Gandalf

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
With spellbinding, atmospheric songs which spin from soft dreamscapes into blistering fuzz guitar breaks, Gandalf casts a powerful spell. Led by singer/guitarist Peter Sando, the group was signed by Lovin' Spoonful producers Charlie Koppelman & Don Rubin & conjured their sole, self-titled album for Capitol in late 1967. One of the rarest major label psychedelic releases, Gandalf (not to be confused with the heavy metal outfit with the same name) features swirls of Hammond B3 organ, caressing vibraphone runs & electric sitar on Sando's originals as well as imaginative recastings of songs by Tim Hardin, Gary Bonner, Alan Gordon & Eden Ahbez. First-ever domestic CD release. 2002.

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Gandalf

Gandalf
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The music is good but the movie is better
  • A grand sountrack...
  • Lord of the Rings Original Soundtracks, films 1 and 3
  • Awe inspiring!
  • It is the best of the three CDs!!!
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
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  5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

ASIN: B00005QZWI
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

  1. The Prophecy
  2. Concerning Hobbits
  3. The Shadow Of The Past
  4. The Treason Of Isengard
  5. The Black Rider
  6. At The Sign Of The Prancing Pony
  7. A Knife In The Dark
  8. Flight To The Ford
  9. Many Meetings
  10. The Council Of Elrond [featuring the song "Aniron (Theme For Aragorn And Arwen)" composed & performed by Enya]
  11. The Ring Goes South
  12. A Journey In The Dark
  13. The Bridge Of Khazad Dum
  14. Lothlorien
  15. The Great River
  16. Amon Hen
  17. The Breaking Of The Fellowship
  18. May It Be [composed & performed by Enya]

Amazon.com

Score composer Howard Shore has informed this first installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with his distinctly modern sensibilities. Revolving loosely around a brief, heroic brass theme, this epic is infused with a powerful rhythmic thrust and a musical range that encompasses centuries (from the Renaissance pastoralism of "Concerning Hobbits" to the fiery, Prokofiev-influenced drama of "A Knife in the Dark"). Key to the score's sense of mystery and magical place are the rich choral passages that are interspersed throughout, some so ominously gothic they make The Phantom Menace's "Duel of the Fates" sound almost sunny by comparison. Enya's contributions ("The Council of Elrond" and the song "May It Be") add a sense of organic tranquility, but it's Shore's Wagnerian-scaled orchestral score that should long be cherished by admirers of film music and hobbits alike. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars The music is good but the movie is better.......2007-04-10

I really enjoyed the 3 series of The Lord of the Rings movie so I wanted the music. The soundtracks are good but if you like the movie the soundtracks watch the movie. They remind you of certain parts in the movie like the song Concerning Hobbits. The song is whimsical. Enyna has a great voice, very haunting. The Ring Goes South is another favorite of mine. I can enjoy these soundtracks as classical or dramatic music. I bought them because I loved the Lord of the Rings which has many similarities to Braveheart. Bravery, courage, strength, honesty, selflessness, love and other good human qualities people try to attain and admire them in the people and movies they view.

5 out of 5 stars A grand sountrack..........2007-01-10

One of Howard Shore's best soundtracks around. The music is strong enough to tell its own separate story apart from FOTR. You will never tire of the heart-pounding excitement from The Bridge of Kazaad-Dum track.

5 out of 5 stars Lord of the Rings Original Soundtracks, films 1 and 3.......2006-11-08

Having made an earlier mistake of buying 2 C.D.'s which were not original soundtrack, I can truthfully say these are the best. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, look no further - no one does it better than The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer Howard Shore. You will be back in Middle Earth reliving all those wonderful scenes. I bought only The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King from Amazon.com because I already had the Two Towers from Amazon.co.uk and I would recommend all three - magical.

5 out of 5 stars Awe inspiring!.......2006-10-02

What can I say that hasn't already been said about Howard Shore's magnificent score for the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy? A soundtrack can define the whole atmosphere of a film, and this fully orchestrated work certainly does that with sweep, splendor and wonder, alternately humanizing (hobbit-izing?) the characters, imbuing the landscape with magic and capturing the world-shaking impact of events of mythic proportions. And this was no easy task considering the iconoclastic status of the story and the superb quality of Peter Jackson's filmmaking. This is a truly a soundtrack for the ages--a fitting accompaniment to a film for the ages! Every aspect of life, from the extreme to the mundane, is captured in this music. Listening to it can make every remembered moment of the movie come alive again in your mind, from the most horrific battle to the smallest moment of humor or kindness. I think this first one is my favorite of the three "Lord of the Rings" soundtracks. I enjoy the juxtaposition of the lighter moments, like the sweet, simple hobbit theme, with the grander and more menacing sections of the music. (That despite the fact that said hobbit theme begins exactly like the first phrase of the Protestant hymn "This Is My Father's World," which prompts me to think of the hobbits trouping off to Sunday school every time I hear it. But now when I hear the hymn, I think of Lord of the Rings, so I suppose all's fair!) What impressed me most as I watched "The Fellowship of the Ring" was how scary the music was when the hobbits were being pursued. Those relentless drums and eerily screaming drums made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, even though I knew the story like the back of my hand and knew for a fact that the poor little heroes would manage to escape. But the music truly made me wonder otherwise ... Now that's good composition! And the fact that the filmmakers chose to include background music in so many of the scenes, almost continuously ... well, that's just good filmmaking! The other impressive thing about Howard Shore's score is how the voicing and repeating motifs tie the whole thing together, like the finest of symphonies. The total effect is utterly convincing and utterly transporting. Peter Jackson chose well when he picked Shore as his score writer. Very, very well! Be sure to get the scores from the other two movies in the trilogy as well - "The Two Towers" and "Return of the King." They seem to be available in no end of different packagings, including ones with bonus DVDs about the creation of the score. Also, make sure to get the extended edition DVDs of the movie itself, with hours and hours of fascinating commentaries and behind-the-scenes documentaries about the making of the films. Truly a bargain at any price! And for more seminal soundtracks, try John Williams' defining scores for the "Star Wars" series and Basil Poledouris's spectacular score for the original "Conan the Barbarian."

