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World
& New Age Music Reviews
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Or on the CDs or Music Titles highlighted in these reviews!
By
Kathryn Sargent
 From
the first passionate bars of shakuhachi flute, the
Samurai Collection (Pacific Moon) is no mild-mannered
presentation of Oriental music. Flute and the traditional koto
are joined by electric guitar and thundering taiko drums in this
vibrant celebration of the mystical realm of the samurai. Like
the combination of old and new in instrumentation, the music is
both ancient and modern. It calls forth visions of misty mountain
peaks, remote villages, dancers and drummers, and temple chanters.
“First Image” is an exquisite song which creates the
image of snow seen through an open shoji door; it is as quiet
and reflective as “Winter Dance” is driving and exciting.
Drums are used to express the power of nature in “Forest,”
which sounds like a storm raging and then subsiding with Buddhist
chants. “Midare Uchi” has some raging hot drumming in
the traditional technique of playing Japanese drums and is worth
the price of the album alone! The Samurai Collection
is a perfect musical soundscape for your Earth Day celebrations.
 The
seductive, sinuous rhythms of sitar and bansuri, tabla and oboe
make Nadi (Pacific
Moon) by Susumu Ueda, a sexy accompaniment to your own
rites of spring. This is Shakti and Shiva in the dance of life.
It's the Holy River Ganges bringing new life and carrying
away death's remnants. (Nadi means “big river.”)
And the really interesting thing is that this is India as seen
through the eyes of Japanese musicians Susumu Ueda, Hiroshi
Shibayama, Tadahiro Wakabayashi, and Takeshi Kobayashi.
This is a fresh and fascinating look at India through admiring
eyes. Highly recommended!
A couple of weeks ago (in February), my friends started emailing
me to visit a web site and listen to the music there. Shortly
after visiting and signing on to their web site, I received the
CD from the site, Love Sees No Color by Nassiri
(Nassiri Music, LLC). The emotion and the beautiful, healing lyrics
will embrace your heart. The message is one of world healing:
“Love sees no color, no race, no religion, only through love
can we live as one.” Nassiri immigrated from Iran to the
U.S., where he developed a successful fashion business. His true
love was music, however, and he has written more than 500 songs.
Blending Middle Eastern instrumentation with modern world beat,
the sound is exotic and uplifting. Nassiri believes children will
lead the movement for world peace, and he is donating proceeds
from the title song and video to UNICEF to aid children who are
victims of poverty and war. Children from Thurman White Middle
School's choir recorded the background vocals for the album
and DVD in Red Rock Canyon.
With a voice like rich wine, Carrie Newcomer is a storyteller
who brings us into the lives of a whole cast of characters in
Betty's Diner: The Best
of Carrie Newcomer. Whether it's the spirited
romp, “Bowling Baby,” or the reassuring father with
his little girl in “I'll Go, Too,” or the spirituality
of “Bare to the Bone,” Newcomer's revelations of
the human spirit are each precious gems. Her duet with Alison
Krause, “The Gathering of Spirits,” is simply not to
be missed! More than a songwriter, she's a philosopher, a
teacher, and maybe a preacher. Newcomer facilitates workshops
on writing and spirituality and she'll be appearing in Atlanta
at Eddie's Attic on April 16. Treat yourself!
 I
know this is supposed to be a music column, but I simply have
to tell you about The Best of
Kid Komedy (Uproar Entertainment).The album features
kid entertainers who are every bit as funny as adult comedians.
These graduates of The Kid Komedy Foundation deliver original
material live on stage. “My mom's not the greatest cook.
Last week, she told us it was Cajun night... and she served us
'Blackened' Macaroni and Cheese!” (Rachel, age 8)
“Both my parents are lawyers... so when I do my chores...
I think it's only fair that I bill by the hour.” (Lillie,
age 10). The Kid Komedy Foundation is non profit organization
that teaches stand-up comedy and builds self-esteem in kids ages
8-12 based in Atlanta, GA. Comedy classes and after school programs,
summer comedy camps, and performing arts comedy workshops are
offered for aspiring comedian boys and girls.
 To
get back to music, Ray Leonard's Healing
Space (Ray Leonard Records) is a wonderful example
of how ambient space music can be both spiritual and healing.
While some space music is as cold as the dark reaches between
worlds, Leonard's music is full of warmth and love. Leonard's
magical compositions develop and grow as the album progresses,
building layer on layer of sound from synthesizer, guitar, and
organic sounds like windchimes, waterfalls, frogs and birds. The
birth of his child brought out his nurturing side and that is
clearly evident in his music. Known for his work on Disney's
“Aladdin” and for “Back to the Future,”
this three-time Emmy award winner is on a mission to restore peace
in our lives through his music. He's definitely the right
man for the job!
Kathryn
Sargent is the editor of Aquarius. Contact her at aquarius-editor
@mindspring.com if you would like to write this music column
monthly.
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