New Age Music World

Archive for March, 2009

When describing a choir or large group of individuals singing in unison, one usually pictures choir members dressed in white robes singing before a congregation in a house of worship, being universal in most religious faiths and denominations.

The 25 to 30 young male performers who make up Libera are in the age range of 7 to 16, and are often a white robed choir that sing in unison, but the normal assumptions and what you have pictured in your mind of the music they produce ends there.

Libera is a unique blend of choir music with a new age pop influence and easy listening classical vocals. Simply put, they are something special to behold and the music they produce will definitely surprise you.

Most of the young adult male singers age 7 to 16 are from the parish choir of St. Philip’s Church in Norbury London, performing under the direction of Robert Prizeman, who began his association as singer but later became the choir director in 1970 at age 18.

Libera has made concert appearances in the United Kingdom, United States, Korea and Japan, and a large number of BBC television, soundtrack, and radio recordings. In addition they have performed before 60,000 people in Yankee Stadium on April 20th 2008, during papal mass when Pope Benedict XVI made his first visit to the U.S.

The artist choir Libera is a non-profit group with many accomplishments including 16 albums having topped mainstream and classical album charts in many countries. They have had concert appearances in the United Kingdom, United States, Korea and Japan, and a large number of BBC television, soundtrack, and radio recordings. In addition they have performed before 60,000 people in Yankee Stadium on April 20th 2008, during papal mass when Pope Benedict XVI made his first visit to the U.S.

With such impressive accomplishments for the boys as young adults, I wonder how many of the boys will continue their individual music careers as New Age musicians upon reaching full adulthood. That would be great news to all New Age music fans!

The Libera album Free, released under the EMI Classics in 2004 has full flowing choral vocals and solos that do remind you of being part of a congregation at moments, yet there is something particularly special about this music group that I haven’t quite put my finger on.

One song titled Stay With Me is a song which may help shed some light onto the subject so that you too can discover this talented group of young artists. To me, Libera is a classic example of the many ways New Age music can be redefined when combining separate music genres into one soulful entity.  Stay With Me is one great song on the Free album and entire choir music collection from Libera.

To learn more about Libera and Robert Prizeman visit the official libera site.

Would you like to travel the entire world someday? When traveling as a tourist do you enjoy visualizing the new and unique cultural destinations to visit, along with the sights, sounds and experiences?

For persons who are not frequent globetrotters having neither time nor opportunity to travel the world firsthand, an excursion awaits you by listening to many distant exotic lands through a musical journey that will definitely fit your schedule and budget.

The international flavor of musician, composer, and conductor Colin O’Donohoe is your ticket for world music influences.

Colin’s most recent album Songs of the Saints released in 2007 on the Ocean Media label, is inspired by music native to Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and also includes musical varieties of North and South America which makes your travel by sound itinerary complete. Much like his Songs of the Saints album, the Pangean Orchesra that he directs perform music having a wide varity of influence and musicians from all parts of the globe.

The instruments and vocals used in the Songs of the Saints album is as diverse as the music, exploring many geographical destinations on the 10 individual songs.

One explanation for Colin O’Donohoe’s choice of using a fusion of world music influences might be his self described inspiration being drawn from reading a Chinese book of poetry titled Shi Jing. Another explanation could be his current position as Artistic Director of the Pangean Orchestra or other held positions as director of the New Moon Orchestra, and Phoenix Chinese Orchestra.

Colin O’Donohoe openly admits that his music and technique is challenging for some people to embrace, by offering such a wide range of influences that almost creates a new music genre. Songs of the Saints has genres ranging from international, world, jazz, easy listening, light rock, and slight touches of rap and hip hop, even having a light jazz title track version of the song Amazing Grace.

Colin O’Donohoe openly admits that his music and technique is challenging for some people to embrace, by offering such a wide range of influences that he almost creates a new music genre, which I did find correct, but appreciative by his blending of pleasant vocals, chorals, and harmony of music spanning the globe.

The album has genres ranging from international, world, jazz, easy listening, light rock, and slight touches of rap and hip hop, even having a light jazz title track version of the song Amazing Grace.

