Category: Classical, Electronica, & New Age

Categories
Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

ROWENA {Cover: from Mr. Holland’s Opus} (by The Seattle Symphony Orchestra: Michael Kamen’s Opus)

SUMMARY:                                     RUNNING TIME: 4:57 Min.

Composer-conductor Michael Kamen devised the instrumental, “Rowena,” for the soundtrack of the acclaimed 1995 Richard Dreyfuss drama, Mr. Holland’s Opus.  A few years later, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra performed the track for the 1998 Michael Kamen’s Opus retrospective album. 

REVIEW:

It isn’t distinctive, but composer Michael Kamen imbues “Rowena” with an intriguing sense of melancholy.  This somber track conveys a down-to-earth narrative with appropriately poignant touches at the right moments.  Though the theme perhaps overstays its welcome, “Rowena” should blend in well with instrumental and classical music playlists.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             7½ Stars

Categories
CD's Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

AFER VENTUS (by Enya: Shepherd Moons)

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 4:06 Min.

It’s the eleventh track of Enya’s 1992 Shepherd Moons album. 

REVIEW:

Although Enya’s elegant voice doesn’t disappoint, the tranquil melody drags at times.  Further, there is isn’t anything remarkable about “Afer Ventus,” despite its thematic continuity with Shepherd Moons.  The track seems middle-of-the-pack, as it neither bolsters nor weakens the album itself.  For her fans, “Afer Ventus” will be worthwhile, but, for just casual listening, there are better choices available for an Enya download.  Case in point: “Book of Days,” from this same album, (it’s Track 7) is a gem.      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     6 Stars

Categories
CD's Classical, Electronica, & New Age Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER NATURALLY {Cover Album} (by NatureQuest)

SUMMARY:                                     RUNNING TIME: 52 Min.

This 1995 New Age album features nature sounds as a backdrop to instrumental covers of ten Andrew Lloyd Webber stage melodies.  Featuring an acoustic grand piano, keyboards, bass, percussion, and/or saxophone, the tracks are:

Track 1: “Music of the Night” [Phantom of the Opera]      5:09

Barred owls, chuck-wills-widow, limpkins, and other unidentified nocturnal creatures provide background vocals.   

Track 2: “All I Ask of You” [Phantom of the Opera]        5:32

The Pacific Ocean is heard as its backdrop.  

Track 3: “Pie Jesu” [Requiem]           5:47

Coyotes and loons offer background vocals.  

Track 4: “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” [Jesus Christ Superstar]         4:51

The calling of herring and black-backed gulls above the Atlantic Ocean accompany this theme.

Track 5: “Memory” [Cats]                                   5:12

A summer thunderstorm is the theme’s accompaniment.

Track 6: “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” [Evita]             5:32

An unnamed tropical island’s rainforest narrates this melody.  

Track 7: “Wishing You Were Somehow Here” [Phantom of the Opera]        5:14

The Pacific Ocean is again the backdrop.  

Track 8: “Any Dream Will Do” [Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]   5:11

Northern mockingbirds, northern cardinals, a mourning dove, and other songbirds are the vocalists.  

Track 9: “Think of Me” [Phantom of the Opera]       4:27

The Hawaiian surf is its accompaniment.

Track 10: “Close Every Door” [Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]     6:00

A southern marsh’s thunderstorm concludes this album.

REVIEW:

Translating Lloyd Webber instrumentals into a nature CD may seem obvious, but NatureQuest’s tranquil effort works for it is — it’s just indistinctive. At times almost hauntingly serene, this album offers a decent option to help lapse into a nap/good night’s sleep, or to accompany meditative yoga.  An extra twenty minutes added on to the running time would have been appreciated. To its credit, Andrew Lloyd Webber Naturally provides an obscure musical treat.

PACKAGING:

The CD and its casing accurately lists the track names and attributable shows, though the running times aren’t included.  Including a nice intro and musician credits re: NatureQuest, the simple insert effectively describes this low-key CD.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

Categories
CD's Classical, Electronica, & New Age Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

DREAMLAND (by Robert Miles)

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 70 Min.

Released in 1996 by Arista Records, this European techno-dance album consists of eleven tracks by late Swiss-Italian musician-composer-producer-disk jockey Roberto Concina (aka Robert Miles).  In the album booklet, the credits are included.  Miles also poetically encloses a dedication and some thank-you notes.  Vocals on Tracks # 2 (Fable – Message Version) and # 3 (Fantasya) are by Fiorella Quinn.  Vocals on Track # 6 (One and One) are by Maria Nayler.

