Seeking The Light

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
At the moment we are born unto this world, we are each given a light, which radiates deeply inside our soul. This light is a piece of the great and mysterious tapestry from which we are all woven. It is as if the Gods plucks a brightly shining star from a gigantic, immense galaxy, and place this star in our very being, for safe keeping. This light is unique, and holds the potential of the greatness that we can become.

Seeking the Light Within is about the realization that each of us has a unique gift which is meant to be used toward the greater good. Each of us is part of a master plan. We are all of one, and one of all. There are great and bountiful blessings to be found by focusing our attention from the external to the internal.

May this music be the perfect vehicle for that internal journey . . .

Seeking The Light,Eric McCarl,Weaving Libra Records,15 New Age, solo piano masterpieces; The perfect music for an internal journey.,Solo Instrumental,Spiritual

Seeking The Light

Tracks:

Spirit Seeking Light and Beauty (Gaelic Hymn)
There Will Be Rest (Frank Ticheli)
Alchemy: Living Gold (Donald M. Skirvin)
Alchemy: Cups of Fire (Donald M. Skirvin)
Alchemy: Jewelled Blaze (Donald M. Skirvin)
Alchemy: O Beauty (Donald M. Skirvin)
With Joy We Go Dancing (Einojuhani Rautavaara)
Ruth (Paul Ayres)
Afro American Fragments: Song for Billie Holiday (William Averitt)
Afro American Fragments: Feet O' Jesus (William Averitt)
Afro American Fragments: Fire (William Averitt)
Hard Times Come Again No More (Stephen Foster, arr. Craig Hella Johnson)
Deep River (arr. Anders Paulsson)
This Is My Song - Finlandia (Jean Sibelius)
Autumn Flowers (Gordon Binkerd)
Smnir Fagrir (Jon Nordal)
Sleep (Eric Whitacre)

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful disc from the Austin-based Conspirare.......2006-11-17

I acquired this cd a couple of weeks ago and have not been able to take it out of my cd player since. This is a quality recording of a wide variety of choral literature, all of which Conspirare performs marvelously. A truly wonderful arrangement by Conspirare's own conductor, Craig Hella Johnson, "Hard Times" is actually one of my favorite tracks on the entire cd, the gorgeous soprano solo and the powerful climax never fail to give me chills. Also noteworthy is the stunning performance of the increasingly popular Ticheli piece, "There Will Be Rest." Almost all of the literature on this disc is very good, and it is all breathtakingly sung by Conspirare.

The only track I didn't like was the unbearably tacky arrangement of "Deep River." This is no fault of the choir as it is sung beautifully, but the singing just can't conquer the tackiness of the arrangement. I had already begun to develop a negative opinion of it as I listened, and then out of nowhere, this ridiculous wailing saxophone entered(a la Kenny G) and I was not braced for the impact. "This is really lame" is all I could think of as the sap oozed out in all its glory. He also has another go at it towards the end as well, just to warn you. This is just way too much to handle! Whenever you want ultimate cheese, adding a saxophone solo of this style is quite a simple solution. Needless to say, I skip this track every single time I come to it. However, this is only my humble opinion, and you should listen to it and pass your own judgment... perhaps this track is your perfect cup of tea!

Aside from this one track, I am absolutely in LOVE with what Conspirare has done here. If you can muster the funds, go ahead and treat yourself to a captivating gem of choral music. Highly recommended!

Excellent Artistry and Technical Production.......2005-10-07

Highlights are Ticheli's "There Will Be Rest" and Whitacre's "Sleep" - certainly the best recordings of these 2 exquisitely beautiful pieces currently available and they alone made the purchase worth it. Single lowlight is the arrangement of Foster's "Hard Times..." which is lovely but ultimately detracts from the song's stark lyrical power. Although breaths are often (somewhat jarringly) audible, technique is otherwise very fine, the artistry is excellent and the technical production is first rate.

Picky Minnesotan approves..........2005-04-08

It's heartening for this Minnesotan to discover a choral group continuing on the tradition of impeccable quality that my state's own now-defunct Dale Warland Singers brought to ears for many years.

