Dragon & Phoenix: Music for Massage, Yoga & Relaxation

MASSAGE & BODYWORK, Jan 2001
...flowing ambient music perfect for hands-on healing, meditation and all types of energy work... a no-interruptions listening experience.

Product Description
Feathertouch is a softly flowing, hour long and continuous CD of ambient music ideal for massage, Yoga, relaxation, spa treatments and Reiki. Marilynn wrote the music in keys which corespond to the vibrational frequencies of the seven chakras (energy openings) in the body. Feathertoch is beautiful, serene, subtle and consistent from beginning to end.

Dragon & Phoenix: Music for Massage, Yoga & Relaxation

Tracks:

Can't Stop
City Of Angels
After Party
Don't Mess With The Dragon
La Gallina
Magnolia Soul
Here We Go
La Temperatura
Violeta
Creo
When I Close My Eyes
La Segunda Mano

Amazon.com

On their fourth full-length studio release, Ozomatli serve up a rhythmically seething musical mélange that serves as virtual mirror to the dizzying cultural contradictions at the heart of their Los Angeles hometown, wrapping it in a studio-polished veneer (largely courtesy of Santana/Ricky Martin producer KC Porter) that only underscores their intriguing reflections. They wear their civic pride as badge of honor on the gritty "City of Angels," a hip-hop-funk-fusion anthem that courses straight from the street to the stars. The joyous "La Temperatura," a tribute to the city's pro-immigrant marches of '06, picks up the local thread and weaves it into the band's longstanding social conscience, one they focus on Washington's inept response to Hurricane Katrina via the savory, N'Awlinz-meets-Norwalk swagger of "Magnolia Soul." The title track hints at a few conquered personal demons, while the sultry, Los Lobos-esque Spanish ballad "Violeta," the infectious 80s-ska-funk-meets-00s-punk-pop of "When I Close My Eyes," and the hip-hop-jarocho stew "La Segundo Mano" (featuring Queztal's Martha Gonzales on vocals) stand as vibrantly disparate testaments to the band's true range of pan-cultural musical fervor and accomplishments. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

This is more mainstream than earlier Ozo.......2007-07-01

Which may be why some listeners object. "Dragon's" good and it may be their entree into more acknowledgement. "Street Signs" is probably my favorite of their CDs and more indicative of their work, but this is still a great melange of a lot of different styles and worth the investment.

Actually, 4.5 stars!.......2007-06-19

Truth is, I barely liked this disk after the first listen. I thought the guys had "sold out" and made a disk that was too pop-ish, slick and lightweight. But then I played it a few more times and, DAMN, these songs are stuck firmly in my head. I still think Street Signs had three songs better than everything on this disk, but overall I have come to thoroughly enjoy Dragon for what it is... different, fun and very energetic. Ozo is one of the coolest bands around and if this disk draws in some new fans to mix with us old ones (I discovered them in 2005), then I'm OK with the "selling out".

NOTE: If you want to buy their very best, get Ozo's Live at the Filmore set!!!! That one earns 5.5 stars.

Fantastic, Ecclectic Mix.......2007-06-12

Compared to the rest of the music Ozo has put out this is probably their most solid integration of various types of music. With a lot more Asian influence on this album I think they hit the nail on the head. Most of the songs get your foot tapping and the lyrics in English are quite profound. Highly recommended! It has been in my CD player since I bought it last month!

Expanding their musical scope........2007-06-10

Their usual high energy with another "take" on the avenue of employing rap technique that helps someone who is 60 (which I am) appreciate one style of rap as a valid form of musical expression.

Slouching toward pop - disappointing.......2007-06-06

I have been a big fan of Ozomatli since their first CD. I rave about them to all who will listen as most people who love this band do. This CD is indeed the turning point toward pop for this band. There are shades of the old band in some of the songs like La Gallina, or Violeta but most of the stuff is empty. It is like a band trying to cover Ozomatli songs. I am sure that most fans will give this a try in spite of the negative reviews, but for our sake guys don't do this again.

Average customer rating:

Thoroughly enjoyable!
Total delight!
Change of pace ... the 2 hour and change DVD alone worth the gander!
A Brand New Intepretation of the 'Yellow River Concerto'.
Very nice chinese piano music

Lang Lang: Dragon Songs (Plus DVD)

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4
Chopin, Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
Appassionato
Memory [Includes Bonus CD]
Lang Lang Live at Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B000KF0NLQ
Release Date: 2007-01-09

Tracks:

Yellow River Piano Concerto, based on the Yellow River Cantata by Xian Xinghai
LÜ WENCHENG: Autumn Moon on a Calm Lake
HE LUTING: The Cowherd's Flute
TRADITIONAL: Dialogue in Song
SUN YIQIANG: Dance of Spring
DU MINGXIN: Straw Hat Dance
DENG YUXIAN: Spring Wind
ZHU JIANER: Happy Times
TRADITIONAL: Spring flowers in the Moonlit Night on the River
ZHAO JIPING: Dance from Qiuci, 5th movement from the "Silk Road" Suite
WANG JIANMIN: At Night on the Lake Beneath the Maple Bridge

Amazon.com

This is music of great diversity and charm. Lang Lang returns here to his native China for solo, chamber, and orchestral music. Those expecting great exoticisms will not find them here. We are all aware of how the East influenced the West in music - Debussy, Ravel, and other composers have picked up the harmonies and sonorities and made them familiar to us. But the music recorded here, all of it composed in the 20th century, is indebted to Western music, and indeed, there is hardly a jarring note to be found. The "exoticisms" are all comfortable. The "Yellow River" Piano Concerto, a work arranged by four composers in 1969 based on a 30-year-old choral cantata that was made up of socialist songs of praise, is a piece of pure late Romanticism and is reminiscent of Tchaikovsky and other late Romantics. One solo piano piece is 97 seconds of pure virtuosic joy ("Happy Times," by Zhu Jianer), and another ("Dance of Spring" by Sun Yiqiang) is a delicate, almost French Impressionist piece. The "Dance from Qiuci" by Zhao Jiping is a duet for piano and guanzi, a double-reed pipe, that will remind listeners of Klezmer music. Each track offers a new delight. Lang Lang's performances, alone and with orchestra and others, are brilliant. A must-have. --Robert Levine

Album Description

Lang Lang has fascinated audiences all over the globe--now he takes them home to show them "his" China with Dragon Songs, a CD+DVD set with Chinese piano solo, chamber, and orchestral music. Discover the musical culture that forged one of the most acclaimed classical musicians of our day. The CD juxtaposes the Yellow River Concerto, a large-scale, highly virtuosic piano concerto with colorful sound scales, with miniature pieces for solo piano and with chamber pieces that combine the piano with traditional Chinese instruments. Most of the pieces merge tradional Chinese melodies and idioms with the Western classical music--the result is music of astonishing beauty and ease that will strongly appeal to a broad audience. The 130-minute DVD features a full-length documentary offering a fascinating and intimate look behind the scenes of Lang Lang's latest China tour. The DVD also includes a concert of the solo piano and chamber music pieces from the CD filmed during the Dragon Songs recording sessions in Beijing.

