Light of the Spirit [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Kitaro | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 17, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Domo Records
• ASIN: B000005WOI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,584 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Co-produced by Grateful Dead drummer, Mickey Hart, The Light of the Spirit blends cinematic melodies and images from nature to explore spiritual aspects of the life cycle. Featuring an ensemble of musicians and digitally remastered tracks, The Light of the Spirit is an enthralling exploration of melodic imagery and includes the Grammy nominated song, ‘The Field’.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Good Stuff Is Always At the Bottom Of The Pile, April 2, 2004

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Light of the Spirit (Audio CD)

I probably own a good deal more Kitaro than I should, but I have never been able to keep from buying discs I haven't seen before when they show up on the resale tables. The unfortunate result is that, other than a few favorites (and a few I can't stand) I really don't have a clear idea of what I've got. The Light Of The Spirit is such a case in point. I bought it about 10 years ago, probably listened to it twice and then forgot it. Now, 17 years after it was issued, I've been listening to it and wondering how I could have let it gather so much dust.

The Light Of The Spirit is a 'project' disc, composed and performed as a unit by Kitaro and a large group of fellow musicians. As the title suggests it is more or less metaphysical in content and theme. I was originally tempted to describe the style as 'typical' Kitaro, when I suddenly realized that in 1987 Kitaro was style quite a ways from having a typical streak.

In any case it is primarily electronic with enough acoustic fusion elements to keep it from being all out space music. Kitaro has a knack for creating long drawn out melodies that are easily accessible but which never quite cross the fine line into bubblegum. In this album a lot of thought has gone into the composition and arrangement - kind of a cross between meditation and mentation.

There are a few exceptions to the general trend, notably the title song, which combines voice, guitar, and Kitaro's inevitable theramin to produce something quite special. Another is In The Beginning, which, once you get past the initial ocean effects turns into something like a new age march to glory. Hard to describe, but great fun to audition.

I like this album more than I do Silk Road, probably because the latter has been played, arranged, and orchestrated to death. In addition, The Light Of The Spirit is a surprisingly upbeat album. We a acculturated to think that spirituality is dry stuff, but Kitaro pays little heed to the commonplace. Once could almost have named this album 'Toe Tapping The Way To Nirvana.' Okay, I'm being silly. But this really is one of Kitaro's better efforts.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard on the eyes, easy on the ears, September 30, 2003

By 

SandyWells "sandywells" (Galveston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light of the Spirit (Audio CD)

If you've never seen him live, be prepared for his urchin appearance, and if you've never heard him, be ready for a multilayered musical kaleidescopal experience. His music reminds me of running through the Japanese gardens in Fort Worth, Texas at the Botanical Gardens Arboretum. I am back at that place everytime I listen to Kitaro and I also begin to search for 106.1 "Theee Oasis" on the radio with such personalities as Charlie Jones, Janel, and Tempe Lindsey. Ah, those were the days. But it's so nice to have Kitaro anytime you need that Asian fix. A true master.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A meditational journey, January 10, 2004

By 

Micquan (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light of the Spirit (Audio CD)

I just gotta say I love the whole album but one song in particular stimulates the depths of my soul every time my mind hears it and that song is "THE FIELD". Please do your spiritual essence a favor and feed your mind music that is worth feeding!!! You will be glad you did when you see the results of this music and meditation combined!!!PEACE.