Voyagers

R. Carlos Nakai

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 15, 2007)
• Original Release Date: March 14, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Canyon Records
• ASIN: B000NVKY34
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #139,657 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

I don't know if anyone was yearning for a meeting of Jewish and Native American music, but R. Carlos Nakai has planted his foot at its nexus. Here, he teams up with a longtime member of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Israeli-born cellist Udi Bar-David. Both musicians have worked at the multi-culti intersection: Nakai has recorded with musicians from Japan, Germany, and Tibet, while Bar-David has an organization called Intercultural Journeys that facilitates similar collaborations. With only a few exceptions, the tone of Voyagers is muted and solemn. Melding Native American, Middle Eastern, and Jewish themes in oceanic currents, Voyagers moves through slo-mo largos like an oceanic cruiser plowing through a high-viscosity sea. Along with percussionist Will Clipman, they play in solo, duo, trio, and faux quartet settings, the latter with Bar-David multitracking cellos in interweaving lines and counterpoints. Ernest Bloch's "Prayer from a Jewish Life" is especially provocative, as Bar-David's double cello lines perform undulating wave actions while Nakai's flute sounds like a bird struggling to attain the heavens. "Whirlwinds Dancing" is a theme by Nakai, but Bar-David gets into some ear-bending tonalities on the track that contrast with Nakai's soulful melody. Voyagers only turns upbeat on the klezmeresque "Lech Lamidbar--Go to the Desert," with Clipman nailing out the dancing groove on dumbek. While it's not as immediately inviting as many of R. Carlos Nakai's albums, Voyagers does reward you if you book passage. --John Diliberto

Product Description

Multi-Grammy nominee R. Carlos Nakai melds the haunting sounds of the Native American flute with the soulful expressiveness of the cello of Udi Bar-David. Native American, Jewish, Arabic, and Turkish melodies are presented in diverse arrangements unified by two eclectic and iconoclastic artists who personify their respective peoples. Multi-Grammy nominee Will Clipman adds subtle percussive colors that expand this multi-cultural sharing and exploration.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, Inconsistent - what was the musical vision of this CD?, March 24, 2008

By	PK - Berkeley (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

Pairing two great musicans together doesn't always make for good music. The cello solos are beautiful, but when Carlos enters the duet, I get the feeling he is really struggling to break free of the limitations of his instrument. I play native american flute-- unlike the cello each flute has a limited tonal range, and you can only play in one key at a time. It is a fantastic instrument, and Nakkai is the master. However Carlos' work on the duets really didn't fit very well and was disappointing-- it felt forced. I would stick with "Sanctuary" which is my favorite Nakkai CD. Unlike "Voyagers" it has a consistent, moody musical texture and vision. Also, what's up with "Amazing Grace" on this CD? This was off-the-charts cheesy and really didn't fit in with the other tracks on this CD.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little too dreary, February 10, 2008

By	R. Miller "bald spot" (Toledo, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very good collaboration, but with some major weaknesses. First, I'm disappointed by the selections. Most range from serious to downright somber, but there are three (out of 14) where these two excellent musicians seem to relax and have a little fun. A little. How can you combine American Indian music (with its lively powwow traditions) and Jewish music (with its dance traditions) and come out so. . . serious, so. . .gloomy? After "Amazing Grace" the CD descends (except for the last piece) into a kind of spiritual/philosophical swamp. But I can't say I wasn't warned: the little introductory blurbs that the two men wrote are just as much of a spiritual/philosophical swamp as some of this music. (At least, to their credit, neither claims to be a writer!) They just seem to take this cross-cultural experiment a little too seriously. Too many songs too much the same. Some very good music, but too many unrealized possibilities. And too little Will Clipman!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Voyages, February 1, 2008

By	Thomas C. Beall "Thomas" (Tucson AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of R. Carlos Nakai's best collaborations. The music is fluid , moving and spiritually uplifting. Is is rellaxing without being boring, Both are skilled musicians and their collaboration is inspiring.