Customer Reviews:

Thoroughly enjoyable!.......2007-07-23

Recorded in Bejing in 2006, this combination CD/DVD from Deutsche Grammophon offers a comfortable mix of East and West in fourteen musical selections that run the gamut from major compositions in China such as the 1939 "Yellow River Concerto," running 20 minutes in four major parts and moods [This writer's favorite would be "Ode to the Yellow River" with its rich base and cello introduction and melodic, flowing low-to-mid range piano melody] to the simpler traditional sound of "Dialogue in Song" piano solo. The blending of styles throughout is intriguing.. "Ode," for example, alluded to above, might sound like something straight out an American western, depicting in music the rolling rich prairie land of the American West, yet the music was written as a string choral cantata during the Japanese occupation of China in 1939 and, according to Lang, was a piece "that helped bring back our energy and self-confidence - a reminder that we would do great things." In other words, the piece is, at its foundation, distinctly Chinese in origin. But this two-for package contains something else; it contains a bonus DVD, widescreen, beautifully filmed and composed feature about the pianist, his journey back to China, his concerts and personal glimpses of his family life and teaching techniques to some amazing students. It is a wonderfully entertaining, National Geographic quality tour of Lang's homeland as well as an entertaining - almost hypnotic - biography of this talented pianist. It is a thoroughly enjoyable CD/DVD combination that is hugely successful in what it sets out to accomplish, both musically and visually. This review appeared at [..]

Total delight!.......2007-05-18

I can't praise this CD enough. Hearing this wonderful Chinese piano music, in Lang Lang's brilliant performances, is a total delight! Even the Yellow River Concerto, which could be considered kitsch, is given such a warm and sincere reading that it radiates a kind of "New World Symphony" energy. There are
guest artists playing Chinese instruments. And there's a bonus DVD about Lang Lang and his roots.
Pure joy!

Change of pace ... the 2 hour and change DVD alone worth the gander! .......2007-05-16

I agree with the reviewer Brian D. Kline [March, 2007] that the DVD itself is worth the cost but more than that, and some may have difficulty with this one, Lang Lang [or as some reviewers elsewhere at Amazon have referred to as "Bang-Bang"] seems to be settling down 'somewhat' from his earlier days but hey, what is expected, the almost 80 years performance seasoning [and demeanor] of a Claudio Arrau! The guy is still in his twenties although I will say and not deny for a moment that I was one who thought Lang Lang's facial muggings and bench contorsions went to the extreme along with apparent efforts to do a sort of very early Liszt, as it were, but only in terms of attempting to break those piano strings!

On the other hand, the DVD shows a more toned down Lang Lang and I do like the work he does with the young folks although it is ironic [for those who have seen the DVD] to see Lang Lang at the master classes in China telling the students to tone down their expressiveness [!] or, put bluntly, key banging which is a little like our friend GG [Glenn Gould] giving pontifications on the importance of posture [!] at the piano! That famous folding chair notwithstanding and which now is reposing at the GG museum in Canada. Under safety-glass no less!

It's hard not to like Lang Lang [or, as his people keep emphasizing, 'LAHNG-LAHNG' in pronunciation or, hey, try the word 'lawn' via a borrowed Boston accent [you know, 'kahhhh' for car sort of thing and simply add a 'g' ! ] and I think with some time he may mellow a bit although concurrently maintaininbg his enthusuiasm. But then hey, back to GG, and this from 'very' close amigos, to wit, and think the Big Apple CBS recording studio way back when a la, "Glenn, please, a 'vocalization diminuendo' to the extent possible, OK ... ." I don't know about you but the 'Tah-Tah-Tah-Tah-ing' ad infinitum grated after awhile!

Switching and noting that others have already commented on the presented music which I agree was well done and rather sedate where it had to be, between the DVD that exceeds 2 hours [131 minutes] and the CD of an hour an change, a rather nice package considering the $14.97 [as I type this anyway] price tag. Finally, 'what' Lang Lang has to say in the DVD and in terms of its substance appealed to me and I also think he is wise enough to know that he is 'not' another Liszt but then too he does make clear that he searches for his own identity which is always preferable to cloning the best of the lot, as it were, or, worse, such mixed bag cloning and then attempting to brag about it! Or, hey, various renditions of Lang-Lang at the piano in a sort of cross between Jerry Lee Lewis gone amuck and Stevie Wonder sans the shades!

Doc Tony

BTW, Lang Lang at Carnegie Hall [CH]. Worth the view! I recall certain purists getting all bent out of shape when Lang Lang in this his first CH recital introduces his father and they do the 'competing horses' thing with Dad on the 'R-U' [sp. ??] and son on the piano but as one can see, 'especially' if they know the CH audiences which can be akin to the UK Proms brethren from across the waters [in terms of sophistication] when they are happy versus when they are not , but the crowd seemed to love the duo! I admit at once that I did too! Interesting instrument that 'R-U', yes? Decidedly beats the "prepared piano" [! -- think about it!] thing tho' ... by a spoon! Ehhh, I mean a bolt ... a marble ... a mile! ;-)

