Masters of Chant

Gregorian | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 19, 2000)
• Label: Edel America
• ASIN: B000056NM8
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,429 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Breathe

2. Make Us One

3. Scarborough Fair

4. Tears In Heaven

5. Still I'm Sad

6. Nothing Else Matters - Gregorian

7. Fade to Grey - Gregorian

8. Vienna

9. Sound Of Silence

10. Don't Give Up

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Medieval, relaxing, beautiful..., January 27, 2006

By 

R. Thomas "Ayla Zelandonii" (South Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Masters of Chant (Audio CD)

When I first got this CD I didn't bother listening to it much because I thought it was slightly pathetic, as in my 13-year-old immature mind, back then music to me wasn't music if it wasn't beat-inspired and/or on the radio.

A very close-minded opinion. However, I finally began to listen to it, probably around the same time that I finally realised that radio music, Britney Spears and Tatu wasn't all it was cracked up to be (in fact, it sucked). So I opened my mind to other, far more satisfying and imaginative melodies (enter Delerium, Enigma, Balligomingo, Dead Can Dance etc), and my Gregorian love affair had begun.

This music is beautiful and awe-inspiring. I don't love every track on it, but many of them deserve honourable mentions. "Still I'm Sad" is my favourite track for it's beautiful melody, dreamy chants and pipes and hugely tragic undertone. It's probably the most medieval track, and the most sorrowful, and brings to mind the Lady of Shalott and other arthurian legends which inevitably ended in tragedy. In a similar vein is "Scarborough Fair" which is lovely but lacks the despairing sadness that appeals so much in "Still I'm Sad". Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence" holds up well 'Gregorianised', once you get past the fact that medieval monks are singing about neon lights and subway walls. "Losing my Religion" I have indeed heard and loved by REM and I can understand why people shy away from it's Gregorian version in disgust, but really, you should give it a go. Gregorian give it a very medieval twist, it's slower and it just fits somehow. Remember, Gregorian only ever choose songs suitable for Gregorian chanting (in a particular note), so "Losing my Religion" was obviously one to fit their style and voices.

Thats not to say that Gregorian don't have their duds. I really disliked "Tears in Heaven", "Fade to Grey", and "Don't Give Up". They just didn't have any spark of interested for me. Of course, the reason behind that is possibly due to the fact that I don't like the original versions of the songs either, so I skip over those songs every time.

This version of Masters of Chant Volume I is not as good as others. Three of my favourite tracks are missing: "Sebastian", "Brothers in Arms" and "Save a Prayer" which are both incredibly other-worldly and tragically beautiful. That's the only reason I'm giving this album 4 stars... it doesn't showcase the first Gregorian CD as it should, with their best songs.

If you can work your way past the contemporary songs sung in medieval chants then you are giving yourself a treat. If not, then it's only you who is missing out, but at the same time, I can't exactly say that I blame you. I beheld the CD with more than a little trepidation at one time as well, but I allowed myself to get past that, and *gasp* dare I say, even to enjoy many of the Gregorian covers far more than the originals. It's a beautiful CD, and while it does have it's low points (or more like, "uninteresting" points), it has enough beautiful, mystical and enchanting melodies to keep any open-minded individual's interest, provided they first give it the chance it deserves.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Music, November 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Masters of Chant (Audio CD)

I found Masters of Chant on the net and listened to them on a lark, and it was one of the best discoveries that I have made. I had been searching for something in music that had depth of feeling and when I played the Sound of Silence it moved my soul. I have introduced others to it and they have all been pleased and, with me, surprised with how obscure the music is. It disappoints me that I have been unable to find Masters of Chant in large record stores. I recommend Masters of Chant to anyone who, like me, is left dissatisfied with the popular music industry.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beware which one you buy!, May 10, 2001

By 

philiciono (Mountain View, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Masters of Chant (Audio CD)

First let me just note: I just love this great synthesis of Gregorian chant, techno synths and rythm. It's just perfect relaxation musical atmosphere.

However! Watch out. There seems to be a great confusion of different compilations now being sold, and not all of them have the best tracks! So please check the track listings very carefully, because the blurb, pictures, etc, all look pretty much the same.

My must have tracks for Masters of Chant include (in order of preference):

1. Nothing else matters 2. Losing my religion 3. Don't give up 4. Sounds of silence 5. Scarborough fair

Note that this particular CD misses out the two best tracks. Get Masters of Chant, but DON'T get this one, get one of the other compilations. You'll be much better satisfied.