Customer Reviews

In Elven Lands: Fellowship

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

On the surface there are some worrisome aspects about this release. Might this be some synth-rock new-age gloss? Not to mention the possibility of yielding to an impulse to cash in on a resurgent interest in Tolkien's work, or trade on the popularity of Yes and Jon Anderson. And even more significant, there's the difficulty of grappling with two extremely demanding environments -- Tolkien's legendarium and the practice of early music. So, in what might be described as typically Tolkien fashion, the chances for failure far outweigh the chances for success.

Yet the music and performances succeed amazingly well, without any trace of marketing or rock star hubris. For anyone with an ear that favors early music and period instruments, your initial brush with these pieces and performances will be a good one. Remarkably unsentimental, the adherence to many aspects of early music practice fits extremely well with the notion that Tolkien's Three Ages are no less than a prehistory of our own times. And it is accomplished with a high degree of veracity, never bending to an admixture of contemporary instruments employed by bands like Gryphon or Dead Can Dance -- brilliant as they were. Like them, the work here feels and sounds like the real thing, offering a rewarding sense of relief and authenticity without the presence of more contemporary intrusions. A few other recordings come to mind, such as elements of Robin Williamson's work, The Chieftains and many others involved in the practice of Celtic, Scottish and Irish folk musics, as well as Early Music itself. But the clearest comparison would be with Philip Pickett's and Richard Thompson's remarkable collaboration, "The Bones of all Men".

So, a note for you Yes fans: Here the human voices as well as the instrumental voices are all used to great and balanced effect, just like Yes. But if you are interested in this recording only because of Jon Anderson's presence, know that he is just one part of the performance, not the lead singer on every piece. This is emphatically not "Olias of Sunhillow II". The whole approach is appropriately that of an ensemble, not a venue to feature a popular front man. In fact, as much as anything else, "In Elven Lands" makes a great case for just how effective and affecting a period-music approach is. Especially when you think of film and the tendency to indulge in the use of huge modern instruments and orchestras no matter what the time period, the direction set here could have resulted in a much more evocative soundtrack for Jackson's recent film version of "The Lord of the Rings".

So, set aside any prog-rock-pop preconceptions and enjoy what must be imagined as some extremely Early Music.

First off, many sites (including Amazon) seem to have the title mixed up. The title of the record is "In Elven Lands", as done by a *group* called "The Fellowship". The CD notes that the group *features* Jon Anderson, but it also features a few other artists. Jon sings on some of the songs, but less than half of them.

If you're expecting a solo album from Jon, or a collaboration like Jon and Vangelis, or another Yes album, well, you'll be wrong. This is music from an earlier day, and I don't mean 1975. This music harks back to the Middle ages in Europe, or maybe the Renaissance period. It much more like the recent albums from "Blackmore's Night", for instance.

There are 16 songs here, and that's more than I would want to describe in detail. I will admit that one of the reasons I bought this was to hear a rousing version of "The Battle of Evermore" (a remake of the Led Zeppelin classic). The version here is very different from Zep's. It is sung much slower and clearer, with the lines alternating between a solo male singer and a choir of female singers. The result is very effective. Jon is not the singer for that song, but I don't have the CD with me right now so I can't say who did it. (You can almost make out the name in the picture of the album cover). Some other songs include singing more like Gregorian chants.

I think this is an excellent album. I'd really prefer to rate it as a "4.5", but that isn't an option here...

Jon Anderson and the rest of the Fellowship have grabbed hold of the essence of Professor J.R.R. Tolkein's mystical land. The haunting melodies and outstanding musicology add more color and richness to Middle Earth than I had ever imagined. Every time I listen to the CD I hear something new. I give my highest recommendation for this CD to any wishing to be musically transported to Elven lands .

What an amazing album! And who saw it coming? Jon Anderson's work here is the best, it's really great to hear his natural voice on it's own, as opposed to the way his voice is layered in Yes. But his talent is not to take away from anyone else on the album's by any means! There certainly is other great talent, especially on the last song and the instrumental works. "Beware the Wolf", which I think is about the wolf who eats the Silmaril and Beren's hand, is also a favorite of mine.

Most of the lyrics are in elvish, but there's some in english (old and modern), too. All the songs are good, and the only real downpoint is the cover of "Battle Of Evermore" pales in comparison to the original Zepellin song. But after owning this album for a year, I'm beginning to see that song in a new light. Listened to as an old english interpretation of a somewhat modern classic, it becames incredibly interesting!

All in all, this accompanies Tolkien's work fabulously. Tolkien's new book out, and with it my interest in all things middle earth has been reawakened. This album deserves a 5, I wish I had rated it so ealier!!!