A Brand New Intepretation of the 'Yellow River Concerto'........2007-05-02

That composition, heading this new album of Lang Lang, was premiered in the late 1960's by Chinese veteran pianist Yin Cheng-zong, who and others (including pianist Shi Shu-cheng) re-arranged the script based on Cantonese composer Xian Xing-hai's 'Yellow River Cantata' composed during the Sino-Japanese war in 1939. Yin was the soloist in the new work's premiere. Since then, I have grown so used to Yin and Shi's style of playing this work.
Lang Lang and Yu Long's new collaboration expectedly brought a host of criticisms, both at home in China and abroad.
However, being an open-minded listener, I must say that I find the Yu-Lang new collaboration not merely 'acceptable', but at moments beautiful and moving.
The first movement's 'Yellow River Boat Song' for once truly becomes a 'song', not the bombastic and macho style that I got used to listen to. There are much more interplays between the orchestra and the soloist, and the musical motives are well-marked. Some truly fine playing by Lang Lang, who otherwise lacked the technical prowess of maestro Yin Cheng-zong in some demanding passages of this movement. Lang is able to rise to the occasion in the long `coda' section, though.
The second movement 'Ode to the Yellow River' is majestic and moving in turn. Lang and Yu's interpretation adds on an melancholic touch to this movement that again was lacking in the previous grandiose versions, depicting the many hardships suffered by its nearby inhabitants as witnessed by that great river, the story being told now through music. Yu's orchestral backing in this movement is really wonderful.
The third movement 'The Yellow River's Rage' begins with an authentically Chinese style. This movement sets to depict the various facets of the great river. It is ferocious and majestic in turn, with some graceful passages like the opening pianoforte section that requires an almost `pi-pa-like' effect. In the latter half of the movement, the soloist leads the orchestra in a series of majestic outbursts that demand high technical prowess, culminating in a grand finale. Here, in this demanding movement, Lang Lang displays his ability to mesmerize through the diverse styles with which he treats the score. The tempo, however, is otherwise slower than Yin Cheng-zong's. There is less of a sense of `imminence', and more of a sense of aloofness when compared to Yin's version, of which the conducting of Yu Long should account for.
The last movement is a propaganda-like passage calling forth Chinese people to unite and defend the great river. Needless to say, the movement served a lot of propagandist purpose for the then PRC government. Lang Lang and Yu Long substituted it with an almost carnival-like gaiety by the orchestra followed by the soloist that befits the current mood. The middle-section's bombing-like intense passage leading up to the `hymn to Mao Ze-dong' the 'Red East' was substituted by a transitory section led by the pianoforte in a `stretching out' manner. The Red East was played with an appreciative beauty not hitherto found in Yin's early version.
Well, times have changed, and a propagandist piece like the `Yellow River Concerto' needs to gain new momentum in order to re-live its own musical life. Lang Lang and Yu Long succeeded admirably in this. Even Yin himself recently declared that his playing of the work now is drastically different from that of its premiere days.
Let those who live in the past bury their past!

Very nice chinese piano music.......2007-03-16

I am glad Lang Lang made this recording. I bought it right after I learned its existence. I enjoeyed listeing to it. His technique is flawless. However, I feel his understanding of the Yellow River piano concerto is very limited due to his age and experience. He needs to read more about Chinese history and literature in order to understand these music better. Perhaps being more educated in histroy and literature is what he needs for all of the music he plays.

Average customer rating:

pure genius
Another great Yo-Yo Disc
first disc great- second a flop
Encore
The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma

The Essential Yo-Yo Ma

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Appassionato
Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone
Vivaldi's Cello
Classic Yo-Yo
Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon

ASIN: B000A7Q29G
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Tracks:

Prde from Suite No. 1 in G Major for Cello, BWV 1007
II. Largo from "Winter", Op. 8, No. 4, RV 297 from the Four Seasons
Jesus, bleibet meine Freude (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring), BWV 147
Schafe kn sicher weiden (Sheep May Safely Graze), BWV 208
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers Awake), BWV 645
The Swan from Carnival of the Animals (Chamber Version)
Havanaise, Op. 83
Mtation from Tha
Liebesfreud Instrumental
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso from Three Preludes
Vocalise Vocal
IV. Allegro from Sonata in D minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 40
Andante Cantabile for Cello Solo and String Orchestra, Op. posth.
IV. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto from Quartet No. 1 in G minor for Piano and Strings, Op. 25
III. Finale. Allegro moderato from Concerto in B minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 104

Tracks:

Cristal
A lenda do caboclo
Chega de Saudade Live
Wapango Live
Libertango
Appalachia Waltz Solo Cello Version
Butterfly's Day Out
1B
Pickin' from Three Pieces for Solo Cello
Simple Gifts
The Mission
Gabriel's Oboe
The Falls Album Version
The Eternal Vow from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The Cellist of Sarajevo - A Lament in Rondo Form for Solo 'Cello, Op. 12
Chi passa per'sta strada
Mido Mountain (Chinese Traditional)
Mohini (Enchantment)
Baroque in Rhythm from Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio
Anything Goes Instrumental
I Could Have Danced All Night Extended version

Amazon.com

Here are three dozen pieces of music, all played by Yo-Yo Ma, culled from his extensive discography. Aside from the technical mastery and beautiful tone that are absolutes in all of his playing, one is dazzled by his curiosity and ability to adapt to so many forms and types of music. His Bach and Vivaldi are pellucid and played with non-sentimental crispness, his tango music gritty and rhythmically pungent, his jazz seemingly spontaneous, the "Meditation" from Thais simply ravishing, "Anything Goes" a romp, and the Appalachian music performed with both respect and a great twang, while the traditional Chinese music is fascinating. It's really a matter of how much Ma loves whatever he plays here, how entirely he becomes involved in it, and what a fine partner he invariably is to other musicians. This collection is a doozy--it is truly "essential." --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

pure genius.......2007-05-21

No instrument asks more from the soul of an artist as the cello does.
Yo Yo Ma shows to be master of the instrument and his interpretations en technique are pure genius. Everyone should have this album in his (or hers of course) basic classical collection

Another great Yo-Yo Disc.......2007-05-15

The set-up with the classical pieces on the first disc and the other on the second is excellent.

first disc great- second a flop.......2007-04-12

the first disc is awesome. the second disc is weird and boring.

Encore.......2007-03-31

Incredible. My young cellist (son) loves it. Beautiful music. The album is well organized and each song transitions nicely.

The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma.......2007-03-29

I've found this collection to be extremely delightful! It gives you a sense of the versatility of Yo-Yo Ma like no other, with one disc being dedicated more to his classical side, while the other explores jazz and world music venues. Not your typical "greatest hits" collection.

Average customer rating:

The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma
Not for the average listener
A thoroughly enjoyable trip through Central Asia and a few other places.
Silk Road Journey
A Detailed Review From A Non-expert Music Lover

Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet
Yo-Yo Ma , and Silk Road Ensemble
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon
The Silk Road: A Musical Caravan
Obrigado Brazil
Soul of the Tango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla
Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

ASIN: B0000641CG
Release Date: 2002-04-16

Tracks:

Mongolian Traditional longsong
Legend of Herlen (Byambasuren Sharav)
"Blue Little Flower" (Chinese Traditional)
"Mido Mountain" (Chinese Traditional)
Moon over Guan Mountain (Zhao Jiping)
"Miero vuotti uutta kuuta" from Five Finnish Folk Songs (Michio Mamiya)
"Joiku" from Five Finnish Folk Songs (Michio Mamiya)
Avaz-e Dashti (Persian Traditional)
Habil-Sayagy (In Habil's Style) for cello and prepared piano (Franghiz Ali-Zadeh)
Blue as the Turquoise Night of Neyshabur (Kayhan Kalhor)
Chi passa per'sta strada (Filippo Azzaiolo)
Desert Capriccio (Music from the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon/Tan Dun) (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

This disc introduces Yo-Yo Ma's latest and most ambitious adventure, the Silk Road Project. It explores the cultures that flourished along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that for centuries connected Europe and the East. Founded by Ma in 1998, the project aims to create connections, mutual trust, and cultural interchange between people from different parts of the world through their only shared language: music.

