Yanni - Ethnicity
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Free Music Notes for Ethnicity
Free Music Review: Some great songs, but not one of his best CD's
Hit: 4 Stars
When I first listened to this album, I was very dissappointed by all the "singing". In the past, I have loved Yanni's albums from the first time they spin in my CD player. However, Ethnicity is a bit different. This music requires your full attention, but the genius of it eventually comes through. Yanni has used the human voice as an instrument, one of many in the repertoire. On most tracks, the addition of the human voice is well thought out and adds to the music overall. For example, "RITES OF PASSAGE", "FOR ALL SEASONS", and "RAINMAKER" incorporate the voice beautifully, and has added a new element to Yanni's music. However, overall, the singing is bit much, and not in keeping with what we expect from Yanni. The use of voices at the end of "NEVER TOO LATE" seems forced, and overall there are just too many tracks with voices. The two tracks using all out lyrics are good, especially "ALMOST A WHISPER" which is an amazing re-recording and lyrical rendition of a wonderful but forgotten song from Reflections of Passion. The highlight songs on this album are "RITES OF PASSAGE", "RAINMAKER" and "PLAYING BY HEART", all of which will be awesome when played live. Can you imagine how exciting it will be to see "RAINMAKER" played live, with an Australian aborigine on the digeridoo, Karen Briggs smoking the strings of the violin, Pedro Eustace on winds, and the long awaited return of Charlie on drums. What a celebration of world music. What a celebration of ETHNICITY. Enjoy.Free Music Review: Not what you'd expect maybe.......
Hit: 4 Stars
but still a very good, original project from Yanni, who has been evolving and expanding his musical horizons ever since his break-through "Live at the Acropolis" success. This CD represents influences from so many cultural and global experiences. His music never could be defined or categorized before this CD - now, with "Ethnicity", one could argue that he fits all categories. Elements of classical, rock, jazz, opera merge with African, Asian and Greek (the last track is a Greek-lyricized homily on the heartbreak of a mother's loss) rhythms. Yes, there is high-tech instrumentation, but Yanni balances it with the soothing violin of Karen Briggs, Pedro Eustache's saxophone and flutes and many backing vocals, plus a digideroo highlight on "Rainmaker". There's no doubt that he is gambling with his fans, by including so many atypical vocal backgrounds (even if only two tracks are traditionally sung efforts) - as witnessed by some scathing reviews, there are a lot of fans turned off by this change in direction. Don't let it discourage you from buying the CD, however - aside from the special DVD of a 1995 concert in London being included as a bonus at no extra price, there is a special and rich sound quality in this project that will appeal to all fans of Yanni's career. Don't expect it to sound like his other projects - just expect the innovation and vitality to be there as always, and appreciate it for what it brings.Free Music Review: Much better than If I Could tell You
Hit: 4 Stars
I must say that this album is much better than Yanni's previous one - If I could tell You. In this album, Yanni seems to have struck old form, though none of the tracks are comparable to the grandeur of Live at the Acropolis.However, this album - for me - is his best studio publication to date. It is good for two reasons, the first being the presence of two of Yanni's colleagues - Karen Briggs and Pedro Eustache - in this album. Secondly, the themes are quite energetic and ear-pleasing.
The ethnic content in the compilation justifies the title. The voice-overs are good in most places but seem a bit out-of-place at some occasions. The rhythm section has been pretty strong - particularly in 'For All Seasons', 'Playing by Heart' and 'Tribal Dream'. 'Almost a Whisper' is a good track although I prefer the instrumental ones to it.
If you want to listen to some good instrumental music, then 'Playing by Heart' and 'Never too Late' are reasons enough to buy this album.
Overall, a good compilation with some very good tracks - a must for Yanni fans and a good means of introducing Yanni's music to those who haven't heard it.
Free Music Review: Takes some getting used to.
Hit: 4 Stars
The previous release, "If I Could Tell You," was a nice detour from "Acropolis" and "Tribute." The works were significantly scaled-down (in a good way, i.e., lacking grandiose orchestration), while maintaining Yanni's signature style. You could say, he got back to his pre-"Acropolis" roots with this album.Now with "Ethnicity," Yanni takes his music in a new direction. It's quite different, though I can't yet like/dislike it. He adds a few instruments back, including a LOT of vocals, with an apparent emphasis on African tribal rhythms. Though it all sounds great, it lacks the endearing (piano) touch of past works. It's a great album overall, though - I suppose once I get used to it, I might give it 5 stars.
Favorite tracks include "For All Seasons" (high-energy!) and "Almost a Whisper" (return to original work with beautifully sung lyrics added). The only [flop] is "The Promise," the other track with English lyrics - it sounds like a Lite-FM selection.
Free Music Review: Yanni Gets Out Of the Instrumental Rut
Hit: 4 Stars
I've been a long time fan of Yanni ever since purchasing Out of Silence when it came out in 1990 (which still remains one of my favorite Yanni albums.) I've purchased many of his albums since, and there's always an underlying 'sound' that's the same from album to album, that's only started to change a bit in recent years. For awhile, all the music started to sound the same.This album is a wonderful departure from that 'sound'. It's still recognizably Yanni, but it doesn't sound like every other work of his from the 1990's. The rhythms are a recognizable 'world' style that seems to permiate a lot of music these days while the vocals are soaring and lush - this album is just -beautiful-. Ethnicity should put an end to the title 'Yawnni' .