5 out of 5 stars It is the best of the three CDs!!!.......2006-09-10

For me, the music of the first sequel is my favourite since this is also the sequel that I prefer in the trilogy (I remember being blown away by the quality of this movie, the actors, the setting, the action scenes, the special effects, the moving relationships between all the characters and of coourse the music)
I think that the other CDs are a bit repetitive once you've got this one, even if I still like the music of the second soundtrack 'The Two Towers'. As for the 3rd sequel, I seldom listen to it as there is only one track that I like, 'The Return of the King'.
Now, this first CD of the trilogy is actually very good. Thanks to Enya, it is haunting and the songs are beautiful. There are a few eery but melodious songs like 'The Council of Elrond', 'Lothlorien', 'May it Be'. I love the change of tempo, the balance between fast and slow movements in 'A Knife in the Dark', 'Flight to the ford', and 'Amon Hen' which is my favourite piece (the Death of Boromir) with the oboe sound mixed with the beat of the drums and finaly the haunting voice of the singer. Track 17 is also worth listening. I like this CD because you've got different tempos and melodies and Anya is a great singer to me. But I also enjoy listening to Emiliana Torrini's song 'Gollum's Song'in the second soundtrack...
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring - The Complete Recordings
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Beautiful
  • Awesome
  • Excellent Music tracks from Movie
  • Complete?
  • Great Collection, Poor Packaging
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring - The Complete Recordings
Howard Shore
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000BNI90O
Release Date: 2005-12-13

Tracks:

  1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Prologue: One Ring ...
  2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Shire
  3. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Bag End (Featuring ...)
  4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Very Old Friends
  5. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Flaming Red Hair
  6. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Farewell Dear Bilbo
  7. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Keep It Secret, Keep ...
  8. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/A Conspiracy Unmasked
  9. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Three Is Company
  10. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Passing of the Elves
  11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Saruman the White
  12. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/A Shortcut to Mushrooms
  13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Strider
  14. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Nazgul ...

Tracks:

  1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Weathertop
  2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Caverns of Isengard
  3. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Give Up the Halfling
  4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Orthanc
  5. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Rivendell
  6. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Sword That Was ...
  7. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Council of ...
  8. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Great Eye
  9. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Gilraen's Memorial
  10. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Pass of Caradhras
  11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Doors of Durin
  12. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Moria
  13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Gollum
  14. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Balin's Tomb

Tracks:

  1. Khazad-Dum
  2. Caras Galadhon (featuring Lament for Gandalf, performed by Elizabeth Fraser)
  3. The Mirror of Galadriel
  4. The Fighting Uruk-hai
  5. Parth Galen
  6. The Departure of Boromir
  7. The Road Goes Ever On (part 1)
  8. May It Be (composed and performed by Enya)
  9. The Road Goes Ever On (part 2. featuring In Dreams, perfomed by Edward Ross)
  10. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Khazad-D
  11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Caras Galadhon ...
  12. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Mirror of Galadriel
  13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Fighting Uruk-Hai
  14. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Parth Galen
  15. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Departure of Boromir
  16. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Road Goes Ever ...
  17. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/May It Be
  18. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Road Goes Ever ...

Amazon.com

As fans of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy know, each film exists in two versions: the theatrical one and the extended one that appeared on DVD. This luxurious box set--which also comes with a detailed essay on the movie's musical themes--features the full extended score, so many cues not on the CDs of the individual movies are included. Granted, the majority of listeners will be perfectly happy with the shorter versions of the scores--it's a safe bet that most people can live without hearing, say, Ian McKellen's 35-second-long ditty "The Road Goes Ever On" at the beginning of "Bag End," or Viggo Mortensen's performance of his own composition, "The Song of Lúthien," within the track "The Nazgûl." But if you're a completist and/or a devotee of Howard Shore's pounding tympani and overwhelming choral compositions (featured particularly prominently on disc 3, a large chunk of which is devoted to a battle scene), then this set is a dream come true. Audiophiles should note that the fourth disc, a DVD, offers the score in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Fire up those speakers so the whole shire can hear. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

An epic film score receives epic treatment with The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring/Complete Recordings. Released for the first time on CD, the complete score for the first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy contains more than 180 minutes of music on three CDs plus a DVD-Audio disc of the entire score in Surround Sound. Breathtaking and majestic, the 2001 Oscar and Grammy winning score compsted by Howard Shore also includes Enya's Oscar nominated "May It Be." For fans of any of The Lord of the Rings films, the Fellowship of the Ring/Complete Recordings is an essential experience.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Beautiful.......2007-06-15

I picked up this set because I am both a LOTR fan, movies and books and I need music to help me work. There are some tracks that I skipped over, like the short little ditties in the bar, but many of the songs, such as the Elvish chants are easy to get lost in - its just too bad they don't last longer. The packaging really is well done, though the DVD disc was loose when I received it in the mail, but unharmed. I will have to wait until the price on the second set comes down a little more, but I can't wait for ROTK.

5 out of 5 stars Awesome.......2007-06-12

This is by far the editon to get if you loved the lord of the rings soundtrack. It has every song on it from the extended edition. and the DVD-A version is very nice.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Music tracks from Movie.......2007-05-03

Brings the movie back as you listen to the full version of the track.

