New Age Music World

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If you have already experienced the bright and talented music of Vicki Logan you know what I write today is solid truth. For anyone who has yet to discover her music, prepare yourself for a truly original New Age artist whose music is so unique one can compare her inspiring musical expression as unique to each person as an individual.

When I am not diligently listening to and writing another artist’s album on review, I regularly find myself returning to the music of Vicki Logan. After first discovering her inspirational New Age music expressions, everyone I have shared her music with loves her discography as well, so it is not just mere coincidence.

Vicki Logan’s latest release titled The Journey To the Places In My Soul, under her Carvic Publishing label, is the review we shall explore together. Come with me to find the inspirational bliss someone would expect to hear from a more globally recognized artist. First released in 2006, and now reissued in 2009, this album is upbeat classical in style, shape and form. This album has a palpable feeling of the artist’s personal creative touch and source of inspiration integrated into every song. 

Track 2 The Journey is an upbeat inspirational flute and piano tune that will inspire and enlighten you today and everyday. Track 3 Dancing with the Northern Lights is a kaleidoscope of colors revealing every tone and shade of an Aurora Borealis. This is pretty colorful if you can imagine or have ever witnessed the northern lights.

The Journey To the Places In My Soul carries an abundance of depth and feeling in each of the melodies which leads me to believe much thought and a portion of the artist’s personality are on display in this latest project. This is true in prior albums also, where one can listen to over and over and still find a great album with the passage of time, being an important consideration when purchasing CD’s.

There is also a complexity to her inspirational music described as deep, up tempo and orchestral, with wonderful  instrumentals of piano, guitar, sax, oboe, and ever present flute which she plays with drive and purpose. To their credit, fellow band members add their own personal flavor by accompanying on individual songs which enhance the album’s classic theme admirably. On her releases she enlists the help of Randy Gildersleeve, Andy LaCasse, Peter O’Gorman, Matt Fink, and others to produce built with pride album every time.

Track 6 Everlasting Memories presents a flute and piano arrangement with additional guitar rhythms combining for a more mystical tone, yet still retains a hopeful theme as if recalling distant memories of years gone by.

The Journey To the Places In My Soul carries an abundance of depth and feeling in each of the melodies which leads me to believe much thought and even a portion of the artist’s personality are on display in this latest project. This is also true in prior albums, in which one can listen to over and over and still find meaningful and sounds great with the passage of time. When we first spoke, I informed Vicki Logan I am also one of her many fans. She just laughed and seemed surprised, which is just typical of Vicki, who is much too modest when discussing her talents in my opinion. I hope you will take the time to decide for yourself. 

Vicki Logan and I have an interview planned, so more information and more album reviews are available to you so that you may discover what I have found in the inspiration music of this uniquely bright star known as Vicky Logan.

Visit VickiLogan.com homepage. Sample at CDBaby and read my pages for Vicki Logan. Big Stock Photo – Wilmy.

NewAgeMusicWorld.Com & NewAgeMusic.nu have interviewed Colin O’Donohoe about his past and current music projects. Here you’ll also get exclusive information about his upcoming album Lyrical Sutras. If you are not very familiar with Colin O’Donohoe or the Pangean Orchestra, at the bottom for a short presentation of his work.

Colin O’Donohoe uses a fusion of world music influences in his music. This inspiration transpired after reading a Chinese book of poetry titled Shi Jing. Another reason for his World music influences could be his 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’Dononoe’s Songs of the Saints release has genres ranging from international, world, jazz, easy listening, light rock, and slight touches of rap and hip hop. There is even a lighter jazz title track version of the song Amazing Grace. This interview was conducted by John P. Olsen, who earlier this year wrote an album review of Colin O’Donohoe’s World music influenced Songs of the Saints release.

Interview with Colin O’Donohoe;

John P. Olsen:  Your current project is the Pangea Ensemble which includes international artists and their musical influences from around the world. Can you tell us a little about the musicians in the Pangea Ensemble, like where they live, and what ethnic instruments will be used?

Colin O’Donohoe:  We strive to reconnect people from around the planet with our undeniable universal language of music. Our musicians are as diverse as the planet itself and they come from most of our five continents. They all live in or near Phoenix. The best way for people to know more about the group is to visit the site, it says far more than I can.

John:  On New Age Stars radio we regularly play tracks from The Songs of the Saints album, and I have noticed most song titles describe through song lyrics, stories about historic saints, and have wondered where or how the idea for songs about saints originated?

