Angel Voices
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Free Music Notes for Angel Voices
Free Music Review: A Collection You Won't Be Able To Resist
Hit: 5 Stars
Inside the liner notes, we learn that we're not supposed to call LIBERA a group of choir boys. Instead they should be considered group of vocalists or a "true boy band." Well I love all sorts of choral music, so considering them choir boys does not diminish their talent in my eyes. Since they sing such beautiful music, I'll be more than happy to consider them vocalists because they are top notch vocalists. As far as "true boy band" is concerned, as soon as I hear boy band I think of pure pop: N'Sync and Backstreet Boys, etc. Not that there's anything wrong with pop music, but Libera combines classical boy choir sounds, has difficult contemporary pieces as well as modern arrangements of traditional choral style music and has a sound that is uniquely its own. While it will have popular appeal, it's hardly pop.
The selections are varied and each is beautifully arranged and the performances are excellent. There are basic hymns such as "Abide With Me," "Be Still My Soul," "Going Home" and the English anthem "I Vow To Thee My Country." These tracks show the pure talent the group has as well as the originality of the arrangements. There are some powerful original tracks by Robert Prizeman. Most are based on religious themes: a Sanctus based on Pachelbel's Canon, an Ave Maria, a Salva Me, and a Recordare. There are some tracks that are so inventive and well performed, I had to listen to them over and over. See if you can listen to "Sanctus," "I Am The Day," or "Voca Me" just once. One track that is included that is beautiful, but a bit out of place is "Silent Night." However, it did make me think, perhaps there could be a Christmas collection in the future. As you can probably guess by now, I'm enthralled with this collection.
For some of the tracks this is not the first time they've been released. Libera has been around for a while but this collection is more than likely the one that will expose them to a wider audience. My guess is that this collection will have "crossover" appeal. Fans of Celtic Woman, Amici Forever, Il Divo, and other groups featured on PBS will certainly love it. People who enjoy light classical music will also be likely fans. Choral music buffs and opera lovers may scoff at first. Since I'm in this category it's an automatic first reaction. However, the beauty of the arrangements and musicianship of the group will easily win over even the most cynical music lover.
Perhaps they have a devilish side, typical of young lads the ages of these performers, but their voices are ethereal as the title of the recording ANGEL VOICES suggests.
Enjoy!
Free Music Review: The Wait is Over
Hit: 5 Stars
The wait is over. I received my copy of Libera's latest CD - "Angel Voices" - Nov. 1. This is the third recording they have done on the EMI label. While most of the songs are also on previous Libera CD's, they have been updated with new singers and / or new sounds. I believe that all tracks were recorded specifically for this release. The totally new songs are "Far Away" and "Going Home" (the latter in two versions). A version of "Silent Night" was recorded several years ago when the group went by their earlier name - St. Philip's Boy's Choir - on their "Angel Voices 3" CD. "Salva Me" was done before Libera recorded for EMI.
"Far Away" is one of Libera's newest numbers. They originally performed it as the theme music for a Japanese television production. It has been floating around the internet for several months in various, video versions. Since I had enjoyed it so much on my computer, I was anxious to hear it via CD on my "good" sound system. I was not disappointed. Michael Horncastle does a wonderful job on the solo part. The number is done with beauty and precision. It's one of those melodies that tends to keep running through your mind.
While I like all the numbers on "Angel Voices", the songs that I particularly enjoy are "Far Away" (my favorite) "Be Still My Soul", "We are the Lost", and "Abide with Me". I also appreciate having a traditional Christmas song like "Silent Night" to listen to.
If you are new to the music of Libera, "Angel Voices" is an excellent first experience overview of their music and is highly recommended. The Amazon price is not very expensive for such an excellent recording. If you own the other Libera CD's, the primary advantages of "Angel Voices" are that it features some of the newer soloists like Michael Horncastle, Tom Cully and James Vereycken (who also were featured on Libera - "Visions"); and it is the only recording that includes "Far Away".
I highly recommend "Angel Voices". The singing is excellent. I continue to be amazed at the musicianship and capability of these young men. It is a real joy to hear performers who can hit the pitch right-on every time and who can handle passages as difficult as some you will hear on this recording. The full digital "DDD" EMI recording is very good.
