Opal Fire

Omar, Omar Akram | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 3, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Real Music
• ASIN: B00006FIA2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,838 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap

"A very skillful craftsman, Omar creates a keyboard driven tour de force that takes you somewhere else entirely."

Product Description

The new age music family is about to receive a wake up call, and his name is Omar. Challenging the notion that New Age is best suited for elevators and long naps, this multicultural prodigy gives the genre a fresh beat. Omar is a classically trained pianist who owns a gift for composing intriguing melodies that dance in your head long after the music has stopped. The son of a U.N. diplomat, Omar has spent decades living around the globe, soaking up musical influences from far flung locales such as Afghanistan, Cuba, France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. These exotic flavors are woven together brilliantly on songs with haunting melodies which take flight and soar with expansive orchestrations and passionate rhythms. And in more soothing moments, Opal Fire is equally amazing in its ability to evoke an emotional response in a beautifully serene way.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications, October 9, 2002

By 

Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Opal Fire (Audio CD)

I LOVE THIS ALBUM! I first heard Omar's music on the Real Music compilation "Freedom to Love," and his track, "Last Dance," was my favorite on that album. I was really looking forward to Omar's debut CD, and it is even better than I was hoping! A classically-trained pianist with an international upbringing (he is the son of a UN diplomat), Omar mixes acoustic piano with synthesized orchestrations, creating a sparkling musical palette with colors from all over the world. It is impossible to not compare Omar's music to Yanni's early work - it is full of fire and excitement as well as beauty and emotion, and the instrumentation is varied on each track. One major difference is that Omar's piano always sings through, and he is obviously a pianist first rather than simply using the piano as one of an assortment of instruments. My favorite piece is still "Last Dance," which grabs me every time, and stays in my head long after the CD has finished playing. It starts out with a light piano melody, and is gradually filled in with other instruments and rhythms. This is not a sad "last dance," although there is a slightly bittersweet quality to the melody - the piece is really quite joyful, and I can't get enough of it. There are no weak tracks on this album, but a few others really stand out for me. "Morning Rain" is a beautiful, gentle piece with mostly piano and guitar. The melody is simple, but so beautiful and passionate that this one sticks in my head, too. "Farewell For Now" has a classical feel when it is just the piano with background instrumentation, but then the rhythm track kicks in, bringing it right back to the 21st century and giving it a big grin. "Innocence Lost" is one of the few sad tracks, but demonstrates Omar's range of playing and composing styles - just gorgeous! "Gypsy Woman" is big and noisy in parts more subdued in others, and is full of fun. It's hard to believe that the guitar parts are synth. "Longing" is a quiet piece, mostly piano and strings, and full of passion - again compellingly beautiful. "Opal Fire" is definitely one of my "top 5" favorite albums for the year so far, and I can't wait to hear more from this incredibly gifted artist. I give "Opal Fire" my highest recommendation.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great Christmas gift!, December 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Opal Fire (Audio CD)

Soon everyone will know his name. Omar is the new sensation in New Age instrumental music. I give his cd " Opal Fire" as a gift to a friend. She liked it so much, that I decided to order 10 more to send to friends and family as Christmas present.
Thanks Omar!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD for the whole family!, September 27, 2002

By 

"malakakuni" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opal Fire (Audio CD)

I bought Opal Fire by Omar based on a friends recommendation for myself. It is just beautiful, I love his melodies. Now my whole family listens to Opal Fire. I hope to hear more from this artist in the future.