3 out of 5 stars Complete?.......2007-04-07

This CD collection is wonderful; it has much of the material from the movie that was only included in the extended edition DVD, but it is far from complete. While it does have the complete version of "The Passing of the Elves" and two versions of "The Road Goes Ever On", many of the songs are highly incomplete and inferior to the originals. "Aniron," the theme for Aragorn and Arwen performed by Enya, is incomplete and the lyrics are hard to match to what is being sung. The sound quality for this song is even worse on the accompanying DVD, which is supposed to have all of the music in "superior sound". The song "Prophecy" is reduced to two barely-audible lines and "May It Be" is shortened and different than the original. $60 for this when there are more complete songs on the original soundtrack is ridiculous.

3 out of 5 stars Great Collection, Poor Packaging.......2007-04-03

I realy can't add to what others have said about this set, the music is simply the best LOTR soundtrack collection out there! It is all here, and the contents of this set will make any LOTR fan happy and the music DVD is a great one disc addition if you want to hear the entire score in one sitting (to which I have done a number of times already).
My only complaint is the somewhat flimsy cardboard box that houses the contents of this musical treasure. Mine came damaged, and considering the price, I expected better packaging. This is a minor quabble on my part and NO, I havent returned it due to the fact that the music itself Is what I truly treasure, It just would have been nicer to have recieved it undamaged.

Music-5
Packaging-3

*for the record I had rated this Item 5 stars not the 3 stars that is showing at the top of my review*
Lotus Land
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Relaxing
  • In a state of languid contentment
Lotus Land
Gandalf
Manufacturer: Real Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Myths and Legends
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ASIN: B000P46QCC
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

  1. A Seed Dreaming Inside
  2. Life is Love
  3. Where the Heart Finds a Home
  4. Love Opens the Gates
  5. Just a glimpse of Paradise
  6. Mystic Voyage
  7. A Heavenly Gift
  8. The Lotus Unfolds
  9. Waves of Delight

Album Description

Music being played from the very depth of the heart sometimes reflects a glimpse of the secret paradise within all of us, the boundless and eternal Lotus Land.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Relaxing.......2007-07-25

Great for massage and energy work... Clients love it. They are zzzzzzzzz in moments.

5 out of 5 stars In a state of languid contentment.......2007-07-07

If you know the name Gandalf, you've probably seen the Lord of the Rings films. Or perhaps you're a longtime fan of Tolkien's tales of Middle Earth. Chances are, though, that unless you've been following the New Age music scene, you've never heard of Heinz Strobl.

He's one of several musicians from the 70's and 80's that grew up with Tolkien and took his musical persona from what until Star Wars came along was the most popular fantasy "franchise" in the English language. And so we have David Arkenstone, still active today and named after a mystical gem; Shadowfax, one of the first groups to record for Windham Hill and named after a sorcerer's horse; and Gandalf, the sorcerer himself.

Like the wizard for whom he is named, Austrian Heinz Strobl has a masterful command of the elements, which he employs to great effect on his latest recording, Lotus Land. Featuring nine original compositions, the album is a literal one-man show, with Strobl playing acoustic nylon and steel string guitars, electric pedal-guitar, bouzuki, saz (a kind of lute), electric sitar, piano, keyboards, percussion, and programming.

Conjuring blissful images of tranquil gardens, or perhaps a heavenly realm of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Lotus Land is a collection of serene, languid melodies suitable for either. Half the compositions are performed without rhythmic accompaniment, and of those with percussion two are so understated as to be missed. Even so, the melodies themselves have enough rhythm and movement to accompany a yoga workout.

Six of the album's eight tracks clock in at over 6 minutes, giving the artist plenty of space to develop his themes. Most of the songs begin with light synth effects, creating the aural canvas on which the lead instruments paint their pictures. Among the highlights are the piano climax of Love Opens the Gates, the synthetic choral effects on Mystic Voyage (that might remind some of Randy and Pamela Copus' 2002), and the charming interplay of sitar and oboe on Life is Love.

Lotus Land is Gandalf's 19th release in a professional career that began 26 years ago as a prog-rock hippie. While time may have softened his approach, his sorcerer-like instrumental and production skills are still as sharp as ever, if not better and more refined. I look forward to a monumental 30th anniversary release in 2011.

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Between Earth and Sky
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Escape from stress
  • from Solo Piano Publications
Between Earth and Sky
Gandalf
Manufacturer: Real Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  3. The Emerald Way
  4. Dream Spiral
  5. The Edge of Forever

ASIN: B0000AM6JT
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

  1. Just a Heartbeat Away
  2. Echoes from Ancient Dreams
  3. The Blessing
  4. Stardust Dreams
  5. Dreamcatcher
  6. Voice in the Wind
  7. Peaceful Heart
  8. A Seagulls Tale
  9. Shine On Full Moon
  10. Love is the Answer
  11. Along the Milky Way
  12. Floating Down the Silent Stream

Album Description

Gandalf's music is inspired by the beauty of nature and by the wisdom and myths of various cultures. Magician of sounds and painter of musical landscapes, he conjures moods and magical moments that point to other realities behind the scenes in our fast-paced modern world.

Austrian born Gandalf blends acoustic, electronic and spherical sounds and weaves folk elements into a symphonic structure to create his unmistakable and unique musical style.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Escape from stress.......2006-11-10

Very beautiful and relaxing music. You are transported from your day to day world and float back to a world of relaxation and tranquility.

