Customer Reviews

Masters of Chant

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Pay no attention to the review by Rhythm Magazine. This guy obviously has no taste, and certainly no ear for good music. Take it from someone who mostly listens to thrash, rock, classic rock, and the like, this CD is a pure work of art. The haunting melodies introduced to songs like Nothing Else Matters and Losing My Religion are breathtakingly beautiful. Trust me on this: you can NOT go wrong on this CD. I only wish there was an option for 6 stars in these reviews.

A pleasant surprise,and its turned out to be one of my favorite CD's-I love the gregorain chant and bringing it to modern tunes is just lovely-I'll be buying all their CD's!

If you like Enigma, you'll like this. It has Gregorian chants, synthesizers, that techno beat, and popular rock tunes. The chanting is well done and blends in surprisingly enough with the modern beat. Songs include Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence", "Scarborough Fair", and U-2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." For me personally, the best thing on the CD was the adaptation of Peter Gabriel's "Don't Give Up" with the chanters singing in counterpart to Sarah Brightman. Just when you thought nothing new could be done with an old musical medium, this CD shows up to prove you wrong. Hopefully, we'll get a sequel from these guys.

Contrary to the opinion of Rhythm Magazine's Editorial, I, as do many others, find this to be a refreshing idea taking popular songs and mixing them with the Gregorian flavor. A must for those who love both popular music and Gregorian chant. It's absolutely phenomenal!!! Buy it!!! You won't be disappointed!!!

Do modern songs work well with gregorian sound? oh yeah. Most haunting of the songs for me is Tears in Heaven. The melody and delivery stayed with me, and I found I wanted to hear the song again and again. I wanted more, so I found their Chapter II CD. It is even more enticing. The track Hymn is perfectly wonderful. I'm not much on religion, but this peaceful blend with just the right mix of music was peaceful and inspiring.

It's a great mixture of "classical" chanting of monks and modern electronic music that brings a real pleasure of meditational compositions that sometimes are called "new age", sometimes "pure moods". If you know Enigma's song "Sadness" from the first album with that type of monks' chanting - that's what Gregorian music sounds like. I also think their versions of a few famous songs are great as they bring a new, fresh interpretation.

I became interested in alternative music after purchasing a Pure Moods CD and Enigma. The chants on this CD will make your hair stand up on end! This is a very relaxing CD. Definately worth a listen.