Followup to Adiemus's first album, "Songs Of Sanctuary" (see my review). And every bit as good as the first--maybe even better! --- It took a bit of searching for me to find this particular CD at Amazon as there are at least THREE other versions of it available there; this is the cheapest and most readily available. Led by composer Karl Jenkins, Adiemus is a group of women who sound amazingly like a chorus of African children when they sing. Although this CD is listed in the "classical" category, it's not dry and bland as I find most classical music to be; it has more of a world sound to it, especially with the "made-up" language the performers sing in. The London Philharmonic Orchestra provides the music.

See all my other reviews--getting inspired. Don't plan on "vegging out" to this CD; tracks like "Song Of The Spirit" and "Song Of Aeolus" (mislisted on Amazon as "Song Of The Aeolus") will make that pretty near impossible.

"Song Of Aeolus," which was my first favorite. Other goodies are "Song Of Tears" (the name explains it all), "Song Of The Spirit" (ominous and pounding), and "Song Of The Plains" (see if you can keep yourself from clapping!).

The "Chorales" are somewhat weaker than the "Cantus" pieces (I don't know the plural of "Cantus," obviously!), but there's nothing here I dislike. Be aware, though, that some tracks, such as "Song Of Tears" and "Song Of The Plains" are incredibly long (9-11 minutes). Another thing to watch out for is the "combined" track, "Chorale VI (Sol-Fa)" and "Song Of Aeolus"--although both a chorale and a cantus, these two are in fact one track, and play as such on the CD. I don't care much for "Sol-Fa," but have to listen to it in its entirety if I want to listen to "Aeolus." This is a very minor drawback, however, as "Sol-Fa" is only about a minute and a half long.

Buy more of Adiemus's CDs. (As of now, I do have all of their regular releases, yet "Cantata Mundi" and "Songs Of Sanctuary" are their best.)

Amazed, because it was so beautiful. "Song Of Tears" is hard to listen to without wanting to sing along (just listen for the horns section), and "Song Of The Plains" is hard to listen to without clapping!

Is Adiemus, a group of women led by singer Miriam Stockley. Karl Jenkins is the composer of the music, which is performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

It's gorgeous and moving, and you're sure to love it if you loved Adiemus's first album. It's a good buy for anyone interested in classical, New Age, or world music.

I certainly do not don't recommend it! (Does that even make sense--?)

The album is composed mostly of longer tracks (all entitled "Cantus") interspersed with shorter tracks (entitled "Chorale"), with two "extra tracks" ("Cantilena" and "Elegia") at the end. --- I strongly recommend buying this CD in conjunction with "Songs Of Sanctuary," as these are Adiemus's strongest albums to date. You might also be interested in their third release, "Dances Of Time." Their fourth CD, "The Eternal Knot," is okay, but the fifth and most recent, "Vocalise," is somewhat lacking. The fourth and fifth albums do not have the same emotional punch as the first three. --- You can find the made-up lyrics to the songs on this CD here: http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/cantatamundi.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/songoftears.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/zamaba.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/songofthespirit.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/rooshkama.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/songofthetrinity.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/alameooya.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/aramaivi.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/sol-fa.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/aeolus.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/amakama.htm http://www.adiemus.f2s.com/extra/cantilena.htm

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Created Apr 22, 2006 at 2:05am • Submit your own review...