5 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications.......2003-08-30

"Between Earth and Sky" is a series of "musical landscapes" by Austrian-born multi-instrumentalist Gandalf. Using a musical palette of both electronic and acoustic instruments along with voices, the sound is full, rich, and colorful. In his travels, Gandalf has been touched by the realization that far more things unite than separate the various people and cultures of the world, and his goal in composing and recording is to create music that dissolves boundaries. Folk elements are woven into a symphonic structure, giving Gandalf's music a unique sound. Until this release, his recordings were mostly available in Europe. Gandalf plays various guitars, sax, piano, keyboards, mellotron, balaphon, and percussion. He is joined by White Horse on cello and vocals; and Peter Aschenorenner on flutes, sax, and backup vocals. Sounds of nature are also woven into several tracks. Each piece flows into the next, making this a sonic journey to another world or another reality. Citing individual pieces doesn't make sense for this album since it was conceived as a whole experience, and you can't always tell exactly where one piece ends and another begins. As the album evolves, various musical styles flow in and out - some more rhythmic and even tribal, while others are serene and introspective. It's a fascinating musical journey that is both soothing and uplifting. Real Music's Robin Algaze outdid herself on the artwork - a beautiful job!
Colors of a New Dawn
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • from Solo Piano Publications
  • Ambient New Age Landscapes
Colors of a New Dawn
Gandalf
Manufacturer: Real Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  4. To Another Horizon
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ASIN: B0002T2R6E
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Tracks:

  1. Rhythm of the Tides
  2. BRIDGE OF CONFIDENCE
  3. IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS
  4. IRIS
  5. From Distant Shores
  6. IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS (reprise)
  7. Hearts In Celestial Unison
  8. FLOWERS ALONG THE WAY
  9. Colors of a New Dawn
  10. BRIGHTER THAN A STAR

Amazon.com

A pleasant surprise from an unheralded Austrian composer with a borrowed name, Colors of a New Dawn is for the most part an attractive blend of guitar, piano, and atmospheric electronics that could easily appeal to fans of David Arkenstone (another artist who turned to J.R.R. Tolkien for a stage name) and Secret Garden. Gandalf uses understated electronic brushstrokes to enhance his gentle pop-inclined melodies, several of which invite repeated listenings (the opening four pieces, the bell-pealing build-up of "Iris," and the title track are particularly noteworthy). Occasional audio clunkers (e.g., the whistling keyboard in "Rhythm of the Tides;" the annoying, now-clichéd use of aboriginal voices in "From Distant Shores") break the music's spell, but generally Gandalf's balance of subtle drama and twinkling-star sweetness is a winning combination. At times a passage will catch your ear that brings to mind early Craig Chaquico, early David Lanz, and even Mike Oldfield ("Brighter Than a Star"). If you consider that to be good company, this disc might be up your cosmic-contemporary alley. --Terry Wood

Album Description

Of this wondrous music, nothing more need be said than Gandalf does in his liner notes describing each song. "Each moment of every day we can discover the richness of life, and if we look though such eyes, we cannot help discovering the "colors of a new dawn." Listen and let your heart fill with hope and expectation.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications.......2005-07-17

Austrian multi-instrumentalist, Gandalf, has created another soothing confection featuring a variety of acoustic and electric guitars, piano, bouzuki, mellotron, keyboards, and percussion. Ambient and often melodic, "Colors of a New Dawn" continues Real Music's tradition of releasing music that is light, inspirational, and optimistic. Gandalf's music is more guitar-based than 2002's, but there are some similarities in approach and style. (I mention that only as a point of reference since Gandalf isn't yet as well-known as 2002.) I would imagine that having this album playing in a massage or spa situation would put someone very close to heaven or at least near bliss! The serene mood is carried throughout the album, and some of the tracks include nature sounds and voices.

I especially like "In the Presence of Angels," the only track with lyrics that are interspersed within the piece. Flute and little bells create an ethereal feeling, as do the sweet voices. The shorter reprise of this song is also gorgeous. "Iris" has more of a cinematic sweep. At just under nine minutes, this beautifully orchestrated piece has plenty of time to evolve and build. Inspired by a story written by Hermann Hesse, the song tells of the return to a forgotten sanctuary from childhood. "Hearts in Celestial Union" floats on a cloud of contentment. Flutes, bells, guitars, and a variety of keyboard sounds put the listener into a dreamy state of mind that is most pleasant. "Flowers Along the Way" is another favorite, telling of the joy of meeting "related souls" along the path of life. The title track describes the beauty of a sunrise by the sea. As the piece develops, it becomes bigger, more colorful, and almost triumphant - very effective and evocative.

"Colors of A New Dawn" provides a soothing massage for the mind, and a gentle musical place to return to for renewal and uplifting.

4 out of 5 stars Ambient New Age Landscapes.......2005-02-05

Gandalf is an Austrian composer of ambient and electronic music. He calls himself a "painter of musical landscapes" and draws his inspirations from the nature as he has experienced it in his travels throughout Europe, North and South America and Asia. Previous to this release, Gandalf has another CD entitled "Between Earth and Sky" also with the Real Music label.

This CD is comprised of works on keyboard, electronic and piano, and guitar. This is a mostly soft, pleasant and complex collection of compositions. You can hear elements of music he has encountered in his travels influence his compositions. Some Spanish rifts dominate the work, nature elements are overlaid, and the CD is punctuated by excellent guitar work and mellow piano, all combining to present the artists rendering of "musical landscapes".

This is ambient music as it should be, not pressing against our minds, but rather setting a soft pace and creating an environment for us to relax and enjoy our lives. Gandalf combines many styles of Ambient, from electronic to Space to New Age in this CD and presents us with his talents and abilities at their finest.

This CD contains 10 tracks ranging in time from about three minutes to just over seven minutes, giving about an hours worth of music.

Outstanding tracks on this work include "Rhythm of the Tides", a Spanish influenced guitar work that includes soft percussions and lightly dances in the background. This is a marvelous piece of work.

Also included in outstanding tracks is "In the Presence of Angels", featuring guitar and piano, with a "heartbeat" rhythm and electronic fill to give the impression of an orchestra. There are also the occasional vocals, provided by Julia Martins, repeating the title of the track, giving an almost "angelic" feel to the work. This track is very well done, and is reprised on the CD.

