Customer Reviews

Miriam

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Having been a long-time listener to Adiemus(I, II, and III), I have come to enjoy Miriam Stockley's mystcial and magical voice. But it wasn't until the release of her debut solo CD that I truly appreciated her as a 'singer', a lyricist, and a composer. Those fans of Adiemus expecting to hear more of the same will be surprised. This CD has little, if any, of Karl Jenkins' influence and is all Miriam. Her voice is pure and melodic, and her lyrics find meaning for everyone, I am sure. This is a recording that one will listen to again and again, and never tire of it. If you appreciate Annie Haslam, Enya, Maire Brennan, and other 'superior' female vocalists, then you will enjoy 'Miriam'. It is an outstanding first release and I hope the second is not far behind.

Rarely do I purchase a CD that leaves me slack-jawed with speechless astonishment; this is definitely one of them! Miriam has joined the rarified ranks of such angelic female vocalists as Enya, Maire Brennan, Happy Rhodes, Loreena McKennit, Kate Bush, Annie Haslam, Lisa Gerrard, Mary Fahl (October Project), Ali Azzam ,Elizabeth Fraser, and Dadawa. This heart-rendingly beautiful album is alternately swinging(Uku'Lela), haunting (Arcadia, Innocents) ,mystical (Domini) and a hundred other feelings. She has taken a quantum leap from the beautiful but stylisticaly restrained work of Adiemus into a world of African rythyms, lullabies, Gregorian chants, and unbearably lush harmonies and orchestral backrounds. Indeed, Miriam is truly a butterfly taking wing and soaring to heights where few are found. May there be more such efforts from her.

I was a fan of Miriam Stockley from the Adiemus series, but wasn't sure if I should buy this solo effort. If you find yourself having the same dilemma, dear reader, do not hesitate - BUY THIS CD NOW!

Far from being "Adiemus Lite," this is a magnificent CD which, if anything, overshadows that series. The symphonic orchestration is lush and wonderfully recorded. And that voice - my God, Miriam Stockley transports me to another world whenever I play this album. It is by turns relaxing, ethereal, moving, magical, and transcendent.

Of course, her many-layered vocals are impeccably recorded, and the World Music influence characteristic of her Adiemus work is well represented.

This isn't just a CD - it's a gorgeous emotional journey.

One reviewer stated, "Those fans of Adiemus expecting to hear more of the same will be surprised. This CD has little, if any, of Karl Jenkins' influence and is all Miriam." With those words in mind, I wasn't sure I would be buying this CD at first...But taking a chance that all the positive reviews already made on this CD couldn't be off the mark, I went ahead and ordered it.... And now I can say, I agree...I was surprised...pleasantly surprised. However-neither was this old Adiemus fan at all dissappointed in this collection of songs filled with the Voice that is, and always will be, an integral part of the Adiemus sound. Yes there are wonderful selections far removed from those on any of the three Karl Jenkins offerings ("Arcadia", for instance)....but there is still a generous helping of the type of melodies and rhythyms ("Homeland") that have made the three Adiemus CDs some of the most listened to in my collection. This CD will not disappoint, whether you are an Adiemus lover or not. I have already played it more times than I can count, by itself as well as shuffling it in with one or two of the Jenkins CDs, and I haven't grown tired of it yet! My guess is that you won't either!

Every year I seem to find one artist or music contribution that really touches me emotionally. Miriam by Miriam Stockley is hands down my choice of the year. This is not a piece of music to dance to, this is music to listen to and make peace with whatever you need to make peace with. I have read reviews that compare Miriam to Enya and other new age artists and for sake of argument, she lends some comparison to these people in order to at least create some perception in your mind what and who she sounds like. But her music is more pure, more vocal, more harmonious and more worldly than most artists in this category of music. Her voice is magnificient and does not require electronic enhancement to enjoy. I describe Homeland, the last song on the album and my favorite, as African rooted with Celtic overtones and people look at me confused until I play the album and win another fan. All I can say is....incredible writing, great producing on all songs and harmony that will grab you emotionally, from new arrangements of Peter Gabiel's Mercy Street to Uku' Lela. Trust me, if you like really good listening music, from Andrea Bocelli to Enya or Yanni to Secret Garden....this is it for this year.

Move over Barbara, Celine, Sarah, Aretha, Roberta, Enya, Loreena McKennit and Chrissy Hynde. Someone has a better voice than all of you combined.

Miriam Stockley is truly a phenomenon. She has managed to create a recorded world of 12 plus songs that not only accent her incredible abilities as a vocalist, but stand on their own as works of art.

Each of the pieces are constructed with textured and layered voicing that serve to haunt the listener. Since I am constrained by the number of words and the present time limitations (I am on a library computer), I will not go into details at the moment. BUT

This CD is a MUST for all serious music fans.

No kidding. BUY it and do yourself a favor, listen to it with headphones and don't let anyone distract you. SEnd your kids to bed, turn off your television and listen. IF you don't fall in love, e-mail me. I'll refund your money. (well, maybe not).

Words can't describe this album. It is of course the best cd i have listened to so far. the one thing that does describe the cd is that it is very diverse. miriam blended in some enya and barbra streisand, i was surprised by listening to the last 2 tracks that it also has african and celtic sounds. i love uk'lela and homeland and also mercy street. i wont stop listening to those songs. truly the best. i think i might have to move away from enya for awhile, until she comes back with a hot new album.

Miriam Stockley has probably one of the most beautiful voices that I've ever heard. I was first introduced to this magnificant lady with the Adiemus albums, and then on her "Praise" effort (which is now sadly unavailable). Her solo effort on "Miriam" surpasses all that she has done so far in excellence and beauty. This is absolutely a must-have CD.

I just got this CD today and am listening for the first time. I find it very soothing, but also has the ability to take me someplace else...she is from South Africa and those overtones are evident in a great way. There is also the ethnic-Jewish "The Innocents," which made me feel like I was listening to the soudntrack of a great Holocaust film. A couple of track have some Celtic hints. Also, it stuck me that her voice is somewhat reminiscent of Karen Carpenter's in smoothness and range. This stuff is making me want to take a trip to South Africa...It's a shame that one really has to dig to discover gems like this.

The lead singer of Adiemus... after this CD, she may never go back. Although I enjoy Adiemus' sound, this work far exceeds it in both beauty and sophistication.

The selection of songs is outstanding. If Peter Gabriel had realized how impressive her rendition of "Mercy Street" was going to be I doubt that he would have given permission to use it ;-) Miriam wrote or cowrote 9 of the cuts... this is also impressive. Perhaps the best accomplishment was the merging of the voice with the mood of the pieces (as in "Song of the Seahorse").

Occasionally, Miriam slips into the nasal presentation of Adiemus', which should be avoided in future works, but it takes very little from the work. Should be in everyone's collection.