Customer Reviews

Night Passage

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

 

 

I've loved Libana for years, and their chill-inducing harmonies only get better with time. I personally prefer A Circle Is Cast because I like the material better (maybe because I've lived with it for so long), but this CD is once again a beautiful collection of folk songs from throughout the world with high recording quality and interesting musical arrangements. My one real complaint, which is why I can't give it 5 stars, is the usual lack of lyrics with the liner notes or any translations of foreign languages. My favorite song on the album is Oh Mama Bakudala, but I have no idea what the words mean, and since it's sung in Xhosa (an African language), I don't think I'll be finding out any time soon.

I started listening to this album a few years ago when I was a North American living in South America. My South American friends were wildly enthusiastic about this music -- as are my new friends in the U.S. The rhythms are simple, but interesting. There is also a songbook that can be purchased separately if you and your friends would like to sing these rounds together. I've found this music creates a very good group energy. My favorite cuts are Yemaya and Bim Bam.

Wow, what a sound. Every time I play Night Passage for my friends the room grows silent, and the music draws us into a deep embrace. The songs on this CD are performed with expert musicianship and artistry. Listen and you too will find a "deep peace". Healing, transformative, and endlessly beautiful.

Libana creates the most beautiful harmonies! Every song moves me...even the one or two that I don't "like" as much as the others. My favorites are "Whatever Circles from the Center", "Oh Mama Bakudala", "Dark of the Moon", "We All Come From the Goddess", and my top pick, "I Have a Million Nightengales". Libana's music evokes in me thoughts of women in community, singing, working, playing, worshiping, and celebrating together. The voices are astoundingly beautiful, the harmonies complex and satisfying, the song selections spiritual, contemplative, and celebratory. This is a wonderful album.

I find the title Night Passage to be a very good description for the mood of the music on the CD. I love listening to this CD as I am getting ready for bed or falling asleep. Most of the songs settle into a very soothing rhythm, which helps put the listener into a tranquil state of mind. My favorite songs are Oh Mama Bakudala, Summer Solstice, Yemaya, and Ise Oluwa. I also enjoy Dark of the Moon, I Have a Million Nightingales, Deep Peace, and (of course) We All Come from the Goddess.

I also own A Circle Is Cast and Fire Within. A Circle is Cast is the best of the 3 I have, with Night Passage barely beating out Fire Within for 2nd place. I recommend Night Passage to people who know they like Libana and probably already own A Circle is Cast.

I just have bought this album, this was the first time for me to listen this band, I sometimes use to hear easy-listening music before going to sleep, and this album has a mix of that and also relaxing, charming voices and choruses. I really don't know where is the band from, but they're amazing. One of my favourite song is Er A La Vo (Sicily), despite all songs are very nice. Some songs are played with a smooth backgroung music like guitars, flutes, harps... and some others just a capella, with no background music.
My personal songs rate could be 10/10

1. Whatever circles comes from the center 6/10
2. Dark of the Moon 8/10
3. Oh Mama Bakudala 8/10
4. Summer Solstice 8/10
5. I Have A Million Nightingales 7/10
6. Bim Bam 7/10
7. Learned of Angel 8/10
8. V'asu Li Mikdash 10/10
9. The Breeze At Dawn 9/10
10. We All Come From The Goddess 8/10
11. Yemaya 5/10
12. Vem Kam Segla 7/10
13. Er a la Vo 10/10
14. Night Goes Back 8/10
15. Ise Oluwa 9/10
16. Deep Peace 6/10

I bought this for one song, Deep Peace. It's beautiful, and the other pieces are really growing on me. I love the blend of this women's ensemble.

Night Passage is a lyrical gathering of rounds, chants & songs. Night Passage gives soulful illumination to the infinite mystery of life's seasons.

From a mystical ode invoking the new moon to an undulating chant honoring the Yoruba Goddess Yemaya, from a South African ancestral incantation to lush settings of the poet Rumi, the women of Libana sing with a reflective reverence, infusing the collection with the harmonic power and musical grace.

Track Listing With Artists/Location:

1. Whatever Circles Comes from the Center (Barbara Gayny)
2. Dark of the Moon (Karen Beth)
3. Oh Mama Bakudala (South Africa / Xhosa)
4. Summer Solstice (David Gay)
5. I Have a Million Nightingales (Linda Hirschhorn)
6. Bim Bam (Jewish Nigun)
7. Learned of Angel (American Shaker)
8. V'asu Li Mikdash (Hanna Tiferet Siegel)
9. The Breeze at Dawn (Dale Zola)
10. We All Come from the Goddess (Z Budapest)
11. Yemaya (Marytha Paffrath)
12. Vem Kan Segla (Sweden)
13. Er a la Vo (Sicily)
14. Night Goes Back (Dale Zola)
15. Ise Oluwa (West Africa / Yoruba)
16. Deep Peace (Bill Douglas)

Total Time: 54:10

© 2000 Libana, Inc. Spinning Records SR003CD
Libana, Inc.
P.O. Box 400530
Cambridge, MA 02140

Product Info Provided By: "OurSpecialGift"

I have several other discs by Libana, but this one is my favorite.