Toward The Sun

On this CD:

1. We Are Children Just the Same, songs for voice, cello & piano
Composed by Srul Irving Glick
Performed by Grigory Goldberg, Cecilia Ignatieff

2. South of North, songs for voice & piano
Composed by Srul Irving Glick
Performed by Cecilia Ignatieff

3. Tableaux (7) from the Song of Songs, for voice & piano trio
Composed by Srul Irving Glick
Performed by Grigory Goldberg, Cecilia Ignatieff

Toward The Sun, Music, Grigory Goldberg, Srul Irving Glick, Cecilia Ignatieff, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Music, Vocal, Vocal Music

Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
Average customer rating:

Uplifting

Fascinating Post-Rock

Super emotional, incredibly epic and grand, instrumental rock of the highest order.

read the first review

The Great Leap Forward

Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
Red Sparowes
Manufacturer: Neurot Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Ambient Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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At the Soundless Dawn

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Enter

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ASIN: B000H0MMBS
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Customer Reviews:

Uplifting.......2007-07-01

Theres never a dull moment on this CD. Throughout the entire 61 minutes of this CD you will feel happy, sad, excited, angry, entergetic...at least I did. I would definently recomend this CD over the soundless dawn, though, that CD is really good. The Red Sparowes pushed the envelope with this one. Awesome!!!

Fascinating Post-Rock.......2007-06-08

I'll just start by saying that this album is indescribably better than At The Soundless Dawn, which didn't showcase any of the fascinating melodies that make this album so great.

All the reviews below describe this very well, but i just wanted to say how good this album really is. It was the first post-rock album i ever bought, because id read good reviews and i liked the front cover, and it was the best surprise ive ever had from an album.

Every song has its on melodic buildup, emotional climax and sense of complacency. And that doesn't mean the songs all sound the same, really its the opposite. The tracks each revolve around a singular melody or feel, and they all are sprawling epics, perfectly played, produced and most of all written.

The best songs are: Like the Howling Glory..., Annhilate the Sparrow... and And By Our Hand...

The best Post-Rock, and one of the greatest albums ever. 5 Stars.

Super emotional, incredibly epic and grand, instrumental rock of the highest order........2006-11-14

Full length number two from epic post rock soundscapers the Red Sparowes. Sharing members with Isis, these guys tread similar sonic ground, although where Isis take their sound in a decidedly sludgy more metallic direction, The Sparowes move in their own, toward a much mathier, almost prog rock sound. Each track is massive in scope and composition, lengthy almost krautrock grooves lead into spacey ambience which lead into heavy crunchy "choruses". Riffs repeat and loop and slowly transform, multiple guitars weave in and out of the minor key melodies, creating dense harmonies, and strange rhythmic counterpoints to the motorik rhythms.

Red Sparowes are another band where it's hard to pinpoint just exactly what it is that makes them sound different or special, but that something is most definitely there. Sure it's slightly metallic, it's most definitely math rock or post rock. It's big and brooding, minor key and slightly melancholy, the guitars are big and thick, the drums simple but propulsive, but each one of those parts is transformed by the way they are assembled, the arrangements, the songwriting, imbue each of those elements with extra emotion, extra power. Which makes the heavy parts that much more riffage, the ambient parts that much more spacey and drifty, the sad parts that much darker. Obviously if you're into Isis and Aereogramme and Mogwai and all of that sort of stuff you'll for sure love this. But even folks who haven't been blown away by those bands should check these guys out. Super emotional, incredibly epic and grand, instrumental rock of the highest order. Like a more metallized Sigur Ros or like a dreamier dronier, WAY less metal Neurosis.

read the first review.......2006-11-03

The first reviewer down below did a great job at describing why this album is so good. If I may just paraphrase a few things and cut right to the chase.