This recording includes music from Mongolia, China, Persia, Japan, Iran, Azerbaijan, and an improvisation on an Italian Renaissance street song, performed by musicians from all those countries, as well as America, on both Eastern and Western instruments. Ma, who participates in every piece either as soloist or part of the ensemble, plays cello and a Mongolian "horse-head fiddle." There is also a Mongolian soprano, who sings a traditional song native to her region. For the uninitiated Western listener, the music requires some getting used to. Much of it is based on rhythmic ostinatos. The melodies use Oriental scales; the intonation is untempered; the music seems all color, texture, and atmosphere, without what might be called themes; and repetition takes the place of development. Contrast is achieved through sudden change, buildup by adding instruments. However, the music is often beautiful, delicate, dreamy, or peaceful; every listener will find his or her own favorite pieces. The playing is splendid, with much inventive improvisation. Inevitably, Ma's tone and personality stand out, but he never dominates in fact or spirit. The booklet offers essays by Ma and the project's musicologist, Theodore Levin, photographs of the players, and drawings of the Eastern instruments. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma .......2007-07-24

Since returning from a trip to China, I have become very interested in the music and the entire culture and history of the Far East. To an American, it seems like such an exotic and mysterious world. Given the formidable languages and the vastness of it all, I can only say that I can only hope to acquire a superficial understanding.

As always, the versatile Yo-Yo Ma is quite soulful and technically brilliant in his musical exploration of the "Silk Road". The music, to me, captures the feeling of Asia. The liner notes are very educational in providing a context to the project.

I find Asian music to be very different from our "Western" traditions, but given time and an even chance, I think that you will find this CD to be very nice and enjoyable.

Not for the average listener.......2007-03-20

I was going to give it 2 stars, but then again i only listened to it once.
I was looking forward to this, but the music is plodding in many parts,
like a dreary symphony. There are fine moments, but I was looking for something a bit more accesible, rhymic, and lyrical. This is a mixed bag that seems to miss more often than hit.

A thoroughly enjoyable trip through Central Asia and a few other places........2007-03-15

I have just added this to my musical library and am enjoying it. From the first beat of the first note of Khongozurl's long song you are transported to central Asia - the land of horses and gers. Of all the pieces I was most interested in listening to the second piece - Legend of Herlen. This to me, was the real silk road. The morin khuur has a very rich and unusual tone that made we want to listen to the it over and over again. Each piece is different and reminds one of the many parts that make up the whole of central asia's culture be it music or diesel trucks competing for road space with camels. The music captures the variety that makes up the region. The Finnish Folksong tracks are a nice touch. I have a friend who was at a trade conference and met a man from Mongolia. Neither could talk to one another until they discovered a common language - Finnish! My friend's family is Finnish and his new Mongolian friend had lived for several years in Finland where he learned enough of the language to communicate. Listening to the Finnish Folksongs reminds me of the Finnish-Mongolian connection that my friend had described. It is a nice touch and complements the other pieces very well. Please don't neglect to read the information insert as this gives a wealth of information on the music and it's origins as well as some of the difficulties experienced by western players playing traditional middle Asian musical instruments. Ma's difficulties with his instrument are particularly interesing to read. The concludig track - Desert Capriccio is a very nice ending to a very rich musical experince. The music from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the perfect ending to this trip through central Asia. I highly recommend this CD to everyone.

Silk Road Journey.......2007-02-19

I saw a performance of the Silk Road Ensemble and was absolutely enthralled. So I bought the CD. But it was a big disappointment. It's not the type of music you can comfortably listen to in your living room - I'm sure it would be much more enjoyable in a concert hall. There was far too much that just sounded like "screeching" to me. However, some of the pieces that were much like what we heard at the performance were beautiful. So - a mixed review, but I disliked more than I liked.

A Detailed Review From A Non-expert Music Lover.......2007-01-12

In this review I will give my opinion on each of the 12 selections in this CD, and will also talk about some general themes related to the title "The Silk Road Project".

To anyone who has heard of the Silk Road in Ancient China, the title of this CD immediately brings up images of exotic peoples and their cultures in your mind. I think Yo-Yo Ma's efforts in creating such a culturally diversified recording are definitely welcomed in this era of globalization.

But after listening through this CD I felt that something was missing from the selections. One of the most important areas on the Silk Road is the Uyghur region in northwestern China. Their music is quite unique. Inclusion of their music in this CD would be really interesting. Also in this CD not all of the selections are chosen from those regions directly related to the Silk Road. So I guess the title is just a metaphor of "when strangers meet", but is not directly about the cultures along the Silk Road.

Now I will review each of the selections.

1. Mongolian Traditional Long Song

I am somewhat familiar with their culture and land. So to me this song is very beautiful and enchanting. One of the most important factors in conducting any cross-cultural communications is context! You really cannot take it out of context. The Mongolian Long Song might sound monotonous and drawling to a person who is more used to the Western tradition of chant, choral, or opera music. Yet if you know the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Mongolian people on the vast rolling greens of the Mongolian grassland embellished with winding creeks and rivers, you would probably hear such long-singing voices reverberating between the green of the grass and the blue of the sky. The Mongolian people have some of the most beautiful songs that I know of.

2. Legend of Herlen

There are probably two broad categories of non-western ethnic musics. One is the authentic folksong tradition of the people, the other is westernized works composed by westernized local musicians. I guess Legend of Herlen might fall into the second category. It has some interesting tunes in it. But the overall listening experience is too dramatic. I guess the dynamics used in this piece might even go beyond the ppp and fff. In the Mongolian traditional music, dynamics are sometimes used quite dramatically, with sharp difference between two adjacent notes or phrases. So this piece here is probably not very surprising. Nonetheless I find it a little too dramatic, sometimes even disturbing. Again I am not familiar with the background of this piece, so that might explain the unusual drama.

