik Karol, French countertenor and poet of sorts. His voice is clear and soaring, angelic and genderless. I had not heard of him before Dralion, but the instant I heard his voice I fell in love with it.

I still have not seen all of Dralion (I have ordered the DVD), but after listening to the music repeated times I have come to understand the blend of futuristic electronic music and Asian, African, and Hispanic influences, much as the show is a blend of mythology and international influences. Although it is not something I would normally buy, I have to recommend Dralion for its amazing blend of cultures and themes and its gorgeous vocals by Erik Karol and Agnes Sohier.

I almost don't have words for how good this CD is. It's an eclectic blend of music from all over the world. For example, Celtic, African, and Japanese influences can be heard in "Kamande", while "Aborigines Jam" is inspired by tribal music. I know it sounds odd, but the composer manages to bring everything together in a way that is always harmonious, never jarring. The music on its own is very good, but what makes this disc stellar is the performance of singer Erik Karol, whose sensual, moving voice goes from bass all the way to countertenor. His middle range is decent, his lower range quite good and his upper range is simply phenomenal. "Stella Errans" is possibly some of the best countertenor work I've ever heard; it brought tears to my eyes. "Bellare", on which he sings tenor, and "Miracula Aeternetatis", on which he sings bass, are both almost as good.
Trust me, you won't regret buying this CD. And if that's not good enough, trust my friends -- at least six people have tried to swipe this CD from me!

I must say Dralion is no different from any Chinese act I've seen in the past. Yet, there is something that binds me to love it...the music. Absolutely gorgeous from the solo type operettas to hip Native American and Asian mixes. What I do find mildly disappointing is that the CD does come short. The CD lasts 50 minutes while the show lasts for 2 hr. 15 minutes (w/o intermission). There are lots of great pieces in the show that was left onto the cutting room floor for this CD like the funny incident with the clowns playing the bass, drums, and ukelele. I know it's weird but it was all so funny! Most of what you hear on the CD is the sheer energy and charisma from the live performance. Too bad it wasn't ALL of the fun! But what the hell, it's a good hear for long car trips and nagging spouses!