Acoustic Passion

On this CD:

1. Ya Ribon
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

2. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, for voice & 8 cellos, A. 389 Aria, Arranged by Vida
Composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

3. Andaluza (Playera) (No.5 of "Spanish Dances (12)"), various guitar & other non-piano arrangements No 5, Andaluza, arranged by Vida
Composed by Enrique Granados
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

4. La Rosa Enflorese
Composed by Spanish Anonymous
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

5. Adio kerida
Composed by Sephardic Traditional
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

6. Adir Hu (traditional Romanian)
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

7. Vocalise-Étude en forme de Habanera, for voice & piano
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

8. Echoes of Andalucia
Composed by Shelley Hanson
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

9. Montañas altas y marina, for voice & harp (Shephardic songs (3), No. 1)
Composed by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

10. Ven y veràs viaremos, for voice & harp (Shephardic songs (3), No. 2)
Composed by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

11. Una noche yo me armi, for voice & harp (Shephardic songs (3), No. 3)
Composed by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

12. O canto do cysno negro (Song of the Black Swan), for cello & piano, A. 122 Arranged by Vida
Composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

13. Blue Rondo A la Turk
Composed by Dave Brubeck
Performed by Vida, Laura Sewell, Sunita Staneslow, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager

Acoustic Passion, Music, Laura Sewell, Anonymous, Spanish Anonymous, Dave Brubeck, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Enrique Granados, Shelley Hanson, Maurice Ravel, Sephardic Traditional, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Vida, Sunita Staneslow, Steve Yeager, 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard, Cello with Keyboard, Chamber, Classical, Crossover music at its best. This blend of improvisational Jewish and classical music touches on Jazz and the Middle East., Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Miscellaneous Vocal Music, Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble, Transcription, Vocal, Vocal Music

Stages
Average customer rating:

Taking the long road

If you can see her live, then: get! If not...

The Best!!

Powerful, Transcendently Beautiful!

Stages is Awesome

Stages
Ruthie Foster
Manufacturer: Blue Corn Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music
Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
General | Live Albums | Blues | Styles | Music
Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Runaway Soul

The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster

Full Circle

Live From Austin TX

State of Grace

ASIN: B00023B1GW
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

Ocean Of Tears
Crossover
Another Rain Song
Real Love
God Bless The Child
Turn Me On
Death Came A Knockin' (Travelin' Shoes)
Get Out Of My Way
Lost In The City
Prayin' For Rain
Church
Walk On
Oh! Susannah
Full Circle

Customer Reviews:

Taking the long road.......2007-02-25

Ruthie Foster shows the full range of her musicianship on this remarkable recording, which captures not only her rich voice but her wonderful sense of humor and love for music that stretches over a broad range of genres. Whether playing on a tango theme or drawing from her wonderful dip bag of folk music, Ruthie never fails to please the listener, especially on this album.

If you can see her live, then: get! If not..........2006-12-04

...then you owe it to yourself to buy this album. You won't miss her on stage again: expect goose bumps, and maybe some damp eyes, just listening to the CD. This is one of the best live recordings -- of anyone -- that I have heard. Buy it now, as the first in your collection, and you can tell your friends later: "Ruthie Foster? Oh yeah, I know her music!"

The Best!!.......2005-06-15

Ruthie Foster is THE BEST pure singer I have ever heard. When she sings Walk On and/or Oh Susannah - chills...
I absolutely LOVE HER - not only her singing but her guitar playing also. Check out/download her video at Kerrville from the internet and see her perform. A genius who can sing anything: blues, folk, whatever. I LOVE her - she is my favorite singer. Both her Stages and Runaway Soul albums- whew!!
Wish she would perform on national TV...

Powerful, Transcendently Beautiful!.......2004-11-11

A couple of weeks ago on a stiflingly sultry afternoon at the Texas Book Festival I heard in the distance this incredible voice singing the old Curtis Mayfield song, "People Get Ready." I moved quickly toward it and caught the last two minutes of Ruthie Foster's one hour set at the Entertainment Tent. In those two minutes, the gritty spirituality of her bluesy gospel rendition of that classic gave me the chills, and, I confess, watery eyes. She shook me. I told my wife that she was the greatest singer I had ever heard, and I'm not sure that I would qualify that even now. I ordered two of her CD's as soon as I could get to the internet and Amazon.com. The studio produced "Runaway Soul" is truly great, and I highly recommend it, but "Stages" is as close to perfection as any human has a right to expect. I agree with the other reviewer. It's the best live CD I own, with the possible exception of "James Brown at the Apollo!" Her rendition of "Oh, Susana," is revelatory. Foster discovers beneath the hokey joy of the tradition tune a transcendently beautiful lament. It is a shockingly insightful performance. Haunting. I could go on and on about other great numbers on the CD, but won't. Just buy it and enjoy it.