1. This album is incredible

2. It is better than At The Soundless Dawn

3. The variety and flow in each track is mesmerizing and haunting

4. Every instrument has the perfect mix

5. The album artwork is great

6. This is one of the best instrumentatl post-rock albums.

7. Ever.

Do yourself a favor, read the first review if you need more proof. The sound samples wont do you any good as each song is around 7-8 minutes long and has far too much depth for a 30 second sample. Then go out and buy this album and set aside some time to listen to it...Maybe clean you room, or draw, or paint, or sit on the couch with the lights turned low and prepare to be taken away by the music. This album is an escape from wherever you are at the moment. A sonic tour de force.

The Great Leap Forward.......2006-11-02

Very atmospheric music, setting you in places only they, the band, could have thought of. Every song has its own sound, and every sound it resonates puts me through incredible states of emotion and nostalgia. The quiet plucking of the guitar has never sounded so beautiful, so well executed. Their best.

Average customer rating:

Toward the Stars
Sun Ra
Manufacturer: Fivefour
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Strange Strings
Creator of the Universe

ASIN: B000N0WYPG
Release Date: 2007-03-26

Tracks:

Spaceship Lullaby - The Nu-Sounds, Sun Ra
Can This Be Love?
Call for All Demons
Future
Sun Song
Lullaby for Realville
Urnack
Demon's Lullaby
Piano Interlude
India
Advice to Medics
Kingdom of Not
Is a Sound of Joy
Dreams Come True

Average customer rating:

Not bad for Yes-lite, but some of the falsetto vocals can really sting...
Ah, nostalgia..
Yes And Starcastle Fans Take Note
No--Seriously, Folks
Druid Rules!

Toward the Sun/Fluid Druid
Druid
Manufacturer: Bgo - Beat Goes on
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Starcastle
Fish out of Water
Second Album
Fountains of Light
Air Conditioning

ASIN: B0000070E3
Release Date: 1997-08-12

Tracks:

Voices
Remembering
Theme
Toward the Sun
Red Carpet for an Autumn
Dawn of Evening
Shangri-La

Tracks:

Razor Truth
Painters Clouds
FM 145
Crusade
Nothing But Morning
Barnaby
Kestrel
Left to Find
Fisherman's Friend

Album Details

If You Ever Wondered What a Progressive Band from the 70's that Featured Gary Numan's Drummer and One of the Men Behind the Teletubbies Records Would Sound Like, Wonder No More. Because That's What this Is!

Customer Reviews:

Not bad for Yes-lite, but some of the falsetto vocals can really sting..........2006-05-04

I've gotta be frank here, folks: if I didn't love the bass guitar so much, and if Neil Brewer didn't play it like a Chris Squire copycat, I probably wouldn't listen to Druid much anymore. Too little of the music is inspired, original, or exciting.

Actually, when Dane Stephens sings a bit lower (i.e. in his normal vocal range), he sounds quite a lot like Jon Anderson. Unfortunately, he occasionally causes me to wince when he sings in a screechy falsetto voice, especially on a few songs from the first album. And any harmonies are dubbed by Dane himself, so you don't get the rich harmonic vocals that some other prog groups can produce. His guitar playing is adequate, but not remarkable.

Ditto for the keyboard player, Andrew McCrorie-Shand. Not a lot of soloing prowess is exhibited, though he handles the keys adequately in an early-period Yes Tony Kaye sort of way. I do think the drumming (by Cedric Sharpley) is very good, and the bass playing is (as I've already noted) quite entertaining in places.

The comparisons to Yes can hardly be overlooked. But this is a little more acoustic, and a bit less challenging - almost "nice". Overall the music is not nearly as dynamic or complex as peak Yes, thus my "Yes-lite" tag. Some reviewers seem to view the band as underappreciated or unlucky; I actually think the band is very lucky - they seem to have been little more than a good prog cover band that got the chance to record two albums. That's more than many proggers were able to accomplish back in the late 1970's.

Still, there are some good moments here. I enjoy the first parts of both albums more than the second halves for some reason. "Voices", "Remembering", "Theme", Razor Truth", "FM 145", and "Crusade" are all pretty enjoyable tunes. The second half of "Fluid Druid" is mostly dreck.

