Customer Reviews

Weaving My Ancestors Voices

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You know that old question, "If you were stuck on desert island, and you could only have 10 CDs..." I don't know what the others are but this is a must. Haunting, beautiful powerful, though I agree that I could live without the Speaking In Tongues sections. That is what keeps it from being a perfect CD. I have about 12 CDs from the Real World collection and this is my favorite

First, let me say that if you prefer your world music with strong instrumentation over vocals, then this is not the album for you. Sheila Chandra takes her listener's on a musical voyage using almost nothing but her versatile, compelling voice. The instrumentation is made up mostly of drones, and even that is minimal. But if you are a fan of voice, or a cappala work, you will dig this album.
Chandra lives up to the title of this disc by weaving eclectic vocal styles from various traditions together, sometimes on the same track, as on the so-so Dhyana and Donalogue. The stronger tracks include Nana/The Dreaming, The Enchantment, and the totally inspired weaving together of Ever So Lonely/Eyes/Ocean. And as a previous reviewer noted, the two Speaking In Tongues tracks have to be heard atleast once, but after that, they really are skippable (thank God for programmable CD players) as they don't offer much in way of asthetic enjoyment.
So all in all, the album is hit and miss. It really works best as background music, for relaxation or while surfing the 'net. Of course, Sheila's best was yet to come on ABoneCroneDrone, but you can hear the seeds of that work being planted here on this somewhat experimental disc.

Sheila Chandra is an amazing singer, which is more than just an amazing voice. She uses her voice with such intensity of focus and range of inflection, the effect is hypnotic, entrancing, and very beautiful. Several here have commented on the vocal-percussion pieces, where she imitates Indian drums, but also listen for her uncanny imitation of a sitar on the raga Ever So Lonely/Eyes/Ocean. This album isn't for everyone, but if you love local music and world music, give this a try...

Sheila Chandra is a good artist that hasn't got her due. Her vocal skills are comparable to Enya and yet she is nowhere to be found on the airwaves...even on world music and alternative stations.

This is a good CD but I liked her other CDs like Quiet and Zen Kiss better.

Sheila Chandras music on the "Weaving my Ancestors Voices" is difinitive in its impact. It is unforgettable as the musical manifestation of a beautiful history of voice and sound.

As an artist i use music to paint to and i find this particularly atmospheric and evocative without jarring the soundscape. Meditative and contemplative with universal appeal.

Certainly defined for me as one of her great new creations. for all musical tastes.

Wendy Bandurski-Miller

Sempronius New York

Sheila Chandra is one of my favorites. Her voice is so smooth and rich. The execution of each note is right in tune. The bols she sings is very interesting, not a favorite of mine, but I do find it amazing that someone can sing like that. If you purchase this CD, I think you'll be pleased.

Worth buying if only for the song Dhyana and Donologue. The rest of the CD is excellent, but trust me, after listening to her incredible voice, you will be haunted by this song....

I wasn't sure I liked Indi-pop until I heard this album. I like her style. I'm a classical singer, so her rendition of Nana by Manuel deFalla I found intriguing. Everything on this album is wonderful, although her speaking in tongues was a little hard to sing along with...(how does she DO that!?) I think this is her best album.

I purchased this album after hearing Sheila's work on several Makyo albums and because I loved Sacred stones ( it is also on the Trance Planet compilations). This is a great album, running the gamut from Indian vocal Ragas to an amazing blend of Indian and Celtic sounds. As much as I love this album, I wish it was not so varied. It jumps back and forth in tone and tempo which makes it hard to use for mood or meditation. Shifting from raga to ambient tone it a bit jarng either way you go. Still a fantastic album and worth owning.

Some reviewers call this music "dull", although perhaps only in comparison to "hard rock", etc.
I call it wonderfully meditative and not over-produced. My only dislike is that the song list is nearly identical to "Moonsung", so you would probably not want both discs...