Stages is Awesome.......2004-08-09

This is simply the best live album I have heard! Having seen Ruthie Foster live at the Canmore Folk Fest - Stages stays true to her performance and gives the listener insight in to the fabulous range and style of Ruthie Foster - highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

An acoustic instrumental Classic.
perfecto
Ross's Fingerstyle Technique Is Amazing!
Best Acoustic Guitarist Player & Composer Around
His finest work to date...

Passion Session
Don Ross
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Huron Street
Art of Motion
Only
Music for Vacuuming
Guitarist

ASIN: B00000I8V3
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

Klimbim
Michael, Michael, Michael
Berkeley Springs
Tight Trite Night
First Ride
With You In Mind
Annie And Martin
So Little Time
Give Me Seven Reasons
Blue Bear
No Goodbyes

Customer Reviews:

An acoustic instrumental Classic........2007-06-18

A perfect balance between cutting edge technical ability and just a wonderful sense of melody and rhythm - which I suppose you'd have to call genius. Some people have said Don Ross is the greatest guitarist in the world, and though I don't get into those kinds of pronouncements, I do find myself thinking that kind of thing when I play Passion Session. Beyond all that, it's a complete album, organically whole, without flaws or filler - which should qualify it as a classic of instrumental acoustic music - so, without doubt, worthy of the five stars I can give it in this review. Fingerstyle does not get better.

perfecto.......2007-03-22

This album was everthing that I thougt it would be. Don Ross has great feeling for his instrument and music. It's a must to own.

Ross's Fingerstyle Technique Is Amazing!.......2006-12-29

Don Ross is quite simply one of the finest fingerstyle guitarists on the planet. [He is the only artist to win the prestigious National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship--twice!] In the liner notes Ross says, "It has taken me all these years (more than 30) of trying to get inside the instrument to realize just how many different capabilities it has. I try to use the whole instrument, to make the guitar a small orchestra." Whether he applies this approach to upbeat material like "Klimbim" and "Tight Trite Night" or more reflective pieces like "Berkley Springs" and "With You in Mind," Ross's technique is impressive. Even more amazing is the liner notes disclaimer: "No artificial reverb, effects or overdubbing were used. What you hear is what you get!" And what you get is a guitar player who ranks right up there with Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges and Adrian Legg. This is Ross's first of three stunning albums for the Narada label. If you are unfamiliar with his music, this is an excellent place to start. [Running Time - 45:39] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Best Acoustic Guitarist Player & Composer Around.......2004-11-01

In my opinion, Don Ross is the best acoustic guitar player and composer I have ever heard. This album is all good tunes and a few great ones.

I am not sure the background behind "No Goodbyes", "Give me Seven Reasons", and "Not Enough Time", but I believe they where written for Don's wife. IMHO, there are some of the most moving songs I have ever heard.

Music is a very personal thing, so I have no idea if you will like this or not, but I encourage you to try it.

His finest work to date..........2003-09-24

This is a cd of fantastic acoustic playing, I've listened to so much 'guitar music' lately...however, when I heard Klimbim for the first time, I was speechless. That song was like an incredible breath of fresh air for guitar oriented music. You won't be disappointed!!

Acoustic Heart, Vol. 2: The Passion and Romance of Acoustic Guitar Masters

Average customer rating:

Sublime

Acoustic Heart, Vol. 2: The Passion and Romance of Acoustic Guitar Masters
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Acoustic Heart: Acoustic Guitar Masters
Guitar Fingerstyle, Vol. 1
Masters of Acoustic Guitar
Touch-Windham Hill 25 Years of Guitar
Guitar Fingerstyle, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00026MGYA
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

Peter White - Lullaby
Pat Metheny - Don't Know Why
Bill McLaughlin - Soulmates
Dallas Gordon - One Wish
Earl Klugh - Moon and the Stars
Eric Tingstad - Lucinda
Laurence Juber - Love at First Sight
Artie Traum - Blue Hotel9. Kaki King - Night After Sidewalk
Acoustic Alchemy - Ballad for Kay
Pierre Bensusan - Silent Passenger
Alex De Grassi - Ripple
Keola Beamer - Ku'uipo Ku'u Lei
Wendy Waldman - Wild Bird

