Customer Reviews

Once in a Red Moon

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While there is a strong taste of melancholy in this set, listening to it is indeed entering a beautiful garden, hidden from the rest of the world.

"Awakening" is an inviting introduction to the set, with an enchanting Norwegian flavor. "You Raise Me Up" is more celtic, with unaccompanied violin and Uilleann pipes, very spiritually envigorating. "Silent Wings" gives us a dialogue between reed instruments and the violin. A natural vocal beauty carries "Greenwaves." "Invitation" is an energetic jig which breaks the somber mood and is liable to set your feet to dancing.

With the classically inspired "Duo", we have a conversation of sorts between violin and cello. "Belonging" is a pastoral
melody played by Irish violin and Nordic keyharp. Karen Matheson's vocal and Anuna's choral backing give a sing along quality to "Gates of Dawn". Violin and piano lead us into the intimacy of "The Promise". "Fairytale" has it's own energy, a bit of a dance feeling, replete with mythical overtones. The title song is performed by clarinet, accompanied by Spanish Guitar, starts peacefully but grows truly passionate with Mediteranean color. And finally is Elegie, to be listened to in a state of relaxaton so that you can be carried away by the choral sound of Anuna into a state of bliss.

This CD is for the emotionally sensitive, the spiritually attuned. Otherwise, the beauty here will fall on deaf ears. I first discovered Secret Garden at the suggestion of those who knew of my love for Enya's music, and that love hasn't diminished one whit, but Secret Garden has found their place in my musical intelligence, enhancing my perception which is heightened by soulful music.

One of the major things that Rolf Lovland and Fionnuala Sherry, Secret Garden's principle talent, have to their credit, they do not seem to be afraid to tamper with their tried formula for success and Once in a Red Moon may be the group's greatest example of this. The two, in many instances on this album, have taken themselves out of the forefront. For example, on previous releases the Sherry's violin and Loveland would be at the front of every track. This is no longer the case. The orchestra that was often used on previous albums has been taken out of the background leading to a much smoother and polished sound.

First, let me state that I never thought that there was anything wrong with the sound that the group had perfected in the three previous releases, see my reviews of the previous albums...nothing but 5 stars will do. On a first listen, this album really gave me a mixed reaction. What happened to the old sound? After having the album for several months now...got it in Norway...the new is at least on par with what has come before from this group, if not arguably better.

Once in a Red Moon is definitely, as stated in Amazon's review, a lot darker, as was the case with Songs from a Secret Garden. There are a few upbeat songs...Invitation, my personal favorite on the album, and Fairytale. The title track for some reason has a feel of Arabian Nights to it. Gates of Dawn and Greenwaves are both sung by the thankfully returning Karen Matheson are both beautiful songs with an inescapable Celtic flare...GofD is also slightly upbeat. The two songs that are really the most notable though, are You Raise Me Up and Elegie. You Raise Me Up is the best vocal song the group has ever done on any of their albums. It is just simply as majestically inspirational song and lyrically sound song I've heard. Elegie, on the other hand, is probably the darkest and for lack of a better word, strangest song they have ever done. Presented as a song for peace, something oddly fitting for our times closes the album.

In closing, for fans of the old albums, there is plenty of the violin and keyboarding. However, instead of stagnating, Secret Garden has done something that is very rare in "New Age" music, and that is innovate and experiment...see Enya...I love Enya, but there is always room grow as an artist. There are plenty of great surprises on this album while still not completely straying from what got them to this point. Think of the last three albums pretty much as three parts of the same book. Well, Once in a Red Moon is book two, with plenty left over from the old but a stays away from being just another more of the same, type of release. It's been two years since our last visit to The Secret Garden...it's great to be back.