3. Blue Little Flower

I am not sure what fusion should really sound like. But in this piece it does seem to me that a lot of musical traditions are intertwined in it: western music, Chinese folksong from Shaanxi, and probably Iranian or Indian drums. Somehow the only part of this song that I liked is the beginning line. It's very beautiful and delicate, reminding me of the theme music from the Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. But it is westernized, not authentic Chinese folksong. If this is still not a problem, then the drum used in this piece does cause a lot of funny effects. The drum sounds so distinctive and it represents some of the central or western Asia cultures. The images such drum beats conjure up are very incompatible with this northwestern Chinese folksong. So in this piece there are at least three threads: western, Chinese, and Iranian/Indian (I am not sure which one). But they do not converge. There is also the funny part of the singing included in this piece. It is out of place and unnecessary. The singing itself is just too frivolous to me.

4. Mido Mountain

I like this piece, especially the part played by the Sheng. Again there are some elements that sound a little bit too foreign to me, especially the percussion part. They use the same percussion/drum in this piece as in the previous one. But the overall effect of the arrangement does sound authentic and pleasant to me.

5. Moon Over Guan Mountains

If you know that Zhao Jiping is famous for his scores for films, you will probably understand this piece better. But of course understanding does not mean you will like it. This piece falls into the second category that I described above. For a lot of non-Western countries, the influence of western music is definitely immense. Many local composers are trained in both the western tradition and the local tradition. But there is probably a general feeling among composers in these countries that western music is richer in theory and methods. Many of these composers will use themes from folk songs to compose westernized music. I will give this piece a B+. It does include some themes from northwestern China, which sound really unique. As I said in this CD there is no selection from the Uyghur region in China, this piece might make up for that, since some of the themes seem to me to be from that region. But this piece is still too dramatic too, like a film score.

6. Five Finnish Folksongs No. 3

I love this one! The theme melody is so beautiful, and maybe a little bit nostalgic, and maybe a little bit romantic also? But this piece is straightly western music. There is nothing ethnic about it.

7. Five Finnish Folksongs No.5

This one is ok, but not very impressive. The overall structure of this piece sounds like very loose. There is not memorable melody either. But it does not have the maddening drama like in the two pieces I have just talked about. This is good.

8. Avaz-e Dashti
I am not familiar with Persian music. But there are indeed some very Persian melodies in this piece. The instruments used in this piece are all traditional Persian instruments. Maybe this is why it sounds so authentic to me. I like the haunting, floating tunes in this piece. They sound very ethereal to me.

9. Habil-Sayagy

Again this piece falls into the second category like the Legend of Herlen and Moon Over Guan Mountains. Such music is probably interesting to the performers, since they can let loose their inner floodgate of emotions and resort to pure artistic connections. But the problem for such music is that they are just too dramatic, and it's really hard to understand them without fairly good knowledge of the context and their unique cultural backgrounds. I am sure all these three pieces might sound profound, meaningful, and artistic once we know the cultural backgrounds better. But for the general listener, they are too abstract and too emotionally charged. Another problem for such western-traditional combination pure art form of music is that tradition might be distorted and represented in the wrong way.

10. Blue as the Turquoise Night of Neyshabur

I like this one better that the previous one, especially the middle part beginning at around 5 min 30 sec into the music. The melody is quite unique, and memorable. The bassline is very interesting too. It conjures up the image of merchants traveling on camel back through the desert. The pulse of the bass sounds like the steps of camels walking. One the instruments used, I am not sure which one, santur or kemancheh, is quite successful in bringing out the authenticity of the music style.

11. Chi passa per'sta strada

This one has the same problem as the Blue Little Flower: it does not sound like anything! It is not Italian, nor is it Iranian, nor Chinese, nor anything else. What is it? Who knows. The ethnicity of world music is tied to their unique musical instruments closely. I remember there was one year the Chinese traditional orchestra had a New Year's Concert at Vienna, and when they played the Radetzky March at the end of the concert, I was quite unimpressed.

12. Desert Capriccio

Tan Dun is similar to the composers I mentioned above like Zhao Jiping. Tan's music is unique and interesting to both western and Chinese audience, because of the same thing: they are both unfamiliar with Tan's music. To the Chinese audience, his music sounds western, but to the Western audience, his music sounds exotic. Nonetheless I still like some of this music, like the Couching Tiger and Hidden Dragon. Some of the melodies are really great. Again this piece makes up for the lack of Uyghur music in this album, since the "desert" in this piece is in the Uyghur region. But the music is not Uyghur at all.

There you have it. That's all for my detailed review of this CD. I would give it a B+ for its efforts and some of the really good tunes. As I am not an expert, I might be wrong in many of the points that I make in this review. So feel free to comment on my review.

Average customer rating:

Relive you movie experiences

The Ultimate Movie Music Collection
Erich Kunzel
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Incredible Film Music Box
Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores
Simply the Best Movie Themes
Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1

ASIN: B000BFH26Y
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Tracks:

The Imperial March: The Empire Strikes Back
Main Theme: Jurassic Park
Main Title: Shakespeare In Love
Themes: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Main Title: The Last Of The Mohicans
Theme: The Godfather
Unchained Melody: Ghost
Theme: Goldfinger
We're Losing Him: Somewhere In Time
Space Camp
Opening And Closing Titles: Henry V
Theme: The Thorn Birds
Suite: Moonwalker
The Time Of Your Life: A Bugs Life

Tracks:

Batman Theme: Batman
Bicycle Chase: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
Suite: Independance Day
Love Theme: Romeo & Juliet
Theme: Back To The Future
End Credits: Contact
Theme: Breakfast At Tiffany's
Main Theme: Star Trek
May It Be And Themes: Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Ring
Love Theme: Cousins
Sean's Theme: Minority Report
I Will Wait From You: The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg
Theme: Rocky
The Sand Volcano: The Mummy
The Raider's March: Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Tracks:

Theme: Mission Impossible
Casablanca Suite
Book Of Days: Far And Away
Love Theme: Superman
Tara's Theme: Gone With The Wind
Don't Mess With: Z
Main Title: The Mask Of Zorro
Finale: Victor / Victoria
Carol Ann's Theme: Poltergeist
Love Theme: Star Wars: Episode ll: Attack Of The Clones
Main Theme: Willow
Main Title: Star Trek ll: The Wrath Of Kahn
MAin Theme: On Golden Pond
Theme: A Summer Place
Theme: Chariots Of Fire

Tracks:

Iceberg!
Back To Titanic
Main Themes: Hook
Theme: Pink Panther
Lara's: Doctor Zhivago
Theme: Love Story
Right Stuff
Theme: Jaws
When You Believe: The Prince Of Egypt
Smile: Modern Times
The Apollo 13 Mission
Re-Entry And Splashdown: Apollo 13
Main Title: Beetlejuice
War: Pearl Harbor
Cavatina: The Deer Hunter
Throne Room And End Title: Star Wars: Episode lV: A New Hope

Customer Reviews:

Relive you movie experiences.......2006-01-24

This collection of movie themes, will allow you to relive the chilling experiences from practically all (4 CDs)of the great movies. Great movies would not be great without great music. The Cincinnati Pop with Eric Kunzel are unbeatable recordings. Every minute is more beautiful and inspiring to the next. If you love Pops music, this is the begin all, end all.

