November 2006 CDs
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
An Album of Classical Lullabies
The cover of this CD is cute; clearly, it was created with children in mind. So I expected cutesy vocals backed by updates of classical lullaby tunes. Instead, I was treated to a beautiful blend of violin and acoustic classical guitar, sans lyrics—a lovely gift to my ear and my child soul.
The various pieces on the CD were all composed for piano or ensembles, but the Davis' original arrangements for their own instruments stay wonderfully true to the spirit of the original compositions. The CD features renowned composers like Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Grieg and Mendelssohn, as well as others who are less familiar today. It also includes two neoclassical works: Gerschwin's “Summertime” and “Hushabye Mountain” from Richard and Robert Sherman's score for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang .
Both Eric and Susan are classically educated musicians of some renown, and both are also educators. Their primary intention with this CD was to create something that would relax and calm young children and expose them to a musical tradition that doesn't often come their way in today's world. (I'm sure babies in the womb will enjoy it as well.) “Children need lullabies, and they need to be exposed to classical music,” Susan explains. “So we combined the two.”
The music is hauntingly beautiful. Perhaps my liking for it harkens back to my own childhood. But, be that as it may, this is music any classical fan will find relaxing and enjoyable. “This is music we both like personally,” Eric says. Me too!
Eric and Susan Davis also enjoy performing jazz, bluegrass, folk and pop. I look forward to experiencing some of their other interests in future CDs. —Chiwah
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Symphony for Humanity
Noble Purpose
In 1976, off the coast of Maui, Paul Lloyd Warner went to sea with a keyboard and speakers to play for the whales and dolphins.
What kind of man would be moved to do such an outrageous thing?
That same beautiful man, treasured by his friends and loved by all who have had the good fortune to be touched by his heart and his musical and poetic genius, has now created a CD for humankind.
Symphony for Humanity shines an entire spectrum of light on the human spirit, evoking the highest and the best in us. Taking his inspiration from the beauty of nature, of love, of peace and serenity, with Symphony for Humanity Paul holds up a mirror for us to see and admire the nobility of the human spirit. All that is good and pure in us, the shining reflection of our divine nature, lives and flows in this superb orchestral romance. The album's distinctive melodies and rich harmonies reflect a breadth and depth of passion and grace that pampers the heart and heals the soul.
And the door to a new musical genre is opened: Progressive Classical Music, the fusion of classical with new-age music. The result is a blessed marriage, the rich musical structure and the harmonic and melodic elements of classical music blending seamlessly with the pure serene, soothing and uplifting qualities of contemporary new age music. In his own inimicable tradition, he created the entire work at one sitting, a single man doing the work of an entire orchestra on a single track.
Truly an inspired album, this CD is the crowning glory of Paul's musical career so far . But we all know there is a wealth of poetry and music to come. — Chiwah
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Jala
Water. All around us, within us, flowing, meandering, cascading, crashing on the beach. Jala brings us home to our water-based bodies, to the feelings associated with the many personalities of water.
The rhythmic and electronic music soundtrack from Shiva Rea's Fluid Power yoga DVD, the twelve richly layered musical offerings on this CD offer sonic nurturing to enhance the flow of our inner and outer worlds, yoga, and creative living.
This meditative journey crosses genres and cultures, with Asian electronica, high-energy percussion, soothing sitar and chant, and passionate vocals. If you are a fan of sitar, you will revel in Uwe Neumanni's inspired playing. Other contributing musicians include multi-instrumentalist Benjy Wertheimer, Mifaj Chag, Daphne Tse with Matt Pszonak, and Ralicke and Ossman.
Shiva Rea is internationally renowned for her original music compilations drawn from what moves people in her innovative classes taught around the world. — Chiwah
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