There just wasn't enough original and interesting new stuff here for the Yes lover among prog fans. Another group to which I see them frequently compared is Starcastle, whose first two albums are clearly head and shoulders above these two albums.

So, this music is good - not great - and certainly enjoyable and listenable in general. But I do find it lacking in originality. For a look at Druid contemporaries that did it RIGHT in the late 70's, check out unique groups like England, Cathedral, Cherry Five - or even the American group Yezda Urfa.

"Nice" music just doesn't fit into the top of my preference list.

I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd's rating was based on:
Music quality = 7.5/10; Performance = 7/10; Production = 8/10; CD length = 9/10.
Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 7.6 ("3 stars")

Ah, nostalgia.........2001-09-24

Years ago, I saw Druid live at a local theatre. .... To hear the music again on this album was a true nostalgia trip. I have the original vinyl albums, but no turntable, so I thought "why not.." and bought the CDs. I suppose it is a bit "music for musicians", but I fit that bill so there's my excuse.

OK, I admit, I was so into this stuff in the 70's that I learned to play every guitar part, and every keyboard part. If I'd had a studio I could probably have hired a drummer and made a passable copy of "Toward the Sun" - the whole album I mean. The difference is I couldn't have written the stuff, nor performed it with such confidence... nor sung it in the original key!

If you like YES, and that kind of frantic musicianship, this album will add something a little off-centre to your collection. Well worth a listen, and not just for nostalgia either.

Yes And Starcastle Fans Take Note.......2000-09-04

I have to disagree with my fellow reviewers on this one! If you are a fan of YES or STARCASTLE, you must give this a try. Guitarist/Singer Dane has a pure, high tenor voice that compares favorably to Jon Anderson. This is very fine, dreamy, mystical symphonic rock. It tends to some harder edged, more streamlined moments on the 2nd CD. But I don't see how you can like YES music and not like this. These albums are way better than anything that YES did after 1976!! The mellotron flights are full of fantasia, and many songs have a pastoral, dream-like quality. I regard DRUID as one of the must maligned and unappreciated symphonic rock groups of the 70's. They are second only to Starcastle in their ability to create complex, melodic Yes-influenced prog rock.

No--Seriously, Folks.......2000-07-08

Like their contemporaries Styx and Starcastle (pseudo-fey American bands both), England's Druid was never a serious contender to the prog-rock pantheon idolized by so many in those (ahem!) heady days of the late-70's, and no wonder. What was it about that time that induced so many helium-voiced "singers" to bleat such doggerel as "As we move, we move towards the nearest rainbow"? Good God, people. All the requisite ingredients for progressively-correct "rock" are here, all right: grand Mellotron sweeps; busy monophonic synth fills when simple restraint would be too demanding; chunky Rickenbacker bass; "unexpected" time signature juxtapositions; the usual poetic blah blah blah ad ad nauseum. So how come it's so much fun to listen to? Precisely because it isn't supposed to be fun. When ELP decided to get down and like rock out, dude, ("Are You Ready Eddy?" lurches ghoulishly to mind) it only underscored their smirky modus operandi. Druid couldn't even do that, so they took the opposite road: Seriously Deep, Operatic Symphonic Head Food. Okay, fine. (No surprise, then, that drummer Cedric Sharpley later resurfaced on Gary Numan's equally suspect THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE.) Of the the two albums, the second (FLUID) has the slight edge, if only because it contains "Crusade". Heck, any song that so blatantly wears its Carpenters influence on its sleeve while presaging Klaus Nomi at the same time is worth the ride, even if it is a messy one. Oh yeah, and singer Dane's reggae tune "Barnaby" definitely influenced bands like The Ruts and The Clash. And The Police. Not that those guys would ever have admitted it.