The tracks and running times are:

1:         Children (Dream Version)                           7:05

2:         Fable (Message Version)                              6:23

3:         Fantasya                                                    5:44

4:         Landscape                                                  6:02

5:         In My Dreams                                            6:15

6:         One and One                                              3:59

7:         Princess of Light                                         6:21

8:         Fable (Dream Version)                                7:13

9:         In the Dawn                                                8:00

10:       Children (Original Version)                          6:20

11:       Red Zone                                                     6:57

REVIEW:

Proving it’s all in one’s own perception, Miles’ audience dedication refers to seeking “emotion, reflection, and peace in music.”  Dreamland is more like the artistic equivalent of reverse psychology, as its pulsating, up-tempo beats are rarely meant to accompany meditative yoga.  The album’s energetic sound becomes almost too consistent, as numerous songs cover similar electronica ground.  Case in point: the radio cut of “Children,” isn’t included, but its expanded version (Track # 1) and another variant (Track # 10), in fact, are. “Fable” also comes with two versions (Tracks # 2 and 8).  Extra techno doesn’t make them better songs (at worst, it’s padding), but, at a minimum, one gets some intriguing ear candy.  In particular, Fiorella Quinn’s vocal contributions to Tracks # 2-3 impressively enhance Miles’ electronica magic. 

Specifically, including the opening sound effects on various tracks, Dreamland’s audio quality is stellar.  Despite its surreal repetitiveness, this album’s exhilarating  ambiance still delivers a surplus of electronica magic.  Capably supported by some  feminine vocals, Dreamland makes an ideal choice as a workout playlist all by itself.    

Note: As heard on American radio, in 1996, the four-minute version of “Children” is included on the out-of-print Ultimate Dance Party 1997, Volume 1.

PACKAGING:

Its contents and running times accurately appear in triplicate: on the CD’s back cover; the album booklet’s back cover; and on the CD itself.        

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7 Stars

Categories
CD's Classical, Electronica, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

SONGS FROM A SECRET GARDEN (by Secret Garden)

SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: 43 Min.

Released by Polygram Records in 1995, this Irish instrumental New Age album is a collaboration between composer Rolf Lovland, who also handles pianos & keyboards, and violinist Fionnuala Sherry.  Other contributors include keyboardists Bjorn Ole Rasch and Jon Kell Seljeseth; percussionist Noel Eccles; Des Moore on guitar and mandolin; harpist Andrea Marlish; and the RTE Concert Orchestra.  The thirteen tracks are:

  1. Nocturne (running time: 3:11) includes Gunnhild Tvinnereim’s vocals; Asa Jinder on keyfiddle; and Hans Frederik Jacobsen on whistle.
  2. Pastorale (running time: 3:47) also features Davy Spillane on low whistle.
  3. Song from a Secret Garden (running time: 3:32) has David Agnew on oboe.
  4. Sigma (running time: 3:05) features Rhonan Sugrue’s boy soprano from the Irish National Chamber Choir and Davy Spillane on low whistle.
  5. Papillon (running time: 3:22) includes Deirdre Brady on flute.
  6. Serenade to Spring (running time: 3:12) features Hanks Fredrik Jacobsen on whistle.
  7. Atlantia (running time: 2:56) has Asa Jinder on keyharp; Davy Spillane on Uilleann pipe; and Hans Fredrik Jacobasen on Norwegian whistle.
  8. Heartstrings (running time: 3:22).
  9. Adagio (running time: 2:51) features David Agnew’s Cor Anglais.
  10. The Rap (running time: 2:31) has Davy Spillane on both low whistle & Uilleann pipe; Noel Eccles on percussion; Hans Fredrick Jacobsen on whistle; and Asa Jinder on keyfiddle.
  11. Chaconne (running time: 3:25) has David Agnew’s oboe and Davy Spillane on Uillean pipe.
  12. Cantoluna (running time: 3:29) features Jean Lechmar on clarinet.
  13. Ode to Simplicity (running time: 3:53).

REVIEW:

This serene album is virtually an extended 43-minute suite.  Not only are the thirteen tracks beautifully rendered, their tranquil consistency makes Songs from a Secret Garden a gem for outdoor weddings; meditation; yoga; massage therapy; or even just as relaxing background noise for a good night’s sleep.  Highly recommended!     