Mr. Anderson's album is a surprising delight.

While I am happy to have Mr. Peter Jackson's epic effort, anyone who has read through Tolkien's 'Letters' can see the many specific ways the filmmaker went against the author's expressed desires. In contrast, this album at last provides the one thing I have long missed; music that fits Middle-earth as if it was made for it and was good enough to compliment the Master's beloved prose.

Tolkien filled his story with song, but his own tunes were simplistic and, IMHO, sadly unequal to his tale. I have long wished that someone would one day write songs that would suit the joy and spirit of Middle Earth. I am delighted to say Mr. Anderson has done exactly that.

His songs feel like they could have come from the Men of Westernesse or even Valinor itself. It is incredibly refreshing to see something so clearly inspired by Tolkien's whole body of work and not just the film that was made loosely based on one of them. Thank you, Mr. Anderson. This was needed.

I was referred to this disk on an internet forum. I ordered it and have just about worn it out listening to it. It is haunting, lyrical, intimate and just grabs you in. I think that Tolkien would have approved heartily.

If you love to wander, this is the soundtrack to take you on your journey.

I have been listing to this piece of music, on and off as I travel lately. It is haunting, and it really takes you into Middle-Earth like none other I have yet heard. My personal favorite is the Creation Hym (sung to Illuvutar).

After having listened to this Album several hundred times. I can say that of all the "Music inspired by LOTR" this one is the most satisfying. I am a fan of period style, Early instrumentation and arrangement so this makes me biased toward this album as many of the other albums out there sound far too Orchestral and Modern or Gawd awful New Agey to my ears. (The exception being "Music Inspired by LOTR" by Bo Hannson in the Seventies with its dated synth and organ sounds..but that's a Nostalgia pick as I heard that album when I was what, 12?) Some people have called it Rennaisance like but the sound is definitely earlier than that.
As has been pointed out in other reviews the album's credits are misleading as Jon Anderson only sings on four songs and this is definatley an Ensemble work with alot of the credit going to Carvin Knowles who handles a good portion of the instrumentation and writing credits. It is closer in spirit to Mediaeval Baebes than anything else (Would be nice to see a Baebes LOTR album), though comparisons to other Irish/Gaelic music abound and are appropriate.
Most of the Songs are very good to excellent and I recommend listening in order as I believe this sets the mood. (though I like waking up to Tir Im and Orome). Beware the Wolf and Orome: Lord of the Hunt come to mind. 2 songs that while diffrent in staly share theme and are vry complimentary. Beware the Wolf also has quite abit of energy and Draws you in. You really get the the feeling the you are preparing to face down Carcharoth and recover the Silmaril.
The Best songs (IMHO) are the ones sung in "Elvish" performed by both John Anderson and the Female Lead Caitlin Elisabeth. Totally believable and other-worldly. I am however on the Fence with one tune; The Battle of Evermore cover. Its a little too Goth-y (and I like Goth-y)and would not sound out of place on an Eighties 4AD Album like Dead can Dance or This mortal Coil. I was not fond of it at first but it grew on me. (I like the use of the Female Chourus in Counter to the Dreary male lead). However, another Tune sung in Elvish by either Jon Or Caitlin would might have been better.
Another nice fact about the album is the way that the songs seem to cover the span of Tolkiens works with more emphasis on the Silmarillion than LOTR itself. Overal and Excellent album that should be in any Fans collection.

To start off, I don't have the time nor the patience to write out a detailed review on this album. I do, however, have the time to let you know how enjoyable this album in fact is. a few highlights include, 'Dan Barlinman's Jig', which sounds like a hobbit bar song, 'Orome: Lord Of The Hunt', which is a great instrumental that will make you think of the riders of Rohan, and my favorite, 'The Sacred Stones'. The latter is a song done by none other than Jon Anderson, who is at his best in what is an epic song that contains undertones of early elven times. this album, for me, is pure brilliance. If you like music, particularly with a renaissance feel, this album is a must. If you are a YES fan, the album is worth it for 'Dan Barlinman's Jig' and 'The Sacred Stones' alone.

we got this CD for our birthday...
dear lovers of Elven and Tolkien,
... and we love it. If you like Jon Anderson's work, his distinctive mark is on a number of these tunes. There is also a Celtic quality to much of the music, as well as what are essentially Elven Hymns inspired by Tolkien's elvish spirituality. For these elves, it is a perfect blend of all that we love and cherish. If you hunger for more of Elfland, this album will call you back to that place within your soul where you will remember that once we dreamed together in a land ruled by peace and love.
kyela,
the silver elves