Chloe Goodchild - Sura (Raven Recording)
Possessing one of the most crystalline voices ever recorded, Goodchild is the type of performer who can stand stark still on a dark stage and positively spellbind listeners with the pure sweetness that issues from her lips. This fascinating eclectic collection bounces back and forth between sparsely arranged prose-chants that display her vocal talents to the fullest, and compelling worldbeat rhythm pieces that pair her violin-like voice with silken slide instruments of exotic origin. Arabic, Indian and Asian influences ably support her poetic intonations, including a wondrous rendition of a Sanskrit invocation to the sun which is sung by millions of Hindus every dawn. This impeccable album is nothing less than a celebration of the human voice, a feast of divinely passionate sound for those ready for true sublime beauty. Its innate spirituality makes a great introduction to the holiday season, and can be enjoyed long after it ends.
Patricia Spero - Medieval Harp (New World Music)
On her ninth recording, England's leading virtuoso of the wire strung harp pays homage to the past through 15 medieval melodies that sound serene, sprightly, and surprisingly contemporary. An uplifting ambiance is established with Celtic harp, recorder, crumphorn, and soft percussive arrangements on "Spanish Danza Asturiana," as well as on French and Italian dance suites, as Spero's deftly intricate string styling gladden the heart and lighten one's step. Her unmatched perfection in performance and tone is showcased in breathtaking detail on "Fantasia," a wee bit over two minutes of complete bliss. Minstrel songs, instrumental tales of the Crusades, prayerful canticles, gentle love odes, and even a march keep this album refreshing with repeated play throughout family get-togethers and other seasonal events.
Various Artists - Circle of Women (EarthBeat!)
These lovely circle songs dedicated to Mother Earth are gifts meant to be given and shared wherever women gather together in unity, strength and love. The beautiful soprano and alto vocals of these six distinguished songsters blend together so well that it is impossible to resist raising one's own voice in a freedom chant, Shaker hymn, South African call and response, or Goddess medley. These songs do nothing less than create community instantly, powerfully, cutting across cultural and age differences by focusing on the blessings embodied in the familiar words of "Simple Gifts" and "Down By the Riverside." Continuing the tradition, new songs like "Mother, I Feel You" and "Celebrate the Rain" are destined to become treasured ceremonials, campfire songs and vocal rituals whenever two or more gather in the sacred circle of sisterhood.
Sunyata - Gypsy Sun/Gypsy Moon (Soundings of the Planet)
"Warning: Contains High Energy Gypsy Passion," boldly states the liner notes on this sensational debut by a new, all-acoustic pair. Heady Andalusian, Moorish and Arabic influences simmer then spontaneously ignite as ten spicy arrangements for nylon and steel string guitars, bass, mandolin, and hand percussion flow like lava...thick, rich and hot, Hot, HOT! Blazing speed combines with deep emotion on the instrumental operetta "Gitano Django," the intricate rhythms of which are absolutely breathtaking in scope and flawlessly performed. Lest you think all is on overdrive, however, there are several deliciously fragile tunes -- including the utterly lovely "She Sleeps" - which ably demonstrate the duo's virtuosic talents for gentle, heart-wringing love songs. Truly innovative, this vibrant music is highly recommended for seasonal celebrations with dancing.
Skyedance - Way Out To Hope Street (Culburnie Records)
Hot off a national winter tour, Skyedance helps keep the momentum going with this outing of all new original tunes composed in the Scottish style. Spearheaded by fiddler Alasdair Fraser, winner of an Indie Award for Celtic Album of the Year, this magnificent assembly of stand-out soloists features keyboardist Paul Machlis, bagpipe player Eric Rigler and others on wooden flute, piccolo, fretless bass, and percussion. Fraser leads the group through instrumentals accented with Eastern European, baroque and folk styling. "Donostia," penned by Machlis, is an excellent example of how Scots and Basque musical heritages can meld seamlessly into a vigorous fusion that retains both mysterious and exotic sensibilities. The delicate air, "Year's Turning," a remake of "Skyedance Reels," and the jazz-inflected "Stoney Run" display the eclectic virtuosity that makes this group in such demand.