PACKAGING:

The tracks and their running times are identified on the CD case’s back cover.  The fold-out booklet insert provides insights to each song, as well as identifying its guest contributors and noting the track’s running time.  Composer Rolf Lovland also includes a brief note to fans.  Technical credits and thank-you’s are provided. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             10 Stars

Categories
CD's Classical, Electronica, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

WATERMARK (by Enya)

SUMMARY:                                      RUNNING TIME: 43 Min.

This 1988 Enya album from Reprise Records offers the following twelve tracks and their running times:

Track 1: “Watermark”                            2:25

Track 2: “Cursum Perficio”                    4:09

Track 3: “On Your Shore”                      4:00

Track 4: “Storms in Africa”                   4:04

Track 5: “Exile”                                  4:21

Track 6: “Miss Clare Remembers”          1:59

Track 7: “Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)”     4:26

Track 8: “Evening Falls …”                 3:49

Track 9: “River”                                  3:12

Track 10: “The Longships”                   3:39

Track 11: “Na Laetha Geal M’óige” 3:56

Track 12: “Storms in Africa            3:01

REVIEW:

Watermark is an immaculate effort by Enya, as ter serene melodies segue well from one to the next. Track 3:“On Your Shore” and especially Track 7:“Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)” emerge as vintage Enya.  Considering that her albums are consistently excellent, the classy Watermark (as well as 1992’s Shepherd Moons) makes an ideal introduction to Enya’s distinctive brand of New Age magic.       

PACKAGING:

The CD lists the dozen tracks and the producing/mixing credits.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8 Stars

Categories
CD's Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

YELLOW SUBMARINE {Cover} (Vanessa-Mae: The Classical Collection, Part 1)

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 1:43 Min.

Covering The Beatles’ 1966 song, this instrumental track appears on Disc 3 on Vanessa-Mae’s 2000 Classical Collection, Part 1 album.

REVIEW:

There is no mistaking the song’s distinctive melody.  Featuring her violin work, Vanessa-Mae’s orchestral interpretation of this quirky Beatles hit is both whimsical and flat-out charming.  Due to its brief length, however, this playful track may not be a solo download option so much, as this effort instead offers a grand little teaser for her three-disc album.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         8 Stars

Categories
CD's Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

THE PINK PANTHER {Cover} (Vanessa-Mae: The Classical Collection, Part 1)

SUMMARY:                                        RUNNING TIME: 2:27 Min.

Vanessa-Mae’s cover of Henry Mancini’s classic 1963 Pink Panther film theme appears as the fifth track off Disc 3 for her 2000 Classical Collection, Part 1 album.

REVIEW:

Vanessa-Mae playfully brings one of Henry Mancini’s best-loved themes to life.  No matter how short this whimsical track is, it’s a true gem, particularly hearing Mancini’s work interpreted through her classical violin.  If anything, should someone walk by, he/she may well give you an amused, if not quizzical, ‘is that what I think it is?’ look upon hearing Vanessa-Mae’s homage.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 9 Stars

Categories
CD's Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

ONE MOMENT IN TIME {Cover} (Vanessa-Mae: The Classical Collection, Part 1)

SUMMARY:                                      RUNNING TIME: 4:36 Min.

Covering Whitney Houston’s 1988 ballad, this instrumental track appears off Disc 3 for Vanessa-Mae’s 2000 Classical Collection, Part 1 album.

REVIEW:

Though it takes a few seconds before becoming recognizable, this gentle cover delivers an impressive homage to Whitney Houston.  Rendered in full-blown orchestral fashion, Vanessa-Mae’s low-key violin work is exquisite.  For classical enthusiasts, this interpretation of one of Houston’s best-ever efforts makes a solid case to consider exploring Vanessa-Mae’s complete three-disc album.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                8 Stars

Categories
CD's Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

MY FAVORITE THINGS {Cover} (Vanessa-Mae: The Classical Collection, Part 1)

SUMMARY:                                       RUNNING TIME: 1:16 Min.

Vanessa-Mae’s cover of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 1959 Broadway tune from The Sound of Music is the fourth track off Disc 3 for her 2000 Classical Collection, Part 1 album.

REVIEW:

No matter how brief this orchestral track really is, Vanessa-Mae’s top-caliber work is a nice treat for classical fans.  The track makes a charming teaser for her complete three-disc album.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      8 Stars