Customer Reviews

Pure Moods, Vol. I

5 star:		(132)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A couple of years ago I saw a commercial for this on cable. I very was interested, though I didn't get the CD. My father, however, gave me one of Enya's CDs and I really liked her music. I later got CDs by other New Age artists and I started to really love New Age. I finally got this CD and I must say, it is amazing. Each and every one of these songs are great. There are energetic songs by Enigma, Enya, and Sacred Spirit and there are also soothing tracks, such as "The Last Emperor", "The Promise", and "Tubular Bells". I also really loved "Oxegene IV" which is great for anyone who likes 70's New Age. My favorite song on this CD is "Adiemus". It's one of the greatest songs I've heard in a long time! This CD has really great music. It's a worthy buy.

This CD is actually what it claims to be: "Pure Moods". I bought the CD and was amazed by the diversity and flow of the songs. All of the songs are moody, without being depressing. Enya, and Enigma, in particular highlight the songs. The last song is my favorite, "Lily was Here" by Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame). This CD is perfect for rainy days in Seattle, or background music while hanging out around the house. Worth every penny!

I once saw a commercial for this CD way back when it was the first in the series. I became very interested in the way that the CD's songs were so different from anything else I'd ever heard before. Then, as time passed, I saw how popular this series was. I realized that I was missing something big.

So I started listening to samples of songs from the Pure Moods series, and then I knew I had to get it. I decided to start with the first of the three CDs.

And WOW! These songs are incredible! This is not pop, rock, rap, or anything you'd hear these days. This is just plain COOL. I like every song, but my favorites are "Adiemus", "Yeha-Noha", "Return to Innocence", "The Last Emperor", and "Crockett's Theme". When I heard "Crockett's Theme", I knew I had purchased a great CD.

Every one of these songs seems to carry you away to another world, where you're lost in your own dreams. You simply forget everything around you as you listen to the enchanting harmonies and distinctive melodies. Even if you can't understand what they're saying, you love how it's so different from whatever you hear on the radio these days.

You haven't heard great music until you've heard this CD. I can't wait to get the next one in the series.

About two to three years ago I saw the "Pure Moods" CD advertised on TV and I was at first attracted by the very popular "Return to Innocence" by Enigma, though I did not but it. This last Christmas I received it from a family member, and I'll have to say I was not dissapointed. This CD was everything I hoped it be. It's basically a sampler of various New Age and World music artists. "Return to Innocence" is perhaps the introductry to the rest of the CD, though its pop-rock style does not always agree with the rest of the CD. It has great variety, with the bouncy "Orinoco Flow", the strong chorals "Sweet Lullaby" and "Adiemus", the African chant "Makambo", or the electronic "X-Files Theme" and "Tubular Bells Pt.1." There are a few oddities on the CD, however. Though it is definitely New Age, "Oxygene Pt. 4" is also definitely not worthly of the rest of the album. The jazzy "Lily Was Here" is not 'pureley mooded.' "My Wife With Champagne Shoulders" may be a pretty song, but it's not the New-Agey type sound the other songs have. Though there are a few reservations, over all this is one of my favorite CDs and I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes to take a musical journey.

I am a huge fan of the Virgin Records' Moods series. I bought the first Pure Moods cd via telephone before it was released to the public. And recently I acquired the third volume of Pure Moods through the phone again. This series of new age music is flawless. I can't imagine not including Enigma on any of the Pure Moods cds. "Return to Innocence" is one of my all time favorite songs by Enigma. It is an excellent way to kick off the cd. I also enjoyed Enya's "Orinocco Flow" and Adiemus's "Adiemus", in fact I am also a huge fan of Adiemus. DJ Dado's "X-File Theme" totally rocks. Quite a haunting addition to the compilation. Ennio Morricone's theme from "The Mission" and Michael Nyman's "The Promise" are my two all time favorite tracks on the cd. Pure Moods is an excellent cd to relax to or to help fall asleep when one is cursed with insomnia.