An unusual track, "From Distant Shores", combines chanting with the excellent skills of the artist at the piano. This is an unusual blend which is well done and interesting.

"Hearts in a Celestial Union" is a very spacey guitar and electronic piece that is as uplifting as it is inspirational. It's another excellent blend of elements and shows off the artists' skill at composition. In the same vein is "Brighter than a Star" also giving a very spacey and inspirational feel.

The title track "Colors of a New Dawn' is a piano piece with nature overlays, and is a very classic composition, incorporating all the elements of the true New Age style of music.

Overall, this is a very good introduction CD to Gandalf and his style of works. A good addition to your collection of Ambient music. mafoster
Gandalf
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Great Record
  • Golden Velvet Sound Echos In The Forest Of Your Mind
  • not bad early psych
  • Hrmmm... I wasted my money and time on this?
  • Pequeña Joya para coleccionistas y amantes de la Psicodelia
Gandalf

Manufacturer: Sundazed Music Inc.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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  1. Tomorrow
  2. Gandalf II
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ASIN: B000068ZWX
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Tracks:

  1. Golden Earrings
  2. Hang On To A Dream
  3. Never Too Far
  4. Scarlet Ribbons
  5. You Upset The Grace Of Living
  6. Can You Travel In The Dark Alone
  7. Nature Boy
  8. Tiffany Rings
  9. Me About You
  10. I Watch The Moon

Album Description

With spellbinding, atmospheric songs which spin from soft dreamscapes into blistering fuzz guitar breaks, Gandalf casts a powerful spell. Led by singer/guitarist Peter Sando, the group was signed by Lovin' Spoonful producers Charlie Koppelman & Don Rubin & conjured their sole, self-titled album for Capitol in late 1967. One of the rarest major label psychedelic releases, Gandalf (not to be confused with the heavy metal outfit with the same name) features swirls of Hammond B3 organ, caressing vibraphone runs & electric sitar on Sando's originals as well as imaginative recastings of songs by Tim Hardin, Gary Bonner, Alan Gordon & Eden Ahbez. First-ever domestic CD release. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Record.......2006-07-04

I loved the album. I you like 1960's folk rock you will like Gandalf.

4 out of 5 stars Golden Velvet Sound Echos In The Forest Of Your Mind.......2006-04-23

GANDALF is possibly the rarest album on the Capitol label and sought after in any condition by record collectors. Originally released in 1968, reissued by Capitol on vinyl in the 90's, but they never issued it on CD (why not?). The British See For Miles label reissued it first on CD and now this Sundazed release. As with all Sundazed reissues the sound quality is excellent (considering source tapes), remastered by master reissue guru/producer Bob Irwin. This is a wonderful album, not overproduced, but with a dreamy, laid back vibe and a velvet landscape with a feminine essence that's hard to describe. If you've done hallucinogenics then you know what I'm talking about. The vocals are one of the highlights. Very soft and articulate vocals drenched in reverb and sometimes echo out, but with a tone that reminds me of SRC (Scott Richardson Case). What's with William the Hobbit below who said "it sounds like one of The Bee Gees, you can't make out what the singer is saying and non-melodic"?? --->You Must Look As Dumb As You Sound, Billy! <--- Anyway, the standout tracks are: Golden Earring, Hang On To A Dream, Can You Travel In The Dark Alone, Nature Boy and Watch The Moon. Give Tiffany Rings a good listen too, a nice little dreamy psych pop tune. There is some decent Hammond B3 work and Peter Sando's guitar work has it moments also with some nice fuzz and power chords that gives GANDALF a heavy psych sound at times. There are over a dozen psychedelic gems on the Capitol label that were never reissued by Capitol on CD and GANDALF is one of the top 5 of them. However, Capitol did reissue Quicksilver Mess. Serv., Mad River's Paradise Bar & Grill and People I Love You. This Sundazed reissue is the next best thing along with the Capitol vinyl reissue if you cannot find or afford a vg+ or near mint original which can fetch anywhere from $250 to $600 dollars on auctions and private lists. Relax and let the music flow through you with or without any altered stimulation of the senses. Enjoy.

3 out of 5 stars not bad early psych.......2005-08-18

this isn't a bad early psych release at all. if you like early psych groups like h.p. lovecraft, then you'll probably like this. there are too many cover tunes for my taste, but i like tim hardin's stuff, and gandalf does a good job with them. i have no idea what the previous reviewer is talking about not hearing the lyrics. i've heard this cd in my car and home, and can hear all the lyrics fine. listen to the samplings of the songs. if you like what you hear, then you probably will go for the full cd. there are lots of used copies to get if you are interested.

1 out of 5 stars Hrmmm... I wasted my money and time on this?.......2005-01-22

This album, along with Ogdens Nut Gone Flake by the Small Faces, suffers from word of mouth as much as any "Lost" 60's record. All too often people will readily buy into the fact that just because noone has heard it before it has to be worthwhile in someway. You'll hear smatterings claiming it's excellence and come across reviews saying its a "must have" and "true lost classic".

Unfortunately, as with Ogdens, that is not the case with Gandalfs self titled album.

I consider myself a Sundazed Fanboi, and own about 3/4's of their entire 60's CD catalogue. This CD put out by them isn't even in their top 20, let alone a "lost classic".

Most of the music is sooo far outer space psych that you can't make out what the singer is saying. If that weren't bad enough, the singer himself has a voice very reminiscent of a BeeGee... very high pitched and generally non-melodic. The music is what I'd call sub-par psych-rock... it never adds much to the songs.

Steer clear of this album, (as well as the Skip Spence one and Kennelmus one) put out by Sundazed.

If you want GREAT outer-spaced psych go purchase Sundazed's Sagittarius CD, Present Tense. Don't settle for this garbage.