The duo of Secret Garden have once again crafted an emotionally charged and incredibly moving recording. They seem to be incapable of making a bad album, in my book. "Once in a Red Moon" is more subdued overall than previous albums; The Amazon.Com reviewer is correct in saying that there is more melancholy present this time around, but that's not a criticism at all. This is music from the heart, and it shows. Highlights are numerous, but "You Raise Me Up" deserves special mention, with it's soaring guest vocals by Brian Kennedy, Tracey Campbell-Nation, and the choir, Anuna. It's a breathtaking, and tear-inducing, moment. And of course, the "Global C" experiment on the final track "Elegie" is an intriguing idea, and one that I wish I'd had enough sense to take part in when I first saw it mentioned on their website. (66 pianos from all over the world,playing at the same moment on the concluding chord of the song.) As usual, Fionnuala's solo violin floats along effortlessly, while Rolf provides his usual array of memorable melodies and excellent musicianship on the piano and keyboards. Highly recommended.(If you are new to Secret Garden, however, I would start with either "White Stones" or their debut, "Songs from a Secret Garden" before getting this one, only because of the aforementioned melancholy running through this CD. It's beautiful, but you might want to hear them on a couple of their more celibratory or uptempo tracks, too, before diving into "Red Moon".)

It is rare that a new age album has any tracks poignant enough to give one goosebumps on the first listen. It is a testament to the quality of "Once In A Red Moon" that it has two. The first is "You Raise Me Up", a haunting yet beautiful tribute to the power of friendship and love. Fionnula's initial solo violin gives way to Brian Kennedy's heartfelt vocals, joined at the emotional peak of the song by the lush harmonies of the London Community Gospel choir and Anuna. The result is as dramatic as it is exquisitely beautiful. The second track is "Gates of Dawn", featuring one of Secret Garden's most talented collaborators, Karen Mattheson. This song has a melody that you won't be able to get out of your head, and the multilayering of Karen's vocals over Anuna's ethereal choral backdrop gives the song an usual depth and resonance.

Many of the other tracks on the album are reminiscent of the style of songs on the earlier album without sounding like a repeat of the same. "Silent Wings" and "Invitation", for example, seem like more evolved versions of songs that might have appeared on White Stones. On "Once In A Red Moon", the group has compiled the best elements of their previous albums and reworked them into an album that is entirely fresh and still as hauntingly gorgeous as ever. If you love new age muisc, your CD collection won't be complete without it.

I first heard "You Raise Me Up" at a women's conference and fell in love with it. I was leary of buying the CD, mainly because I am not a fan of "new age" or celtic music, but being unable to buy just the single, and loving that song so much, I broke down and bought the whole thing. It was one of the best moves in my life! Now I want to get all of their music, as well as some selected sheet music. The vocals are so clear, the lyrics compelling and thought provoking, and the accompanying music adds such an ethereal quality, that I feel that I have been transported to a time and place unlike anything I could describe. It is as if I am standing on a hillside, with arms outstretched and eyes lightly closed, as gentle breezes slide past me, overlooking the tall, graceful grasses that sway to and fro. I am at peace and contentment fills my soul. And when I hear the "Gates of Dawn" I can easily visualize the raw power of the beginnings of time and the awesome power of creations in the making. I would HIGHLY recommend that you purchase this CD.

After a long absence, Secret Garden has returned with what I consider their finest album to date. If you are sad,it will fit you mood. If you are happy,it will make you soar. If you want to relax,this will calm you beyond belief.What is so special about this cd is that it also contains vocals. Tracks two,four and eight have wonderful vocals; Brian Kennedy on two,and Karen Matheson on the other two. Two and four also have choral backgrounds, which add to the splendor.All tracks are accompanied by the Irish National Symphony Orchestra and the RTE Concert Orchestra players.Fionnuala Sherry is on each track with her violin, and on track six she and English cellist, Julian Lloyd Weber,form a beautiful duo. This is part Celtic,part New Age,part Nordic,with a dash of Spanish guitar thrown in on track eleven. The last track has 66 different C chords mixed in - from every corner of the world - a new innovation. If you are a Secret Garden fan this album is for you. If you have never heard them before,this is an introduction that will not disappoint you.

When I learned that Secret Garden had come out with a new CD, I immediately went to Amazon to listen to the on-line music samples. But, while these come in quite handy if I'm trying to track down a tune I'm already familiar with, thirty -second sound snippets just don't do a new album justice. I just can't hear enough to be sure I'm going to like it. I came away thinking that the CD wasn't going to be a good buy for me, despite the favorable reviews.

