Customer Reviews

James Redfield's The Celestine Prophecy: A Musical Voyage

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Already having enjoyed "Enchanting Nature" for many years I finally searched and successfully bought a copy of "The Celestine Prophecy" on December 1, 2005 after years of searching for it and I want to say that the long search paid off. "The Celestine Prophecy" is a stunningly beautiful, soulful collection of twelve songs, all of which are gorgeous in their own right.

Taken as inspiration from a novel by someone named James Redfield, "Celestine Prophecy" is a very exotic album and much more sophisticated than his earlier solo works although it took a lot longer to get into. Some of these pieces have a sort of progressive nature to them due to the morphing changes in melody that make them almost like several songs in one. The opening track is an example which starts with a dramatic, almost serious tone with Central American drums, a frantic rhythm before gradually slowing down at first before becoming a beautiful, peaceful track of almost a totally different mood altogether in the last two-thirds. I at first thought this was actually two tracks but I was wrong but wow, it is a classic!

While the Redfield book itself is not really necessary to read in order to appreciate this music, a familiarity with the book will enhance one's listening experience. Personally, I found the book somewhat simplistic and underwhelming. However, Franke has taken some of the themes and images from this book and woven a magical electronic suite of great beauty. The book itself will take you only so far; this music will take you the rest of the way. Indeed, this music is so original and richly spiritual that the book becomes a commentary on the music, rather than the other way around.

You can listen to this music hundreds of times, and not get tired of it. It is truly inspired. It's not only Franke's best work, but it is also one of the best new age albums ever released. Don't deny yourself the experience of this great spiritual journey!

I loved this cd so much that I wore it out and had to buy a second one. My favorite music was number six, it is the only one with some words in it. If you like new age music and are into meditation this is a definate must.

Christopher Franke is a very effective soundtrack composer, probably best known for his music for the TV series Babylon 5 and Walker, Texas Ranger. Before moving to the United States, he had been an influential member of the electronic music group Tangerine Dream for 18 years. They were for a while on the avante garde of new electronic music. But ... you've got to admit that Christopher Franke in particular has swerved in completely the opposite direction. The Celestine Prophecy is based on James Redfield's book of the same name. It contains soothing atmospherics and samples of exotic instruments, and is very accessible. It sounds like the best of any new age music on recording today. This is probably his finest independant record (that is, not with Tangerine Dream or for a film). You can say it's a soundtrack, in a loose sort of sense, but it's really one of those "inspired by ..." deals. However, it's probably the most deep, thoughtful and complex music he's ever written.

If you do yoga and if you feel like understanding more about your past and present ..if you want to listen to yourself and to your intuitions follow this heavenly music and it will be your truthful guide.My favorite part is Scene at crossroads which always makes me feel happy and more optimistic as for the coming day.Listen and fly...

Based on the other reviews, I figured I would enjoy this cd. I was wrong. I found this to be very, very annoying to listen to. I tried, I really did. Suffered listening to it twice, thinking it might grow on me. It did, like cancer. It is a combo of asian/african/island music all wrapped into one, with annoying background vocals on several tracks. I could never see anybody meditating or even relaxing to this. Then again, everybody is different. To each their own. This was not for me, and I could never recommend it. I'll stick to my sounds of nature cds.

Like with the movie, I had very high expectations about the music, but there again: my highest expectations were not only met, but even better than that. Please please keep on composing music like that, thanks,

Ingrid

I love Christopher Franke's Babylon 5 music, so I was expecting this to be good. I bought this CD based on other buyers' reviews. The music on this CD sounds like a soundtrack to a Hollywood movie, rather than something like peaceful music. I felt nothing particularly uplifting about this music.

This music is full of life, full of the primitive voice from the soul. Yes, it's new age, but it eloquently touches and stirs up feelings and yearnings from deep within. My favorite for two years. It diverts me from the bustles and rambles of city life and brings me to a dimension of primitiveness, eloquency, and mother nature.

This is a wonderful CD which creates a feeling of a relaxed and many-faceted musical journey of the imagination. Perhaps we are journeying through a Peruvian jungle, being drawn by rich pan flute, vocals and percusion sounds. The CD has an integrated quality, yet each track is interesting on its own. I have listened to this CD at least 100 times, and still find more to love in it.