Customer Reviews

Libera Visions

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

 

 

Libera is a wonderful boys choir and in this release their arrangements are adjusted for maturing voices. (Several of the boys have been with the group for at least three CDs!) In past releases, men were included when a 'bottom' was needed to the sound. In this release, Prizeman skillfully arranges the tracks to utilize these lower boy voices to provide the 'bottom' instead, making for a more coherent sound. The new soloists are beautiful, showing the depth of the group. The remake of several earlier released tracks improved them, bringing better balance between the vocal and instrumental. Some of the new songs are appealing, but I did not find myself as transfixed by this CD as I was with 'Free'.

As with all their previous CDs, Libera can always be relied upon to produce a superb musical experience. From the early days in 1988 when they were known as St. Philip's Choir, through to 1998 under the name Angel Voices, and now with the name Libera, they have never failed to produce anything less than sheer perfection.

Despite this CD coming out only a year after their previous best selling CD Free, in 2004, there are new soloists yet the familiar distinctive Libera sound is still evident. This CD has slightly less use of lower voices and electronic accompaniment than Free but it is just as excellent. Michael Horncastle, Conor O'Donnell, Tom Cully and James Vereycken provide some excellent solo tracks and others help provide duets - Joseph Sanders-Wilde and Callum Payne. Some of the tracks are new compositions and arrangements by choirmaster Robert Prizeman, the best of which include Wings of a Dove [ not to be confused with the traditional O for the wings of a dove ], Locus Iste, Recordare and Always With You. Older familiar Prizeman compositions are heard again here but with the new voices, they are just as welcome as the first time round - eg Libera and Sing for Ever.

Buy this CD if you wish to hear the highest quality music performed by such talented, experienced youngsters.

This is Libera's 4th album and I believe that it is one of the best, included on the disk is a video, and some of the best "terbie" music i have ever heard!

The boys who make up the vocal band Libera have been described as "normal" and "ordinary". However, as their recordings and performances demonstrate, the music they produce is truly extraordinary. With shimmering, mystical chords and ecstatic harmonies, they are unlike any other group you have ever heard. At times plaintive, at others climactic and transcendent. These are truly sounds to lift the soul. Celestial sounds for a new time.

Exquisite is the only way to describe these young boys voices. The selections and arrangements from beginning to end are unique, so beautifully done and have an other-worldly quality to them. Put aside everything while you listen, you'll think you're not far from heaven. We Are the Lost will bring tears to your eyes and Abide With Me is by far the most moving version I have ever heard. The words to all are included in the booklet. Buy this one, you'll keep it forever.

I love this CD! I can listen to it over and over. I first heard it on a flight to China, and couldn't wait to get on the return flight home a couple of weeks later so I could hear it again. In fact, while I was in China, I got on line and ordered it, and it was waiting for me when I got home. Outstanding vocals and great music combine to create a mood that's difficult to describe, you just have to hear it to believe it. Truly amazing.

It's no wonder LIBERA has, and continues to, attract a loyal following! Producer, Director, Conductor and Lyricist Robert Prizeman consistently brings out the best in his talented young vocalists. Libera's 2005 release, LIBERA VISIONS shows what can happen when kids know their creativity and talent is appreciated, and their efforts are nurtured along with respect and attention to detail. These boys have perfect enunciation, and their vocalizations are seamless.

LIBERA VISIONS opens with the reflective "Locus Iste (Sanctus)", set to the timeless melody of Pachelbel's Canon. The harmonies and phrasing are precise, tonally impeccable, and the spirit in each voice is witness to the awe God inspires in all of us. (If you happen to have Libera's "Luminosa" c.d., compare the "Locus Iste (Sanctus)" to the delightful, lush "Sanctus II" which is also set to the Pachelbel Canon. The former is beautifully reflective, while the latter is delightfully and unabashedly unbridled joy!)

"Sempiterna" is one of those rare melodic feasts that stays with you forever from the very first listen. The voices again are perfect in every way, and Prizeman's orchestral arrangement complements the verse without overpowering those beautiful voices and the ethereal solos by Joseph Sanders-Wilde and Tom Cully. A true masterpiece!

"Recordare" is hauntingly powerful and exquisitely layered, taking advantage of the best each voice has to offer. Soloists Conor O'Donnell and Joseph Sanders-Wilde lend a special intimacy and courageousness to this piece with their unique in the moment delivery of the despondency underlying the plea for mercy in the prayer. This emotional work will have you pressing the "replay" button to examine each unique layer for the treasures within.

"Wings of a Dove" - a wistful flight of imagination, the longing to escape the madness of the world - it makes you feel as if you are indeed flying. The ending is a kick; it evokes the vision of one little bird that is so caught up in the joy of the moment, that it lags behind the soaring flock. As it realizes the rest of the gang has flown far ahead, he calls out, "Hey, guys! Wait for me!"

On "We Are the Lost," the vocal talents of soloists Michael Horncastle and Tom Cully capture the forlornness of senseless loss that is war, yet evoke the hope beneath the commitment to sacrifice for all that is good and right.

"Abide With Me" is a classic performed with the reverence it was meant to evoke (James Vereycken, soloist), and "Sing Forever" a gentle promise, Prizeman's sincere lyrics made all the more poignant by the joyfully tender nuance of soloist Michael Horncastle.

I wish I could comment here on each song, but to save space, opted to highlight only what I consider the extraordinary in this collection. But, heck - it's all good.

Yes, LIBERAVISIONS does contain material that has been performed again on subsequent Libera c.d.s, ("Libera," "Ave Maria," "Prayer," and "Abide With Me,") but keep in mind the vocalists/soloists are different on each recording. If you have any of their other releases, please compare each version with an attentive listening... there is a difference! All stand on their own merit.

I appreciate the detail given to the liner notes. On one page is a list of songs with the soloists noted; another section gives the lyrics to each song (along with other info), which is very helpful, especially when it comes to the Latin. You can always amaze your friends with all the beautiful Latin you have learned from these lyrics! The final pages of the liner notes credits the men and women (and some children) who have contributed in all other capacities to this work; also each boy who lends his voice to this recording is listed. Purchasers of other Libera c.d.s will recognize the names of those who are still performing with Libera in 2009.

Why should you buy this album? Because of the sheer joy it will bring you! Because Libera is unique!

AND... because... Even though this world is a mess, Libera reminds us of the beauty that thrives nonetheless in innocence, hope, grace, humility, and the undying faith in (and reliance on) something greater than ourselves.

"Our light be yours..."

This music is unbelievable! You can listen to it over and over and still want more. In extreme stress situations (like commuting) it has a great calming affect. I wish this group toured the U.S. sometime!

This is one of the, if not the best, boy choirs in the world. Their angelic voices and heart-felt music is simply a perfect guide for my choir students' voice technique and listening skills. Thank you Libera for your beautiful voices and music.

It's nice, but not so magnificient as their last album... This is for Libera fans (like me) that won't miss a thing about them, even if some songs are re-arranged, repeated or remixed or whatever that means the same. The boys are awesome, as always, but this lacks something... Don't know quite good what it is (I've been playing the dics lately to get a hold on it, and couldn't by some reason)... Anyway, a good buy for rookies ;-)

As always, Libera takes me to another world with their other-worldly music and amazing harmonies. I can't get enough Libera!!! Highly recommend it.