4 out of 5 stars Pequeña Joya para coleccionistas y amantes de la Psicodelia.......2004-02-15

En 1.964 se hacían llamar Thunderbyrds. Más tarde, a finales del 66 y principios del 67, asimilada la influencia de la invasión británica y las drogas psicodélicas, se hicieron habituales en el circuito de bolos del Village con el nombre The Raghoos, para ser al fin descubiertos, a raiz de una versión de un viejo éxito de Peggy Lee, Golden Earrings, por los productores de Lovin' Spoonful y Sopwith Camel, Charlie Koppelman y Don Rubin, que les brindaron la oportunidad de grabar un LP con la condición de que sonaran como en Golden Earrings y cambiaran su nombre. Así nace Gandalf y este, su album homónimo, primero y último. Grabado a fines del 67, fue finalmente editado a principios del 69. El resultado promete (la portada es maravillosa) más de lo que da y aun así, no deja de ser un buen disco de su época: Hammond B3, fuzz y feedback, voz etérea...Según Peter Sando, el líder, guitarra y voz de Gandalf, un cruce entre las Ronettes y Procol Harum. Por cierto, Sando siempre aseguró que el grupo sonaba mucho mejor y más duro en directo, y se mostró abiertamente contrario a las mezclas finales de las que el grupo fue excluido.
Sacred River
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A River of Mystic Peace
  • Exquisitely Beautiful
  • Sacred River has nice flow
Sacred River
Gandalf
Manufacturer: Real Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult AlternativeAdult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
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  1. Colors of a New Dawn
  2. The Emerald Way
  3. Between Earth and Sky
  4. This Moment Now
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ASIN: B000E40PZW
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Tracks:

  1. Morning At The River Bench
  2. Sacred River
  3. Blossoms Falling Like Snow
  4. Silent Joy
  5. The Ferryman's Tale
  6. Take Me Gently Across The Water
  7. Confidently Floating Seawards
  8. A Visionary Passage
  9. Flow, Water, Flow
  10. Where The River Joins The Ocean

Amazon.com

A pleasant though modest recording, Sacred River is the third domestic release from Gandalf, an Austrian guitarist/multi-instrumentalist whose serene, sometimes atmospheric compositions can evoke comparisons to the music of 2002, David Arkenstone, and Secret Garden--even Mike Oldfield in a restful mood. Gandalf seems in an especially restful mood on Sacred River, a recording that mostly sidesteps the subtle drama and faint cosmic undercurrents that gave his two previous recordings just a hint of an edge. Even so, he manages to create some notable impressions here: the slow glide into sustained bliss heard on "Silent Joy," the welcoming stroll to undisturbed peace on "A Visionary Passage," and the float-away contentment of "Where the River Joins the Ocean." Meanwhile, most other selections revolve around quiet, guitar-focused pieces that, while calming, exude generic qualities that tend to leave listeners adrift in thematic flat water. Still, as a meditative/relaxing audio backdrop, it's an agreeable listen. Point of interest: The liner notes for the first time carry a photo of the artist, whose long white locks at first glance bring to mind Tolkien's Gandalf, as played in The Lord of the Rings trilogy by Ian McKellen. --Terry Wood

Album Description

Inspired by Siddhartha, who learns from the wise old ferryman to listen carefully to the voices of the river until he hears the eternal song of oneness and harmony, Gandalf invites you to imagine yourself in a boat on the Sacred River, letting the music be your ferryman, taking you gently across the water.

Gandalf intricately weaves the sounds of acoustic, classical, and electric guitars with keyboard, percussion, piano,and soundsamplers for his enchanting sonic tale.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A River of Mystic Peace.......2007-05-19

The peace I experience whenever I listen to this astounding collection goes beyond words. It's not that I forget all my cares and troubles when I listen to the music. Rather, the music enables me to put them all in their proper place, creating valuable mental and emotional space and thus giving me room for other, often more important, matters. Gandalf's use of various instruments creates a harmonius variation of tonal colour, and the imagery this produces quiets the mind and prepares it for either deeply focused work or pure relaxation. It is soothing, comforting, but also genuinely inspiring.

5 out of 5 stars Exquisitely Beautiful.......2007-05-09

Exquisitely beautiful relaxing music. A lot like Gandalf's "More Than Just A Seagull". If you like one you'll probably also like the other.

3 out of 5 stars Sacred River has nice flow.......2006-03-26

This CD is nice, easy to listen to. Not quite the level of Hillary Stagg but definitely worth purchasing.
Flapjacks from the Sky
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • It's Magic
  • Oh goodness
  • Best album to date...and that's saying something!
Flapjacks from the Sky

Manufacturer: High Noon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0009U81NY
Release Date: 2003-12-23

Tracks:

  1. Rocket
  2. Sunday in the Rain
  3. Kiss from Eve
  4. Moondog House
  5. Baby Jane
  6. I Wish
  7. Better Life
  8. Living with God
  9. Talkin' to the Buddha
  10. Big 8 Wheeler
  11. Jump Rope
  12. Bike
  13. Glide
  14. Gonna Get Up
  15. In Her Own World
  16. Sullivan Lane
  17. Look Ma, No Hands
  18. Fumes
  19. Call to the Mystic
  20. Flapjacks from the Sky
  21. Nightime

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars It's Magic.......2007-03-22

I found a promotional copy of this CD set in the "Free To Good Home" box at the radio station where I broadcast a weekly jazz show. The "price" and packaging urged me to bring the CD to my good home. Magic.
I was surprised and captivated on first listen. My wife, who can be a tad skeptical of my music enthusiasms, listened and liked. Magic.
No more than two weeks later Fate and Destiny entered in. I came across a listing for GM&SCOD gig within a sober evening's drive from home.
As another reviewer has noted, the live show is not to be missed. Magic.