Colin O’Donohoe:  First, Thank you very much! I’m really glad that you play my music, you obviously have incredibly great taste! The origins have been swirling in my mind for many years. In 2006 I began seriously digging into the keyboard to create some ideas for the music. I started doing some loose sketches of song and lyric ideas. I began reading much more about the saints. I wanted to do my utmost to deliver a unique look into the lives and stories of these saints.

The result obviously became a collection of songs that are united in theme of content but not in musical style. As I concentrated on each saint I began writing in several different styles. My priority was to make the music reflect the saint and not make each piece dependent on the last.

John:  Your music is diverse by many intertwined genres. How did you conceived such a broad range of musical influences, and where do you first get your inspiration for such a broad expression in your music?

Colin O’Donohoe:  I have an insatiable curiosity, and I love music! I love performing and learning as many new styles of music as possible. Over the past 18 years I’ve sought out masters in various genres to help me better understand many styles of music. In addition to this I love reading.

I guess that this combination of things lead to my imagination creating different worlds for different saints. To create the music I would read about the saints and then just jam on a keyboard for a little while. This process took several months.

After I felt comfortable with the material I decided to get serious and really do my best to construct the songs.  I also like to keep myself excited by doing several different things. So, while writing a classical piece I might shift to the turn table and see what to add to a completely different song. It kept it all fresh in my mind.

John:  Can you tell us more about the Chinese book of poetry Shi Jing and how that translates into musical inspiration?

John:  The big question everyone wants to know is the time frame of when your next album release is expected to be available for purchase and will the album be as diverse and be theme oriented material in relation to Songs of the Saints?

Colin O’Donohoe:  Why thank you for asking! You can read it here first! My next album Lyrical Sutra‘s official release date is scheduled for 6/1/2009. As for the material. It is my first time delving into the world of electronic music whole heartedly. The songs are broken into three sections:

I. Meditation- Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Eight Fold Noble Path Sutra, Enlightenment Sutra.

II. Prayer – Lotus Sutra, Pure land Sutra, Taking Refuge, Amitabha Sutra.

III. Awaken – A Boddhisatva’s Vows, Triple Gem Sutra, The Sutra in 42 Sections, Golden Light Sutra.

IV. Meditation: four mid tempo pieces. Prayer: four slower new age style pieces. Awaken: four up-tempo dance style pieces.

The idea of the album is to relax you, allow you to become at peace, and then reinvigorate you and get you feeling better than when you first began to listen to it. The idea of the album comes from a few of the many Buddhist Sutra’s which are the teachings of the Buddha.

John:  I thank you for your time Colin. Is there anything you wish to tell our readers concerning your commitment to bring people of the world closer together through music ?

Colin:  I just want to thank you again for the pleasure of the interview process. I hope that your audience loves my work and will be eager to listen to Lyrical Sutras in June.

Here is a list of Colin O’Dononoe’s past and current positions related to orchestral music:

2008-present: Artistic Director for Pangean Orchestra in Phoenix AZ.
2006-present: Professional recording artist.
2008: Published Author of Odd Meters for Drum Set.
2004-2006: Executive/Artistic Director for New Moon Orchestra.
2003-2004: Percussionist with the Phoenix Chinese Orchestra.
2000-2003: Music Teacher.
1996-2004: Free lance jazz drummer in Phoenix Arizona.

Websites: Donohoemusic.com. Colin says: My personal website which features my albums and book. It will also feature my new album when it comes out this June “Lyrical Sutra’s” (you’re the first to print this, it is a New Age Music exclusive)  Pangeanorchestra.com. Colin says: My new orchestra. It is the first of its kind that I know of where it combines instruments from around the world. Photos are courtesy Colin O’Donohoe & Pangean Orchestra.

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.

Message to Artists, Promoters and PR persons:

On March 16, 2014 I made the decision to permanently cease all writing activities at this site. New Age Music World can now be considered permanently inactive. My duties now are only limited to the capacities of maintaining a quality site and keeping a fully operational site for my visitors.

For the artists, record labels, and everyone who has a working link to my site, please know that I will continue to maintain all links to your site, and keep New Age Music World operational for an indefinite period of time. Everyone will continue to have exclusive access to their articles, reviews or interview publications by your official website link to New Age Music World.

Thank you for your friendship and by permitting me to assist you, or represent your client during their promotion.  It has truly been an honor and a memorable experience!  Your friend and host, John.