We
were quite pleased to see an album with Juliana's name
on it after hearing her vocal work with new age recording
artist Llewellyn. Her debut is entitled Woman Wisdom
(New World Music (UK) NWCD 516); arranged by Llewellyn,
it features eight all-new tracks and a cover of Enya's
"Marble Halls." Juliana has performed on albums by Llewellyn,
Terry Oldfield's Across the Universe and the best selling
album Comet by Medwyn Goodall.
Woman
Wisdom is a new age album with layer upon layer of
lush vocals that will appeal to those that adore Enya,
Máire Brennan and similar artists. It features personal
songs about spirit guides, guardian angels, healing
crystals, animals, self-belief, and includes favourite
myths and legends about the Celts and Mermaids. The
opening track "Runs With The Wind," has a Celtic edge
to it but is sung in English. We especially enjoyed
Juliana's native American flute passage within it.
Lush
keyboard-generated orchestral arrangements perfectly
compliment Juliana's sweet lead vocal and backing
harmonies. The upbeat sax-accompanied "Arianna" is
instrumentally reminiscent of Kenny G, but the sweet
vocals that soar above the instrumentals are uniquely
Juliana. Her vocal treatment of "Marble Halls" is
lovely; the lead vocal is mixed way up with lyrics
easy to understand while the backing harmonies add
a lovely texture to the instrumentals in the choruses.
The
crushing and epic length ballad "Sacred Lake" features
Juliana's evocatively soaring solo and gentle backing
vocals exploring the full extent of her vocal range
and a very delicate orchestral arrangement. "Mermaids,"
another epic-length number; here Juliana's vocals
join Llewellyn and dominate the soothing arrangement
which has been completed with a lovely guitar part
and oceanic sound effects. "Woman Wisdom" and "Lapis
Heart" both have a definite Enya feel with light arrangements
supporting highly memorable melodies and lush backing
vocal layers.
The
atmospheric new age-style ballad "Guardian Angel"
is sung softly and evocatively with the lovely melody
echoed by piano and supported by gentle backing harmonies.
Juliana's album concludes with the standout track
"Wonders Of Life," a number with lush vocals and instrumentals
and a memorable melody certain to appeal to Enya fans.
Well produced arrangements perfectly compliment Juliana's
sweetly sung vocal layers.
We
were impressed with the overall production quality
of the project and remain keen to hear further recordings
by Juliana. Currently available at an attractive price,
this stunning new album by this emerging new age vocalist
is a must listen!
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