Customer Reviews

Immortal Memory

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some music is best listened to intently, with anything else done during that time incidental. Some music is best listened to while focused on other activities.

"Immortal Memory" is firmly in the second category.

That should not be taken as a negative criticism. To some degree, much of the music Lisa Gerrard has created (or participated in) seems custom-made for background or secondary focus. Of all the CDs she's made, this seems to be that more so than any other.

However, there is a sweeping, haunting quality to the CD that paradoxically emerges when it's in the background. Lisa's voice has always had an otherworldly quality to it, whether she's singing in a "real" language or in her own private glossiola. The slow swelling of the strings and synths on these songs act almost as sister currents to the stream of Lisa's singing, fluidly though deliberately pouring into your ears.

Let me share how this CD has hit me two ways: initial listen, and then "applied" listen.

My initial listen was right after purchasing the CD, and I listened intently, thoughts and attention really focused on the music. I was mostly disappointed, a bit bored, and not enthused. The CD went onto the shelf, and sat there for a while.

My "applied" listen was recent. A late night drive into the country, to see the stars, contemplate the state of my life, and perhaps even some soul-searching prayer....and I wasn't sure what (if anything) I wanted to have playing in the car stereo. I grabbed "Immortal Memory" with a handful of other CDs. "Immortal" turned out to be the perfect soundtrack to a night spent counting the stars and looking inward. Twenty miles from the city, civilization's presence an annoying but mild white glow to the west, I let the stars and the dark wash over me, and Lisa's music was the score. One song faded into another, and yet they were perfect: tuned into the spirit but not demanding, complimentary to the natural magnificence of sky and land. I was very, very glad to have it along. The songs on the CD were like fellow travelers, quietly evoking their own parallel journeys as I thought about mine. Perhaps that's too melodramatic for some, but I suspect if it is, then you're not a big fan of any of Lisa's music.

The only song on the CD that seems to be structured like a "proper" song or piece is "Sailing to Byzantium." The deep bass of the building drums and Lisa's parallel building of vocal power and intensity are echoes of her past work, though still subdued compared to much of it.

If you were hoping for another Dead Can Dance CD, or Duality II, you'll be disappointed. If you're looking for songs more about atmosphere than melody to play during reflective times in your life, you'll be richly rewarded.

Fans expecting a revival of Dead Can Dance, or even the exotic stylings of Lisa Gerrard's solo releases, may be in for a disappointment. This recording is closer to her soundtrack work, and perhaps even closer to the "new sacred" music of composers like John Tavener. I am not sure if Patrick Cassidy is part of that group, but the influence of his arrangements here certainly evokes that type of music - meditative, church-influenced, vocally rich and luxurious with strings. My only previous exposure to his work was a few selections on the Windham Hill "Celtic Christmas" collections. (His "Lament" on "Celtic Christmas 3" is one of the saddest and most beautiful compositions I've ever heard.) The teaming with Lisa Gerrard is effective, and several of the compositions here, by themselves, are quite beautiful, including "Sailing to Byzantium" and the sublime closing track, "Psallit in Aure Dei". The problem is, an hour of this is a bit much - I found my interest flagging by the middle of the CD - and dare I say it - I even found it a bit boring. There is really no variation of mood throughout the recording - it is all quite somber, even funereal. Do I recommend it? Yes, I still do, because of the quality of the work. But be forewarned, it may be a bit tough to listen to all the way through.

Lisa Gerard's latest, this time with fellow Irish composer Patrick Cassidy, is one of the most hauntingly beautiful CDs I have heard since Robert Fripp's BLESSING OF TEARS. Beginning with the Arameic "Maranatha" the tones are set in her cross cultural exploration of what provokes the soul to contemplate its fate. The art work throughout the booklet augments the music as few other graphic designs ever do. Much as John Miller's work captured an essential visual in Robert Fripp's Soundscapes, so to does the imaginative use of film and superimposed images work for Gerrard.
A quotation from Yeats, the Aramaic transcription of "The Lord's Prayer", a couple of poems and a few lines from Milton resound powerfully through the layers of soundscapes that Cassidy and Gerrard sculpt. In many ways, her spiritual power puts me in mind of Rautavaara and John Taverner. There is both a Baltic and Byzantine influence that weaves seamlessly with her very powerful Celtic spirituality.
I would imagine that this is a deeply personal effort for both of them, particulaly Cassidy, who comes from an enormously influential family of musicians. His Gaelic speaking cousins, Na Cassaidaigh, reset the bar dramatically for Gaelic song in the 80's and 90's and were in no small measure among the artists, including Andy Irvine, who were unceremoniuosly and uncreditedly pinched by Riverdance. No matter, this is light years away from Radio City Music Hall. This music of deep solitude that reverberates in those quiet moments when your guard drops, a slight disturbance in the calm reflection, suggests that something ineffable in your life has changed.
If you have admired Gerrard's work with Brendan Perry in Dead Can Dance, or her soundtracks for such movies as "The Insider", you will get blown away by this incredible disc. Put this and Habib Koite's FOLY CD on your must have list this year - for very different muisc, but absolutely artists at the peak of their powers.

