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reviewed by Dene Bebbington Sacred Circles is a follow-up to Moonlore. Through enchanting music and lyrics the listener is taken into the world of a druid girl moving into womanhood. The album is composed by Llewellyn but features his partner Juliana on some tracks performing vocals, and guest musicians Chris Conway, Tori Donovan, and Kevin Kendle. This is the first time I've heard Llewellyn's music. I didn't have any particular expectations although I had a general idea of what may be to come as I'm familiar with the New World Music label. On hearing the opening track "Stardancing (into the Light)" I was faced with an obviously superior new age offering. A combination of traditional instruments, keyboards, and delightful vocals deliver a musical story with verve leaving one feeling uplifted. Comparisons to other artists are inevitable but hopefully useful; Sacred Circles brings to mind Clannad, Enya, and 2002 as they are also artists who produce melodic music and vocals which convey a sense of the mystical and spiritual dimensions within ourselves and in nature. In contrast to some new agey music, what Llewellyn has given us is thankfully neither twee nor overly sweet. Several kinds of whistle are used on the album; the sound of them is interesting because it can, oddly enough, be both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. The second track, "Sacred Space," features a whistle(s) extensively, the sound of which is rather haunting (not in the ghostly sense) and could make the hair on the back of one's neck stand on end. For me, the whistles conjure up images of sacred and peaceful landscapes, something I also find with panpipes. Whereas panpipes are associated with South America, the whistles lead to closer to home mental vistas of Ireland or Scottish islands. Very quickly Sacred Circles has become one of my favourite new age discs. It works well on different levels as it can be enjoyed just for the excellent melodic songs and instrumentals, or as music telling a story which takes the listener away from the mundane world for a while and let's his or her imagination take over. I highly recommend it. |
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