Customer Reviews

Rivers of Stone

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a well produced CD. The compositions by James Briggs are above board, picking a plateau from which Madalena projects her unique style. There are melodies that will haunt your dreams, and lyrics that will stick with you long after the music is over. And it will be her voice you will hear. The vocal style of Madalena has been compared to many modern female singers, but none really describes the deep, rich tones or the lush expressiveness of her voice. She has a great range and the music makes the most of her versatility. She works her own harmonies, again utilizing her flexible range of voice. This makes her stand out in the crowd.

The compositions are mostly guitars and piano, but there are flutes and pan pipes, with some great electronic fill that gives the music a fullness that suggests an orchestra. Very well produced by Jay Ferguson.

So we put these elements together and we have a CD that should be part of any good rock collection. Good enough to be nominated for a Grammy. And while Madalena may be compared to Evanescence or a "darker" Madonna, she maintains a style of her own, making her unique and desirable in my opinion. She also has some back up from James Briggs on a couple of tracks, which only enhances the vocals.

Most of the tracks on this CD are winners, which again is unusual for new music these days. The mood is sultry and hanging on the edge of silky darkness. We have songs about loneness or broken relationships. We have eternal love songs or songs of eternal longing. The one track One More Dance seems more pop in feel. Fortunately the mood is not broken by this one track, and we immediately fall back into the sleek shadows left by many of the other tracks.

Outstanding tracks include the opening track Into the Night, a very dynamic composition; a dark take on the loss of innocence. The Siren has a very catchy chorus, and is about one heart lusting for another.

The title track Rivers of Stone features Madalena harmonizing with herself, having an almost Madonna feel to it but much more "Goth" than any Madonna material. Well orchestrated, driving beat with guitars, a beautifully haunting tune and again is about passion, lust and personal sacrifice for love.

Almost sacred in flavor is Mary Was Gone. It speaks of an experience that is spiritual in flavor, and the chorus evokes a religious event. Very mysterious, it is provoking and curious but beautifully executed with some powerful orchestration and lovely vocals.

If you have not experienced Madalena or the works of James Briggs, this is an excellent production to introduce you to Jade Redd. maf

Wow, this is some of the most hauntingly beautiful music I've ever heard. Some have used the "Enya meets Evanescence" comparison, which seems appropriate to describe singer Madalena's vocal style. As a group though, Jade Redd is nowhere near as annoying (sorry) as Enya and doesn't rock anywhere near as much as Evanescence. To my ears, the closest point of comparison is Ambeon's Fate of a Dreamer album. I'm also reminded of the atmosphere on Opeth's darkly beautiful Damnationalbum.

Rivers of Stone is a powerful album. It's both beautiful and haunting, largely due to Madalena's wonderful voice, which I would love to hear on a metal project. It has ambience, atmosphere, and emotion. It's tranquil, but in a "cemetery on a cold day" kind of way. I recommend this album to music fans who aren't tied down by genres and who are willing to try new things.

this is one of my favorite CD's and i have over 400. i can listen to this CD over and over all day long and never get tired of hearing the beautiful voice of Madalena and the gorgeous music accompanying her. What a talent. one of the songs, "Rescue Me" was put on the short list for a Grammy nomination-personally, i think the whole album should be nominated.This is one piece of music i never leave home without. When my friends buy this album, i tell them, "if you don't like it, i'll pay you for buying it"-it's THAT good.

Mystical, noble, evocative... An amazing debut! Lush, layered soundscapes with legitimate composition, more so than the usual new age meandering, with seductive, haunting vocals. A must buy...

Jade Redd's "Rivers Of Stone" is a "must have" CD to add to your sonic library. Each and every original selection is a beautiful masterpiece of shimmering ,intense, yet calming melodies surrounding Madalena's soaringly expressive vocals. I'm also reminded of Loreena McKennitt and Madonna while listening to her , as well as Enya and Evanescence. The thoughtful and precise composition, production and instrumentation of James Briggs and Jay Ferguson continues to shine gently through all of the wonderful segments, just like the late afternoon sun beams rainbows through an exquisite clear glass wind chime. The lush and colorful photography of the jewel case artwork matches the tone and theme of Jade Redd perfectly. This is one CD that is both a pleasure to listen to and also to dreamily gaze at. Pour a glass of your favorite beverage, light some candles, lean back on plush satin pillows and relax....feel yourself softly drifting away down the rivers of stone....and completely enjoying the Jade Redd journey....wherever it may take you....

This cd is beauty in song. Ballad songs are rare for anything but country anymore, but these songs definately tell a story with haunting vocals and amazing intrustmentals. Wonderful

a good cd to buy, it's haunting and beautiful. when you are sad, it's not recommended to listen.

Anyone who loves the rhythmic melodies of Enya, Miriam Stockley (Adiemus) or Amy Lee (Evanessence) should certainly get this CD (as difficult as it can be to find). The music is beautifully composed and the Madelena's vocals are liquidly smooth and silky. For me, the signature piece on the CD is "Siren" which is both seductive and yearning all at the same time.

If I have to wish for one thing on a follow-up CD, it would be for Madelena to reach a notch or two higher on the intensity scale much in the way Amy Lee does when going from softly mournful to powerfully undeniable.

This is a "must have" for any fan of female vocalists.

5 stars for Jay Ferguson and all. What a delight. Incredible musicianship and playing by all.
What a treat!!!!!!!!!!

River's of Stone is a very serene, and boring album. The music was well written, but the lyrics almost put me to sleep. This album could have been better with another vocalist and a little better production. Vocalist Madalena voice is hauntingly bad.
Other's have compared Jade Redd to Evanessence,but I think that is comparison that is truely undeserved. The album is really an all aroung letdown.