Customer Reviews

New Dawn

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Apparently the US release of "New Dawn" was delayed significantly. After waiting several weeks for the Amazon US release, I was fortunate enough to procure a copy while driving through Canada on my way home from a Libera concert.

While some of the previous Libera recordings contained new versions of works they had previously recorded, "New Dawn" contains pretty much all new material. It contains a wide repertoire from more contemporary songs like Enya's "Orinoco Flow" and Brian Wilson's "Love and Mercy" to classically inspired songs such as "In Paradisum" based on the Mass. Of course it was "Love and Mercy" that Libera performed for a host of dignitaries during the Kennedy Center Honors in December, 2007.

Everything on the CD is very well done. After meeting some of the boys from Libera and really comprehending how young many of them are, I am even more impressed with the quality and professionalism of their music. Libera is not just another boy's choir. They have a very unique sound. I would recommend this CD to anyone.

In order to keep this review short, I will just comment on a few of my favorite numbers. "Gloria" is based on the third movement of Camille Saint-Saens' Third Symphony (a.k.a. "The Organ Symphony.") This has always been one of my favorites. The vocal treatment in "Gloria" is very uplifting.

I don't recall hearing "Rest in Peace" (by Peter Skellern) prior to the Libera concert I attended, but it is fast becoming one of my favorites on the "New Dawn" CD. Tom Cully did the solo at the concert as well as on the CD. His technical proficiency on this number (as well as others) is phenomenal - especially considering that he's only 13. This song is very beautiful, and I think a lot of people will find it very inspirational. If you like "Rest in Peace," you'll also like "May the Road Rise Up" base on the traditional Irish blessing. Robert Prizeman, the director and conductor of Libera, wrote this.

Finally, I need to mention "The Lamb" by William Blake and Don Kay. While I was not previously familiar with this number, I think it is meant to portray a small child talking to a lamb. Benedict Phillip (a.k.a. "mini Ben" if you've seen the DVD or been to a concert) is the soloist. His voice is so charming on this piece, and it gives just the right feel to it.

Again, this is another great CD from Libera and highly recommended.

Viva Libera!!

Bravo, Another outstanding album! "New Dawn" contains a number of new selections by Libra.
As usual Tom Cully, Josh Madine, Liam Connery and Ed Day demonstrate their abilities in the "Air" (on the G string) these solos are absolutely beautiful. You must hear it to believe the awesome beauty!

"Ave Maria", and in "In Paradisum" are repeats but done very well. I truly would love to hear the Schubert version of Ave Maria, the group would bring a new vista to this old favorite.

On the negative side, I particularly like Jerusalem, it is one of my favorites. The boys did an outstanding job for what they did, that is to say they did not perform the entire song. I would suggest that they do the full version on a future album.

If you are a Libera fan, as I am this album is a must have! If you are new to Libera's melodic tones and harmony this is a great place to start. Buy it!!

This cd is a reflection of their current US concert tour. I was fortunate enough to see them in Hartford recently. I purchased a couple of cd's of theirs before buying concert tickets. After hearing them, I immediately got the tickets. It was one of the best live musical experiences I've had in years. I'd recommend this to any lover of male choral music.

The latest Libera CD to add to my collection, "New Dawn," is slightly different than previous Libera CDs, in my opinion. This does not diminish the quality and artistry of the music in this CD in any way. Among the classic Libera style tracks are two tracks that one would classify as "pop" and "new age." One of the tracks I'm referring to is, "Love and Mercy" which was written by Brian Wilson and was performed by Libera on December 2007 at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C. The other track is a cover of Enya's "Orinoco Flow" which is superbly performed. Some of the tracks on "New Dawn," such as "Ave Maria," and "In Paradisum" which is entitled "Lux Aeterna" in previous CDs, have been previously recorded with other Libera soloists. The songs Libera re-records on their later CDs only get better, not that the earlier ones are any less, so assuredly, you won't be disappointed if you buy a Libera CD with previously recorded songs. As I said before, "New Dawn" is a CD slightly different from other Libera CDs but still has the beautiful, angelic harmonies which Libera is known for. I highly recommend Libera's latest masterpiece, "New Dawn."