I bought this CD solely because of Enya's "Orinoco Flow". True, I already had her 'Watermark' CD, but for some reason I thought that mayber this was a different version of that song. I was wrong. However, instead of being disappointed, I was intrigued by what I heard from the other tracks on the CD. 'Pure Moods' was my introduction to the New Age genre. Like most of the other reviewers, I think that every song on this album is great, with my favorite being "Adiemus" by Adiemus. With the introduction to Mike Oldfield, Sacred Spirits, Enigma, & Jean Michael Jarre, I was on a mission to gather up all of their CD's for my listening enjoyment. The CD title is far from misleading...these tracks are purely music for the mood. Why buy this CD? To expand your musical horizons, and enter a peaceful, and tranquil state of mind.

The PURE MOODS cd caught my eye because I was looking for Jan Hammer's song "Crockett's Theme" since the first time I heard it on a jazz station. That song still gets my blood flowing. So after I listened to the cd in its entirety for the first time, I realized what other entrancing songs were on it and have been pleased so much with it, I have shared it with other friends and they love it, too. I had heard some of the songs on it before ("Orinoco Flow" by Enya & Enigma's "End of the Innocense", Mike Oldfields "Tubular Bells") but I didn't think EVERY song on the cd was so good. All the songs fit whatever mood you're in or WANT to be in. If I want to relax, workout, read, or work on the computer, this cd is the perfect choice of music while I do these activities.

Imagine an array of music from the genres that are considered New Age, World, and Smooth Electronica. Imagine this music was chosen for how pleasing it was to the ear or how commercially successful it was versus how representative it was of its genre. The array of music would be "Pure Moods."

Enigma has two tracks on this CD. Michael Cretu and his wife, the magical Sandra, give us the magical and apparently Native American influenced song "Return to Innocence" and the chant-laden "Sadeness Part 1." "Sadeness" is in interesting combination of Gregorian chants with a remarkable sensuality. I have read that New Age electronica owes much to the ground-breaking work of Michael Cretu.

I think an album such as "Pure Moods" would be incomplete without a song from the incomparable Enya (Eithne Ní Bhraonáin). Her huge hit "Orinoco Flows" from her album "Watermark" is the second track on this CD.

The unusual track "Sweet Lullaby" from Deep Forest is the fourth track on this CD. This track is nearly all electronica with lyrics that I am unable to decipher. Following this track is the faster paced instrumental "Oxygene Part IV." The beat in this track is catchy and though somewhat repetitive, just seems to grab your brain. A mix of the "X-Files Theme" is another instrumental. This version of the theme has a dance beat and a counter point theme. I am unsure of what the one line is spoken through the song, but I really did not need the spoken words. The instrumental stands on its own. Yet another instrumental follows. "Tubular Bells Part 1" will remind those who were frightened by "The Exorcist" of that chilling movie. This song seems nicely positioned adjacent to "The X-Files Theme.

The next song soars. "Adiemus" by Adiemus is a song with yet more lyrics that I am unable to understand. I understand that Welsh composer Karl Jenkins made up the syllables of the song and did not intend for the syllables to be understood, merely to match the instruments. In some ways this song reminds me of some of the attempts that Jon Anderson and Yes made in albums such as "Tales from Topographic Oceans," though that album was clearly rock.

At one time Jan Hammer's music was very popular in the United States. "Crockett's Theme," referring to the character of Sonny Crockett from "Miami Vice," is a beautiful instrumental that seems to fit well on this CD with its mellow and somber nature that matched the character of Sonny Crockett well.

The theme from "The Mission" is probably one of the weakest tracks on this CD. Unfortunate, as I am a big fan of Ennio Morricone's work on such movies as "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly" and "Once Upon a Time in the West." I suspect that Ennio Morricone could have been better represented. The main title theme from "The Last Emperor" picks up the quality just a bit, but this track and the previous track seem a little out of place with the power of the opening tracks of this CD.

A violin opens the lovely Native American song "Yeha-Noha (Wishes of Happiness and Prosperity)." Though the words are incomprehensible, this song is somehow catchy and wonderful. I find myself listening closely though I know the words mean nothing to me. I find myself focusing on the singer's emotions, which are quite sincere, and marvel at the wonderful simplicity of his feelings and the timbre of his voice.

