Following the Call [Single]

Ann Licater | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 1, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: Cul de Sac Mystic Productions
• ASIN: B000R9RMCS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,038 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bill Binkelman- New Age Reporter. Few instruments convey more depth of feeling, haunting beauty and serenity than flutes made of earth and wood. When wielded by a talented artist, their primal mystery blends with ancient spirituality and the music can be amazingly transportive. Such is the case with Ann Licater's Following the Call, an album on which the artist uses her wooden and clay flutes to deftly weave spells that comfort and enlighten the listener. This is one beautiful and serene recording. Without going any further in this review, if you enjoy Native-influenced flute music, you should consider this a must-have release. Despite not bearing overt resemblance to the duo Coyote Oldman s music (the latter incorporate much more spatial sound tweaking and studio wizardry), Licater's songs induce the same sensations of calm, reflection and ages-old memories.

Other than the presence of a Tibetan singing bowl on Sacred Moon, Following the Call features only flute (although Licater's double and drone flutes may fool you into thinking they are multi-tracked, as they did me). Due to the variety of flutes heard and the diversity of the artist's compositions, I never once experienced any feelings of monotony. Of course, when I read the liner notes and saw that the CD was co-produced by the extremely talented multi-instrumentalist (and fellow Native-influenced flutist) Gentle Thunder, I wasn't the least bit surprised. GT, as she is known, is the consummate musical perfectionist (as well as being a passionate and spiritual person) so her sonic fingerprints were easy to hear.

The smartest move that Licater, GT and Brian Todd (the third co-producer and the engineer, too) made here was to have no songs last much over four minutes. These shorter tone poems impart more feeling and carry more emotional impact by not wending down the über-improvisational road (which sometimes leads to noodling and, in turn, leaves the listener feeling restless or even bored). By interchanging the wooden and clay flutes song-by-song, either alone or combined, Licater also manages to make the music more multi-dimensional than expected, as opposed to only sounding Native-influenced. Who knows what part of the modern (or ancient) world you may imagine yourself visiting. The opening title track sets the stage with a somber and moody wooden flute melody, followed by Numinous Gateway, a more ethereal and flowing clay flute number. Spirit Dance introduces higher pitched tones and a somewhat livelier mood, while Unfolding Mystery evokes the image of fog covering distant hills. Wind and Butterfly hints at Asian flavors blended with the more expected Native ones. Licater's trills introduce a subtle but distinct playfulness, perfectly capturing the visual essence of butterflies dancing on the breeze....Winged Prayer has a palpable gracefulness to its gently lilting higher pitched notes, and the closing Full Circle ends the sixteen-track long album with a peaceful traditional Native-like piece on which Licater plays her double flute with dexterity and feeling.

What's all the more remarkable in Ann Licater's case is that she actually received her formal musical training in classical (silver) flute (here in my hometown of Minneapolis at the renowned MacPhail Center for Music) yet she plays these wholly different instruments as if born to them. Following the Call is the ideal CD for those who desire acoustic music (as opposed to electronic ambient) which can help them center themselves, heal, relax, or de-stress. In addition, it would be perfect for late-night reading since at low levels it's never invasive or intruding, yet the mood it establishes (of quietude and repose) will be felt nonetheless. I highly recommend this album and would love to hear more from this talented artist.

--Bill Binkelman- New Age Reporter

Product Description

What the listener gets out of this stark, soul-stirring, 16-track collection by life-long silver flute player Ann Licater -- who runs a series of "Flute for the Soul" workshops and holds a Master's in Creation Spirituality -- is partially dependent on the open-minded heart and spirit he or she brings into the experience. Though it's geared towards the new age market, listeners who simply expect relaxing melodies and the kind of gentle rhythmic accompaniment that contemporary commercial new age offers may be a little surprised -- this one is pure flute, sacred instruments gathered from different exotic locales, registering different tones which are each geared towards connecting with our own frequencies. The casual flute fan -- or lover of jazz flute music -- may not be able to immediately tell the difference; it might seem just like brief improvisational pieces. But Licater's intentions run deeper, and aspires to offering a truly healing spirit from track to track. An understanding of each flute she uses helps in picking up these subtle differences, and her liner notes provide the names of the flute makers and their contact information. Her collection is impressing, from the nose flute from Maui that she uses on "Ancient Echoes" (which hypnotizes in its approximation of conversing whales) to the Mayan ceremonial flute she ensembles with a 400-year-old Tibetan metal bowl on "Sacred Moon." Intended for pure relaxation, deep meditation, and powerful inspiration, Licater also offers ways for those she touches to more deeply understand the subtle ways our souls connect with the instruments that drive her passion. ~ Jonathan Widran, Rovi

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing, November 27, 2007

By 

Belinda S. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Following the Call (Audio CD)

Listening to her music transport you to a highly vibration state. Waking up with her flute music gets me going. Meditating with her music gets me to a clear and peaceful place. I guess you have to listen to it to see where it takes you...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Healing CD, August 31, 2009

By 

D. Schneider - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Following the Call (Audio CD)

This cd is simply magical! I got it to use as background music when I teach yoga and each time the students ask about the haunting music that took them to a deep place inside. I got it for yoga, but I find myself listening to it to help my busy mind to calm down. This powerful but gentle flute music opens up the 4th chakra and is healing to me and to all who listen.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Listening to the Call, December 12, 2007

By 

Miss G. "MettaGal" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Following the Call (Audio CD)

Ann Licater's music is just right for creating a calm atmosphere in one's meditation space, or even just at home with family after a long day. I love to light a few candles and sit quietly while listening to the many beautiful flutes Ann plays on this album. I especially love "Old Souls"...but listening to the songs from beginning to end lays out a complete path for relaxation. Highly recommended as a remedy for hectic times!