Customer Reviews

Under Northern Lights

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

 

 

This is Keiko's second release. I find it to be a little more mellow than some of her other CDs. It is a Keiko product and thus better than CDs by most artists, but I hesitantly place it in the lower half of her CDs. If you are addicted to her music like I am, then you should definitely buy it because it is really very good. If you are only exploring her music, then buy "The Keiko Matsui Collection". Half of the songs on that CD are from "Under Northern Lights", and "Collection" contains the best songs from "N. Lights".

This album has brought me to tears. I can listen to this CD for hours. My favorite track is Ruins Of Sonora, which is not included in the Keiko Matsui Collection. If you are going to explore Keiko's music, this is a good choice.

"As Far as the Eye Can See" and "High Brow Country Affair" both make me gag.

"Ruins of Sonora" has a Spanish trumpet thing going on that, while it was technically sound in its own right, just didn't jive with anything else I've heard from Keiko. It was like a well-painted piece of the wrong puzzle. I didn't like it.

Take those three tracks out of the album, and you've got the gold standard set by Keiko's other work.

If you're a Keiko collector, buy this album for tracks 1 - 4 and 8 - 10. If you're thinking of trying Keiko for the first time, I recommend one of her other albums -- particularly Dream Walk.

For the rest of the album, I enjoyed it immensely and found it just as engaging as anything else I've heard from Keiko.

-sean henning

This CD Is Beautiful, Every Song Is Breathtaking. You Can Relax with her music, or Stay up all Night and Work With it. Very Talented Lady.

Overall a good album by Keiko Matsui, her later work is better, but also some of it has to do with the recording technology available back at that time, the tools available not as good as today. I like the album however the Brown County Affair song I do not like, does not belong on this album. My guess is Keiko was forced to include it on the album by the record company feeling it would appeal to an American audience. Many of the songs are redone more advanced on later albums. I do like the Ruins of the Sonora song which later is Sonora on another album. Mountain Shakedown also, nice to hear two versions of a song, being Keiko is so talented. Walls of the Cave I really like especially when it cuts loose towards the end, good song. Not her best album but a good album as she only does quality work.

Another good CD to listen to music from Keiko. I would buy it again.
I've read in other comments about Keiko's albums that some of the songs are repeated; when that happens it's like having the same great plate but with a different flavor -because she does add/change something- which I always welcome and enjoy. Recommended.

First let me apologize, as I won't rate anything with a perfect five stars. But to rate it at four stars is saying something. I really like Keiko's music. It is an easy listening mix of fusion and jazz. It is great to listen to when I want to unwind during a hectic day. I would recommend it to everyone who is tired of the funk that is being produced today that others call music. Matter of fact, I have recommended it to others and they have bought Keiko's music for themselves as well.