Customer Reviews

Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is a breath of fresh air for music. The Ahns having done a great job of expanding the works of piano trios beyond traditional music styles played by other trios. One shouldn't classify them as "classical" or "chamber," as their music is as unique as each sister. Their collaborative partners on this CD, as well as the beautiful work of Kenji Bunch, expands the boundaries of music many others have not explored in the past. Do yourself a favor and hear this music in live performance when the Ahn Trio is out on tour.

The last album by the talented - not to mention gorgeous - Ahn Trio seems to have been released almost a decade ago. Actually it wasn't that far back (they aren't THAT old!) but it has been about FIVE years since Groovebox introduced them to me. Since then I've been a huge fan and anxiously awaited the next disc. While Groovebox was great, it wasn't a CD I'd return to weekly, or even monthly.

Then, last week, their new CD on Sony BMG arrived and I was in heaven! This album has been in my CD player almost constantly. Great over breakfast and wonderful before I go to sleep! Talk about crossover! There's Rodgers & Hart's "My Funny Valentine", David Bowie's "This Is Not America" and a wonderful new song by Susie Suh ("All I Want") with Suh on vocals! There are two Michael Nyman pieces (including "Heart and Pleasure First" which is the title theme from the film The Piano - the soundtrack of which is a favorite to play when friends come top visit. There are just enough vocals to balance out the album. And let's not forget the four "bonus tracks", all "remixes" of earlier tracks which give each of those compositions a new life.

This is not "new age music" and it's certainly not "classical". I define it as "Ahn Music" - something really special. The disc should broaden the Ahns' fan base considerably.

I only hope it's not another three years before the next CD. And, oh if only they would release a DVD of this material! I've seen them play live and the visual beauty of the three sisters doubles the pleasure of hearing them play.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

AHN TRIO
LULLABY FOR MY FAVORITE INSOMNIAC

The Ahn Trio is comprised of three sisters born in Korea and educated in the U.S.A. at the prestigious Juilliard School. They play piano, violin and cello and their deep-roots in the classical tradition are clearly evident. But consistent with their last two albums, their fifth CD, Lullaby for my Favorite Insomniac (Sony-BMG-RCA), finds them playing everything but traditional classical repertoire. They try their hand at "My Funny Valentine," David Bowie's "This Is Not America," a Brazilian number, a couple of folk songs, and several film themes.

In addition, the Ahn Trio is joined by folk singers, DJ-beat-masters, Czech musicians and even a Korean rapper. The Ahn Trio's instruments stay in the forefront on the first dozen songs, but fade a bit into the background on the four bonus tunes which are remixes of four of the first selections using club beats and grooves. Several of these compositions were covered by the Ahn Trio on previous albums (these are different versions, however). The first three-fourths of the CD comes across (as the title suggests) as a recording of lullabyes and softer songs for dreaming, loving and relaxing, so be prepared the first time the bonus tracks come on because they are much more beat-oriented.

The Ahn Trio must be commended for their continued experimentation. They bring a lot excitement to classical music, which can use some shaking up from time to time. Whether you call it neo-classical, contemporary classical, classical crossover or modern classical, this is some of the best, most refreshing and most invigorating out there.

The new CD from the Ahn Trio is simply amazing. Since I purchased it, I think I have listened to it almost everyday! It is the perfect CD for "challenged relaxation." I am able to have a wonderful listening experience with fabulous music and be relaxed at the same time.

The Korean-born, Julliard-trained Ahn sisters (violinist Angella, pianist Lucia and cellist Marcia) present Lullaby for my Favorite Insomniac, an album that revitalizes common conceptions 21st century classical music with its unique blend of old and new. Incorporating elements of new age, jazz, pop, folk, minimalism, lounge, hip-hop and more into traditional styles, their latest album Lullaby for my Favorite Insomniac transcends barriers as a refreshingly unique creation. The track list (including eight brand-new recordings) is "Dies Irie", "Magic Hour", "My Funny Valentine", "Lullaby for my Favorite Insomniac", "Big My Secret", "All I Want", "Heart Asks Pleasure First", "Dream", "Oblivion", "Song on the Land", "This Is Not America", "Solitary Singer", "Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac (Tao of Sound Remix)", "Song on the Land (DJ Spooky Remix)", "This Is Not America (Superdrive - This Is America Mix)", and "My Funny Valentine (Ra.D - My Funny Baby Mix)". The club remix tracks especially stand out since they are the result of international sound designers working their magic with some of the Ahn sisters' most popular tunes. A rousing tour de force of classical music like never heard before.

I have enjoyed Ahn Trio concerts for many years, and was lucky to have been able to hear several pieces from this disc prior to its release. LULLABY FOR MY FAVORITE INSOMNIAC shows off how versatile the Ahns are as artists, and how versatile and far-reaching their music is. I particularly enjoyed the pieces written for the Trio by the talented composers Kenji Bunch and Ron Yedidia. The title track is terrific! On another note, I have been pleased with how easily this entire collection - especially tracks like "All I Want," their collaboration with pop/rock artist Susie Suh, and DJ Spooky remixes "Heart Asks Pleasure First," and "Song on the Land" - has blended into my itunes playlists containing music from many different generes. This an imaginative collaboration. I admire their dedication to new work and their approach to making classical music accessible. LULLABY FOR MY FAVORITE INSOMNIAC will fit into any music collection.

This recording is a breath of fresh air and beautifully done! I wholeheartedly praise that the trio have made a move to step out of the "safe haven" of traditional classical covers and challenged listeners' expectations through commissioned works and collaborations with DJs. While I can see how some of their interpretations may not agree with classical purists, this is what the Ahn does best and make them shine! The recording is a true bliss and certainly worth every penny. Highly recommended!

Very talented musicians. Really good relaxing music. Some songs are a little different, but overall, very beautiful. (They are awesome in concert).

Ahhh this was my first introduction to the Ahn Trio, and what a trio they are. If you want a CD to listen to while looking out a window on a rainy day, this is it.

This CD is unique; for those who think they don't like classical music, check this out...it's a one-of-a-kind modern take on Piano Trio music with unique and very listenable arrangements. The Ahn sisters are stunning as always in their musicality and play as one instrument. They are sensational in live performance as well!