Album Description

The mesmerizing power and beauty of acoustic guitar is amply displayed on Acoustic Heart 2 (released on Shanachie Entertainment June 29, 2004), a collection of extraordinary performances by such acoustic guitar masters as Peter White, Earl Klugh, Alex de Grassi, Artie Traum and many others. A surprising highlight is Pat Metheny's version of the Norah Jones hit "Don't Know Why." Metheny, who is known as a wizard of electric guitar, turns in a subtle, moving version of one of the past year's biggest hits. Following the successful approach of the previous volume of Acoustic Heart, this new compilation delivers plenty of passion and romantic feeling amidst an often-dazzling display technique. As noted by celebrated acoustic guitarist Artie Traum, who compiled the album along with Jeff Heiman, the tracks often have an almost orchestral quality--even though most of them feature only solo acoustic guitar.

The list of artists featured on Acoustic Heart 2 is a veritable "who's who" of acoustic guitar masters. It also demonstrates the universality of the instrument; represented on Acoustic Heart 2 are artists from Hawaii, Algeria, England, France and America, reflecting the reality that impressive acoustic guitar music is being made on every continent and has been for some time. Interestingly, the artists on Acoustic Heart 2 have made their names in a variety of genres--jazz, world, new age, folk and rock music. Laurence Juber, for instance, first made his mark as a member of Paul McCartney and Wings. Pat Metheny, an electric guitar icon in the fusion jazz world, had never recorded with acoustic guitar until he made the album that contains "Don't Know Why" last year. Artie Traum along with his brother Happy, has been a staple of the folk and singer/songwriter circuit for years. He also has had success in the contemporary jazz world, scoring a #l contemporary jazz radio hit in l994. Alex de Grassi came to prominence in the first wave of "new age" music, one of a handful! of guitarists who created a whole new style for acoustic guitar.

Customer Reviews:

Sublime.......2006-10-09

There is nothing like the pure sound of an acoustic guitar. This is simple, clear, honest and real strumming and picking. You get lost in the vibrations of those strings. Let your imagination take wing!

Average customer rating:

Hauntingly Beautiful -- INDEED!
Hauntingly Beautiful
Marvelous!
Tickles my fancy, pierces my soul
A+

Hidden Sky
Jami Sieber
Manufacturer: Out Front Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Second Sight
Lush Mechanique
Eight String Religion
Dark Wood
Praises for the World

ASIN: B0002ABTLW
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

Maenam
Out of the Mist
Homage
Sukhothai Rain
Red Moon
Common Music
In the Silence
Prayer 1
Hidden Sky
Mandlovu Mind
Arms of the Mother
Prayer 2
Hidden Sky [Multimedia Track]

Customer Reviews:

Hauntingly Beautiful -- INDEED!.......2007-06-18

I am always thrilled when I happen upon gorgeous music by an unfamiliar artist. That happened one weekend in my Saturday yoga class, and I was so moved by the music (esp what I know now is Prayer Two on this album) I asked the instructor what he played during class. To give you some indication of the quality, esp of the cello pieces, I assumed it must be Yo-Yo-Ma doing a movie soundtrack. How happy I was to be fooled, and equally happy to recommend without hesitation, that you purchase this CD. You will not be disappointed, only relaxed and mesmerized beyond your wildest dreams!

Hauntingly Beautiful.......2006-07-15

Jami's music on this cd is the most beautiful, awe-inspiring music I have heard in a long time. I stumbled upon Jami's music on CDBaby.com. Just clicked on new age and since I am a big fan of the cello I took a chance and listened to her. Beautiful is all I could say. The melancholy way in which she writes and sings brings tears to the soul. She writes and plays from her heart which is a rare find these days. This is not your ordinary "New Age" cd of everything being played on a synth!! This is real music with real musicians and even of The Thai Elephant Orchestra itself!! The actual elephants play, talk about inspiring! If you love real musicians and beautiful music then PLEASE by all means give Jami Sieber a listen and you'll fall in love with her music and with her dedication to the elephants.

Marvelous!.......2006-02-24

On a par with David Darling's Cello Blue. A definite must-hear for cello lovers.

