Secret Voices

Gaia Consort | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 17, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 13, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Suddenly Naked Arts Collective
• ASIN: B00005O4UE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,983 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Gaia Consort Gaia: (Gaea) 'guy-uh': 1) The Greek Earth Goddess and Mother of the Titans 2) The autopoietic super-organism that is the living biosphere

Consort: 'kan-soert: 1) one who shares a common lot 2) a ship accompanying another 3) spouse / lover 4) to make harmony 5) a group of singers or instrumentalists performing together

"Gaia Consort makes music that celebrates the Earth, the living planet. We have so much to celebrate – our job is to get people look up from their tarot decks, or their computers or televisions long enough to sense the great cycles, the seasons, maybe just a wonderfully starry night. We make music that takes people out of their usual venues.”

So said Christopher Bingham when he and his partner Sue Tinney resurfaced from a year long performing hiatus at Nudestock '97 as Gaia Consort. In the spring of 1996, they returned from an admittedly disastrous European “tour” that left them deeply in debt and forced them to literally face the music – to figure out what was important in their lives, and to make music that reflected their values.

Gaia Consort grew out of that inner focus, and people who celebrate Gaia around the world are finding that Gaia Consort’s first (Bingham’s third) CD Gaia Circles has a habit of staying in the CD player. Enough so that Gaia Consort will release their next CD, Secret Voices this summer.

Released by the Seattle, WA based Suddenly Naked Arts Collective in December 1999, Gaia Circles is an “out of the broom closet” collection of celebratory songs about the Earth and our relationship with Her. Guests include Heather Alexander, violin, Dan Ochipinti drums and percussion, Jay Kenney, keyboards, Betsy Tinney, cello, Dan Mohler, bass and Jennifer Kay on backing vocals. Secret Voices continues the tradition with the classiclly influences violin work of Matthew Weiss and Ed Davis.

Gaia Consort have played a variety of festivals and events, including headlining the long running Heartland Pagan Festival (2000) and word is getting out that something interesting is going on in the world of pagan music. Folks who like Sting, Bruce Cockburn or Crosby, Stills and Nash will feel right at home with these dynamic performers.

Christopher Bingham is no stranger to Pacific Northwest audiences. He left his hometown of St Louis to study jazz at The Evergreen State College in Olympia in 1979, fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and stayed. Before Gaia Circles he released two CDs, The Burning (1993) and Angel and the Hanged Man (1995) Several cuts on both CDs have received airplay on a number of college and commercial radio stations across the US and in Europe.

Sue Tinney has a special gift for picking out the perfect harmony line. She’s been singing alto parts all her life and it shows. She’s also co-produced all of Bingham’s Suddenly Naked releases. Growing up literally in the Olympic National park, (Kalaloch and the Hoh river valley) the spirit of the rainforest is imbued in all her work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They Just Get Better and Better, October 19, 2001

By 

S. Tescione (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secret Voices (Audio CD)

This new CD was simply fabulous. The music is high-energy and Gaia Consort continues with their Earth-based themes. One of the more unusual songs is "Blood." It's about a predator stalking a herd, and I've never heard anything quite like it before. At the last concert, Chris Bingham, the lead singer, referred to the song as "dark." In a Samhain sense, it is. To me, the songs on "Secret Voices" seem somewhat darker than the numbers on "Gaia Circles." However, that's not necessarily a negative--I think it simply reflectsthe depth of thought that went into the lyrics.

"Beltane Fires" is classic Gaia Consort and is rousing dance music. Sue Tilley does her usual great job on the harmonies, and we do hear a bit more from her on this CD (a very little bit). I concur that Gaia Consort needs "more Sue." This CD is a "must have" for all of those who support Earth-centered arts.

Susan Tescione

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent Pagan Songsmiths!, October 21, 2001

By 

Laura "zaratyst" (RENTON, WA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secret Voices (Audio CD)

I first heard these artists live prior to the release of the CD before this (Gaia Circles). They have thoughtful lyrics, great guitar work and are just plain astounding! In Secret Voices, the group advances their talents in all areas, and melds into a more synchronized group. If you like your ecological commentary and celebration of nature wrapped in a delicious tortilla of harmonies, this is the burrito for you! You do not have to be Pagan or Polyamorous to enjoy this CD, but if you are, you will probably love it all the more. Gaia Consort's message of "Do as you will, an' it harm none" is one that any open-minded people will appreciate. Their pulsing folk-rock rhythms will make you want to caper merrily. Enjoy!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Secret Voices Rocks!, October 17, 2001

By 

Jennifer Kilmer (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secret Voices (Audio CD)

In concert, Chris has said that the title track
(Secret Voices) is based on a time he lived near
auto row in Lake City. All he'd hear is traffic,
banging, trucks, and other noise...and then he'd
hear a bird. Or see the moon. Nature is alive.
This album is about learning to look & listen.

I've been listening to many of these songs at
concerts for over a year. Beltane Fires is
my favorite song (but then, I was born on
Beltane Eve :)

Three is a lovely, lyric love song. Every
Sacred Thing asks some good questions
about our society. I think that's a big
reason why I like this music: the lyrics
make me think, and the melody makes me move :)

I would encourage everyone to order this
CD and enjoy the music. (No, you don't have
to be Pagan!)