Customer Reviews

Mystic Traveler - The Journey

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Incredible CD. Really. If you want to take an international journey without artificial assistance (except your sound system), this album provides the trip. I was given this album several years ago by someone who doesn't like "new age" music. Yet, I would not classify this work in that category. I have only listened to the soundbites, provided by Amazon, to compare this album with Chris' other works. It is not the same. This is one of the best albums I own. When I am upset, cannot sleep or just need to change the subject in my head's jibberish--it's the only thing that works for me. Thanks Chris.

As a travel writer, I've been enchanted by the music and spiritual ambience of places outside our normal range of experience in the US. This CD brings back all the mystery of the world's most enigmatic sites, from Kathmandu to Cairo, Spitsbergen to Patagonia, Hanoi to Nuku'alofa, and Jaisalmer to Moorea. It's a treasure.

This release from Chris Spheeris is one of the best. It is a spiritual journey around the world using many traditional instruments, chants, song & prayer blended with Chris's original rhythms. I find it not only relaxing, but very hypnotic, its rhythms touch the soul.

This CD is awesome! What a mystical experience. Perfect for relaxing to, reading to, doing Tarot to, doing ritual to, or just meditating to! It's going to be hard to find a CD that tops this one.

This cd ranks very highly as one of Chris' best works to date and receives my highest recommendation! The sounds, both vocal and instrumental, are soothing to the mind as well as the soul. Images of ancient temples will come to mind as you sit back and 'feel' the music.

This is the kind of music that shows Chris Spheeris as being more than just a New Age artist but a visionary who is a master of thematic music. Each of the select tracks tells a story and you can imagine travelling to these various realms- hence the title "Mystic Traveller". The beauty about each track is that exotic sounds, and real-life episodes help create an adventure that seems to take you on a journey far far away. From South America to China, to the Middle East, the Americas etc, one gets the feeling that this is an extraordinary soundtrack to an extraordinary adventure.

This music is best experienced through a good stereo system, as the sound is very well-recorded- spatial cues, instrument timbre, and tonality is right in your face, as if you were really there! This music is best enjoyed on a good stereo system as it is very well recorded- instrumental timbre, tonality, spatial cues are clearly delineated- the imaging is very wide and deep- almost like you are right there.

To the previous reviewer, your review and even your comments shows how much more research you need to do before posting a review even though it is a matter of personal opinion. Here's why: 1/ Trying to compare this CD to "Dancing with the Muse" or any of his other CDs is unfair because this album is indeed taken from the "Mystic Lands" documentary series on the Discovery Network. Thus, the music has to follow a theme according to the program- no techno rhythm like "Dancing with the Muse" etc. Hence each track blends into the next with the sounds and music of whatever the focus happens to be on. The music is not supposed to be taken one track at a time but as a complete album- much like a concept album. 2/ If Chris Spheeris composes in the same style over and over again, it would be quite boring. This album shows another side of him- that as a composer who understands thematic and visual film-making. Chris is extremely versatile and is able to integrate various musical styles into his work. The purpose of this album is to provide an exotic musical experience that draws one to the various landscapes such as each title suggests: eg. Kingdom of the Clouds, Island of 1000 Temples etc. Chris succeeds admirably, and there is a touch of Kitaro, and Vangelis in this music that will please all who enjoys exotic themes.

I've most of Chris Spheeris music. I love 'Kingdom In the Clouds' and all of his other solo pieces. His music is the doorway to my world of creativity and inspiration to create/design beautiful accessories and abstract art. Chris, thank you!

My first exposure to the music of Chris Spheeris was through Dances with the Muse: WOW! Each song was like a feast for my soul (OK, a little exaggerationg there, but you get the point). So naturally, I wanted more. I listened to the snippets online and thought this CD might be just as good. Nope. I felt like I was trying to reach 5th gear but only got to well.. 2nd.

There are others out there who love it, and to them: glad you bought it. As for me... I no longer own one. I'm going to try his other CDs.

And if you are wondering whether to ignore me or take my comments to heart, I also like "The Best of Amr Diab" by Amr Diab, "Alegria" 'by' Cirque du Soleil, "Choice Languages" by Capercaille, and "Karma" by Delirium.

Pretty disappointing considering some of his earlier work, especially his collaborations with Paul Voudouris. I guess it's an attempt at a more ethnic style of new age music, but he has done much better.