Persona [Original recording reissued]

Liona Boyd (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 31, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Moston Records
• ASIN: B00004SA47
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,203 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. L'Enfant

2. Sun Child

3. Memories Of A Thousand Moons

4. Sorceress

5. Mother And Sister

6. Labyrinth

7. Phoenix Reborn

8. Sea Of Tranquility

9. Destiny

10. Flight Of Phoenix

11. Persona

Editorial Reviews

A unique classical/new Age fusion CD from Liona Boyd with Eric Clapton, David Gilmore and Yo Yo Ma as special guests.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This has a "New Age" feel, but it's good in spite of that..., October 23, 2002

By 

William E. Adams (Midland, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Persona (Audio CD)

I used to own a few Liona Boyd records back in the 70's and 80's, but they were limited to the classical guitar literature. I have always loved her playing...smooth and sensual. This disc originally came out in 1986, and Ms. Boyd presents herself accompanied by percussion, keyboards, strings and other guitarists. Eric Clapton joins her on one number, and Yo-Yo Ma on another. A little bit of rain and a few bird calls pop up here and there as well. The final result is closer to an Andreas Vollenweider production than to the exotica of Martin Denny or Arthur Lyman, but the core is still Liona's guitar work. If you only know her, as I did, from her classical albums, you may have to listen to this two or three times to really like it (as I did.) For hard-core fans, the disc is a must-own, and for "New Age" adherents it will be a gem. I like Liona more casually, and find "New Age" music is best in small doses. I found this at a bargain price, which makes me happier with it than I might be if I spent the usual amount a new CD costs. Still, it seems a four-star CD to me.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent combination of new and reinterpreted works, April 23, 2001

By 

Qrapht Foible (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Persona (Audio CD)

In this album, Ms. Boyd demonstrates the unique ability to take another person's work and present it in an entirely different light. The best example is the piece, "L'Enfant": Vangelis (the original composer and performer) created a light airy melody that was a tribute to the New Age concept, using only a few simulated instrumental sounds. In Ms. Boyd's interpretation, however, the piece takes on a more dynamic, even primal, feel by adding in a very strong percussion background and acoustic guitar for the main melody, evoking strong imagery of the primal forces of nature at work. Regarding the few original pieces in the album, "Sun Child" is an absolute delight, bringing to mind images of parents and children playing at Ye Olde English Faire (or your local Renaissance Festival ;) ). The only major disappointments were the two "Phoenix" pieces written by Michael Kamen for Ms. Boyd, and I must also admit that the title composition, "Persona," was not as strong as I would have thought given Ms. Boyd's beautiful interpretations of other composers' works. Still, this is a good album and I highly recommend it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Guitar!, January 9, 2007

By 

James Webb (Miami) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Persona (Audio CD)

I think this CD is an incredible example of how different types of guitarists can get together and create something that is very special to listen to. Liona Boyd is a fantastic classical guitarist, and Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Yo Yo Ma aren't bad on their instruments either! Put them altogether with some great arrangements of songs, and you have a very interesting, highly enjoyable, and remarkable CD. I highly recommend it.