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Reviews Written by
medievalcrusadesbabe "ebabsedasurclaveidem" (Ohio USA)
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World Fiction
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enjoyable and contemplative ambient music, October 13, 2008
Kit Watkins may be familiar to you from his group Tone Ghost Ether, an improvisational group including Brad Allen and John Tlusty. That group, from 2001 was only the latest musical project of Mr. Watkins has been involved in over the years. Mr. Watkins has become an outstanding artist in the Ambient genera and this CD is a fresh, lovely and enjoyable new offering from the artist.
There are twelve tracks on this CD, for a total playing time of 51:57 minutes. The tracks vary in time from just under three minutes to almost eight minutes.
Track One - Snake Charmer, provides us with a little over three minutes of what the rest of the compositions promise, a smooth combination of primal percussions mixed with sometimes spacey, sometimes very electronic sounds filling the spaces between the beat.
The work progresses to the World Fiction tracks I through VII. The first track, which opens and closes with vocalizations, is part beat, part jazz, and all enjoyable. The blend of primal beat with jazz is not unusual, but the jazz is electronic in nature, and does give it a very different feel from the traditional jazz you may be accustomed to, but it does not offend. Rather, it draws you into it. Track II again starts with a jazz feel, saxophone in nature, to draw you into the composition. Very progressive, but again, it is electronica. It is a short piece, no heavy beat, but it provides a break between the first and third tracks. The third track draws us back to the primal drumming, with electronic sounds of voices, birds, wind, percussion and again, is a short piece that now draws us to the fourth track which is a longer, more melodic and again, returns to the jazzy wind instrument. This piece lures you into the feeling of a full orchestra accompanying a sax, but it gradually becomes more electronica in feel till the electronics take over. A lovely soundscape, relaxing, imaginative and a worthy showcase for the artists talents.
Track V starts with a percussion, builds, adds vocals, and creates a driving beat accompanied by electronic instrumentation that gives this an almost "other world" feel. The electronic instrumentation sounds electronic, very spacey, very driven, sometimes distorted. A noticeable change to the almost jazzy feel to the CD up to this point, but not unsettling. Rather it challenges the listener to follow the change over and accept it as they follow the artist from world to world.
Track VI return to the driving beat, the spacey electronics and is a much gentler contrast to the previous track. Again, a wind instrument blended with primitive beat and blowing spacey electronic effects and lulls the listener back into the original tones of the CD. The beat is given solo reign at the end of the track, which sets up for the V11 track. This track opens with some heavy percussion, which sets the mood of the piece and clearly becomes the main focus of the piece. The electronica takes a back seat to the beat. It is a short piece to be sure but It is a "get up and out of your chair and dance" piece which I particularly enjoyed.
The titles change at this point. Track 9 is entitled Mondo Panda, The driving beat is still here, but there is the suggestion of a base guitar and a keyboard fill that gives this a different flavor from the rest of the compositions so far. Again we hear a suggestion of wind instruments, maybe trumpets, and the flavor is again almost jazzy, but very electronic. This piece drifts off and we are transported to a duo of compositions called Delirium 1 and Delirium 2.
These are bouncy, upbeat compositions of percussion and electronic sounds, the first having a very light feeling balanced against a very heavy electronic backing. Another "get out of your chair and dance" piece, the beat is very contagious. The second Delirium piece has a different tempo to the beat, more electronica but a tad darker than the first. Again, it begs you get out of your chair and move, but maybe a bit more seductive in its call. The melody is almost invisible in the piece, until you look for it, and is easy to follow behind all the electronica.
The final track is World Fiction VIII. This piece flows, suggesting guitar, keyboard, and has a more spiritual feel to it. It has a subtle beat, added vocals and a prominent wind instrument giving a contemplative melody to the work. It sums up the entire CD, in feel, in composition, and as a tip of the hat to the ability of the artist to produce a very enjoyable and original work.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable and contemplative work of Ambient Music. If you are familiar with Mr. Watkins work to this point, this is an excellent addition to your library. If you are not familiar with Mr. Watkins, this is an excellent introduction to the man's work and highlights his musical versatility and his expertise at composition in the Ambient genera. maf
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Subtle and Sublime, October 13, 2008
I am familiar with Deuter from his Reiki CD's and when this work showed up in my mailbox I noticed New Earth records did not provide the usual press release I am used to receiving which covers the background of the work and the artist. But seeing his name, I knew this would be a good piece to review and I was not disappointed.
