Toward the Within [LIVE]

Dead Can Dance

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1994)
• Original Release Date: October 25, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: 4ad / Wea
• ASIN: B000002MV0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #127,958 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Rakim

2. Persian Love Song

3. Desert Song

4. Yulunga (Spirit Dance)

5. Piece for Solo Flute

6. Wind That Shakes the Barley

7. I Am Stretched on Your Grave

8. I Can See Now

9. American Dreaming

10. Cantara

11. Oman

12. Song of the Sibyl [Traditional Version]

13. Tristan

14. Sanvean

15. Don't Fade Away

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

SACD Hybrid Remastered CD of the 1994 album Toward The Within is the only official live album of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard's Dead Can Dance. It contains 15 songs, of which only four appeared on their previous albums, and two of which were later re-recorded and included on Lisa Gerrard's first solo album, The Mirror Pool. The others previously existed only in live performances and unofficial bootlegs, but were not officially released until Toward the Within. Along with Perry and Gerrard were a number of musicians who had performed with them on other occasions.14 tracks. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their best work, March 27, 2004

By	Jon Norris (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Toward The Within is the high point of Dead Can Dance's catalog, IMHO. I discovered DCD with the video from which this soundtrack was taken. Discovered is an understatement. It was more like knocked on my backside by a bolt of lightning.

I have not heard anything like this mixture of music before or since. This band would be equally at home in ancient Egypt, on Babylon 5, or in Valhalla. The way they weave Celtic, Germanic, Turkish, Egyptian, African, and who knows what other influences and instruments with synthesizers and electric bass is unique beyond verbal description.

Lisa Girrard's voice is unbelievable. You really have to see the video because they do closeups while she is singing, and it is quite powerful to see her actually producing these sounds. Her voice is like one would imagine a valkyrie - the power of a tsunami with the delicacy of a hummingbird all at the same time. When you hear some female singers, like Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Enya, etc., you see goddess archetypes like Diana or Isis. With Lisa it is more like Kali. This is feminine energy, but it hits you like a freight train in the chest. Which is not to say it is harsh or ragged. Quite the contrary, she exhibits a control over her voice that is remarkable. She weaves soft Celtic lilting notes with deep, powerful tones, modulated by a Turkish or Berber-style vibrato that is amazing. Think German opera blended with belly dancing music and you will be in the ballpark, although that description really misses the true power and beauty of the songs. This is a woman who makes you feel the goddess in your gut as well as your heart, like Ann Wilson, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, etc., but with a decidedly surreal twist. Lisa often sings in a language she creates herself, which adds to the mystique of their music. In some ways, she reminds me of Nina Hagen, although Hagen went from opera to more average punk rock. The power and control of their voices seems similar to me.

I don't care for the more traditional folksongs, although they are very well done. The quality of the other musicians is superb, and again, watching them in the video gives you an added perspective to the way all the different influences weave together.

If you like world music with a touch of other-worldliness, try out this CD. It is not for the faint of heart or those who like common, run-of-the-mill music of any flavor. This is very different stuff indeed.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty and Excellence, as always..., August 28, 2001

By	Jack Dempsey (South Miami Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews

A general rule of thumb, if it's by Dead Can Dance, it will be simply beautiful and amazing. The only exception to this rule, would most likely involve their very first album, a travesty even by Brendan and Lisa's own admission(s). This is absolutely no exception to the rule. It is beautiful, enchanting and truly captivating. The quality of the musicianship is beyond reproach. I remember this time in DCD's history well. I was fortunate enough to experience DCD live, here in San Francisco. Absolutely incredible would be an understatement. This cd does a great deal to capture that experience and reduce it to a recording. For those unsure, this cd is worth of the price of admission for Brendan's song "Don't fade away" by itself. But, of course, every single song on this release is amazing. Many, many times Brendan's voice seems to overlap and bring to mind images of Leonard Cohen (in his early years) and Tim Buckley. I find myself somewhat saddened by this release. Given that Brendan and Lisa have now gone their separate ways, moments of this cd can almost seem to foreshadow that event. It's weird, and probably doesn't make much sense, but the feeling is somehow there. If you are new to the DCD experience, it would be my recommendation to start with "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun." By far, that is the single best recording ever made by DCD, and that is saying a great deal. However, "Serpent's Egg" is a very, very close second. After that, "Aion" would be my next recommendation. It marks DCD's transition from a more classical based influence, to a more spiritual/celtic/tribal-esque approach that was later seen in "Into the Labyrinth" and "Spiritchaser." If you could only own three DCD cd's, those would definitely be my choices. However, definitely look into Brendan's solo release. It is extremely beautiful, and I was very glad to see it after having to endure two Lisa and Pieter releases. Not to say that Lisa's "solo" efforts are bad...I own both (as well as the soundtracks to "The Insider" and "Gladiator" solely for her work). Rather, after growing up on DCD and always having Brendan and Lisa together....it is hard to accept the two apart. Together, they acheived a certain balance that I don't think is acheived apart. It is almost, to sound trite, Yin without Yang. Also, for those who want to explore the DCD family tree further, check out Peter Ulrich's solo release. He was one of the percussionists for DCD, and featured prominently on "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun." His cd is very, very good. Keep in mind however not to expect a rehash of DCD. Rather, his approach is a very early Pink Floyd folk approach. Almost approaching the current folk-sound of some Current 93 stuff. Check it out.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dead Can Dance can do no wrong, March 23, 2004

By	Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I'm astounded by the haunting beauty of Dead Can Dance. They truly were, and still are, one of the greatest bands around! Although Lisa Gerrard has been successful at her work on solo projects and movie soundtracks since the demise of DCD, I wish they would join forces one last time to create another breathtaking album. Of course I don't yet own their entire catalogue so I'll be patient for that hopeful day to arrive...

I admit to liking the faster world songs with upbeat percussion, which usually feature the vocals of Brendan Perry, over the slower more somber pieces that LG tends to sing but they balance it out so well on 'Toward The Within' - a record filled with live performances taken from their concert in Santa Monica, California - that it flows without notice as every track keeps you captive. Plus they both have such enticing voices that run deep with emotion and, despite how different they are, it wouldn't be the same without one or the other.

The fact that this isn't a studio album but something given straight up and raw makes the experience of listening to this that much more personal. If they messed up they messed up but the musicians played impeccably and in turn made a masterpiece that just might be deemed as the best work they ever did. That will always be an argument never settled, though, as every fan has their own opinion for the darkly lavished 'Within The Realm of a Dying Sun' along with the renaissance fair of 'Aion' were also very good and those two were later released.

Point is, whether you have all these songs or not, this is an album worth having for the sheer unraveling of talent unfolding.

Every track is great with A+ production quality but my absolute favorites include "Rakim", "Desert Song", "Yulunga (Spirit Dance)", "American Dreaming", "Cantara" and "Oman".

{Also check out the VHS version}