The Seven Valleys

Stellamara | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 2004)
• Original Release Date: October 22, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lucidity Music
• ASIN: B0006GD0UU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,100 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Turkey
  • #12 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Arabic
  • #43 in Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Taste for Middle Eastern Music, August 25, 2005

By 

medievalcrusadesbabe "ebabsedasurclaveidem" (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Seven Valleys (Audio CD)

The core of the group Stellamara is comprised of Sonja Drakulich and Gari Hegedus, who have written and arranged the compositions on this disk.

The overall flavor of this group is Arabic, Turkish, and Persian. Musical instrumentation includes hammered dulcimer, keyboards, mandocello, various Middle Eastern drums, viola, and the striking vocals of Sonja Drakulich. The combination of Ms. Drakulich and Mr. Hegedus gives us a very professionally composed and produced work.

From the opening track Szerelem we get the feel of the entire work. The soft yet clearly defined vocals of Ms. Drakulich open the CD and while never overpowering any of the tracks, it is the focus of most of these compositions. I highlight some of the more outstanding tracks below.

Zablejalo Mi Agance is a traditional Bulgarian composition. The viola takes on a "gypsy violin" feel, very forlorn and melancholy which is also reflected in Ms. Drakulichs vocal style, which fits with the lyrics.

Kurdi Taksim is a short improvisational piece featuring Gari Hegedus on the oud. This is a Middle Eastern lute, the ancestor to the European lute. This short piece highlights Mr. Hegedus proficiency with the instrument and is very delightful.

The title track Seven Valleys is a very melancholy piece, very Turkish, a love song according to the lyrics. Again featuring the vocals of Ms. Drakulich, with Gari Hegedus on divan saz and baglama, the Turkish stringed instruments similar to lutes, and a daff, or a tambourine.

Maliks has Portuguese lyrics, a travelers blessing from the reading of the lyrics. The piece features the sarod, an Indian stringed instrument, backed by the oud and the tambura. A very lovely piece, very lyrical, soft and impressive.

Kyrie Eleison focuses on Sonja Drakulichs vocals arranged to harmonize with herself. The instrumental accompaniment is minimal, allowing Ms. Drakulich to dominate this piece with her amazing vocal display.

Persephone is a modern piece, placing violin and viola in the forefront of the piece, and surrounding it with tanbur, oud and keyboards. An interesting addition to this work, highlighting the artists' ability.

Overall, this is a powerful showing for the group, highlighting their musical abilities and strong compositions. This is a good choice as an introduction piece to the group, having various styles of their music. It is a very interesting side trip into the World Music genre. maf

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive, February 3, 2005

By 

Carol A. Tatum "Harpist" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Seven Valleys (Audio CD)

In 1999, Sonja and Gary performed on my Windham Hill CD (Angels Of Venice: Song - "Tears Of The World"). I discovered Sonja when their "Stella Mara" Star of the Sea cassette (yes, cassette!) was released. I heard the raw beauty of their music, however, I felt they were a bit undeveloped as far as song arrangments and compositions. Now, with the release of The Seven Valleys, I feel Stellamara has finally "arrived." Just through listening to the MP3s I'm hearing huge leaps and bounds of maturity in their writing, arrangements and production values. I am not surprised, though. Sonja was a star back then but not that well known (she was with Jeffrey Stott at the time and had not teamed up with Gary yet - a wonderful duo, by the way). The Seven Valleys is luminescent, mystical world music shimmering with Spirit and emotional intensity. Congratulations, Sonja and Gary (and guest artists), for a wonderful piece of work that will no doubt have a very long life and stand the test of time. ~~Carol Tatum, Harpist, angelsofvenice.com

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it and play it for your friends, September 15, 2005

By 

Daniel O'donnell (Portland Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Seven Valleys (Audio CD)

This is a long-awaited recording. After the personnel changes from their first CD, many Stellamara fans could hardly wait to hear what Gari and Sonya would do next. The wait was more than worth it - buy this, and play it for your friends and loved ones. Beautiful vocals in real languages, thoughtful arrangements, carefully crafted musicianship, highly original material - this recording has it all. Thank goodness there are still musicians who believe in creating beauty! This one goes straight to the heart.