This is the second CD by Deuter of the meditative music of Tibetan bowls. I did not have the pleasure of hearing the first work, but this one is a collection of some wondrous harmonies and deep meditative sounds that only singing bowls can bring.
True Tibetan bowls are made of a mixture of seven metals, one each for the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. They are made by pouring the metal onto a flat stone and then hand shaping the bowl with a hammer. The bowl is played by rubbing the rim with a mallet, and they can produce a complex range of sound that is deep and harmonic with many overtones. The bowls are usually made by Tibetan monks for their offerings, and for their meditations on the sound. The bowls used on this CD come from a collection of bowls owned by Chandra.
Deuter composed and performs the pieces on this CD, and the focus is on short meditations. The music tracks run from seven to seventeen minutes, and can be taken individually or as the complete CD. The CD is well recorded and you don't miss any of the tones or values that can come from a poor recording.
This kind of musical work can get monotonous if not done properly. Deuter has enough different value bowls and the mastery of the medium to present us with various harmonics, complimentary tones, and complex compositions to provide enough interest so the music is melodious without melody and does not drone in the background. It can be used as a focus for meditations, or can fill the background with sounds to add a relaxing feel to the work or living environment.
This is a pleasant and surprising work on singing bowls. You do not expect the kind of light and relaxing feeling these sounds can bring. While working with the CD in the background, I did not overly notice the music, but when I would stop for a moment, the sounds were calming, appealing and worked gently on the mind. When I used the music for meditation, it provided a focus without being obnoxious, as sometimes these kinds of works can get from over playing the same tones to the point of distraction. If you like the subtle harmonic tones of singing bowls and want some excellent compositions for meditation or calming sounds for your home or your workspace, this CD can provide exactly what you are looking for. maf
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Side Trip Off the Ambient Electronica Highway, September 22, 2008
Evan Bluetech's work is described as "electronic dub", and has been featured on WaveForm recordings as well as having CDs previous to this one. This is dance music, this is electronica at its finest. The tracks find a beat, and then layers soundscapes and electronic designs. The tracks flow one into the other but retain a freshness and originality from track to track.
This side trip off of the ambient highway presents us with some expertly designed and executed works that are totally electronic dub. The music can be "spacey" with a very definite jazz influence as in "Enter the Lovely", the opening track.
There are the electronic bubbles of sound, as in "Condensation", that tell you this is electronic music, but it is skillfully integrated into the compositions, allowing you to hear the elements, but accept them as part of the music. Sometimes it can be slightly brooding as in "Forgiveness", but it still maintains a very upbeat rhythm and feel.
There are remix's included in the eleven tracks. Yaniv Shulmans "First Came the Stars" and Paddy Free and Michael Hodgson of Pitch Black - "Ape to Angel". These are wonderful interpretations of the originals, with a very Bluetech spin. I liked the reggae beat addition in "Ape to Angel".
Outstanding tracks also include "Dreamtime Lullaby", with lots of beat and a very driving bass. Minimalist in its approach, it is very subtle yet intense.
"Shimmer" is a very different yet provocative composition, with a lovely light melody hidden in the folds of the rhythms and beats. "Wilderness" presents us with a very natural soundscape, complete with electronic "frogs" which delights the ear as we are drawn into a construct that Bluetech carries through very skillfully.
The closing track "A Garland of Stars" is very spacey. True space music has no fixed beat so this piece fits into the electronic "dub" but crosses over into the ambient genre with the addition of Rena Jones on cello. This is a very elegant presentation, combining elements of different genre and showing how they can blend very effectively.
I am impressed with this offering from Bluetech. This is music for contemplation as well as enjoying the expert hand that designed it. This is enjoyable to the ear, and exciting to the mind. We explore the different elements Bluetech presents us and find how they blend and work together to furnish us with soundscapes to fill our personal spaces. A very masterful work and one which shows Evan Bluetech to be an expert in the field. maf
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Perfect Night at the Club, September 21, 2008
Not new to the music scene, Judith Owen has movie tracks and previous CDs to her credit. But on this CD, Ms. Owen's breaks out the jazz with some kicky renditions of some classics, original works and sultry interpretations of classic rock pieces with help from the likes of Tom Scott, Cassandra Wilson and Keb Mo. This is Hot Jazz, cool to the touch and strong like a good shot of fine aged scotch.