But then I visited a regular music shop, where I got to hear the CD at length. About two minutes into Track #2, "You Raise Me Up", I knew I had to buy it. I'm a big fan of Uilleann pipes, and this song features them. Imagine a tune vaguely like Danny Boy, sung gospel style, first solo, then with a full chorus. I was wiping away tears as I headed for the cash register! The pipes remind me of "Hymn To Hope" on "The White Stones" CD, by far my favorite Secret Garden melody.

Two other songs I like a great deal on the new CD are "Greenwaves" and "Gates of Dawn", both featuring Scottish singer Karen Matheson. She has a lovely voice, especially when she hits the high notes. My other most favorite track is #5, "Invitation", a very lively, purely instrumental tune with great percussion. This gives the CD a nice balance, saving it from being overly melancholy. Another good one is "Fairytale", for the same reason.

After having listened to this CD some five times, I would rank it about equal to "The White Stones" as my favorite Secret Garden work. Odds are, if you like the one, you'll like the other.

A final note: when I first heard the music of Secret Garden, it struck me as rather odd that a Norwegian pianist/composer (Rolf Lovland) would team up with an Irish violinist (Fionnula Sherry). The musical styles turn out to be very compatible. One reason, I've recently learned, is that Dublin, the capital of Ireland, was a Danish colony about 900 years ago. The Danes and the Norwegians are very closely related, being both descendants of the Vikings. Eventually the Dublin Danes "went native", merging with the Irish. So it follows that Irish music has had a Nordic influence for a very long time.

Secret Garden is great. This is a perfect CD for bringing your mind to rest. Karen Matheson's voice in 'Greenwaves' and 'Gates of Dawn' is so beautiful and natural, and will put your mind and soul at peace. 'Invitation' is a very active Celtic beat and will bring thoughts of the Emerald Isle to your mind. Fionnuala Sherry is possibly the most talented person I've ever known with a violin and Rolf Lovland is an excellent keyboard player.

I definately recommed this CD to anyone who's a fan of either New Age or Celtic music. Or even if you're a fan of instrumental, there are some excellent songs on this CD. Definately comes highly recommended in my book.

Secret Garden seem to be able to reinvent themselves from the same ingredients; like a rubik cube, you don't see quite the same face everytime you turn it.

The first few melancholic tunes from their first track, "Awakening" would bring you to the same spot that Secret Garden had lovingly brought you in the past through their previous albums. As you close your eyes and set your mind soaring high through the notes, you realise that they would bring you to a different place this time - a place that has reached its maturity, a place that is more spiritual and has a beautiful "soul".

That is why I love Secret Garden, because their songs are not just pretty Celtic/Nordic tunes, but they also convey a sense of depth and height; they bring you soaring high - they have hearts and a core. This is especially true when you listen to [2] "You Raise Me Up" or [4] "Greenwaves".

"Once in a Red Moon" is long overdue and it does not disappoint at all - on the contrary, it has broken a new ground and would satisfy Secret Garden afficionados and many more music lovers!

Discover this album, close your eyes, light some candles and let yourself soar high with each tune ...

Speaking as an avid Secret Garden fan, I must regretfully say that I had some problems with this album. First and foremost: WAY too many vocal tracks. In their first albums, Secret Garden was an almost exclusively instrumental group. It was nice to leave some interpretation up to the listener, and be enveloped in pure musical bliss (especially in the album White Stones). This is not to say that there weren't some memorable tracks in Red Moon, quite to the contrary. I just found myself skipping ahead to the "good" stuff. Also, I found the chord progressions in "You Raise Me Up" to be unmistakenly similar to Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings." Try listening to the song and insert the other lyrics, you'll laugh. Please don't misunderstand me; this is a very decent album, with some very beautiful moments ("Duo", "Elegie", and "Belonging" to name a few), and I would recommend this album to any fan of the group. This album simply isn't their best.