Tickles my fancy, pierces my soul.......2006-02-02

This album is one of my all time favorites. I have listened to it for months without ever getting bored of the deep sounds that emminate from Jami's electric cello. The mood is sometimes playful, sometimes surreal, and sometimes dark and mysterious, but always engaging. Most of the tracks are slow, sensual, and entrancing. One piece, performed with Rhiannon, is upbeat and ecstatic, but still quite sensual. Don't miss this great opportunity to embark on a journey with Jami and be transformed just as she was in the presence of the elephants.

A+.......2005-05-16

Years ago I stumbled across Sieber's work and morphed asap into a staunch Sieberholic. Hidden Sky represents the third stroke of musical excellence. Thematical like Second Sight, equally enigmatic, softer, quieter, dipped in silence. If you're comfortable hanging between a half-note and the edge of the universe as your soul skin turns to sea, go for it - but BE FOREWARNED: It's alive.

Average customer rating:

Cello Moods
THIS is Cello
Buy this CD!

Lush Mechanique
Jami Sieber
Manufacturer: Out Front Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Second Sight
Hidden Sky
An Ancient Muse

ASIN: B000003ONE
Release Date: 1996-06-18

Tracks:

Surrender
Daybreak
All She Can Carry
Your Leaving
Secret Heat
Invisible Wings
Undercurrent
The Darkening Ground
Dancing At The Temple Gate

Customer Reviews:

Cello Moods.......2000-03-29

I have played this CD relentlessly. It sates what I call my "cello moods" - when I somehow have to delve downward to bring an emotion to the surface. I never look at the titles, and somehow have been able to paint pictures for all the pieces. My favorite tracks, if I HAD to choose, are: 1,2, and 7...but, I like them all. I then repeat it; my friends hear the CD, fall in love with it, and learn they have cello moods,too.

THIS is Cello.......1999-12-31

Lush Mechanique is an album that will have enduring appeal to listeners. The songs were written as a complete dance piece, so you will have the feeling of being taken on a marvelous journey through sounds (you will be very surprised to learn) that come entirely from Jami's electric cello (plus a bit of wordless vocals.) If I only had one cd that I could ever give to every person I met, this would be it.

Buy this CD!.......1999-12-01

I bought this album after becoming enamored with Jami Seiber's "Second Sight" (which I also would highly recommend). Her cello playing is amazing. At times you forget you are actually listening to an instrument as it seems to take on a voice and feeling of its own. I love the drumming in the background on many of the tracks. It is very intense but quiet so it blends well with the cello but gives the music a sense of presence. I've found this to be great for when I'm trying to relax, read, think, or just have good conversation. It's definitely music to be experienced. You won't be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Passion
Jan Akkerman
Manufacturer: Crystal Sound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA8ZJQ
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Tracks:

Suite 1: David's Harp Song/Wildflower/Across the Bridge/In Amorata
Suite 2: Monkey/Sweethearts/Close Enough/Central Park/AB-So-Rockin ...
Mon Amour
Tranquilizer
Classic Gaz/Gate to Europe
Fellini's Restaurant
Passion
Countess of Pembrooks Paradise
Muy Linda
Knight of the Lute
Whispering/Liebestraum

Average customer rating:

Close Enuf 2 Perfec
AN OUTSTANDING NEW-AGE CD

Two Guitars, One Passion
Lara & Reyes
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Brazilian & Latin Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

International Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Exotico
World Jazz
Guitarras Hermanas
Riverwalk
Navidad

ASIN: B000003Z1K
Release Date: 1996-01-02

Tracks:

Atardecer (Dusk)
Juego (Game)
Seguidilla from 'Carmen Suite'
Dia De Fiesta (Holiday)
Baghdad
Obsidiana
Spain
Camino A Paracho (Road To Paracho)
La Bikina
Luna Y Estrellas (Moon & Stars)

Customer Reviews:

Close Enuf 2 Perfec.......2001-03-31

for me. I heard these guys live many times because it was a thrill - an entertainment treat. My CD predates the release shown here by 4 years, as I bought mine from the musicians who both autographed it. It remains perhaps my favorite CD. Every person who has heard the CD wants to know who it is- really: EVERYONE without exception. Definitavely remarkable. Buy it - you' ll like it (and so will your friends).

AN OUTSTANDING NEW-AGE CD.......1999-11-04

atardecer is an incredible song with a passion. flat-out the best single the duo has recorded to date. this is an outstanding cd as well as all of their other recordings.

Average customer rating:

all this from an orthodontist!

