It has been awhile since my last post – it has been quite a year! I thought I would give you all a track to calm you down at the end of a busy day – something to quiet your mind and relax you – music that I don’t believe most of you would have heard. It is by a friend and colleague of mine – R. Carlos Nakai – the great Native American Cedar Flutist. Relax and enjoy – a good break from this hectic world! Let me know what you think.
It has been quite awhile since my last post, but I finally have some time for a few musical suggestions. Tunes by an artist that most of you might not know, that are unique, sometimes deeply emotional, moving and fun. If you let yourself go, the music will capture you, as it runs deep and can be uplifting as you listen. So, click on the video links below and let the music transport you out of your reality, into a place of peace, inspiration and renewal – we all could use that a few minutes every day!
My first suggestion is “Boee” (Come) by Idan Raichel. It is my first of 3 suggestions, all by the same artist. The first, is a song that is a combination of Israeli/Ethiopian song. The YouTube video does not start at the beginning of the track, you will have to download the entire track if you like it and want to hear it all – I wanted to give you a taste of the creative spirit of Idan Reichel. He refers to his group as the “Idan Raichel Project” because he is constantly reinventing the group by adding different members and using their individual talents to allow his music to become unique, individual and fresh. It is like a stimulating and passionate conversation that you might have when meeting someone for the first time that shares the same exciting outlook on something that you love. You can hear the fascinating results.
My second suggestion, “Mima’amakim” – “Out of the Depths” The whole idea of this Amharic song (the Semitic language that is the official language of Ethiopia), is that both couples are young and naive.
It is sung in two languages, Hebrew and Amharic with an Ethiopian Dialect. I found the translation on the internet (not mine), however the video has another, different translation as well.
Part 1 — “From deep depths I called to you to come to me – with your return the light in my eyes will come back it’s not finished, I am not leaving the touch of your hands that it may come and light up/wake upon hearing the sound of your laugh.”
Part 2 — “From deep depths I called to you to come to me the moonlight – I will again light your way to me – they’re spread out and melted again, the touch of your hands I whisper, ask in your ears: Who is it that calls to you tonight – listen who sings loudly to you – to your window who put his soul so you’d be happy, who will put his hand and build you your home, who will give his life, put it underneath you – who will be like dust living at your feet – who will love you of all your lovers – who will save you from all evil spirits from the deep depths.
Part 3 — From deep depths I called to you to come to me the moonlight, I will again light your way to me, they’re spread out and melted again the touch of your hands I whisper, ask in your ears: Who is it that calls to you tonight.”
If you have listened to the first two and enjoyed the selections, here is one more! Ayal Ayale – “”The Handsome Hero” – It’s an Ethiopian song about Gondar; a city in Northern Ethiopia, about a handsome hero.
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I am very happy to see that so many readers liked my first “On My Ipod” suggestion, so I am going to quickly post another recommendation. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your feedback! You can leave comments right here on my blog or you can go to my web site, whatever works for you.
Some people would call this music “Symphonic New Age,” to me it is the music that counts, not the classification. The piece speaks to an extremely wide audience, not just lovers of Classical or New Age music, but listeners of all ages. While music critics frown upon my programing Adiemus, audiences love to hear it as evidenced by the large number of emails and letters I receive after performances. I like the fact that the composition is meant to be a musical sanctuary, transporting the listener to a private, personal space, a peaceful and safe place in their momentary dreams, away from the difficult world that surrounds us. I am posting a video of the title song, Adiemus. The song is best listened to with headphones, (or your sound system) with the volume up, so that you are enveloped in a musical embrace that can transport you somewhere, anywhere you choose – it is your song of sanctuary. Don’t try to figure out what language is used, it was invented by the composer. I am looking forward to hearing from you – what are your impressions, does this music take you somewhere?
Adiemus (pronounced /ædiˈeɪməs/) is the title of a series of Vocalise-style albums by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. It is also the title of the opening track on the first album in the series, Songs of Sanctuary.Adiemus was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra with additional performers and a project choral group conducted by Jenkins. The lead vocalist is Miriam Stockley from South Africa. The links are below.
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