Ms. Owen's voice has all the classic elements of a night club singer crooning her way into your presence; strong, sexy, smoky and very enjoyable. The phrasing reminds you sometimes of Joni Mitchell, but the style is all hers. As she takes you through the various jazz pieces or her interpretation of some very familiar rock songs, her voice carries a torch, or expresses the emotion of a woman who loves jazz and knows how to make it come across with the impact of a velvet covered train wreck.
As I wandered through the tracks, each one was a surprise, each one eloquent in the approach and style and none of them were a disappointment. Her voice has a range that could cover songs like the classic Police song
"Walking on the Moon" or run up and down the scales as in "Famous Friends".
Joni Mitchell's influences are evident in the track "Train Out of Hollywood" which features Keb' Mo' and this is one of the most outstanding tracks on the CD. A very dynamic composition with Ms. Owens making it kick up and demand attention.
I liked her sultry interpretation of "Smoke on the Water", a Deep Purple tune that goes from rock to jazz and never falters. Ms. Owens interpretation is exceptional, and you will be surprised at the end result.
"These Foolish Things" is a classic, made more so by the smooth vocals Ms. Owen lends to this piece, as well as the emotional expressions in her voice.
Emotion is key here. Not only does Ms. Owen sing, or phrase, but she injects emotional expressions that give each piece impact and sometimes a ripping at the heart strings. This is especially noticeable on tracks like
"Down" and "Emily". "Emily" is another stand out track, with kicking vocals and melody.
While there are some tracks with full orchestra, piano is her companion in much of this music, and it allows her voice to come on strong, or it softens so she can emphasize the phrasing. "Famous Friends" is an excellent example, working the piano then breaking into vocal backups while still allowing Ms. Owens voice to shine.
"Sky High" with Tom Scott is just the right touch of jazz with the right feeling and expression of vocals. Probably my choice for another "outstanding track" on this work.
"Bridges" is a Latin jazz piece that enables Ms. Owen to show another side and expressiveness to her vocals. Just the right amount of beat to pick up the pace, but still the expression and smoothness to her voice that makes this piece work.
"Enough" features a duet with Cassandra Wilson, and this piece is smokin'! Two female jazz singers taking a tune and making it a knockout! Smooth, hot and just what the doctor ordered to cure your blues. Another outstanding track on this collection.
The final track of "Night and Day" with Richard Thompson on guitar is a classic. All Ms. Owen needs is a guitar, but the addition of a Latin beat and orchestra makes this a closing track to remember and leave you wanting more.
There is a bonus track included, from the film "P.S." called "Dreaming". It keeps within the jazz genre, and is a lovely composition, again calling upon Ms. Owen to implant her emotion filled vocals into some heady lyrics and misty music. A nice addition to this CD and nicely done by Ms. Owen.
If you love jazz female vocalists, as I do, Judith Owen is sure to please. If you like torch songs or new interpretations of old material, this CD is going to delight you. This lady has talent, a real show stopper, and she is not to be missed. maf
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Dewa Che
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| Price: $18.98 |
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Healing Tibetian Mantras, September 7, 2008
Dechen Shak-Dagsay is a native of Tibet who has lived in a Tibetan community in Switzerland since childhood. Her father is a Lama and the focus of her family has been to preserve the Tibetan way of life. Her personal interests are in the traditional music and folk dance of her Tibetan home.
Her first appearances to the public include a "Maxi Single CD" in Europe in 1989, with Swiss Musician Roger Dupont called "Bodhicitta" dedicated to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, a track on German producers Oliver Shanti's album "Tai Chi" which sold over 300,000 copies, and then the recording of the same track "Chenresi, Flame of Peace and Compassion" for the Ryuishi Sakamoto's film "Little Buddha".
Her debut album is "Dewa Che" - a collection of healing Tibetan mantras. The title means "The Great Peace". Ms. Shak-Dagsay focuses on inner peace and tranquility in her music, and this CD is the achievement of both, as well as being an excellent example of this classic Tibetan form of chant. These are "shortened forms" of the traditional mantras which can be very long as they are "the blessings of all enlightened beings".
The music is a provided by various flutes played by Peter Hienrich, sitar/koto/tanpura by Klaus Falshlunger, bass/tanpura/monochord/singing bowls/harmoniums and arrangements by Acama. Klaus Falshlunger is known for his sitar work in Europe, and Austrian composer Acama is well known for his relaxation music and his work with Tibetan Temple Bells.
The accompanying booklet goes into much detail about the Tibetan Mantras and how to benefit from their healing effects. There are a total of eleven tracks on the CD, for a total playing time of 72:21. This is an excellent quality studio recording.
