Holy Mountain

Anthony Bez | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 2000)
• Original Release Date: December 12, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Anthony Bez
• ASIN: B00004YZWD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,626,778 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Thiago de Mello, Brazilian Jazz Musician

Your technique is great and it shows. It’s a CD which brings a peaceful feeling for the listener.

Product Description

Holy Mountain is a meditative and descriptive journey through the seasons of the Zen Monastery Dai Bosatsu Kongo-Ji. It was composed on classical guitar and recorded throughout the year on location at the Monastery and includes some ambient sound as part of the creative process and concept. It crosses the boundaries of Classical, Jazz and New Age categories as a sincere musical expression and inspiration of the artist and Monastery.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy Mountain, September 24, 2002

By 

John Lehmann-Haupt (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holy Mountain (Audio CD)

With the kind of dexterity and dynamic control guitarist Anthony Bez has on tap, it's easy to imagine him taking on the virtuoso classical and flamenco repertoires with style and aplomb. But from everything about Holy Mountain - the title and artwork, the program, and the recordings themselves - it's clear that he's after a different goal here. Inspired by Bez's sojourn in a Zen Buddhist monastery, Holy Mountain is a subtly effective reflection on human endeavor as meditation, and its place in Nature's order. Opening with the shimmering crescendo of the monastery's wake-up bell and the sounds of daily chores, the program is a sort of loose suite, seasonally arranged, which demonstrates the guitar's Protean ability to conjure up mood and atmosphere and to speak in the voice of another culture. In "Winterwind," rippling arpeggios shift through somber harmonies, and melodic phrases punctuated by delicate strumming suggest the Japanese koto. The flitting melodic fragments of "Birds in Spring" evoke both the flight of birds and the sounds of their calls, which are actually heard in the background. Much of Holy Mountain was recorded outdoors, and the sweetness and warmth of the guitar's sonority is rendered throughout with transparent naturalness. If the idea of music as contemplation - as meditation - resonates with you, you will find much substance here.

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, June 12, 2002

By 

Jonah Rabinowitz-Buchanan (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holy Mountain (Audio CD)

I bought this CD a couple weeks ago after it had been suggested by a close friend. I was a little wary about it, because the name wasn't too familiar but low and behold! Holy Mountain is brilliant. As a writer I look at everything for inspiration and these recordings are beyond inspirational. Winterwind is a beautiful and absolutely vivid recording. You can feel the gusts of cold and snow brushing over your face when you listen to this track. The CD is brilliant. Hats off to Mr. Bez! To anyone on the border between buying this CD or not, you would be making a grave mistake living your life without it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sound quality and inspired music, November 26, 2000

By 

A. Alpert (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Holy Mountain (Audio CD)

Maybe I'm a bit biased (because I study with the artist), but this really is a wonderful recording. The sound is clean and balanced and the music should appeal to classical and jazz fans.