I had never heard of Conspirare, but will be looking out for more work from them! I enjoyed most every track and think anyone who enjoys sensitive, yet powerful choral singing will want to check this out.

Topnotch in every aspect........2005-01-18

Finally! An American choir that can rival the greats from Britain. This CD is amazing. Not only is the artistry and singing topnotch, the production values are impeccable. Plus, it's not the standard choral repertoire we've all grown bored with. I strongly recommend this CD to anyone who loves fine singing. I hope this is just one of many CDs to come.

Average customer rating:

from Solo Piano Publications
Refreshing and Enlightening!
Peaceful and Expansive
A refreshing change
The Perfect Vehicle for a Journey Within

Seeking The Light

Manufacturer: Weaving Libra Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000068NPP
Release Date: 2003-12-01

Tracks:

All This Wonder
Alone
Mind of a Child
Little Star
Ballet
To Be a Man
Music Box
Colours
Amanda Paige
Whispers
Take Me Home
R
Beyond the Sea
The Wedding
Hello Aja

Album Description

At the moment we are born unto this world, we are each given a light, which radiates deeply inside our soul. This light is a piece of the great and mysterious tapestry from which we are all woven. It is as if the Gods plucks a brightly shining star from a gigantic, immense galaxy, and place this star in our very being, for safe keeping. This light is unique, and holds the potential of the greatness that we can become.

May this music be the perfect vehicle for that internal journey . . .

Customer Reviews:

from Solo Piano Publications.......2004-06-02

"Seeking the Light" is the first in a series of solo piano albums titled "The Trilogy of Light." To quote composer Eric McCarl from his website, "'Seeking the Light' is about the realization that each of us has a unique gift which is meant to be used toward the greater good. Each of us are part of a master plan. We are all of one, and one of all. There are great and bountiful blessings to be found by focusing our attention from the external to the internal. There has never been a time in the life of our Universe that this realization has been more essential. This is a message to the few and to the many: It is not too late to look for the answers that that can only be found within. May this music be the perfect vehicle for that internal journey..." Quiet and contemplative, this is indeed, wonderful music for soul-searching, relaxing, daydreaming, or simply a calming and uplifting musical experience. With themes like childlike innocence and wonder, family, close friends, and looking within, the music tends to be spare and open, allowing listeners to kind of fall into the music. There are no fireworks, but the music is passionate and deeply emotional.

"All This Wonder" was the first piece McCarl played on his new (after many used) grand piano. The song is very minimalist, and represents the infinite possibilities at the begining of our lives. It is quiet, inquisitive, and full of hope. "Mind of a Child" is also very open and free, and McCarl uses the sustain pedal to "allow the rich, complex `bouquet' of the grand piano to come through. This sound, to me, is the mind of a child." The sound is simple and direct, but McCarl's harmonies and rubato rhythm make this a satisfying musical experience. I had to chuckle at his inclusion of "the knuckle song" (I don't know any other title for it!) at the end - the mind of a child, indeed! "Little Star" is a charming theme and variations on the children's song. "Ballet" is a darkly beautiful piece - slow and graceful, but deeply emotional. It's easy to imagine a young dancer alone in a large space, moving to the music of her soul. "Colours" is very fluid and peaceful - a daydream set to music. "Take Me Home" is my favorite in this collection. It is about that moment of clarity when we realize we are responsible for our own destinies and taking responsibility for that. There are feelings of questioning and searching, and also of hope and resolve. A journey in itself, this is a deeply personal and revealing piece, as well as a very beautiful one. "Beyond the Sea" conveys the perfect peace I feel at the ocean, and dreams of "a place of peace, community, and where everyone was free and life was easy."

"Seeking the Light" is a wonderful debut, and I'm really looking forward to parts two and three of the trilogy. A soothing musical journey for the mind and the soul.

Refreshing and Enlightening!.......2004-03-11

I loved this cd... it's peaceful and refreshing. It's simplicity is appealing and beautiful. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. McCarl and he is as nice as his music. I highly recommend this cd!

