Customer Reviews

Homeland: A Prayer for Peace

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In the two years since Douglas' last cd, alot has happened in our world. Alot has changed. In his much awaited new release, Bill Douglas offers a musical memoriam of September 11, with the cd as a whole, and specifically with a song entitled "In Memoriam (Sept. 11, 2001). The song is taken from the poetry of Lord Alfred Tennyson and adapted to song by Douglas, in accompaniment with the Ars Nova Singers. It is a gentle offering of peace and comfort.

Douglas begins the cd with a very stirring tradional version of "Shenandoah," remeniscent of bygone Civil War days. Mostly a cappela, with a hint of music. In his typical, yet always soothing and refreshing style, Douglas incorperates instrumentals amongst those vocals, while also alternating the two, i.e. one vocal seperated by two instrumentals, etc. Instrumentals include the cd title, "Homeland." He concludes the disc with a very moving and beautiful vocal/instrumental arrangement of "The Water Is Wide." I took away honesty and comfort as the theme of this cd. Comfort for a Nation, comfort for those who have been directly affected by 9/11, and comfort to apply in each of our own lives and circumstances. Honesty is most evident in a tradional version of "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child." This is a very healing cd. Tears and goosebumps were companions for me on many songs.

On this album, Douglas uses the poetry of William Wordsworth, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and William Blake, in addition to Lord Tennyson. Douglas plays piano, basson, and sythesizers. He is accompanied by other instruments - clarinet, cello, flute, oboe, tabla and percussion - and as always, in song by the Ars Nova Singers, conducted by Thomas Morgan. Bill Douglas' music is great if you're looking for some music to relax with and most especially if you're in need of something with a peaceful overtone. Great gift for someone who is ill or stressed. For those who have long listened to the music of Bill Douglas, this will offer another work of serenity and sentiment. For those who have yet to discover his work, this will powerfully find it's way into your heart, forever.

And for those who suffered the greatest losses as a result of September 11, 2001, I would imagine this cd would mean the most to you. I hope and pray it could offer you some small portion of comfort. (Which is the sincerest intention of Bill Douglas, I'm certain.) God be with you.

Every track on this CD is simply gorgeous. After hearing some of Homeland on public radio (Hearts of Space), I knew I wanted to hear it again and again. After discovering the CD was written as a prayer for peace in response to 9/11, I decided when I bought it to make it my 9/11/02 listening experience. Every track evokes feelings of loss but also feelings of future. It permitted the appropriate melacholia such an anniversary demands, and yet, provided hope for every minute of the day. The traditional pieces are as good renditions as I have encountered; the new age compositions seem as they could have been written at any time and fit in any age. I can't quite imagine any listener seeking music that touches the spiritual feeling that Homeland was less than a 5.

The sweet melancholy of this music put my mind in the soft twilight of a late afternoon. I wish Mr. Doulgas would tell us more about the Ars Nova Singers. Their voices are angelic.

Another peaceful respite from Bill Douglas. Let it wash away the weariness that we carry in these troubled tmes. Beautiful.

I originally bought this CD for myself and loved the music but one night, when I could not locate my daughter's lullaby CD, I put this one in and it has not left her CD player since. She is two years old and this music is what she listens to at night for her lullabies. She loves it and never lets us forget to turn it on for her.

Bill Douglas at his peaceful best. Begin Sweet World is a perfect example. Also, the piece that moved me the most on Homeland is "Homeland" itself. What a gem. Nobody on this earth can combine piano,cello,and bassoon like Bill. Check out the track "Elegy" on his Cantilena CD, it will move you, that's a promise. I may be partial, but that's because I have the honor of being able to play his music. If you want music that enters your soul and moves your emotions, Mr. Bill Douglas is the composer of choice, period.

Joe T.
Verona, Pa

This is an incredibly varied and relaxing cd...an nice mix of melodic instrumental and vocal compositions....

Bill Douglas made this album for 9/11. He wants people affected by this tragedy to have some peace. I highly recommend this album. I especially love the choir because it's so heavenly. Unfortunately, since I have a small ipod I only added the choir itself. I definitely highly recommend this album to everyone because it is music at its best.