The mantras themselves are passed down from Buddha, and offer protection from negative energies. While the titles of the tracks are in Tibetan, the booklet does give a "subtitle" for each piece. Each mantra is described for its use, such as "Men-Lha - The Medicine-Buddha Mantra" which the Tibetan Lamas use to "help improve the patient's condition", or "Drip-Sel - The Colored Rain Shower Mantra" which is "recommended to regain clarity of vision and a state in which our actions can be reasonable and wise." The booklet is a key element to understanding the mantras and contains much information for using them to their best advantage.
Ms. Shak-Dagsay's voice is light, rich, floating and comfortable for the western ear. The music truly accompanies the vocals here, never overpowering them. I never found the CD to be droning as some of these CDs can get with repetition. Rather, I found this to be relaxing and spiritually contemplative. Her vocals are very enjoyable, almost soothing to the ear as well as the spirit. At times she harmonizes with herself, again presenting soft harmonies, never intrusive. The music almost disappears behind her voice, yet comes to the front to fill the spaces between the phrasing. But all of it can be moved to the background while working, so it is never invasive. I found personally that the combination of music and mantra promoted a very gentle feeling of comfort and peace.
Overall I found this CD to be a wonderful introduction to Tibetan Mantras, delightful, insightful and a piece of interesting and historical culture. The art form is expertly preserved for us by Dechen Shak-Dagsay and if you are interested in cultural art, Tibetan chant and mantras, you will find this an excellent addition to your collection. maf
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent Resource, well written, July 13, 2008
Jean Markale presents us with a very in depth look at Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of King Richard the Lionhearted and King John and wife to both the King of France, Louis VII and the King of England, Henry II.
The book is in three parts. The first part of the book is an in depth biography of the Queen, from her early youth thru her death. For those who would not be familiar with Eleanor, this section of the book is a must read. Mr. Markale does a wonderful job of making this a most interesting read, including all the references and all the stories that make this woman one of the most interesting historical figures of the time.
The second part of the book takes a look at the instance of her divorce from Louis VII of France. While there is much speculated about this, it is the single most important piece of history at the time. It set the stage for the events that followed.
There is much discussion here about what the duties of a Queen were at the time. The discussion follows the concept of "courtly love" or "fine amor" and also discusses the "indiscretions" that were alleged of Eleanor. There is evidence presented that there may have been many things going on at the courts at that time, and there is evidence to suggest that Eleanor was not only aware of it, but that she played it to her advantage. She was a maker of history, not just an observer.
The final part of the book looks at the phenomenon of the Troubadours of the time, and how they played an important role in not only creating the literature and developing the culture of that time, but also how they played a part in communication and how they were responsible for the myths that were developed. There is some very interesting discussion of how one story of Tristan and Iseult becomes the story of Arthur and Guinevere. And how all these stories are most likely about Eleanor herself, or at least inspired by her.
For the history alone this book is worth the read. Jean Markale is a wonderful weaver of story and history, and his style never bores. It is a credit to John Graham, the translator, that the material is kept as Mr. Markale intended; to weave the story, to look at the plots, subplots and court intrigues and yet still be interesting and involving the reader in the thoughts, the plot twists and assisting the reader to understand the conclusions that Mr. Markale draws. The last part, on the Troubadours, is an added bonus to the book looking at yet another aspect of the history at that time. It plays an important role as to how we see Eleanor today.
If you are into medieval history at all, you will not want to pass up this book and it's valuable content. Eleanor is a singular figure causes history to change at this point in time and her impact cannot be ignored. And the presentation by Mr. Markale is just the vehicle you need to make it interesting and enjoyable to read. medievalcrusadesbabe
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
The Teutonic Knight , February 23, 2008
This book by Osprey Publishing presents us with the Teutonic Knight as warrior. We are presented with a brief overview of the chronology of the time, and then offered the organization which supported the Teutonic Knight as well as who he was, what his beliefs were, training, experiences and battles.
This book is laid out much as the rest of the Osprey offerings, loaded with quick facts, condensed history, lots of pictures of areas, castles, gear and more. This book is, like all the rest of the books in this series, a good beginners book for the basics on the Teutonic Knight.
Again, the photographs of the places, the castles, the materials of the time as well as the arms and armament are valuable tools to learning what exactly life was like at that time. The illustrations by Graham Turner give us action scenes that place the knights in the battles, using accurate historical references, costumes and arms and armaments. There are also included illustrations from the time period that add to the flavor of the book. The book truly takes you to the time, places you next to the knight and gives you a good idea of what was going on.
