Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A few addictive tunes, June 29, 2002
The first track of this CD has been haunting me for days now since I've bought this disc. Out of the blue it will pop into my head and refuse to leave until I listen to it again.
It's a good New Age-y type disc, and all of the tunes are extremely pleasing to the ear and inoffensive, perhaps bordering occasionally on repetitive in sound quality. The disc covers the best of three different Adiemus CD's, with 6 tracks from each disc plus a remake of the first tune which is basically just more heavily orchestrated. The strongest material seems to come mostly from the third part of the disc, but I do have some favorites from each section. I feel the strongest tracks are: Adiemus, Cantilena, Cantus II, Chorale VI, Rain Dance, and A Viennese Waltz. I consider these the strongest because they demonstrate the most well-rounded compositions that have lots of variety within themselves. The vocalists sing mostly in a flat, non-vibrated sound that reminds me of the Bulgarian Women's choirs or the Polynesian Hymns.The only complaints I have about this listening experience are: 1) the occasional orchestration that borders on cheesy/corny or overbearing (for example the 12th track has a big horn section blowing a James Bond-style interval).
2) the occasional repetition of exact material (#'s6 and 12 contain the exact same vocal lick, and 18 comes close--perhaps it's a signature for each disc)
3) the proliferation of the vowel sound Ah. At least 13 of the 19 tracks have vocal lines made up mostly of Ah's. Since there are no lyrics included in the jacket, I wrote down some approximations: #3 AyaKayaManaYaTaYeyGaYa, #7 Asamalazaba/ahnamatakisa, #8 AsaMakumAhYah etc. etc. After awhile the voices begin to grate.
4) Jenkins tends to use the same harmonic colors/motion over and over again. The disc is well balanced for style, though, with a nice mix of slow to fast tunes, time signatures, and size of ensemble--some smaller "chamber"-like tunes juxtaposed with large size gonzo works. And I must add that despite the minor complaints I have about this disk, it has not left my CD player's general rotation in over three months, and it's almost impossible not to feel good while you're listening to it. I can't remember the last time I was able to listen to a single CD this much.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Original and entrancing!, December 7, 2002
This recording, combining selections from "Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary", "Adiemus II: Cantata Mundi" and "Adiemus III: Dances of Time", is powerful, moving and utterly fascinating. In the uniquely compelling music of Adiemus, the female voice becomes a true instrument, with the freedom to use vowel and consonance as pure sound, unrestricted by verbal meaning. Miriam Stockley and a sextet of female vocalists sing the whimsical, wordless phonetics of composer/director Karl Jenkins, backed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the electro-acoustic percussion of Jody Jenkins, and recorder solos by Pamela Thorby (of the Palladian Ensemble). Karl Jenkins' wonderful compositions are difficult to categorize, but in addition to close harmonies and distinctly modern choral and orchestral sensibilities, there are strong shades of the vocal and percussive celebrations found in the music of Africa and the Pacific islands. The selections are generally cheerful and upbeat, and at all times enthusiastically sung. This is a group you really have to hear! Come along and join their celebration of life and the human spirit!
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Introduction to Adiemus, March 27, 2001
I was first exposed to Adiemus by a coworker who brought "Songs of Sanctuary" to work one day. I subsequently went to buy that disc but discovered this one and bought it instead. This disc more than twice as long as "Sanctuary" and is supposed to contain their best work, so I figured I would try it out. I was not disappointed. I am a new age music fan, and this is a unique new age group. Using voice as another instrument, the Adiemus singers offer fascinating lyrical and melodic textures to these songs, which are backed by orchestral arrangements and other ethnic sounds. I have played this disc for friends who usually believe the singers are singing in an African language. In fact, it seems that Karl Jenkins composed this music in an effort to bring eclectic musical flavors together in a sort of musical fusion. There are ethnic rhythyms, chants, classical influences, soaring vocal arrangements, a variety of instruments, and light to heavy beats laced throughout this music. This music is fascinating to hear. The listener can become mesmerized by the intricate sounds and musical landscapes presented by Karl Jenkins and his performers. This is the kind of disc you play loud on high-quality speakers so that you don't miss anything. Or this disc is also an excellent selection to be played softly as background music during a social gathering. You are guaranteed to receive inquiries from people about the music because of its originality.
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