Peaceful and Expansive.......2002-07-08

I love this CD! It creates a peaceful and expansive mood whenever I play it. Eric's music is uncluttered, upbeat and inspiring.

A refreshing change.......2002-06-29

I've never thought of myself as a New Age music fan. Although I have nothing against Gregorian chants, the sound of whales, rain in the forest, Celtic music, etc., I was born and raised listening to Rock `N Roll. I spend most of my music time listening to Classic Rock. So, it was with more than a slight amount of hesitation that I clicked on the "Add to Shopping Cart" button beside Eric McCarl's Seeking The Light Within. This CD had come highly recommended from a friend whose music judgment I trust. Well, from the opening notes of "All this Wonder" to the final fade of "Hello Aja", I experienced a journey not unlike the first time I put the headphones on to listen to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" from start to finish. What a trip!

The liner notes of the CD speak of an internal journey and of secrets once heard but long since forgotten. On the inside cover of the CD booklet is what can only be referred to as a poem about Light. Now, the closest I ever got to poetry was reading the lyrics to Bob Dylan, yet there was something very captivating in this story. I re-read it several times.

As far as solo piano is concerned, Eric seems to allow the listeners mind to be the background orchestration to the music. I've since discussed this CD with the friend who referred me, and even though we both highly enjoy the music, we disagree as to which instruments we could imagine supporting the CD in various places. For instance, in the song "Alone", I hear the perfect accompaniment to be a nylon string guitar, where she swears that the French Horn would be the only way to go. In the song "Take Me Home", I would love to hear a String Quartet accompanying, while she hears, of all instruments, an Accordion (She says it's an Italian thing)! I find it interesting that Eric's music can evoke such different reactions between 2 individuals with such similar taste in music.

Although one CD doth not a New Age fan make, Eric McCarl's Seeking The Light Within seems to transcend Musical Genres, and does what every truly great CD (or Album) seems to do: It holds a unique message for each listener. And, as his bio states that his influences include Elton John (especially, in my opinion, early Elton), I can, without guilt, listen to this CD and still feel a connection to my Rock and Roll roots.

This is a wonderful listening experience!

The Perfect Vehicle for a Journey Within.......2002-06-26

Seeking The Light Within, the first release by Eric McCarl and Weaving Libra Records, is sure to put both names on the New Age map. In his debut CD, Eric McCarl writes of life, lessons and looking back. This CD contains 15 songs of solo piano and nearly 65 minutes of music. I was fortunate to receive one of his first Artist Profiles, and here's what Eric wrote as a description of the song "To be a Man":

"I wrote this song at a very interesting time in my life, where I had just decided to give up fighting upstream, and let the river of life carry me where I was supposed to go. This concept of letting go has been a part of many religious and spiritual teachings, even used in 12-step programs - "Let go and let God." If memory serves me correctly, I was standing in a musical instrument repair shop on a Tuesday afternoon, unemployed, with no idea where my next paycheck (much less the rent check) was going to come from, listening to a used instrument salesman pitching a piece of gear -- "only used for two hours in a very famous Recording Studio in Hollywood . . ." when I wandered away toward an electric piano that was being repaired by a kid who obviously didn't want any attention. When he finally, sheepishly looked up from his work, he told me that he had reworked the manufacturer's sound on the piano, and asked if I would like to hear how it sounded. I said yes, and put the headphones on and touched the keys. The resulting sound possessed a beauty that was unlike anything I'd ever heard, and my hands wrote this song. This song is about trusting in a higher power than ourselves, and maybe more so, realizing that sometimes immense beauty exists in those that are the most afraid to show it."

With this kind of insight, it is no surprise that each song takes the listener on their own internal journey. I've listened to this CD several times, and each time I hear something new or experience different thoughts. At a point in our history when it is most important to search inside ourselves for answers, this CD couldn't have come along at a better time.

I highly recommend "Seeking The Light Within!" I look forward to the next two installments of this trilogy.

Rays of Light
Average customer rating:
Rays of Light
James Nihan
Manufacturer: Heron's Feather Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAG250
Release Date: 2003-10-07