While visiting Pangeanorchestra.com to learn more about Colin O ‘Donohoe, I did learn he is committed to this unique style of music. I also learned he is a kindred soul with a mission in life to unite and bring people of the world closer together through the common bond of music.

This is something peaceful tourists traveling around the world will appreciate.

Visit the PangeanOrchestra.com website and Colin’s DonohoeMusic.com website. Sample at  his CDBaby.com page. Picture copyright BigStockPhoto.com – jgroup.

Paul Sills latest album Walking Across Heaven, released by Medwyn Goodall Music in 2008, is a beautiful experience which is more like a transformation or angelic journey at times than one would expect from even a great New Age album. Quite a unique and wonderful surprise to this author.

The Walking Across Heaven album title perfectly describes what to expect for those listeners who prefer their New Age music with a medium tempo, yet powerful theme. Those new to Paul Sills will welcome this wonderful creation that is deep, flowing, full of emotion and very spiritual in nature. Persons who already own the previous 2007 release Astral Doorways know the intensity of Paul Sill’s music and will definitely want to include his current release, if they haven’t already made the investment.

Paul Sills album containing 8 songs is consistently powerful throughout, offering a synthesized atmosphere in which piano, flute, acoustic guitar, and distant choral vocals rise to transform each song into an anthem with hymn like quality. My noteworthy song favorites are: Track 2 Footsteps in the Clouds, which begins with a piano sequence upon combining orchestral movements, glide into a heavenly anthem. Track 6 Walking Towards Heaven, has a graceful melody which will raise your spirits throughout the entire song. Track 7 Hall of Voices, is full of distant choral harmony in which one can almost imagine being lifted upward by angels into the final heavenly destination.

Paul Sills Walking Across Heaven album containing 8 songs is consistently powerful throughout, offering a synthesized atmosphere in which piano, flute, acoustic guitar, and distant choral vocals rise to transform each song into an anthem with hymn like quality.

The Walking Across Heaven album cover is appropriate in describing what awaits the listener, having a deep blue cloud filled background and the bold Taijitu symbol or widely recognized in modern times as the Yin & Yang symbol.

The ancient symbolic character Taijitu was introduced in China during the Ming Period around (430 A. D.) by author Lai Zhide and has remained a constant in being adopted worldwide by many different cultures and philosophies throughout the centuries. When translated, Taijitu can be defined as The diagram of the supreme ultimate power. This accurately describes the latest contribution by Paul Sills and I thank him for the latest creation, having enjoyed the experience.

Walking Across Heaven is a collector’s edition for those seeking a celestial journey in electronic music while still residing here on this Earth, but don’t bother packing friends since luggage will not be a requirement.

Sample or purchase music by Paul Sills at Amazon.com.

Copyright Bigstockphoto.com – Designor.

Just for fun music videos is a novelty feature here at NewAgeMusicWorld.Com. While we regularly present New Age music videos on our pages, the Just For Fun video section is place where you will always find something a little different, and maybe a little unexpected too.

The Just For Fun Classic video banner is located in the right hand module. Some examples may be rare and unusual videos, or classic videos. Whatever I decide to post, I promise it will be something special! The first song video is a good example of what you may find in this section.

This video section will be updated every now and then, so check back to click and view another Just For Fun video selection. Naturally I will be regularly posting New Age song videos of the artists I feature here, so I hope you take time to view some of the excellent New Age musicians I interview and write review publications about on the NewAgeMusicWorld.Com Homepage.

Classic – Fun Music Video.

                                        Ed Bonk  ( Lazz Promotions )

NewAgeMusicWorld.Com is an independent partner with Canadian based Ed Bonk – Lazz Promotions. It has been my pleasure to support Ed over the years by writing reviews for many of the top artists he promotes in the New Age music and World music categories.

I am in contact with many of the musicians Ed Bonk has represented by Lazz Promotions. The positive comments I regularly hear about Ed Bonk reaffirm the level of quality of his services and expertise as a top promoter in the New Age and World music industry. I am proud to call Ed a friend and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead.

John P. Olsen / Host for NewAgeMusicWorld.Com.