Noa

Noa | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 1994)
• Original Release Date: March 1, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000000OTK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,917 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Don't Know

2. Wildflower

3. Mishaela

4. Path To Follow

5. Child Of Man

6. Eye Opener

7. Lady Night

8. Uri

9. It's Obvious

10. Desire

11. Ave Maria

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stylish contemporary Israeli music given the Metheny sound, August 9, 2001

By 

Hindburn (Church Stretton, Shropshire, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Noa (Audio CD)

For this album aimed at the US market, Israeli jazz/folk singer Achinoam Nini adopted the nickname Noa, which also became the title of the record. Although recorded quite early in her career, it is a very polished and competently executed album with excellent instrumental and vocal work, which is further enhanced by the classy production sound of Pat Metheny.

Guitar virtuoso Metheny stayed behind the mixing desk on this project, leaving all guitar duties to Noa's compatriot and collaborator, Gil Dor, whose dexterous acoustic guitar work provides a lively backing for Noa's agile voice. Throughout, the album is characterised by a typical Metheny Group 'ambient' sound, with ringing acoustic guitars, warm synthesizer orchestrations by Lyle Mays, and the string bass of Steve Rodby. The superb drum sound of Steve Ferrone gives a terrific lift to the opening track, but throughout most of the album little percussion is used.

Despite having lived in the US for much of her youth, Noa's English lyrics are of only moderate quality, but even so the songs in English come across well, being at times reminiscent of Joni Mitchell's early work. However, it is perhaps in the more exotic sound of the three Hebrew songs that Noa and Gil are at their most effective and original, with 'Uri' (a setting of a Hebrew poem) being particularly touching. Another unusual feature is the inclusion of the JS Bach composition 'Ave Maria' as the closing track, in which despite Noa's slightly clumsy English lyrics (which to classical purists would be a desecration of the Bach/Gounod original) the sentiments - a prayer for peace in her troubled homeland - are nevertheless profound.

This is a superb album of music which is refreshingly different, yet with an overall sound that is comfortingly familiar. I can't recommend it highly enough. Her other albums are a bit more idiosyncratic in style, but well worth hearing if you enjoy this one.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, November 18, 1999

By 

Karel (Boston, Mass) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Noa (Audio CD)

Listen to Noa's albums... Next to her Celine Dion sounds like an old diesel engine in dire need of an oil change...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy 2 copies, October 16, 1999

By 

Tsang_Hei_Chiu ([e-mail]) (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Noa (Audio CD)

I've owned this album for years, & it's still my most-played disc of all time. I totally shared the idea I've read in other review that this album should be brought twice, 'cause if U only get one copy, somebody is definitely going to take it & never going to return. In fact, I've brought 5 & only one is remaining. Noa, her voice is so angelic & powerful at the same time, but, above all else, her voice is one of those fews that can really touch someone's heart deeply. Well, I just love it.