Customer Reviews

Seasons of the Soul

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw Lisa perform in Philadelphia in 1997, and I couldn't believe it when I found "Seasons of the Soul". I immediately bought two, one for myself and one for my best friend, who is undergoing cancer treatment. She listens to the entire CD every morning (I listen after work to remind myself of who I am after a stressful day). This is my favorite record of the year. Windham Hill should be commended for signing Lisa to their roster, and whoever made that happen is a GENIUS.

I am honored to write a review on the beautiful Lisa Lynne's "Seasons of the Soul." When I purchased this CD I would have bought it for the name alone, but the enchantment that spilled forth from her music made my spirit want to dance with the soaring notes. Tranquil, playful, majestic, a dance with life, all exquisitely executed in musical form. Fortune was smiling on us the morning of the Kanapaha Spring Garden Festival as my husband and I experienced Lisa Lynne's music in person. We were eager to take home such enchantment and it was only as we were paying for the CD that Lisa Lynne came to us and shared that we had bought the very first copy of this new release. The depth of emotion with which this music is presented compells a response by even those whose souls have not yet awakened.

Lisa Lynne once again displays her strength and talent as a composer and arranger in her own right. This set of original compositions, two of which were co-written with flutist George Tortorelli, is warm and welcoming. The opening track, which is in fact entitled "Welcome", is a wonderful example of the modern use of "ostinato" - where a musical phrase or rhythm is repeated over and over, allowing other instrumentalists to improvise around it. In this case, the ground is a simple chord progression with a repeating series of runs on the harp, and the improvisers are the talented Tortorelli, with a lovely layering of flute and recorders, and Sid Page, with delicately whimisical descants on his violin. There's room you too, if you like! Just follow their lead, or harmonize along with the ground. Lynne's musical style, while retaining signature elements, varies from album to album. This recording is perhaps a bit jazzier than the others I've heard, and nicely so. Track #4, in fact, sounds like tip of the hat to Andreas Vollenweider. Joining Lynne, Tortorelli and Page on this album are cellist, bassist and co-producer Gil Morales, Michael Fisher on percussion, and Yussi on guitar. Lynne also plays mandolins and bozouki on many numbers. Other recent releases include "Maiden's Prayer", "Daughters of the Celtic Moon", and the wistful "Moonsongs". If you like the work of Lisa Lynne and friends, you may also enjoy that of harpist Thomas Loefke and his group Norland Wind.

Wonderful! Tranquil and peaceful. I was so surprised the first time I heard it, and still am each new time I play it! You absolutely can't go wrong with this one...

For me, this CD has indeed accompanied me through the seasons of my own heart and soul. In times both joyous and tragic, this CD seems to be the perfect 'companion', as it were, along my emotional journeys.

The music is deeply evocative, with melodies and arrangements that are truly angelic! Lisa's harp remains the heartbeat through most of these songs with the flute singing beautifully alongside.

I can't speak highly enough of this CD. I can only say you'd be a fool to pass it up.

Lisa Lynne's second CD for the Windham Hill label, continues to break new ground for artistic interpretation and skillful musicianship. "Seasons of the Soul" and its predecessor; "Daughters of the Celtic Moon", continue to define the genre and further enhance its image and popularity. On this second outing for Windham Hill, Lisa Lynne is featured much more prominently and her skillful rendering of complex melodies on the celtic harp, are matched only buy her virtuosity with other instruments; such as the mandolin, electric bass and hammer dulcimer. Combining her extraodinary talents with with first class accompniement from George Tortorelli, Gil Morales and others, yields a collection of harmonies which are extremely difficult to achieve. Sonically, "Seasons of the Soul", is an audiophile masterpiece, which among other things, will test the low level resolve of any audiophile system, thanks in part, to Gil Morales' double bass. Seasons of the Soul is a "must have" for any audiophile and fan of the genre.

This CD is the first that I have bought by reading the review off Amazon.com. I had never heard of Lisa Lynne before and was happily surprised at the talent of this artist. I would recomment this cd highly.

I tried to buy this CD reading previous reviews! have to thank you all! for me that I love celtic music (McKennitt, Enya, Sound Garden= I really appreciated this unknown artist...at least to me. If you love harp and sfot and relaxing music that s very good CD, for haunting atmosphere.
Well done Lisa.

....but what they do is FANTASTIC! Romantic, relaxing, & stimulating all at the same time. I play this CD over & over again!:)

I'm not usually a fan of this type of music, but I came upon this CD in yoga class. The beauty of this music really stood out and I was compelled to enjoy it, rather than regard it as simply background music.