Not to be dismissed is the amount of information that is crammed into the book. David Nicolle does an excellent job of condensing the history to a well rounded overview yet does not bore or sound droll.
There is a great bibliography in the back of the book, along with some nice descriptions of the color plates and there is an index for quick reference.
All in all, a good presentation and a good resource for school kids or just those who are curious about Teutonic Knights. This is an overview of the knight and his times. It should be augmented with further material if you are looking for an indepth study.
medievalcrusadesbabe
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2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
More like the Camelot story - again, February 20, 2007
This timeless love story has been told many times over in print. From its origins as a Celtic story, to the French romance to Wagner's Opera, there are many versions and each of them is intriguing in their own way.
But there are key elements to the story. The love potion that the couple drinks, the broken sword that indicated that Tristan slew the Queen's brother. The story predates the Arthurian legends and is probably the origins of the Arthurian legend. It contains some magical elements that made it a fascinating story about a noble knight, Courtly Love and betrayal.
This production of the story, staring James Franco as Tristan and Sophia Myles as Isolde with Rufus Sewell as King Mark, presents us with the lovers triangle and is well done for a Hollywood tale with the usual Hollywood spin. The costumes are attractive and the scenery is probably the best part of the film.
However, I was not impressed with the interpretation of the story. I felt that the plot had been changed a bit more than I would have liked. Tristan is not the noble knight portrayed in the original story. And the stiff acting by James Franco left that part lacking in so many aspects that for me, Tristan was neither attractive nor heroic. King Marke, in the original story, is the betrayer, always looking to find fault with Tristan and looking to catch the lovers in some kind of compromising position. In this interpretation, Marke is the one wronged, and he is the one betrayed. The couple, in the legend, never ventures further than Courtly love, Tristan always being the honorable knight. In this version... well, Hollywood must have its love scene.
And the magical element? The love potion which is the reason in many of the stories for the two who fall in love, is left out, the story becomes changed a bit, and the whole responsibility is placed on the lovers, not the magic. The love potion is excluded.
So, we go back to, ok, Hollywood did a number on the original story, and they do that, don't ya know. We still are looking at a movie and its merits.
The acting of Rufus Sewell is a standout. Sophia Myles is also as beautiful as she is talented. But we come back to James Franco. Sorry, but he was unimpressive as the Hero of the story, lacking in presentation, dialogue, and at times he looked like he was dragging himself through the part.
So, in all fairness, the movie was not uninteresting. But there were times when it overly resembled the Arthurian Legend, with the King being wronged by his queen and her knight. It did seem to be working towards yet another version of King Arthur, and in that respect, it seemed unoriginal. The elements that made it unique seemed to be left out, and the viewer was left with the impression that, yup, yet another remake of the story of King Arthur. And if I wanted that, there are film versions of that story with better acting. medievalcrusadesbabe
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Good Overview, February 20, 2007
These small Osprey books on various historical events pack in a lot of information and present it in a very easy to understand language that the casual reader may find a good source for research.
David Nicolle is a good historical writer, speaking in plain English and keeping the reader interested. The material in this particular offering is well balanced. There are books that have focused on one side of the story, or the other. Nicolle very successfully attempts to keep both sides focused, discussing the pros and cons of each leader, giving each side to the story and a very well rounded look at the events.
However the book, because of its size, does not go into some of the finer details or "in depth" examination of events and situations that some might be looking for. To be honest, these books are not intended for that purpose. There are volumes out there that you can spend years going through. This book is meant as an overview of the topic and should be taken as such.
The battles do not go into as much detail as some of the other books put out by Osprey. The usual focus of these books is to look at a particular historical event or aspect and go into details. But in choosing a large historical event like The Third Crusade in such a small presentation, there will be a lot left out. The book focuses on a singular year, 1191, in which the whole Crusade came to a crashing close. While the lead up to this year is examined, the focus is more on the battles fought that year and how it brought about the end of that era. And even this is a lot to cover in such a small format.
Not to be left out are the graphics, photographs, maps and the artistic renderings of Christa Hook. These elements are included to keep the interest of the reader. There is a lot of photographs to go over, giving the reader an overview of the art, architecture landscape and battle fields of the time. Christa Hooks paintings give the book a feeling of action, and adds interest to the story.
The maps are valuable and in this book they have included what they label as "3D views" of the particular battlefields. While interesting, I didn't find it added anything to the overview of the battles. However, they are nice topographical additions to the book.
