Here's
one for fans of Enya, Loreena McKennitt, and other women
vocalists in the new age music genre. Juliana, wife
of new age artist Llewellyn (and a recording artist
in her own right), has released Woman Wisdom, an album
that showcases her ethereal and beautiful voice. Featuring
the substantial instrumental performing talents of her
husband (joined on two tracks by guest artist Kevin
Kendle as well), the real star here is,undoubtedly,
Juliana's lovely lilting voice, which has a more human
quality than Enya's yet is seldom mired down by the
engineering excesses which seem to crop up on Enya's
recordings sometimes.
This
album is a delight if you have a fondness for beautiful
female vocals. The lyrics, while overtly new agey
for the most part (song titles include "Sacred
Lake," "Mermaids," and "Guardian
Angel"), are also not over the top or overly
pretentious. Juliana's sincerity when she sings is
unquestionable - just the same, if new age spirituality,
mythology or romanticism bother you, just ignore the
words and revel in the luxurious melodies and that
sensual, soft voice as it pours forth from your speakers.Some
of the songs on Woman Wisdom come very close to a
pop music sensibility (read: radio-friendly and accessible),
such as "Arianna," which features a midtempo
beat and multi-tracked vocals, anchored by both piano
and keyboards. "Marble Halls," (my personal
fave on the album) which Enya has also recorded, gets
a fresh treatment here, via a more uptempo arrangement
with a more overt rhythm track - nicely done! "Sacred
Lake" is appropriately mystical and haunting,
with echoed drums and plucked synths aiding Juliana's
soft whispery vocals.
Normally, I shy away from reviewing, let alone endorsing
or recommending, a vocal album. However, I am a huge
Llewellyn fan, considering him second only to Kevin
Kendle when it comes to composing and performing gentle,
rhythmic and melodic new age music. Combine Llewellyn's
considerable instrumental skills (and he composed
all the songs here, with the exception of "Marble
Halls") with Juliana's exquisite and expressive
vocals and you have an album that can be enjoyed without
even reading the (included in the liner notes) lyrics.
By turns sensuous ("Mermaids"), dramatic
("Woman Wisdom"), and serene ("Guardian
Angel"), Juliana's voice is like tonic for a
troubled soul - and I know that sounds sappy as hell,
but I'm serious. I can't address the issue of whether
you will "like" the lyrical content of these
nine songs. But the beauty of this artist's voice,
and the accompanying music, is obvious. Woman Wisdom
is recommended to romantics everywhere, for romance
is at the heart of this lovely and uplifting album.
In short, it's a true delight.
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