Review
by Musical Discoveries
The new release by Llewellyn entitled Sacred Circles
is a nine track ensemble of cinematic soundscapes again
featuring Juliana's lovely vocals. Our interview with
Llewellyn provides extensive insight into the album's
themes and development. The album includes Chris Conway
on Irish whistles and guitars and Tori Donovan on low
whistle and recorders.
The
opening track, "Stardancing (into the Light),"
is an upbeat track with excellent vocal work sung
by the two artists. Whistles, recorders and piano
with warm keyboard washes take over in "Sacred
Space," and characteristic of Llewellyn's new
age style album include layers of Juliana's vocalise
for texture and harmony. Read about the artists' work
together further in the interview.
Juliana's
layered vocals play a larger role in the three parts
of "Celtic Triple Goddess," and work well
along acoustic percussion, harp, whistles and piano.
Despite numerous tempo and mood changes, the parts
of the 13+ minute suite blend together seamlessly.
Texture, percussion and the vocal layering are--as
typical of these artists' work--all superb.
"The
Ritual" is a dramatic and moody new age track
with lush keyboard washes. Dark in parts and bright--from
lovely acoustic guitar riffs and varous woodwind sounds--in
others, the complex and cinematic melody is certain
to draw the listener in. "Casting the Circle"
is an upbeat and atmospheric instrumental epic incorporating
a variety of world instruments, lush keyboards and
whistle melodies that cruise atop crisp percussion.
Juliana's lovely vocals conclude the track.
Instrumental
and vocal layers join lovely whistle solos in "Release,"
with keyboard sequencing and water sounds contributing
additional atmosphere. The album concludes with the
lushly produced track "Silver Wheel," a
lyrically oriented track that serves as the second
bookend, perfectly complimenting "Stardancing."
While the vocalise and instrumental material between
them is lovely, the opening and closing tracks will
be viewed by many as the most accessible of the album.
While
Sacred Circle is a heavily-themed album, it has all
of the modern Celtic musical elements we now expect
from Llewellyn and Juliana. The team's website is
available by clicking on the album cover. There you'll
find photos, soundbites, further information and video
segments. The album is generally available. We will
provide an amazon.com link to it as soon as the listing
is created. Clearly worth a trans-Atlantic journey,
the newest album from Llewellyn and Juliana is a must
listen!
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