Going over this book, I would have to say this will appeal to the school aged reader who is looking to write a book report for school, or augment their studies of the Historical Crusades. It will even appeal to the casual reader who is curious, but not a serious student of the Crusades.
This is a good look at the cultures of the time, both the Crusaders as well as the forces of Saladin. Some of the key battles are examined. And it favors neither side. We are presented with a fair view of the events. A good overview and presentation of the material. medievalcrusadesbabe
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Elvenmusic 3
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| Availability: This item has been discontinued by the manufacturer. |
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Dancing Elves , October 15, 2006
Sometimes an experiment works. Sometimes an attempt to bring something new and exciting actually achieves its end goal.
Caprice achieves success in the interpretation of Elven or Fairy music. Inspired by the Tolken series, we are presented with a musical interpretation of his poetries. Using the "Laoris" language rather than English, we are offered music that dances, alighting gently on the ear.
The group Caprice is Russian band and the vocals of Inna Brejestovskaya make the group. The instrumentation is harp, violin, flute, clarinets, bassoon, cello, harpsichord with synthesizer filler. The style is classical with an element of folk. Sometimes it borders on Medieval in feel, which is probably attributable to the theme of the CD. But the vocal range of Ms. Brejestovoskaya is incredible. She is a classical singer; her voice can be light and lilting or dramatic and haunting.
The CD contains 12 tracks, and runs approximately 51 minutes. The cover is typical of the Prokosnovenie label works, featuring the fairy art of Sabine Adelaide. There is a whole written language devised by Caprice, and it is carefully laid out for you to explore in the included liner notes. It is worked into the cover artwork as well. A very interesting concept of using leaves on vines to indicate a written language. The lyrics are, of course, about Fairies. Dancing fairies, mischievous fairies, fairy music, the lyrics are all things fairy.
The notes also include the lyrics to the songs in "Laoris" as well as English. The typeface is small, the color is black and against some of the artwork and it is almost unreadable to my old eyes, but that does not diminish the lyrical composition.
Some of the tunes will have you up and dancing about the room. This music does carry a very "magical" feeling to it, and it invites you to dance. It is mostly light and airy, but it can be dynamic, and it does demand attention in some places.
The musicians are skilled; there is nothing amateurish about this CD. The composer Anton Brejestovski knew exactly where he wanted to take the listener and expertly executed the entire feel to get you precisely where he wanted you to go.
The music does get a bit "leading edge" at some points, but it is to be expected from music like this. We are looking at music that was written to be different, experimental and think outside the conventional. Yet, we find ourselves tapping our foot to the time of the lyrical and melodic pieces, wondering in amazement at the more experimental works, always being delighted at the vocal qualities and applauding the arrangement of the overall production.
I wanted to point out some of the more outstanding pieces of this work.
Enter Laoris is a delightful, light and airy work that opens the CD and introduces all the elements of this production. We are also introduced to the amazing vocals of Inna Brejestovskaya.
A very dynamic composition is Two Fairies, focusing on the musical capabilities of the artists, with vocals as harmonic compliment to the melody. This is a lovely piece, classical in appeal with some very folk features, and it dances in some places while drawing us into the dream of fairies.
I love the combination of these instruments. This group has a very unique and original sound here, and the musicians are together enough to accomplish this sound and concept. It is so hard these days to find original music that is well executed. A feather in this band's cap.
The Court of the Faerie is another piece that will have you tapping your foot in time to the music if it doesn't succeed in drawing you out of your chair to dance around the room. It sings of fairy love and dancing fairies. It has almost a waltz beat to it sometimes, again beckoning you to the dance. Love the harpsichord and the drums. Summer Night is another one that bubbles and bounces and calls you to dance.
The Forest is a darker piece, much more experimental and I found myself skipping this one when I replayed it. Not everything is perfect, and while this is very progressive, it was not to my liking.
Probably the best track on the CD is Fairies Stole Bridget. Sung in English, it tells the story of a young lady who wanders off with the Fairies. Very catchy chorus you will find yourself singing "Fairies Stole Bridget - Will she ever wake" long after the song is over.
The final track Maple brings us to the end of Summer and to Fall as the fairies disappear. This is a lovely track, delicate and mournful. Another brilliant composition, and a fitting end to this CD.
Give this import a little of your time. It will take you on a trip to the fairy world that will delight and entertain. A unique trip you will not want to miss. maf
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(Ohio USA)