I don't know how Lisa does it, but she does...who else comes anywhere near to sounding the way she does? This must be because she sings from the center of a very calm place.

Those who don't get it, who are critical of this cd, who had expectations of it being something else--well, balderdash. Is there something wrong, incorrect, with an artist evolving? Is an artist not permitted to grow, change, to soar? Must it be another "Cantara" or "Host of Seraphim"?

Can the sublime not appear in newer forms?

Lisa, of course, shows that it can. This music is from the spirit, hers, to the spirit, yours. Forget the rest. Again, forget the rest. Spirit to spirit, it's that simple, that direct.

(The title of "artist," by the way, has become so cheapened in our society. Listen to Lisa Gerrard to be reminded of what one really is.)

The sixth song alone, "Abwoon," (Our Lord's Prayer, sung in Aramaic no less!) is reason enough to own this cd and to cherish it. It is unique, as gifts of the spirit are. For my part, if I make it to a Heaven this will be the one song that eternally surrounds me. I cannot fathom, in a lifetime, what it must be like to create something so pure as that, and it is but one of ten.

For those jaded reviewers who wanted/expected/demanded something different, I realize that there are those who, alas, don't know transcendence when they hear it. They are welcome to their limitations. But I give tremendous gratitude for this musical experience, which I've listened to (absorbed) again and again.

Free advise? Let this cd wash over you. Don't expect it to be anything for you. Allow it to be, simply, what it is.

Consider yourself fortunate to hear it. Consider yourself touched to allow it to sink in. Quit your tents. Soar.

I received my cd this morning and I'm afraid I'm already wearing it out. I love this cd. I was almost afraid to order it after reading some of the other reviews, but I decided to check it out anyway. Another reviewer described this cd as "not as good" as some of her others. I think it would be more accurate to say that it's not the *SAME* as the others. It's a beautiful cd, her voice is captivating. Ms. Gerrard conveys so much feeling, so much heart, so much soul, with her voice. It's hard to describe, but I'm sure you know what I mean. When I hear her voice, it doesn't matter where I am...I'm instantly taken to another world. Another time. A place of peace. Can't we all use a little? I'm not going to tell you that you won't be disappointed--you'll make that decision yourself. But, I will say, if you are a fan--order the cd. I'm sOo glad I did!

I bought this album a few months ago, and I cannot stop listening to it. To call it beautiful or relaxing does not do justice to it. It is lush, moving, hypnotic, even funereal (at first). I've have heard albums by Dead Can Dance, Lisa Gerrard's solo work, and Patrick Cassidy's Children of Lil. None of these is nearly as beautiful or appealing to me. It's true that there is a uniformity to the album's songs, but that is a good thing in my book, as the music flows effortlesly from one piece to the next. Those reviewers who were hoping for a musical Big Top might be better served listening to a Pottery Barn CD. Personally, I hope Lisa Gerrard and Patrick Cassidy make 6 more albums just like this one.

Ever want a space -- a perfectly safe and safely perfect space -- in which any thought, feeling, desire might purely suspend itself in grace? Ever simply want something that would take the chatter and give it back as stillness? Ever need to laugh and to weep at once? Relax and attune yourself to its opening chords and prepare yourself for an allegory of life, your life with all of its loves and slights and presents. Make ready your way for gratitude. I've given this to every person I love.

Lisa Gerrard's new album is quite a departure from her other two solo albums (Duality and The Mirror Pool). For one, Immortal Memory is much more of a string-based work (no doubt due to Patrick Cassidy's involvement). Many of these songs are more Celtic/Soundtrack-y/ecclesiastical in sound as opposed to Middle Eastern. Not that this is a bad thing!! In fact, Immortal Memory is more serene and meditative than the other two albums and the melodies are actually more listenable. The majesty evoked by the songs on this album is hard to describe. Lisa's voice is so primal and "holy" that to hear it is almost gut-wrenching. Although Dead can Dance was innovative and had some brilliant stuff, I really like the direction Lisa's taken as a solo artist. Her music is more mature and nuanced (and less creepy) than DCD's music.

