Customer Reviews

Midnight Clear

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

 

 

May I first address the AMAZON review written by a John Diliberto.

Carly Simon does not appear on Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring or Carol of the Drums
--both songs are wonderful instrumentals.

Mr Vollenweider treats us to stunning interpretations of classic Christmas songs such as The Holly and The Ivy (11th century, France) and Child in a Manger (Gaelic folk song).

He also introduces the uneducated music fan, like myself, to some amazing songs like The Coventry Carol (15th century, England), The Wexford Carol (12th Century, England), Over the Hills and Over the Vale (15th century Italy) and many more...

Andreas and Ms. Simon bring this collection into 2006 and beyond with 4 songs sung by Ms Simon. The classic MIDNIGHT CLEAR (revisited), SUSPENDED NOTE (original), FORGIVE (original) and HYMN TO THE SECRET HEART (original).

This is an album that I will play year round.

It is soothing to my soul.

As a fan of Christmas music in general and harpist Andreas Vollenweider in particular, this new release is a real treat. Over the course of 13 mostly traditional--with some original--songs, Vollenweider's music invokes the feeling of the holidays.

In addition to tracks that date back to the 11th and 12 Centuries ("The Holly and the Ivy" and "The Wexford Carol" respectively), there are four original songs: "Midnight Clear," "Suspended Note," "Forgive" and "Hymn to the Secret Heart," (all composed by Vollenweider, Carly Simon, keyboardist Teese Gohl and sound engineer Jimmy Parr--except for "Forgive," a Vollenweider/Simon collaboration). Simon sings vocals on these four tracks.

Standout tracks are "The Coventry Carol," "What Child Is This?" "Carol of the Drum" and "Child in the Manger." The lyrical quality of Vollenweider's harp playing on these tracks is spellbinding.

Of this project, Vollenweider wrote: "...we are by our nature profoundly spiritual beings, whether we like it or not. We always will be magnetically attracted by the miraculous." The music contained on this album speaks to that sentiment. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Andreas Vollenweider Christmas album. Four words we thought we'd never see together, and yet here it is.

At his website (see the track listing image above for the address), Andreas Vollenweider explains the how and why of a Christmas album from a musician and anti-war proponent who was always more into mysticism than religion. No, he hasn't been baptized but he acknowledges that the underlying spirituality of religion is essential in healing the world's ills and even points to Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount as guidance for all of humanity.

The selections and performances are vibrant testaments of his convictions: a generous helping of traditional carols, a little Papa Bach and a few original works all wrapped up in Vollenweider's trademark electric harp with some Carly Simon vocals. Happily, it sounds like he's kept alive a performance practice that dates back to his earliest works, specifically those lush enveloping bass notes played on the harp at the same time as the melody and harmony.

The titles are better described as inspirations because Vollenweider makes each melody his own. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" becomes a spirited waltz on the harp that veers pleasantly into jazz club improvisation when the clarinet comes in. "The Little Drummer Boy" emerges as "Carol of the Drum" and "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" features a lesser-known melody, neither the traditional nor the occasionally heard "Forest Green." Other surprises include bouncing "The Coventry Carol" back and forth between Mayan flutes and cool jazz.

"Midnight Clear" is a delight and destined to become for this century what the Ray Conniff Singers and Mannheim Steamroller were in the previous. Even more enchanting are the possibilities it opens for future albums. Dare we hope a few of Handel's harp concertos will someday leap from Vollenweider's magical strings?

I just received this today and am having a hard time taking it off the CD player. If you're tired of run-of-the-mill and overblown holiday music then this really is one to get hold of. I'm not really a 'new age' music fan, but this rises above that label. The song selection is a lovely blend of unusual traditional melodies and some original songs. The greatest appeal of the record is in the mood it creates--sustained, warm, intimate yet never dull. This really is a perfect CD for holiday gatherings. Carly Simon's Midnight Clear is a beautiful song, sung with conviction and sensitivity; it would be welcome to hear it on the radio instead of the regular fare that gets rolled out around this time of year. Carly's other contributions lend lyrical and emotional depth to the record. I would highly recommend this one.

Andreas Vollenweider Christmas album. Four words we thought we'd never see together, and yet here it is.

At his website, Andreas Vollenweider explains the how and why of a Christmas album from a musician and anti-war proponent who was always more into mysticism than religion. No, he hasn't been baptized but he acknowledges that the underlying spirituality of religion is essential in healing the world's ills and even points to Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount as guidance for all of humanity.

The selections and performances are vibrant testaments of his convictions: a generous helping of traditional carols, a little Papa Bach and a few original works all wrapped up in Vollenweider's trademark electric harp with some Carly Simon vocals. Happily, it sounds like he's kept alive a performance practice that dates back to his earliest works, specifically those lush enveloping bass notes played on the harp at the same time as the melody and harmony.

The titles are better described as inspirations because Vollenweider makes each melody his own. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" becomes a spirited waltz on the harp that veers pleasantly into jazz club improvisation when the clarinet comes in. "The Little Drummer Boy" emerges as "Carol of the Drum" and "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" features a lesser-known melody, neither the traditional nor the occasionally heard "Forest Green." Other surprises include bouncing "The Coventry Carol" back and forth between Mayan flutes and cool jazz.

"Midnight Clear" is a delight and destined to become for this century what the Ray Conniff Singers and Mannheim Steamroller were in the previous. Even more enchanting are the possibilities it opens for future albums. Dare we hope a few of Handel's harp concertos will someday leap from Vollenweider's magical strings?

I purchased this CD because it has a couple of tracks with vocals by the one and only Carly Simon.
Carly Simon and Andreas have collaberated over many years, and this is the latest one.
Don't be fooled in to thinking though that this is just a Christmas album, because it's certainly not. In fact you can put this on any time of year and it can be played gently in the background to envelope your dinner party guests! The Christmas themes are there, but they are quite subtle (unlike me!).
Andreas plays the harp and if you like to be soothed this will certainly do the trick.
And if you love the timbre of Carly's gorgeous voice, you won't be dissapointed either!

A wonderful collection of music! I played this around my office during the holidays and had numerous requests from passers by who wanted to purchase a copy of their own.

As always, Vollenweider music is completely enchanting and Midnight Clear is exactly that. Such a beautiful collection of old and new holiday music which my husband and I loved so much that we played it more than any other holiday album and will enjoy it all year as well. Thank you, Andreas Vollenweider and all the other members of your group, for giving us such a beautiful musical treasure!

I'm not a fan of the sort of corny and insipid Christmas music that starts blasting at us from all sides earlier every year. I am a big fan of Vollenweider, and one of the things I love about him is his originality. So I cringed last year when I heard he got on the bandwagon and put out a Christmas album. I didn't even listen to it until recently... and wow, was I missing out! Only Vollenweider can make this music so fresh and appealing. Christmas or not, this is just beautiful music.

Very good if you enjoy New Age music. I have been listening to Vollenweider for many years. this CD also has Carly Simon on several numbers.