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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Talisman Breathes New Life Into Great Music, June 8, 2002
Passage is devoted to music of the African diaspora, sung by one of the world's most unique college a cappella groups. The group's strongest point may be their arrangements. I thought I knew most of the songs on this CD before I heard it, but the group manages to add new twists to classic pieces like "Wade in the Water", "Eyes on the Prize", "Soon Ah Will Be Done", "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing", as well as contemporary songs like Angelique Kidjo's "Akwaba", Dionne Farris's "Human", and Zap Mama's "Rafiki" (which includes lines interspersed from Mariah Carey's "Anytime You Need a Friend"). The introduction to "Soon Ah Will Be Done", using "Wayfaring Stranger", is one of the most beautiful segments of music ever recorded, and, like the rest of the CD, this song continues to grow with new surprises at every refrain.I was initially less impressed a few songs, notably "Pata Pata!" and "Eyes on the Prize", but after giving them a few more chances I grew to love them as much as the rest of the songs. My only criticism is that most of the male soloists, while they sound excellent when backing up the women and blending in choral pieces, pale in comparison to the female soloists, most notably *Z* McClelland. That may be why they're so hard to come by- out of 56 solos on the album, only 15 are sung by a male. Even if you're not usually a fan of a cappella music, this CD will make you smile, dance, and be thankful for the gifted musicians of Stanford University.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Embark on the "Passage", August 16, 2001
If this is your first passage to Talisman, dont let the appellation A Cappella color your expectations of the journey to come. As longtime listeners will know, though Talisman is solely vocals and rhythm, they do not record or perform the cutesy pop music covers and medleys that often mark collegiate a cappella. Passage, the latest release from the 1997 National A Cappella Champions, stays beautifully true to Talismans mission of providing culturally substantive music to its community of listeners and fans. Talismans repertoire has, in the past, used music from all pockets of the world to compliment their base of African songs and African American spirituals. Passage, their fifth full-length CD, represents a renewed commitment to the music and people of Africa with 15 tracks of traditional songs of African ancestors and slaves. The contemporary arrangement of selections soulfully reveals the individual and group talents of members who are incredibly not professionals, but college students. The early cries of Akwaba, laid over a rich vocal percussion and a Conga drum, welcome you experience the anger, pain, hope and celebration of the songs to follow. Famine Song floats through the air with an eerie hollowness befitting the subject matter. The bipolar female vocals in Rafiki come through the speakers warm and gritty, but shadowed by a smooth caramel soundcombined with unique rhythms, this track celebrating friendship is not to be missed. The Taliswomen-performed Human opens with a spoken word piece authored by musical director and member *Z* McClelland. An expression against sexism and racism, Human is a sexy, strong, empowering anthem. With the fresh, inspired arrangements typical of all Talisman ensembles, some spiritual familiars such as Go Tell It On The Mountain, Lift Evry Voice and Sing, and Eyes on the Prize (not to be confused with the unequaled Keep Your Eyes on the Prize featured on the compilation album Shine), are infused with new life. Embarking on the Passage will provide you with more than just rich, compelling music. You will be tempted to frame the cover art: an expressive watercolor by Mr. Samuel Akainyah that echoes the themes and undercurrents of the CD. Inside there are cultural origins/songwriter, arrangement and soloist credits provided with each track as well as a description of languages sung and theme of song. Lyric translations (to English), a new feature to Talisman CDs, are provided for Akwaba, Sixolele Baba, and Ë Hatta A Beta Apebba. Don't miss this opportunity to own "Passage" for yourself. The journey will not disappoint.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
RARB (The Recorded A Cappella Review Board) review, October 31, 2001
By A Customer
RARB (The Recorded A Cappella Review Board) review
for this album:http://www.rarb.org/reviews/259.html Excerpts:
"Once again, Talisman has put together quite an amazing album, full of the most beautiful African and African-American music you've ever heard...You will not find a better recording of this genre of music, aside from maybe SoVoSó or similar professional groups. Talisman just keeps getting better and better. I can't imagine how they could ever top this album." - Freddie Feldman "It's a great album, one that should appeal to fans of world music both in and out of the a cappella world." - Rebecca Christie "What's most impressive about this is that fifteen women and eleven men have a turn at soloing, avoiding detriment to the spectacular sound and energy of the disc." - Freddie Feldman "It's just good music." - Bernard Levin
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