Cindy Horstman - tutone (Sea Horse Records)
Primarily duets with bassist Michael Medina, these ten jazz harp tunes range from sweetly serene to toe-tappin' terrific, combining the best elements of classical and contemporary styles into a delightful melange that keeps one's spirit up during the holidays. Maximizing her chosen instrument's distinctive breadth of sound, each piece emphasizes a particular aspect of harp performance technique while flowing together into a cheery web of sound that brightens any background. The concert harp's ethereal clarity and Horstman's unique interpretive gifts make classics like the Beatle's "Norwegian Wood" and Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" accessible to a New Age audience, while her originals like "Waltz" and "Natalia" will surely appeal to all.
Francia McNally - Journeys (Vilma Records)
Since graduating with a music degree, McNally has been there, played that, and finally moved beyond live concert performances with R&B, jazz, pop and rock bands to a recording debut of her very own. As demonstrated here, McNally's solo piano styling is highly melodic, romantic, and features just a hint of refreshing whimsy to delight both mind and ear during the sometimes trying holiday season. Her lyrical instrumental melodies range from joyful and exuberant praises of Nature to meditative contemplations like "Silent Moments" and "Tranquility." Especially nice is "Gentle Rain," which manages to catch the playful quality of the drops as they bounce off flowers and slide down grass stems. But every piece exhibits the fresh melodies, rhythmic consistency, and emotive qualities of a blossoming composer just hitting her prime.
Anthony Newman - Toning (Delos International)
You know your sun sign and perhaps even your numerator, but do you know your tone? Each of the 12 tracks herein is based on a specific key designed to stimulate the listener's basic tonality, that particular tone which best resonates with one's body to facilitate health and well-being. Keyes' theory, upon which these arrangements of classical pieces and improvisations are based, states that the physical body is tuned to a specific set of vibrations, and each person's set is unique. To find the ones which feel most natural, listen to the organ tone that underlies each composition and try to imitate it by singing ahh, ohh, ooo, or another vocable at the same time. Ignore the melody and melt into the single tone, holding the vowel as long as you can before breathing and renewing the tone. Makes a great New Year's Eve party game, too!
Various Artists - Visions of Heaven (Delos International)
A reverential seasonal spirit is induced by these 20 interpretations of classical, sacred pieces, artfully sequenced so that the listener receives a delicate "Invitation to Prayer" before going on to discover the divine joy of some of the most celebrated Western works of all time. Featuring organ, solo voices, and choir, popular tunes from J.S. Bach, Handel and Brahms blend seamlessly with more modern works like Peter Hallock's "Let My Prayer Come Up as the Incense" (text: Psalm 141:2). While "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is given a more subdued arrangement than is usual on such collections, selections conducted by the famed Dennis Keene deliver full-bodied, majestic impact through dynamic counterpoint of orchestra and the Voice of Ascension choir. His subtle command allows Holst's "Ave Maria" to truly shine as two four-part women's choruses are positioned left and right for maximum fidelity through speakers.
Submissions for review consideration may be sent to: PJ Birosik,
MUSIK INTERNATIONAL CORP., 154 Betasso Road, Boulder, CO 80302-9606.
Since 1977, Birosik has been a music industry consultant specializing
in marketing, promotion, publicity and A&R/foreign licensing;
she is a member of NARAS, NARM, NAIRD, CMC, IMA, and a past Board
of Director of Los Angeles Women In Music who has been profiled
in 11 international editions of Who's Who. Calls may be placed
to her at (303) 444-9575 between 9:30am -- 5pm MST regarding review
criteria, consulting services for signed & unsigned musicians,
and data list rentals.
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