Druid Rules!.......2000-06-16

Sorry but I can't bash this band...Fluid Druid is one of the best Prog Rock Albums of the 70's. The track Razor Truth is a sparkling, loopy and bending song that sticks with me to this very day; the people who bash Prog Rock seem to jump on this group. Unfair...try bashing Styx or Star Castle instead. When I first heard their their simple ebulant sound...I knew I would be writing this kindof revue twent-five years later...

Average customer rating:

raw and truthful
a pleasant surprise
Jeff deserves to be heard, great songwriter, soulful voice
perfect!
This one deserves a Grammy

Toward the Sun
Jeffrey Gaines
Manufacturer: Artemis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

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Always Be
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Jeffrey Gaines

ASIN: B00006RAL7
Release Date: 2003-02-11

Tracks:

Falling Apart
Beyond the Beginning
Over and Over
To Be Free
Without You
In This Lifetime
Life of the Living
Love Me
Our Lie
Together
Come Out Tonight

Amazon.com

The singer-songwriter canon has seldom been a one-size-fits-all affair. Indeed, there often seem to be boutiques full of urgent, emotive voices to match every foible, heartbreak, and occasion. That's why the opening lines of Jeffrey Gaines fifth album—"I don't believe anybody / Really can feel anybody else" from "Falling Apart"--bristle with promise and integrity. Gaines may not put much faith in emotional salvation here, but that shouldn't be confused with cheap cynicism, either. Instead, what Gaines's soulful singing--he's a cross between Elvis Costello and Lenny Kravitz in full voice, yet capable of a chameleonic range of nuance--offers is less hollow inspiration than steadfast instigation and encouragement in a world of pain, isolation, and indifference. The rewarding collaboration with veteran producer Mitchell Froom also suggests that Gaines here is goading himself as much the subjects of his songs, casting the material in a powerful, yet wholly organic, new range of dynamics, from the plaintive "Our Lie" and "Come Out Tonight" to the sultry, updated Stax vibe of "Together," and the big, anthemic nod to his fans, the single "Over and Over." Liberated by an almost palpable indifference to concerns of taste and trend, Gaines's expressive voice rises to new heights, conveying a heartfelt simplicity of purpose and message that is anything but simple. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

raw and truthful.......2005-03-29

another masterful production from Mr. Gaines. This work is intensely thoughtful and full of passion. It's got the addictive bluesy-ness of Johnny Lang, the heartfelt moodiness of Elvis Costello and tons more street cred and substance than Lenny Kravitz. Jeffrey Gaines is ultimately an artist who cannot be defined by race, genre or commercial demands. He is the best of all worlds and seems a true artist in being most faithful to his highly unique muse. Exceptional work that is highly enjoyable.

a pleasant surprise.......2004-09-07

I bought this album on a whim in a used cd shop. I've listened to it several times now and I like it more each time, especially "Beyond the Beginning" and "Come Out Tonight". Jeffrey Gaines has a handsome, earthy voice and sings about romance in a sincere, non-cheesy way. I highly recommend this album, especially for anybody who likes Freedy Johnston, another underrated singer-songwriter.

Jeff deserves to be heard, great songwriter, soulful voice.......2004-04-28

I have been following Jeff's music since 1992, when I first heard "Hero In Me" on Syracuse, NY radio 95 X. The first time I heard this song, I thought "Wow,what a great song, musically and lyrically,as well as the sound of that voice!"I found out it was Jeffrey Gaines, and I got his debut album, then aquired all his subsequent releases. They're all great, with each having a different feel. The self-titled debut was very somber, with "Somewhat Slightly Dazed" and "Galore" being more upbeat and having more of a pop-rock flavor. "Always Be", Jeff's 4th album, has a beautiful solo version of Roberta Flack's "First Time Ever I saw your Face".
I very much like his latest "Toward the Sun", with favorites including "Our Lie", "Over and Over",and "Love Me".
I saw him live twice, getting an autograph from him on my guitar and Cd Cover. He was very friendly, signing lots of autographs and spending a minute or two with each of us at the Club 37 show in North Syracuse around 1995. In 2000, I saw him opening for Tracy Chapman at Kingsbury Hall (Univ. of Utah)in Salt Lake City. I can't believe that even after 11 years , most people don't know who Jeff is. He needs to be played by more radio stations, as he is such a great artist. I have everything I can get by him (including promos), that's how great I think this guy is. Anyone who likes Elvis Costello, Neil Finn, or Michael Penn should like Jeffrey Gaines. I can't wait until the DVD/CD comes out in May.

perfect!.......2003-03-29

Could not ask for anymore. Not a single mediocre track. Ive heard alot of these songs played live and finally have them on cd!
Just a perfect album!