Free Music Review: I have quite fallen in love with the enchanting sound of this CD
Hit: 5 Stars
I was looking for 'All Angels' for my wife at Xmas as she requested, and came across this title. It seemed to go well the older girl band title (even sharing Silent Night and Ava Maria). I have to say that I am quite captivated with Angel Voices, and the ethereal music really fitted the mood over the Xmas. It even makes listening to the CD while doing the washing up seem like a spiritual moment. I suppose the fact that the boys voices are a short lived transient thing and it is all so evocative of childhood that I also find the music very nostalgic (I always loved `Walking in the air'). Plus it's great to see the boy's faces on this CD, rather than a dove or suchlike, as that will make them rightfully proud when showing off this CD as `grown-ups'. You can see all the boys on their official Libera website. Having a ten year old son myself the incongruity of angelic faces and outfits and young boys cheeky behaviour in real life also adds to the charm (they are so full of life). In fact my son loved listening to this CD while mum and older sister were at Xmas midnight mass - he even put his Nintendo DS on top the CD case when he went to bed `as the music was so beautiful' (praise indeed from a Queen/Meatloaf/School Disco fan). It didn't motivate him to rejoin his school choir though.
I don't mind the repetition of tracks throughout the Libera collection - you get all the same titles from Aled Jones to Angelis. Choirboys [and choirgirls] sing this stuff so well - although the lads in Libera prefer to think of themselves as a 'boy band'. And it gives the new boys a chance to record the songs. Plus, as they say in Disney's `Recess'; "It's like food for the soul". You get a lot of tracks on this album (it's a bit like a greatest hits), and I loved `Silent Night', `Abide with me' and `I vow to thee my country' as a child. Highly recommended.
Free Music Review: "ANGEL VOICES A.K.A. LIBERA THE BEST BOY BAND IN THE WORLD"
Hit: 5 Stars
I came accross with these young groups of boys by accident via internet in amazon.com while looking to some classical music like church related. I really loved & amazed with their true "Angelic Voices" as I was listening to their sample music I became happy & relaxed listening to it, as I said to my self that I think I found the right way of music that would fit on my daily music needs. The songs alone are so relaxing eventhough I play it thousand times in my car or home I don't feel bored at all in their music. To me it's very inspiring as sometimes I feel emotional & I listen to it whenever I had problems in my life, I believe their songs is a therapy to all discomfort that happens in my life. I am surely recommending their album to all my friends here with no doubt & regret, so for those of you that loves classic music "why don't you all give it a try"? there is nothing to loose just by trying to listen to it you never know you might like it. I am an active Angel Voices member at their yahoo groups. Also, I always leave a message to their official myspace webpage & to their own libera official website. They have a DVD coming soon to be released by October 2, 2008 & this is the first time that Libera will have a DVD for many years of their presence. I did pre-order my two new DVD's & one CD at amazon.com. I wish their new album would create a wider variety of audience & supporters throughout U.S.A. as what I know that they are planning to have their first U.S. concert in spring of next year 2008. I hope they sell much much more album to gain popularity & to be well known in the U.S.A. I really encourage people to support them & buy their new DVD's & CD to be released on October 2, 2008. Thanks & Peace to all.
CHINO of Sun Shine State Orlando, Florida U.S.A.
Free Music Review: The best Boy Band in the world
Hit: 5 Stars
I heard Libera during a TV appearance early in 2007 and I was mesmerised by the beauty of their performance and since then have played their music daily and it still seems as fresh, moving, thrilling and awe-inspiring as it did all those months ago. While playing their CDs I still find myself literally stopping whatever task is in hand to marvel at the incredible talent on show.
'Sanctus' must be the most joyous and uplifting song ever. 'Ave Maria' is an wonderful piece of work and 'Far Away is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. If you are not feeling strong before playing this album it will play havoc with your emotions.
I have been very fortunate to have seen the boys perform live in concert 3 times in 2007, once on a memorable warm May evening at Arundel cathedral where fans who travelled especially from 3 continents rose to their feet at the end and roared their approval. It was a magical and moving moment. If the boys appear in concert near you you absolutely must go and see them. The live show is just stunning and nothing like any choral concert you will see or hear anywhere else in the world.
I met the boys briefly after a recent UK concert and despite their extraordinary talent they are wonderfully grounded and polite.
Watch out for the DVD of a live TV appearance filmed in Holland in 2007 and keep watching for the possibility of a concert appearance in March 2008 in South London.