|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
review by Bill Binkelman Llewellyn (joined by wife Juliana, and a few guest musicians as well) has brilliantly "interpreted" the catchy rhythms and flowing melodies of UK chill-out music and woven his sincere new age spiritual beliefs into a musical "alloy," yielding Sacred Circles. Llewellyn's keyboards and Juliana's voice (along with Chris Conway's whistles, guitars and kalimba, Tori Donovan's low whistle and recorders, and Kevin Kendle's keyboards) are combined with rhythms and beats in just the right "chilled" tempos to make music that is infectious, affirming, and so damn pretty that even a jaded curmudgeon like yours truly just had to smile as he listened to it. Obviously, if you're not a fan of "real" new age music, you won't enjoy this recording as much. If you adhere to any new age beliefs, more's the better (since there are new age philosophy vocals on some tracks and the liner notes make the theme/ concept of the album clear, i.e. the sacred symbolism of the circle and how it is addressed in pagan theology). Long-time readers of my reviews know that I seldom take a stand on religious issues. I consider myself an open-minded sort and whether or not I hold to everything written in this CD's liner notes is irrelevant to the happiness I feel when I play this music (I actually have no problem with any aspect of the CD, since I am an agnostic by nature). Truthfully, if you like catchy beats (produced through Llewellyn's frame drum playing, some sampled hand instruments, and overt electronic percussion), as well as a combination of bright, sunny (but never saccharine-drenched) and mysteriously beautiful melodies, I think you should give Sacred Circles a test drive. Llewellyn is easily one of the best electronic keyboard artists in the world today. He layers his synths in a dazzling display of artistry and the quality of the sounds themselves is always first-rate (a trait he shares with his friend and colleague, Kevin Kendle). Llewellyn's compositions also always maintain that delicate balance of similarity of style and diversity of music that all great artists manage to achieve. As for Juliana's voice, well, if there was a "new age music god of justice" then Juliana would be as big a star as Enya or Loreena McKennitt, as far as I'm concerned. In addition, Chris Conway's flutes and Tori Donovan's low whistle and recorders add a distinctly haunting Celtic flavor to some tracks (but not so distinct a way as to make this a "Celtic fusion" release). The combination of catchy beats (sometimes, such as on "Celtic Triple Goddess, Part 3-Phantom Queen," of the electronic "chilled" variety) with the decidedly "older" instrumentation (e.g. Conway's zither on this track or kalimba on a previous song) transforms Sacred Circles into a true hybrid recording. I am convinced that the best description of this album is "new age chill-out." "The Ritual" is a perfect example of this - sweeping lush synths, midtempo shuffling beats, plucked string keyboards, and delicate piano (and later, a little synth bagpipes, along with snare and high-hat beats) make the track the epitome of great chill music done UK-style. The song "Release" takes "traditional" new age music elements (flowing water, breathy wordless vocals, lilting flute) and adds peppy percolating synth bell-tones, sequenced notes (yes, even with a dash of Germanic-spice to them) and eventually folds in some pronounced uptempo electronic ambient beats. A word of "caution" to those who don't like vocals with outright lyrics - the CD contains two of these numbers: the first and last track ("Stardancing [into the Light]" and "Silver Wheel," respectively). As I alluded to above, the lyrical content is definitely new age, but not so much that people who have an axe to grind with paganism will object, unless they're fanatics about it. Instead, think of the songs as "new age pop" and enjoy them as such. Juliana isn't the only one in the family who has a good voice, by the way! For me, I love Sacred Circles, vocals and all and with its overt mystical imagery and spiritual philosophy intact. The music on this album is fantastic "warm" chill-out/new age music (meaning, the music has a positive emotional impact through its predominant major key compositions, as opposed to songs in minor keys or within a somber musical framework). I recommend the CD highly to both new age music fans who won't mind the addition of catchy rhythms or to romantics (some of the songs here are too dreamy for words) and chill-out fans who don't wear black all the time! |
|