If you like bass you may find "Fire Walk with Me" to be a wonderful track. The opening notes could go on forever and I would hang on each one. I suppose deep bass such as the opening notes are a matter of taste, but I find them unusual in our era.

I enjoy the song "Makambo" a lot. Once again, I understand none of the words, but the acoustic guitar and Geoffrey Oryema's voice are wonderful. This song would probably be considered World.

"My Wife with Champagne Shoulders" by Mark Isham is an easy listening instrumental with a lovely combination of strings and guitar that make for great background music when I am writing. I suspect this music could be great for romantic rendezvous as well. As the CD comes to a close, the fast piano instrumental "The Promise" by Michael Nyman speeds you toward the end. "The Promise" is a wonderful number and piano fans should love this one.

The final instrumental, "Lily Was Here," has a rock beat to it. This David A. Stewart prominently features the talents of the beautiful saxophonist Candy Dulfer. This instrumental has a jazz flavor to it and is a fitting close to this lovely CD.

If you are looking at the best that the genres of New Age, World and Soft Electronica have to offer, here is the place to start. Of course, you should know what these genres are about so that you are not disappointed. This music is mellow and beautiful. This music is typically slower paced, though some of it has a bit of speed. "Tubular Bells," for example, is somewhat fast. Regardless, if you like music when it is described by words such as "beautiful," "ethereal," "pretty," and other similar adjectives, this CD is a must for your collection.

This is firmly New Age at its finest. Here, assembled in one stunningly crafted compilation, is the perfect unity of New Age unmarred. Within this disk derives ambient, light touches of electronica, and uplifting, somewhat spiritualized hip-hop. With songs selecting all the way from Enigma's exhilerating "Sadness" to Enya's "Orinoco Flow" you can't help but be ignited by this flame of unparalleled power. It just reaches far and wide to grab you into its world of innocence and romanticism. Emanating from the core of this album are some of the most emotional and enchanting songs I've ever heard. I've actually been working on a tragic love story and for certain scences have used Micheal Nyman's "The Promise" and Ennio Morricone's "The Mission" for inspiration. These songs project and conjure some of the most amazing images in my mind that it's almost like being taken back into my tales... Other favorites include "Return To Innocence" by Enigma and, of course, Angelo Badalamenti's "Fire Walk With Me" which sort of has a religious feel... Pure Moods 3 has the most diversity, I think, but just adjacent to the 2nd in this divine series this is definitely the best New Age has to offer.

This is an absolutely wonderful CD! I would say that this is a must have for all new age fan. Every penny I spent on Pure Moods was worth it! I totally fell in love with it. Here are the songs I thought were the best:

Enigma - Return To Innocence: My favorite song on this CD. It has a great tune and very meaningful lyrics.

Enya - Orinoco Flow (Sail Away): Hey, if it's Enya, it's good!

DJ Dado - X-Files Theme: Who can forget this great theme?!

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells Part 1: This song always reminds me of the movie, "The Exorcist" and it's very chilling. That's what I like about it!

Enigma - Sadeness: Again, great tune. I just think Enigma is EXCELLENT!!

Adiemus - Adiemus: A terrific sounding song. Makes me feel like I'm in some sacred place, hard to explain.

Jan Hammer - Crockett's Theme: What can I say? Sounds pretty good.

Sacred Spirits - Yeah-Noha: An Indian song, I think. It's OK and I enjoy listening to it.

Angelo Badlamenti - Fire Walk With Me: This song is very calming. I like it!

Geoffrey Oryema - Makambo: Great!

Mark Isham - My Wife With Champagne Shoulders: Very soothing.

Michael Nyman - The Promise: I really like the tune of this one.

The songs I didn't really like were Sweet Lullaby, The Mission, The Last Emperor, and Lily Was Here. But still, the CD is very excellent and I recommend it to everyone. This song is very soothing to the soul. :)