Customer Reviews

Shadowfax

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD introduced me to the world of New Age music. It is still my favorite by far (got it in 1984). I know a lot of people think most New Age is boring, however this CD is different - it takes you places, and justs sets your mind at ease - something we all need now and then. Everyone that I have played Shadowfax for likes them, so give this CD your ears - you won't be dissappointed! I am just sad that there are not more New Age CD's like this one out there, as a lot of New Age artists have tended to stay on the 'safe end' of new age (nearly relaxation, take it back a notch). This CD dares, yet relaxes...

This is Shadowfax's third album, but the first for the Windham Hill record label. The two earlier albums were on an independent label but were later rereleased by Windham Hill.

It is a very nice, but short album (34 minutes long). The tracks are short and relatively simplistic, by Shadowfax standards. As the group matured so did the music. The later albums have more depth and are better. Shadowdance is my favorite CD.

Shadowfax was one of the pioneers in New Age Jazz. They were also one of the best. They took the boring "Sunday Brunch" jazz from that time period (spyro Gyra) and merged it with new influences (especially Eastern) and injected new life into it. Shadowfax had a lot of inferior imitators that eventually made new age jazz a dirty word. I liked to call it Yuppie Muzak.

this CD is awsome! this is by far the best new age CD ever. its really a pleasure to listen to. Its really cool listening to the lyricon on this CD and a mix of musical culture from around the world. this CD is a must buy if you like new age or blues music.

Shadowfax self-titled is a superb album. Songs like Angel's Flight and Thousand Teardrops with that haunting stone flute were remarkable to hear, as they still are. The second song, Vajra, remains in my thinking as one of the best the band ever put on vinyl. Oriental Eyes is another trick piece of work. It's all great stuff. To give this anything less than five stars would be to have not even listened to the music.

This album is pleasant instrumental music. 'Varja' and especially 'Wheel of dreams' are moody acoustic guitar driven pieces which wouldn't sound too out of place somewhere on an early Genesis album. Ariki (hummingbird spirit) has a tirbal rhtyhm to it. Their music is quite vivid but on this album they stay with acoustic instrumentation, though the epic album closer, Marie, has some synthesised guitar.

The feeling of the album is relaxed and spiritual. There is no singing on the album. The songs, however, have some hooks. There'll be a particular riff, on piano or guitar for example, thet you hear a lot through the song, and usually the saxapone (or lyricon) does a solo. It's fine album. 9/10

I first fell in love witht he music of Shadowfax in 1986 when I heard the song "Ghost Bird" from the "Shadowdance" album. "The Odd Get Even" is, IMHO, their very best album. The founder of the band, Chuck Greenburg, died of a heart attack in 1995 which caused the remaining members to disband. God, I miss their music. No other music is quite like theirs. Their sound is unique, original, and hauntingly beautiful. Thanks, Chuck for the artistic sounds you left behind for us.

This album as the other reviewer has already noted is more active than their earlier albums, but I really appreciate this album. The variety of sounds and the interesting rhythms plus the huge flavor of Middle Eastern music make this album an enjoyable change of pace from other New Age / Jazz fair.

It's really a shame that the band has disbanded since Greenberg passed on. If you enjoy Mannheim Steamroller, Yanni (ssshh!), or are more into modern jazz such as Chick Corea or Pat Metheny I would recommend you give this CD a whirl. I hate the term "New Age," but this is where you'll most often find this CD. Quite frankly if more New Age music were like this...New Age wouldn't have gotten such a bad rap.

Unlike most bands, I'd have to say that ALL of their albums are great!

If you check out the bins at your favorite store, you probably won't find this outstanding bands' pieces. These guys are tight, pleasing and masters of putting an oriental flavor to jazz, like no other. Their music is hard to get tired of with nice variety in their vein. This album is a must, even though it is short, just over thirty minutes. Just listen to that tasty interplay with those modern jazz instruments. Beautiful and non boring listening. This piece and 'Dreams Of Children' are simply outstanding!

When Chuck Greenberg convinced Windham Hill to sign a reunited Shadowfax, they had to deliver something which sounded like the other music on the label. As soon as the band started playing concerts again, however, its previous rock-fusion energy revived, and their subsequent albums capture that. World percussion and modern synths were joyously taken up, Stinson found his electric guitar, and Shadowfax as we think of them today were born.

But this is the record that led to all that: not really how Shadowfax would actually sound, but rather an effort by the Shadowfax musicians to make a "Windham Hill album" when that meant being acoustic, thoughtful, and controlled. The resulting album shows them already beginning to stretch those boundaries in "Ariki" [the only piece here still performed in their concerts four years later], otherwise "A Thousand Teardrops" is the standout easy-listening track which typifies the rest. Not a bad album, but not a great one either ...

One outstanding track, a couple more decent = 2 to 2.5 stars

Check out Angel's Flight and A Thousand Teardrops. I had the audio cassette from years ago and just remembered to repurchase the mp3's.