Libera's latest effort is appropriately titled "New Dawn". While many of the 14 tracks are similar to those on previous releases, there ia an attempt to branch out. This is quite evident with "Orinoco Flow". Included is "Love and Mercy" by Brian Wilson of Beach Boy fame. The traditional hymns and classical pieces have been reworked by Libera's director Robert Prizeman. Mr. Prizeman has altered these to fit the unique "Libera sound". One track, "Never Be Alone", is a piece with music by former Libera treble Steven Geraghty who now assists with Libera's sound engineering. There are also several new boys in Libera that sing on the CD. Thus, in many ways this is truly a "new dawn" for Libera. What has not changed is the high quality, joy and wonder that is Libera!

This is a great CD from a great group. One problem though: Amazon ships single CDs in a padded envelope that does not provide adequate protection. Mine arrived with the jewel case broken. A friend had the same thing happen. I had another order with a CD and a DVD and it was packed in a cardboard box and arrived safely. Amazon needs to change their packaging method for single CDs and DVDs.

Libera continues to put out great music. Though the music is basically the same type of music as their other CD's. This CD has a slightly different feel to it in my opinion. Their music is part ethereal and part just plain fun. They sound like they enjoy singing together and being part of Libera. It would be great to be able to see them live in concert to see that joy and enthusiasm that they put into their singing on the CD's. Anyone who is a fan of boy treble singers and boy's choirs should buy this CD.

New Dawn is the "lightest" in terms of mood in their current music library (is "library" the right word?). Their recording of Enya's "Orinoco Flow" sets the tone as the first cut on the album. Although I have always loved Enya's original version, there is something about the energy of Libera's performance - and the arrangement - that makes one want to cast aside the cares of life and head off for that proverbial endless horizon. I must also commend the boys on their precise diction and impeccable timing: you can understand all the lyrics on the very first listen.

Stand-outs on this c.d. include "Secret," "Love and Mercy" (written by The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson), "Never Be Alone," and the amazing "Air" which is from Johann Sebastian Bach's "Orchestral Suite in D." This latter orchestral work is performed entirely by voice, with Tom Cully, Edward Day, Joshua Madine and Liam Connery providing the solos. The harmonies in the arrangement of "Love and Mercy" are simply splendid and truly capture the underlying sadness and compassion of Wilson's lyrics; Cully and Madine are in fine voice for the solos.

For those who are stirred by the honest beauty of spiritual adoration, "Gloria," "Sancte" and "In Paradisum," all performed in Latin, will satisfy. Wisely not overly lush, the arrangements are just lush enough, a tastefully wrapped gift to our Creator. These call to mind the meditations abundant in Libera's "Luminosa" and "Free" albums.

"Jerusalem" is just plain triumphant, one of the best versions I have ever heard, made all the more poignant because it is being sung by children.

Do I recommend NEW DAWN? Yes. Do I recommend NEW DAWN as your very first Libera experience? That depends on what rocks your boat. There is enough variety here to give a good overview of Libera's versatility. I like it. However, it is not my very favorite of Libera's albums, but only because their "Luminosa," "Free," and "Visions" albums have got me so stinkin' spoiled. BUT... there is so much that is good - even great - on NEW DAWN, I'm giving it four stars out of five.

Now... a bit off subject while still on the subject: I have never heard any of Libera's recordings being played on the radio here in the States. That's a shame because so much of their music speaks to our needs, what with the current atmosphere of uncertainty, cynicism and moral ambiquity. If there is one cut on this album that would grab the average listener's attention, that song would be "Love and Mercy." I do hope some program bigwig takes my not so subtle hint here and gives it some airplay, just to see what happens.

No doubt about it...
Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful
DVD is Outstanding
Angelic Vocals !!!

I have purchased all the Libera releases and this one stood up to the rest! Too bad the producer repeats songs on many of the CD's. Surely there are numerous pieces of music these very talented boys could easily master. Never the less, I enjoy this true treasure of their talent!

Bob C.