Average customer rating:

New Yo-Yo Fan
Simply wonderful!
Awesome
What is this?
Great if you're not familiar with Yo-Yo Ma

Classic Yo-Yo

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Vivaldi's Cello
The Essential Yo-Yo Ma
Obrigado Brazil
Simply Baroque
Soul of the Tango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla

ASIN: B00005OAY5
Release Date: 2001-09-18

Tracks:

Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major
Prelude
Fear Tango
Butterfly's Day Out
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor, Op.72
Three Preludes
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
American Collection Theme
Sonata for Cello and Piano in F Major, Op. 99
IV. Allegro molto
The Eternal Vow from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Erbarme dich (Matthdus-Passion)
Quartet for Piano & Strings No. 2 in G minor, Op. 45
IV. Allegro molto
Vocalise
Libertango
Simple Gifts
Appalachia Waltz

Amazon.com

Except for one "previously unreleased" recording and two new ones, this is a compilation of segments taken from older Yo-Yo Ma CDs, perhaps to whet listeners' appetite to hear the entire records. The disc represents a triumph of performance over material. The program consists of short pieces and single movements of long ones and serves to display Yo-Yo Ma's extraordinary versatility, his spectacular instrumental and musical gifts, and his remarkable ability to invest everything he plays with the same commitment and emotional concentration. There is no logic to the sequence, except that it begins and ends with solo cello. Bach, whom Ma plays tuned normally when unaccompanied and tuned low with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, may justify the CD's title but seems out of place. Moreover, juxtaposing him with O'Connor and Piazzolla is jarring, though the Tangos are beautiful. The transcription of Dvorák's lovely E-minor Slavonic Dance, despite the participation of violinist Itzhak Perlman and his golden tone, sounds like a movie soundtrack: all bravura and cheap effects. The playing's the thing, and it is stunning, not only Yo-Yo Ma's, but that of all his collaborators, from vocalists Bobby McFerrin and Alison Krauss to pianist Emanuel Ax, Ma's duo partner of 25 years. Ax joins Ma for the Finale of Brahms's second cello sonata; that is what you may find yourself humming at the end. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

New Yo-Yo Fan.......2006-07-09

I had never listened to Yo-Yo Ma before (that I knew of) and then I was at a dance recital a few months ago. Two little ballerinas danced to "Simple Gifts" with Alison Kraus, and I had to have that song. I really enjoy playing this album when my family is just hanging out reading or playing with the baby in the living room. Each piece is unique and beautiful in its own way. Simple Gifts is still my favorite piece on the album, I only wish it were longer!

Simply wonderful!.......2006-06-04

I recently got this CD as a birthday gift. I've been wanting this CD for a while. The first track is a wonderful song in all reality the entire CD is a wonderful experience. The prelude by Gershwin is unique sounding with the cello. The jazz quality is still there and has a bit of classical influence intertwined among it. Yo-Yo Ma's recording of Simple Gifts is a good song and when they had the lyrics sung by Alison Krauss it was a wonderful choice. Her vocals matched the cello incredibly well. Track 8 is a wonderful song that I love to hear being played on the cello. For any person who loves classical music or cello music this CD is a good choice to buy. It will be well worth your money.

Awesome.......2004-08-20

While most people on this site see the "classic" in the title of the album as referring to classical music only, they are mistaken. Classic Yo-Yo refers to his style, not the genre into which his music choices fall. The list of tracks alone should have been a big enough clue that the music isn't all classical. Judging this album, or any album for that matter, on just its title is simply foolish. And while this is technically a solo album, the way Yo-Yo brings in guest artists to perform with him shows his flexibility as an artist. His version of Simple Gifts is so much more than a school chorus; it is an amazing cellist playing the accompaniment on a song that is meant to be sung.

On a more positive note, I found every track beautiful, from the elegant solo cello in the Bach cello suite to the haunting vocal line in the Bobby McFerrin piece. Yo-Yo Ma gathered a wide range of intriguing pieces to make this fantastic album.

What is this?.......2004-02-10

This is a compilation of many different styles; look Yo-Yo can play bluegrass! Not really "Classic" Yo-Yo.

Great if you're not familiar with Yo-Yo Ma.......2002-12-27

This CD is a good sample of what yo-yo ma has acheived in his musical career, if you want a more in depth listening of his talents than I suggest getting the simply baroque CD. The only thing that I didn't like about this cd was that the compositions were to mixed up in the genres. There was a bit of classical, some movie works, a great song by John Williams, and some of The Tango series music. If you would rather listen to one genre, get a CD that just has Classical or Contemerary, don't get a jack of all trades cd.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000 Film)

Average customer rating:

The Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Movie soundtrack
Get aboard some cloud in a silky sky
Beautiful Music by great artists and composers
Very good!
Beautiful and poetic in every sense

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000 Film)
Tan Dun , Yo-Yo Ma , Julio Hernandez , and Various Artists
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Hero
House of Flying Daggers
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Last Samurai
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

ASIN: B000051W22
Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The Eternal Vow
A Wedding Interrupted
Night Flight
Silk Road
To The South
Through The Bamboo Forest
The Encounter
Desert Capriccio
In The Old Temple
Yearning Of The Sword
Sorrow
Farewell
A Love Before Time (English)
A Love Before Time (Mandarin)

Amazon.com

The classical works of Tan Dun typically fuse compositional elements from the East and the West, but for his soundtrack to Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, musical cultures aren't so much blurred as coexistent side-by-side. While the magical martial arts film doesn't boast music as stunning as its visuals, this soundtrack is still beautiful and elegant, a perfect complement to the movie's mysticism. Just don't expect epic, John Williams-inspired bombast here. On "A Wedding Interrupted," the riveting brass and string section introduction segues into soft-hued meditations; "Night Fight" boasts spiky percussion but sounds more reminiscent of Stomp than a kung-fu scene. That said, Dun's understated score--filled with Asian instrumentation, Romantic cello solos from Yo-Yo Ma, and a token theme song with vocals by Asian pop star CoCo Lee--is still a fascinating listen. Fans of Ma and Dun shouldn't pass this up. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

The Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Movie soundtrack.......2007-04-11

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon..... What can I say? I loved the movie (a bit TOO much) and I will never fall out of it. But, you can't have an outstanding movie without outstanding music, and this soundtrack is THAT music. It's the Chinese cultural flavor that it brings that makes it so nice to listen to. Something different for a change. This soundtrack is awesome.