Listen, watch and you will know, Josiah and crew have been around the musical block a few times, swam some laps upstream and down, been there , done that yadayada They have emerged a Born Again Band of Beatific Gypsy Mystic Prophet Rockers. Magic.

Not sure your Great Grandmother, or your three year old , would like the CD but, I do think they would enjoy the band's live show. Magic.

You will like the CD. Magic.


5 out of 5 stars Oh goodness.......2006-12-29

I love love love this album. LOVE. As the other reviewer says, 2 discs, no filler, absolutely fantastic. This is the Circus at their most beautiful, and I feel at home listening to this album. I'm sorry my review's not more descriptive than that...

5 out of 5 stars Best album to date...and that's saying something!.......2005-07-13

Flapjacks from the Sky presents The Circus at their creative peak (at least so far as they do rule). It's two discs but no filler...no kidding (if you knew this band you wouldn't be surprised).

The tune "Bike" is a somewhat heart-breaking yet supercharged ode to a boy who's father made him a bike for Christmas but died of cancer before he could give it to him. I know this sounds a bit much, but you have got to hear this! No sticky sentimentality here...just a rockin' track that pumps along as hard as you can envision the kid pumping the bike pedals.

"Living With God" is one of the finest crafted pop tunes you will ever hear. Beautiful lyrics masterfully accompanied by just the right instrumentation. Energized yet not over-powering the mood of the song. It's my favorite so I'm a bit biased...they never play it live though!

"Moon Dog House" and "Glide" are my wife's favorites. Good tunes in their own right. Moon Dog House is kind of funky while Glide is almost like rock/oriental...this shows you the diversity the band is capable of.

I'd never heard "In The Nighttime" before this album, even though it appears to be one of their oldest tunes. It is stunning in it's beauty. So REAL...how refreshing after all the MTV b.s. that's pushed on everyone. Show's early on this band had something special going for it.

I could go on and on but you get the picture. I'm a big fan of this band and they earned it the hard way; compelling live performances that prompted me to get the albums. It's old school musicianship backed up by authentic songwriting talent thanks to Mr. Joziah Longo. You must, must, must see this band live ([...]for a tour schedule). Flapjacks easily gets my vote for best album of 2004.



Deadly Fairytales
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Solid Finnish Death/Groove
  • great melodic death
  • A good metal band
Deadly Fairytales
Gandalf
Manufacturer: Wicked World
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

FinlandFinland | Scandinavia | Europe | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Death MetalDeath Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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  1. Samsara
  2. Colors of a New Dawn
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ASIN: B00000I55I
Release Date: 1999-05-04

Tracks:

  1. End Of Time
  2. Marionette
  3. The Cradle
  4. Dark Memories
  5. Fade Away
  6. The Price Of My Deeds
  7. Forlorn
  8. Eternal Fire
  9. Stronger Than Hell
  10. Never Again

Album Description

Domestic debut of 1998 album from this Finnish death metal quintet, not to be confused with the prog rock group of the same name. Contains 10 tracks, each a slice of well-crafted, brutal metal echoing the aggression and melody of bands like Carcass and Entombed, yet adding a new twist that is sure to please even the most stubborn metal purist. Includes 'End Of Time', 'The Price Of My Deeds' and 'Stronger Than Hell'. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Solid Finnish Death/Groove.......2000-09-30

Firstly, the outstanding production is one of the best attributes of the recording. Loud, heavy and with superb clarity, the songs are given a boost right from the get-go. Basically what GANDALF have done with their music is to infuse elements of SENTENCED with IN FLAMES, cutting back on the intricacy as it relates to technicality. The album's focal point is more along the lines of heaviness and that deathly groove that has become a mainstay with so many newer Metal acts. The band exude energetic and powerful vibes all throughout the album with heavy guitar-driven melodies and catchy rythms. They do cross the lines here and there to partake in some good old speedy Thrash numbers, proving they have the where-with-all to incorporate more than one style in their approach. Vocally, its more or less what is to be expected: raspy growls, though often there is distinct coherency in the lyrical content. This album may surely mark the start of something exciting if GANDALF keep

chugging along the road they've elected to follow. SENTENCED fans should find this one particularly appealing though I can assure you this isn't quite as commercial as what SENTENCED have put out in the past couple of years. Deadly Fairytales scores high.

5 out of 5 stars great melodic death.......2000-02-02

awezome new band delivers all the goods and more,,,,melodic death ala in flames and dark tranquillity with a tuch of their on.

4 out of 5 stars A good metal band.......1999-09-03

A good melodic death metal record with a band from Finland that Johan Mäkilä likes.
Lord of the Rings: At Dawn in Rivendell
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The best, from Tolkien Ensemble and from Christopher Lee!!
  • Worthwhile investment
  • in reference to other music for Tolkien's writingý
  • Songs: GREAT, Christopher Lee: should have done another take
  • The most atmospheric Tolkien settings on disc
Lord of the Rings: At Dawn in Rivendell
Tolkien Ensemble , and Christopher Lee
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie SoundtracksMovie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Leaving Rivendell
  2. The Middle Earth Album
  3. Memories of Middle Earth
  4. An Evening in Rivendell
  5. A Night in Rivendell

ASIN: B000084HA0
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Tracks:

  1. Verse Of The Rings
  2. Song Of Gondor
  3. A Walking Song (I)
  4. Warning Of Winter
  5. Malbeth The Seer's Words
  6. A Drinking Song
  7. The Long List Of The Ents (I)
  8. Eomer's Song
  9. Boromir's Riddle
  10. The Bath Song
  11. Song Of Lebennin
  12. Gandalf's Riddle Of The Ents
  13. Ho! Tom Bombadil
  14. The Riddle Of Strider (I)
  15. Song Of Nimrodel
  16. Treebeard's Song
  17. Farewell Song Of Merry And Pippin
  18. Athelas
  19. A Walking Song (II)
  20. Elven Hymn To Elbereth Gilthoniel (III)