I am totally floored by this album and would recommend it to anyone who wants to hear evocative and timeless music. This music sounds like it comes from some other realm. Fans of soundtrack music (like LOTR, Gladiator, or Braveheart) will appreciate this. Another ace in the hole for Lisa.

The latest work my Lisa Gerrard is definitely a departure from previous works and perhaps is greatly influenced by Mel's new movie, "The Passion of the Christ". To sum up, the recording is HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL. If ever there was the voice of an angel brought to this earth to sooth man's soul, it is that of Gerrard's. It is indeed ethereal and tends to certainly lend one to introspection. It is food for the soul..........

Let me just say this album is a beauty the long wait was worth a lot
Lisa has gone in a different direction and this is amazing,

1, the song of amergin-the song starts with a sound so chilling and some dark layered strings swirl around this chilling sound and then just strings playing a creepy melody
It makes u feel u have been dropped onto a war zone battle field,
Then it silence's a bit to u hear the chilling singing in Gaelic by Lisa gerrard the strings become like the spirits off the battle field and Lisa sings like she is seeing this emotional blood shed its so haunting brings tears to my eyes the drum loops are so beautifully done .

2, maranatha (come lord)-the song starts with layered voices chanting slowly maranatha yes the voices are Lisa Gerrard's its like the aftermath off a battle war and when her voice slowly brews in so angelically its like the smoky black sunset clouds drift apart while a shining light beams down on all the dead souls and this immortal angel being carrying them up to heaven

3, Amergin's invocation-this song starts with a haunting orchestra
Playing, the mood makes u feel you're on a big ship with the wind blowing around
A beat off a drum sounds faintly in the background its so beautiful then gently Lisa comes in that it brings u to tears the way she does it she sings this one with such beauty the song makes u think of the ship sailing away from a land being burned away from the battle and the person who is singing is feeling the emotional effect.

4, elegy -this song starts with a faint string rising faintly then an angelic beauty spreads her voice across its like she is singing a lullaby to the lost souls it's a very gentle track it's a song which is a lament in other words. The strings are gorgeous
The song is a gorgeous haunting track on the same track as sanvean but not as operatic, beautiful.

5, sailing to Byzantium-this songs starts with strings lowering and rising I suppose to create the feeling off waves and so beautifully done and so haunting as ever then Lisa's comes rising down over the ship like an angel using her operatic chilling voice to create the lost lands forgotten, her voice in this sends shivers down my back especially how she sings to the stings and drum beats swell with her voice like the waves are huge it's a song about journey but done so achingly haunting .Lisa's voice is amazing in this song as it gently reaches high notes and blows into deep ones like the wind .

6, abwoon (our father)-the song starts with a deep note that rises gently and Lisa's voice comes in as beautiful as ever but using her voice in a different octave and note as Lisa can do, the song makes me picture off a angel holding a dying person in her or his arms and the angel is singing our father in a ancient language the song is so touching that it made me feel I wanted to cry the song is a picture off an emotional scene it gives u that feeling.

7, immortal memory-this starts again with strings this song is a gentle beauty in the same classification as sacrifice from the duality album and sanvean put together
It's not as haunting though but still lush still makes me feel emotional, beautiful

8, paradise lost-this song starts with a similar string effect as the first track then some dark spooky brooding strings swirls around, the music makes u feel like u have travelled back to the land that was destroyed some time later it takes u through the lost paradise and then voices start to swirl around the low tone off the strings like swirling souls giving it a haunting feeling giving u voices passing through the land then its like something changes Lisa swoops into a opera style voice like she cannot believe what happened that day while in the background the swirling sounds are swirling around her voice.

9, I asked for love- a dark string starts this off and suddenly and emotionally Lisa's voice comes in its like Lisa is standing in a her home which has been ruined from the battle looking around it giving her back memories and Lisa is singing these memories in an emotional and haunting way this song made me weep through the whole song so she is making u feel what she is feeling, gorgeous and lush .the backing vocals that Lisa does is so tear jerking.

10, psallit in aure dei-this song is again slightly haunting its like Lisa has just sat down in a abandoned church and is hearing the organ's while strings are swirling around the organ and Lisa is following the organ melody in a haunting way it's a beautiful closing track.