Triple Heater
Martin Posen
Manufacturer: North Pacific Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000JAQW
Release Date: 2000-01-13

Tracks:

Triple Heater
Tarlika's Shadow
Orison
Bounce
Burning Bush
Spinal Chords
Sons of Finlay
Starburst
Jewelled Light
Joao's Gem

Customer Reviews:

all this from an orthodontist!.......2002-08-16

Believe it or not, I found out about this incredible musician through a good friend. Posen is his orthodontist. He's also one of the best guitar players i've ever heard. All of the tracks are filled with complex, amazing riffs played on one, count it, one acoustic guitar. I listened to the CD 3 times over when i first listened to it. A great album

Average customer rating:

virtuoso strings and cutting edge electronics

Process and Passion

Manufacturer: Pogus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Roger Reynolds: Whispers Out of Time; Transfigured Wind 2

ASIN: B00024WXTU
Release Date: 2004-04-27

Tracks:

Kokoro [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Focus a Beam, Emptied of Thinking, Outward... [Stereophonic Presentatio - Hugh Livingston
Process and Passion [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Stereophonic Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies

Tracks:

Kokoro [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Kokoro (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Mark Menzies
Focus a Beam, Emptied of Thinking, Outward... [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston
Process and Passion [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies
Process and Passion (Continued) [Binaural Presentation] - Hugh Livingston, Mark Menzies

Album Description

A special 2 CDs for the price of 1 deal - with CD 1 (stereo) music encoded for CD 2 (binaural - headphone only listening), the listener gets their own personal surround sound-for-the-head version - the same music - but different!!!

This is a recording that explores the "extra"-ordinary potential of the CD not only as a carrier of traditionally recorded instrumental sound (CD 1), but also offering a different view through binaural encoding of the same materials spatialized (CD 2).

First you are presented with two solo compositions—Kokoro and Focus a beam, emptied of thinking, outward…—and the duo Process and Passion, in an acoustic recording, albeit with each instrument deliberately confined to one side of the stereo field. Then all three pieces are presented with extravagant sound processing, using spatialization concepts and binaural encoding, revealing unsuspected depths and energies within the sound of each of the pieces' ideas and unfolding.

"Architectures of sound"—meaning how things sound—form the shape of the compositions' emotional traversal. For the two solo pieces, this is a relatively simple idea: Kokoro (the violin solo) has twelve sections that are in every way timbrally/sonically/articulatively unique from one another. Focus a beam, emptied of thinking, outward… (the cello solo) provides an organic unfolding, nevertheless revealing the dynamic potential of its basic material development—contrast grows out of the unfolding. But the duo Process and Passion draws further complexity to this world, partly by being a stated collage of the two solo pieces' worlds, but also by having an outside, visceral—even scary—narrative gravitational pull. Poetic text excerpts are drawn from Reynolds' explorations of the Oresteia, but they are left out of the final score.

It is hoped that the binaurally encoded disc included in this set will suggest to the solitary listener, in the comforts of his or her own headphones, how powerfully a choreographing of musical lines and gestures can dimensionalize musical experience. This realm and its satisfactions are only now coming into reach.

Customer Reviews:

virtuoso strings and cutting edge electronics.......2005-06-14

PROCESS AND PASSION is a unique presentation of the music of Roger Reynolds, using binaural encoding, which produces the spatialization of sound. There are two discs, the first in conventional stereo, and the second containing the same three works, but binaurally encoded, which requires headphones. The conventional version would be great, but the enhancement makes it that much better!

The core works are two solo pieces, originally written for Irvine Arditti (violin) and Rohan de Saram (cello) of the Arditti Quartet. "Kokoro" for violin and "Focus a beam, emptied of thinking, outward..." for cello were originally recorded on the COCONINO disc by the quartet (see my review). PROCESS AND PASSION includes reworked versions of the solo pieces, and a third composition, "Process and Passion," which is a duet for violin and cello, which takes material from the solo pieces and pits them against one another along with a third electronic voice. There is an explicit symbolic content to the work, based on Greek tragedy, taken from Reynolds's RED ACT PROJECT, an operatic work that addresses violence, retribution and justice.

The virtuoso performers are Mark Menzies on violin and Hugh Livingston on cello, both of whom studied with Reynolds at UC-San Diego. They worked extensively with Reynolds's complex scores, and with his permission, collaborated with him in reworking them to make them more effective based on their knowledge of the instruments and his structural aims, so Menzies and Livingston are now co-authors of the works in their new versions.

This is another fine recording of the music of Roger Reynolds. When will THE RED ACT PROJECT be recorded? When will Mode release the promised set of orchestral works? The Reynolds Deficit must be addressed!