Get aboard some cloud in a silky sky.......2007-01-19

The cello is the voice of mystery, of depth, of secret and dark caves in the mind of the living, in the memory of the dead. The cello opens the door to the other side of today, here, now, me, to the other side, virtual or real, virtual and real, of what our five senses can capture and even what our mind, the sixth dimension of our sixth sense, can perceive and conceive. When Tan Dun adds to this voice from beyond the grave and the fire of some terrific dragon his own sense of being within and without, inside and outside Chinese music or western harmony, he can reach the power of thunder and the speed of lightning as well as the delicate falling and landing or morning dew on the light leaves of grass that pierce the dawn with their green blades. He is unique at creating an atmosphere that will evoke the long-toothed tiger in the strong-fanged dragon and the fire-spitting dragon in the fiery fire-eating tiger. Even percussions become something unforeseen, unbelievably surprising in that trip to the exotic unknown and to the undecipherable emotional. Have you ever hovered in the dainty light lacy clouds that so artistically hang on the misty flanks of Chinese mountains ? If you haven't you will probably not recognize the cello climbing from one bunch to the next, up up and away into the vapoury sky of silky blue. Tan Dun is able to use all western musical instruments and techniques not to westernize Chinese music but to make western music sound just as much Chinese as if it had always been and born within the Great Wall of China.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Paris Dauphine & University of Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne

Beautiful Music by great artists and composers.......2007-01-11

That pretty much says it all. This CD is wonderfully composed of all the best music from the DVD of the same name. My personal favorites are the Coco Lee tracks at the end in both English and her native Chinese. Both the melodies and lyrics are top-notch.

Very good!.......2006-11-10

I love the movie, one of the best I've ever seen. The soundtrack is wonderful, with sooth tunes and melodies. I love chinese music, and I think this is one of the best soundtrack I ever heard.

Beautiful and poetic in every sense.......2006-11-09

I never expected to fall in love with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but I did and now it sits near the top of my favorite movies of all time list. This enchanting--and literally soaring--movie (incorporating the ability to fly) is stunning and it's no wonder it became such an international smash hit amongst critics and regular people alike. But, as in most everything, music plays an important factor to a movie's likability; and the beautiful and heartaching score tugs at one's emotions. Dun's melodies and Ma's soloing are superb in every sense--CoCo's singing (in both English and Mandarin) even soars despite an overall thin singing voice. It's not a perfect listen but the soundtrack remains one of the best soundtrack buys you can get.

Average customer rating:

soundtrack
Fabulous Music....Poor Price
Childhood Classic
Unbeatable music, from Disney's best performers
Great soundtrack for a great film.

Pete's Dragon
Original Soundtrack
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pete's Dragon (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
The Aristocats
Pinocchio
Dumbo

ASIN: B000GGU1GQ
Release Date: 2006-10-23

Tracks:

Main Title - Al Kasha
Candle On The Water
I Saw A Dragon
It's Not Easy
Every Little Piece - Jim Dale
The Happiest Home In These Hills - Shelley Winters
Brazzle Dazzle Day - Mickey Rooney
Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You, Too) - Charlie Callas
There's Room For Everyone
Passamashloddy - Jim Dale
Bill Of Sale
Candle On The Water (Reprise)

Customer Reviews:

soundtrack.......2007-08-05

Apparently I misread this. I saw "original Soundtrack" and thought this would be the video/movie. However, when I sent it to my grandson, I was informed this was JUST the music from the movie. Both of us were disappointed, even though the music was good - (according to my daughter).
Just make sure you know what you're ordering.....

Fabulous Music....Poor Price.......2007-06-10

This album is fabulous! It does not quite do justice to the movie, as it cuts out parts of some of the songs, but it is still quite good. It even comes with a booklet with all the words to all the songs! However, the price is absolutely ludicrous! If you are not in a hurry, I would VERY strongly urge you to get this CD from the used and new section. I bought this cd from the seller "caimon.com", and was very pleased with them. Their price was exactly what I thought that Amazon should be charging, the item arrived within the time they said it would, and the product was in the condition stated. To be very blunt, buy it used and new, or you are making a huge mistake!

On a side note, I don't know what is up with Disney. The Pete's Dragon movie is excellent, has a lot of fans, and has great music, but they won't do it justice! For a while there was no Pete's Dragon soundtrack, and now that there finally is, they cut the songs short (mostly the ones with large orchestral sections), they put the songs in no particular order, there are no bonus tracks, they don't include the song that ends the movie, and they totally overprice the whole thing.

Overall, this album is worth the money if you pay about 10 dollars, otherwise it is totally not worth it. I am still hoping that Disney will open their eyes and give fans what they want; a fairly priced album with ALL the songs in ALL their glory, from the beginning to the end of the movie with a bonus track or two.

Childhood Classic.......2007-05-19

This is a CD that keeps on giving!! I just had my first child and really wanted to pass on the love of this films music to him. It has been a really tough CD to find so I am glad is finally available! The quality is perfict and it has all the songs from the movie. I would sugest it to any Petes Dragon fan!

Unbeatable music, from Disney's best performers.......2007-02-05

I have loved this movie musical since childhood. The music is unbeatable, with charming, catchy, upbeat lyrics - and the moving "candle on the water", sung by Helen Reddy. Very frustrated to discover only 5 of the original song lyrics are published on the Web, and not all of them. Either way, this musical was one of Disney's greatest. Kids of all ages will fall in love with Elliott-the dragon, and the magical special effects that bring him to life on the screen.

Fans will greatly enjoy the fine vocal quality of legendary Mickey Rooney, Red Buttons & Jim Dale in their masterful comical performances of 'I saw a dragon' 'Passamaquoddy' and 'Every little piece'.

I used to own the original vinyl of this album [long since gone], and the CD quality I owned was of equal value. This film is a long, lost, fine Disney classic. I recommend it for anyone.

Peanut

Great soundtrack for a great film........2007-02-03

Pete's Dragon has a truly wondeful soundtrack, it's one of those that is very cleverly written, with wondefully creative musical themes, which unfortunately doesn't always get the celebration it deserves.

Now Disney have provided all the songs from opening score from the film. The tone of the music, has a calm feeling to it, even though there are upbeat numbers they are not 'razzle dazzle' and stay close to the almost sombre feeling of the film.

One reason why I did not give this 5 stars is because the songs are not identical to the versions in the film, the running times for the songs on the CD are in most cases shorter than you'll find on the DVD, with mostly the instrumental parts of the songs being omitted, although there is some difference in lyrics for a couple of tunes.