This one deserves a Grammy.......2003-02-22

I put this record to the test...
I play it while I am walking through the city, at work and home. I cannot stop playing it! It's been a long time since I found a record that makes me want listen and love every single song, and it just gets better with every play.
Jeffrey Gaines, you deserve a Grammy Award for this record.

Average customer rating:

Toward The Sun

Manufacturer: Doremi Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004YNHK
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

We Are Children Just The Same: The Thaw - Valerie Siren/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
We Are Children Just The Same: Would You Care For Dessert? - Valerie Siren/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
We Are Children Just The Same: My Country - Valerie Siren/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
We Are Children Just The Same: View From The Coffee House - Valerie Siren/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
We Are Children Just The Same: With You, Mother - Valerie Siren/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
South Of North: Wilderness On Centre Island - Valerie Siren/Cecilia Ignatieff
South Of North: Vane - Valerie Siren/Cecilia Ignatieff
South Of North: Grace - Valerie Siren/Cecilia Ignatieff
South Of North: Northern River Falls - Valerie Siren/Cecilia Ignatieff
South Of North: Privity - Valerie Siren/Cecilia Ignatieff
South Of North: Stripe - Valerie Siren/Cecilia Ignatieff
South Of North: Congregation At The Shoreline - Valerie Siren/Cecilia Ignatieff
South Of North: Windmill - Valerie Siren/Cecilia Ignatieff
Seven Tableaux From The Song Of Songs: O Let Him Kiss Me - Valerie Siren/Marina Dancheva/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
Seven Tableaux From The Song Of Songs: I Am Dark But Lovely - Valerie Siren/Marina Dancheva/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
Seven Tableaux From The Song Of Songs: King Soloman's Wedding Procession - Valerie Siren/Marina Dancheva/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
Seven Tableaux From The Song Of Songs: How Beautiful You Are, My Love - Valerie Siren/Marina Dancheva/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
Seven Tableaux From The Song Of Songs: The Little Foxes - Valerie Siren/Marina Dancheva/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
Seven Tableaux From The Song Of Songs: He Took Me To The Wine Garden - Valerie Siren/Marina Dancheva/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff
Seven Tableaux From The Song Of Songs: Set Me As A Seal Upon Your Heart - Valerie Siren/Marina Dancheva/Grigory Goldberg/Cecilia Ignatieff

Average customer rating:

Circles Toward the Sun
Bob Childers
Manufacturer: Binky Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

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General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000JCDG
Release Date: 1999-05-26

Tracks:

Slow Train
Do You Understand
Least We Could Do
Friend of Mine
Regular Guy
Mexican Morning
Growing Pains
Centerville
Restless Spirits
Kite Fliers and High Wires
Anytime You Say
Face Like Yours
Sunshine in Your Smile

Average customer rating:

Toward the Sun
Druid
Manufacturer: Toshiba EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000TCME8
Release Date: 2003-12-29

Tracks:

Voices
Remembering
Theme
Toward the Sun
Red Carpet for an Autumn
Dawn of Evening
Shangri-La

Album Description

Japanese 24-bit remastered reissue of the British progressive rock act's 1975 album packaged in a miniature LP sleeve, features 7 tracks. Toshiba/EMI. 2003.

Album Details

24 Bit Digitally Remastered Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Average customer rating:

Toward the Sun/Fluid Druid
Druid
Manufacturer: Msi Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000N0QWEA
Release Date: 1997-08-12