Vox [Dual Disc]

Andreas Vollenweider | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 20, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Dual Disc
• Label: Kin Kou
• ASIN: B000A7DBK4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,717 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Vox isn't just the kind of metaphorical title we've come to expect from Andreas Vollenweider. On it, the Swiss harpist actually sings songs in English for the first time. He has a pleasant, slightly coarse alto that would be great at a campfire singalong, but on a highly produced CD, his flaws and limited range become cloying. You could imagine these tunes being sung by Kenny Loggins, but I'm not sure that easy-listening is what Vollenweider had in mind. And Daniel Kueffer's sub-Kenny G. sax playing doesn't help. But despite the songs, which take up nearly half the disc, Vox doesn't sound that distant from Vollenweider's previous discs. He's still a brilliant multi-instrumentalist and adventurous composer, ingenious in his mixing of global music, creating tableaus that embrace South African singers, Indian bansuri flute players, Chinese erhu masters, and even his daughter's school choir. "Wake Up and Dance" has a rhythm constructed around crowd chants from London's One Million People peace march in February, 2003. It builds into a swirling mosaic with sirens wailing and an African chorus singing a tribal chant with solo voices, a youth choir, and more emerging out of a chaotic bazaar. The chamber setting of his song "Paper Walls" is wrought like an antique book cover, full of detail.

But as often as Vollenweider succeeds, he sabotages his compositions with episodic arrangements and a corny sense of humor. On "Enchanted Rocks" he mixes Zulu-language Andrews Sisters-style vamping while launching into a Louis Armstrong scat imitation. It's meant as a joke, but is just wrong. In recent years, Andreas Vollenweider hasn't been given the credit he deserves, and albums like Vox may be part of the reason why. --John Diliberto

Product Description

Andreas Vollenweider returns after a five-year absence with the stunning new album 'VOX'. 'VOX' is a convincing album that re-establishes Andreas's ultimate electro-harp trademark style while introducing a more mainstream element with strong memorable tracks. Emarcy. 2004. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Andreas still mesmerises the ear"!!!!!, March 29, 2005

By 

tony browne (ENGLAND) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vox (Chi) (Audio CD)

Hey, ...don't know about you ., but i've been collecting this guy's incredible music ,oh, 20 years maybe!!From "cAVERNA mAGICA, "wHITE Winds",,,,,,,,"Down to the Moon", ...the list goes on ....this is one incredible musician!!This swiss-born harp player has truly bleesed my (AND AN AWFUL LOT OF MY FRIENDS, TOO!) with absolutely incredible music , the last 2 decades!!His composing skills are phenomenal!, his unique playing ability on the harp is truly awesome , and, what's more , ..he has composed some of the most relaxing ,beautiful music ---ever!!!!(some claim, i know).Of recent years , Andreas , ,has gotten more involved in the more 'classical' music field ...to me, he was not as inspiring..so, ..i was a little unsure how this new album would sound,..phew, was i in for a shock!!....This new Andreas Vollenweider c.d. is absolutely STUNNING!!!!!!!!From it's incredible opening track-"Hello"!...to the end of this c. d. you , if you appreciate inspired music , will be enthralled Mr Vollenweider is back on form!!The real shock , is the 'vocal' tracks, with Andreas 's own voice (HENCE THE TITLE OF THIS C.D.)The lyrics/vocals are truly , beautiful, especially on the songs-"Innocent", "Ripples in the lake (of time) , and the masterpiece..."Hearts of Gold"....what a GLLLLORIOUS song , this is!!!Thankyou , Andreas vOLLENWEIDER for a truly, truly remarkable album!!.one of your best!!!I treasure this album , close to my heart!(Please , Andreas, play a date (dates) in England(Manchester, Birmingham) this summer ---England needs your music, ..oh, and America, too!BUY THIS C.D.!!!-TONY-eNGLAND

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a pleasant surprise!!!, May 13, 2005

By 

Nate Mullins "Music Maniac" (Asheville, NC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vox (Chi) (Audio CD)

It had been five years since Vollenweider's last album (excluding the "Essential" album) and I wasn't sure if he was going to keep going, but imagine my surprise to go online and see "Vox" available. Being an avid Vollenweider fan I readily bought it as an import, not knowing exactly what I was in for. But wow, what a treat this album is!

"Vox" is much different from anything he has recorded previously (like Eolean Minstrel most songs are lyrical), but Andreas has really pulled this one off nicely. This album is full of imagination and sophistication yet the messages in his songs are clear and simple.

This album is truly a pleasurable and uplifting listening experience from start to finish. It is a perfect blend of pop and new age with some hints of jazz on songs such as "Wake up and dance" and "Song of Sysiphos," and even a bit of Oriental on "Seven Doors." There are many sound effects and choruses throughout that enhance the music. The songs "These hearts of Gold" and "Innocent" are especially moving. The former is a beautiful ballad dedicated to the "hearts of gold" in society such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa, and is so touching it almost brings me to tears. The latter has a smooth pop feel and flows gracefully with soft, touching lyrics about letting go of guilt and shame instilled in us through the generations. I love the chorus and melodies in this song. Similarly, "Ripples in the lake of time" has great lyrics and lyrical melodies and a pop feel. Walter Kaiser sounds great on percussion throughout the entire album and becomes prevailant in songs such as the gorgeous opener "Hey you...yes you!" and "Enchanted Rocks," both of which remind me somewhat of "Stella" from Cosmopoly. Really there are no weak tracks on this album--every song is well composed with perfect execution.

"Vox" is a true masterpiece...I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Evolving Artist, September 23, 2005

By 

John "johnmcroy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vox (Audio CD)

Once again Andreas Vollenweider has created something slightly different from, but clearly connected to, his past work. There are two versions, imported and domestic (this one). Actually, I feel the imported is more interesting in that the additional songs and different sequencing seems to create a more complex overall sound. As others have pointed out, this is his first serious foray into vocal work. I think it works and that it works well. The lyrics are interesting, always have something to say, in fact are often touching, and his voice is quite agreeable (I strongly disagree with the Amazon reviewer's putdown of Vollenweider's voice--as well as with a few other rather odd putdowns). In fact, his expressiveness in conveying the intention of the lyric surprised me and, in my view, demonstrates a subtle artistry of yet another instrument--his voice.
As I continue to listen to this album , I have begun to feel that this is one of his best works. Perhaps because of the meaningfulness of the lyrics or the complexity of the music, this CD has affected me as strongly as my favorite works of the past. On the DVD portion of the domestic disc, Andreas is interviewed and he elucidates his view regarding the influence that music has on emotions and thoughts. He certainly demonstrates such influence on this CD.