But all in all Pete's Dragon is a stunning soundtrack.

Average customer rating:

AAAAH it's SOOO good
A very good album...again.
Awesome
Give us Dengue Fever or kill all the Karoakee stars
Escape From Dragon House

Escape from Dragon House
Dengue Fever
Manufacturer: Brg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Dengue Fever
Cambodian Rocks Volume 1
Thai Beat A Go-Go, Vol. 1
Thai Beat A Go-Go, Vol. 2
Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974

ASIN: B000ALZHJ8
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

We Were Gonna
Sui Bong
Tip My Canoe
Tap Water
Sleepwalking Through The Mekong
One Thousand Tears Of A Tarautula
Escape From Dragon House
Made Of Steam
Lake Delores
Saran Wrap
Hummingbird

Amazon.com

Named for a remarkably unpleasant tropical disease, Dengue Fever is a seething Petri dish of mutating influences. The band was spawned when the American founders became fascinated by an unlikely combination of Cambodian music and Buda Musique's multi-volume Ethiopiques series, which documents that country¹s sixties pop heyday. Meanwhile, their future lead singer, famed Cambodian chanteuse Ch'hom Nimol, had grown up with East Asian/American hybrids which had erupted when local musicians internalized and transformed sounds they heard on Vietnam-war-era American Armed Forces Radio. Churning, vertiginous rhythms and honking sax lines betray the Ethiopian sources while stratospherically ornamented yet demure Cameroonian folkways inform the lead vocals (sung in English and Khmer) and Zac Holtzman¹s dan bau (a Vietnamese mono-string instrument). But the mix further incorporates campy organ riffs straight out of Question Mark and the Mysterians, the Shangri-Las' stiletto-edged girl-group theatrics and Ennio Morricone¹s surreal Spaghetti Western guitars. The group's stage persona is equally eclectic, ranging from a sweet-faced "Oriental" B-movie heroine, to a guy whose beard would scare the heck out of ZZ Top, to a latter-day Super-Fly clone. A testament to following your own star no matter what, Escape from Dragon House is at once blindingly authentic in the cosmic sense and delightfully deranged. --Christina Roden

Album Description

On "Escape From Dragon House" the sound is denser, thicker and richer than on their 2003 self titled debut. Escape From Dragon House is darker musically and lyrically with a fully relized style melting all of their incluences into one realized voice that's pure Dengue Fever.

Customer Reviews:

AAAAH it's SOOO good.......2007-03-03

crazy hypnotic world-ish music that sounds like Asian Dave Matthews Band. listen and let your mind get blown.

A very good album...again........2006-08-29

This second album of Dengue Fever is as almost good as the first. I think some of the songs at the end ain't too good. But the tunes 1-7 is perfect, maybe?

All over, it's a good album, fun to listen.

Awesome.......2006-08-17

This is so cool to hear this eccletic fusion of classic Khmer singing with all types of western instruments! I love it!

Give us Dengue Fever or kill all the Karoakee stars.......2005-12-24

I never thought that this is possible-the Americans playing my favorite oldies. I'd love to see the band hook up with Sothy (Boxing Music) because his lyrics are out of this world. I'm waiting for the next chapter. I'm freaking out of my mind knowing my brothers and sisters in Kampuchea are appreciating the difference. I'm so damn proud to have good tastes in good music like all my brothers and sisters. Damn pol pot would have like to put today's Karoakee stars to good use. Chhom Nimol is damn fine and hotter than a Phnom Penh's morning in April. She is sizzling HOT!!

Escape From Dragon House.......2005-11-30

This is the most breath taking cd ever.
I loved every second of it the first time I heard it, and I kept on loving it even after the cd was done spinning.
Very high reccomendation.

Average customer rating:

Nice Debut Album from Philly Roots Rockers

Hoots & Hellmouth
Hoots & Hellmouth
Manufacturer: Mad Dragon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Jesus on a Greyhound
Llano Avenue
Emotionalism
Two Shoes
Easy Tiger

ASIN: B000OCY6YK
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

Want on Nothing
Home in a Boxcar
The Good I Know You Know
Abattoir Altar Boy and Girl
Two Hearts, A Snake and A Concubine
Home For Supper
Rattles These Bones
Forks and Knives
Backwoods Don't Lie
This Hand is a Mighty Hand
West of Where the Sun Goes Down

Album Description

Produced in collaboration with fellow Philadelphian Brian McTear (Capitol Years, Matt Pond PA, Bigger Lovers) at his Miner Street/Cycle Sound Studio, the album gives powerful evidence that the band has concocted a musical blend of roots/revival sensibility with a healthy dose of rock n' roll energy that is all their own. Starting with the core instrumentation of two guitars (Hoots and Hellmouth), mandolin (Rob Berliner), upright bass (Tim Celfo), three-part harmony vocals and foot stomps, the band worked in conjunction with McTear to flesh out each song, adding drums, organ, additional voices and the occasional accordion flourish.

From the gospel fury of the opening track, "Want On Nothing," to the subtle understated beauty of "Backwoods Don't Lie," Hoots & Hellmouth's self-titled debut presents a startling range of musical depth. Dedication to the craft of songwriting is the common thread that connects songs such as the folk-inflected "Forks & Knives," which leans heavily on the more traditional aspects of Americana, to the modern soulfulness of "West Of Where The Sun Goes Down" as it incorporates a swirling mÃ©lange of psychedelic organ and walls of vocals that leave the listener enraptured, enveloped, enamored. Hoots feels that "working with Brian really helped us to hone in on what each song demanded of us...we became mere channels for the greater power of the music." The resulting record speaks for itself in exuberant tones.

Customer Reviews:

Nice Debut Album from Philly Roots Rockers.......2007-05-01

I first saw Hoots and Hellmouth at the XPN Festival in Philly in 2006, they played an amazing set right before the massive thunderstorms rolled in. I was so blown away I had to get my hands on some of their music, problem was that they had no albums released. Well I waited a whole year to get my hands on this album. Expectations were high and in the end I felt a little disappointed first listen through, mainly that the production is too clean for this style of music. The better tracks are the ones that sound as if they were recorded live-you can feel the passion on such tracks as Home in a Boxcar, Home for supper and This hand is a mighty hand. I wish this flowed throughout the album. However second time through I can honestly say each song grew on me and had me tappinn along. An early favorite is the closer West of Where the Sun goes down. I highly recommend this album if you like the roots rock of Avett Brothers, folkism of Josh Ritter or you just want to hear some good tunes. However I also suggest you catch these guys live-hell of a show...I just hope they put out a live album sooner then later so those unable to make a show can get on board.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

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