Customer Reviews

Eternal The Best of Libera

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(3)
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You can read the reviews of the original releases to learn why Libera has such a dedicated international following. The question is: is this collection right for you?

Material from the first two albums on the Warner label -- some of their best -- are sorely missing. But you can, and should, get these separately. The important tracks "Far Away" and "Going Home" from the "Angel Voices" CD are included, but most of the rest is cover material, not included. You get almost everything from the very recent landmark "New Dawn" album -- except for the inexplicable inclusion of the wobbly surfer tune "Love and Mercy" instead of the delightful "The Lamb." For the "Free" album, the six tracks hit the high points, but leave much missing - "Free" remains worth buying separately despite the heavy overlap. For the "Visions" album that took Asia by storm, the nicely done "New Day," and variant "Wings of a Dove" are missing; Sempiterna is remixed. Otherwise, coverage is remarkably complete.

Incurable Libera fans who have all of the other CD's probably will want "Eternal" for the new tracks, even though there is not much added value. Perhaps the best is an upgraded "Gaudete," revived from the "Luminosa" CD for an Aled Jones TV special. Of the remixes, "Sempiterna" from Visions takes a beating, with the polyrythms competing with the vocals. But "Heaven" (a cover of "A New Heaven" from the Free album) gets the remix concept right... so completely over the edge that it has nothing to do but spread its wings and fly. I'd like to see this concept taken to a full album... soar or crash. If the classical fuddys don't like it, they've already got "Angel Voices" so what's their problem?

Despite the misleading subtitle, "Eternal" is primarily a selective reissue of the last two major CD releases. General recommendation: if seriously collecting Libera recordings, concentrate on the five major albums and the concert album first. But if you are looking for a gift set, or decent coverage of recent material at a bargain price, this could be exactly what you want.

After reading reviews and listening to the (somewhat disappointing) previews Amazon provides, I decided to purchase this CD. Since I have issues with delayed gratification, I downloaded it from Amazon's MP3 store. I began listening right away and I can say that I was not disappointed in the slightest. The music, the harmonies, and the voices of these boys are absolutely stunning. I certainly do not have a favorite track, but would put "Do Not Stand" right up there. My grandpa, with whom I was very close, passed away over two years ago and I still find myself struggling with that loss. "Do Not Stand" seems like a personal message from him to me and I cherish that.
There are so many beautiful songs on this album. I have shared them with friends and family and they are jumping on the Libera bandwagon. I have a neighbor who heard me listening to them the other night. He texted me and asked who I was listening to because he said it sounded very 'soothing.' He's a more 'hip' type of person, muscley, drives a Lexus, has a HOT girlfriend and I was nervous to tell him who it was for fear of his response. He has since told me that he absolutely loves Libera and has added them to his Pandora page.
Libera is Latin for free. When I listen to them, that's exactly how I feel: Free. They are best listened to in quiet solitude with an excellent sound system and the volume up high. This truly helps to highten the experience.
Thank you Libera, for what you have done.

Eternal is a wonderful collection of Libera's more recent songs. If you are new to Libera, don't hesitate to buy this CD set -- it's a great value. I truly enjoy listening to the Eternal CDs even though I now have four prior releases by Libera: Vision, Free, Luminosa and Libera. All the Libera boys seem to have the same love and passion for the unique sound of Libera that Robert Prizeman does. Their sound seems to have a capacity to just totally surround you with peace, even in LA traffic. I am very grateful to be born in an age where we have the technology to preserve these beautiful voices.

I've also been having fun discovering other gifted treble voices of boys from the past who are now grown up. I've since bought some of their CDs and have been appropriately impressed, but I find that over 95% of the time, I reach for one of the Libera albums for listening pleasure. Even if you have most of other Libera CDs, if you're like me, you'll find yourself listening to Eternal the most, because it'll have many of your favorites in one package. I also like the new songs in Eternal, "You Were There", "Sempiterna (Remix)" and "How Can I Keep from Singing", which is the best solo by Josh Madine yet, in my opinion.

It is valuable to buy it, base on its price- because it contains 2 CDs. How good is this one? Let me tell you this. This album was the first album I brought which is about Libera, after that, I started to buying Libera productions. I basically owns all Libera's album from 1992. After I listened all of these albums, I realized that the Liebra- Eternal- The BEST of LIBERA, was really the best. All great songs from each albums are included in this album. People who love Libera, and people who never heard Libera, should start from this album always.

Superb and sometimes haunting sound; unique vocal and accompaniment arrangements which are easy on the ear and soothing to the soul. Excellent value for the price. (Organist & Choir Director, Mount Bruno United Church, Montreal)

I've become a big fan of Libera and this album shows their many talents. While the boys' talents are readily apparent by listening, I would like to recognize their talented choir director, Robert Prizeman. He has composed many of their pieces and arranged all of them beautifully. Boys' voices change all too soon, and he is always re-creating Libera, adjusting their music to maximize the choir's many talents.

Give yourself a blessing and listen to these young boys lift your spirit with their amazing voices, blended beautifully in this great selection of songs.I find the best way to listen is to sit down and close my eyes because it is like listening to prayer in music. Be Still My Soul is a favorite of mine and We Are The Lost will certainly bring a tear to the eye; just two of many that will move you deeply. This is truly the best of Libera from previous CDs but also with six wonderful new selections. I have several of Libera's CDs, have never been disappointed and this is an incredible bargain for yourself and as thoughtful gifts to friends and family.

Libera is new to me, full of wonderful little boys with angelic voices and songs of faith and love of God, in the most masterfully arranged fashion. This cd has a wonderful variety of songs, and if you're stressed out,listen to a few songs and you'll find yourself transfixed by clear wonderful, soothing, gentle, BEAUTIFUL music!

This is a great Album. Almost like listening to heaven! Put this on if you need to relax.

I love their music so much; harmony is brilliant and soloists are incredible. What an extraordinary group of boys! Their music has been salvation from my hectic daily life. As corny as it sounds, the world looks better after listening to Libera.

Need a little taste of Heaven?
Try Libera, because this is your Eternal Salvation.