Amazon.com

Given the massive, worldwide success of director Peter Jackson's adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings stories, it's hardly surprising that a Ring-inspired marketing boom has taken hold. But this powerful collection has deeper roots, the third volume by composers Caspar Reiff and Peter Hall and their Tolkien Ensemble, an ambitious effort to bring Tolkien's Ring Poems to musical life. This third volume of their work covers a range of Elven hymns, love songs, and Hobbit drinking chanteys, with Reiff and Hall conjuring up a musical world that's as wondrous and foreboding as its literary inspirations. The marvelously sepulcher voice of British horror film legend Christopher Lee (the films' Saruman) add an ominous edge to the poetry excerpts. Set against the composers' brooding orchestral backdrops, Lee's performances are riveting and often chilling. Fellow Tolkien enthusiast Queen Margrethe II of Denmark informs the rich musical collection with some equally evocative illustrations for the album's cover and lyric pages. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The best, from Tolkien Ensemble and from Christopher Lee!!.......2005-04-29

The songs in this collection carry a deep appropriateness to the mood and intention of the great story revealed by Tolkien. They were produced independantly of the movies, but do not clash with the fine music found in the movies. Rather, they are rich with an effect of songs retained from a lost age. I especially like the way that the Elven Hymn to Elbereth Gilthoniel (distinct from other versions produced by the Ensemble) begins within the preceding song - the Walking Song of the Baggins clan. This is just as it occurs in the book, when Frodo and Sam are walking in the woods (towards the Grey Havens). And the elven music is almost as lovely as it must have been, in person at the beginning of the Fourth Age!

5 out of 5 stars Worthwhile investment.......2004-07-18

This CD was purchased just for the fun of it. I had no idea it would become one of my favorite records to play. The Drinking Song and Bath song are so folk-like and "Hobbit-y". I sing them all around the house. My favorite is Treebeard's song. The way it was written really brought Fangorn to life and sounded as if I too could here the sighing of leaves in the autumn. This disc is finished by A Elbereth Gilthoniel, a gorgeous, very elven interpretation of the poem in the books. And if you keep listening after the final strains of 'the starlight on the western sea' you will here Bilbo sing the road goes ever on (a good song, though I like the one in the film better.
GOOD CD!

5 out of 5 stars in reference to other music for Tolkien's writingý.......2004-05-28

The recent movies - prepared with able musical help from Howard Shore and Enya, among others - give another perspective from which to judge this work.
First, it was prepared before the movies, and I feel cheated that none of it could be included in the cinema soundtrack. The movies really do short Tolkien's poetry and verse, while this sound recording provides an excellent interpretation of music produced by men, hobbits, the Onodrim, and the Eldar. Above all, I really love the interpretation of "A Elbereth Gilthoniel."
So... GET THIS ALBUM! It will entirely reward those who want to lose some time in Middle Earth!

4 out of 5 stars Songs: GREAT, Christopher Lee: should have done another take.......2004-02-04

If you love good music and LOTR this is Defenetly for you. The Tolking Ensamble have put a lot of thought, love, heart, work, etc. into this CD. The songs are great, the four hobbit songs actually get 7 out of 5 stars!

The only down side? Christopher Lee. Yes, he is a great actor, and played Saron to perfection. However, he seemed to be working out his anger from not getting into the third movie during the recording of this CD. All of his readings had a very hard, angry edge to them that actually made them unplesent. As a quick example he spoke the riddle of Strider as he would a curse instead of the promise which it is. I do not want to insult him or attack him, I just think he didn't put his best into what he was doing and I think that the Tolking Ensamble was to enamored with haveing such a great actor to work with.

Now to return to the praise this CD deserves, I am waiting impatiently for the fourth CD (though I think there will be more then that). I love the songs on this CD and suggest you get the first two as well! (evening at Rivendell and Night at Rivendell) What I plan on doing is taking all three CDs and making my own compilations from them, (keeping it legal of course). Get this CD and when you need a boost of energy program your CD player to play those four hobit songs and befor you get through one set you will be belting out the songs with the CD!

5 out of 5 stars The most atmospheric Tolkien settings on disc.......2003-12-21

The Tolkien Ensemble has been creating the most atmospheric Tolkien settings on disc - and some of the best and most exquisite - using an approach formed from an effective combination of folk and classical music.

At Dawn in Rivendell strikes me as superior to its predecessor, A Night in Rivendell, and in some ways even better than the first album of the three, An Evening in Rivendell. Mostly somber in air, despite some lively hobbit songs, it offers fine music well sung. A few tunes aren't going to evict from one's mind settings of the same poems by the Hobbitons or Broceliande, but they're still fine and keenly done. I liked little touches like the unexpected rhythms in "The Bath Song" and the setting of "Song of Nimrodel" with lute. (The tune is quite unlike genuine Renaissance lute songs, but the lute accompaniment is very much in period.)

Christopher Lee's recitation of several poems not set to music fits in well. Usually accompanied by a choir holding low notes as a somber background, Lee makes a vivid addition. His deep voice is perfectly suited to the Ring-verse and Boromir's riddle, though his acting is perhaps a bit hammy. As a special treat, Lee performs Treebeard's two songs, rhythmically talking his way through most of them, a la Rex Harrison, with the instruments holding the tune. But in parts of "In the willow-meads" he actually sings. Perhaps not too well, but perfectly in character for Treebeard.

Of the half-dozen excellent musical albums of Tolkien settings created to date, the Tolkien Ensemble has made half of them. They have particularly captured the smell of Elves, so absent from a certain series of films.

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