Me at a rodeo in Canada, I don't usually wear a stetson!
Me at a rodeo in Canada, I don't usually wear a stetson!
Member since:07.10.2002
Reviews:46
Members who trust:2
As I have said before in reviews, Medwyn Goodall is one of my favourite composers of "new age" music. I find his music very relaxing and inspirational.
Excalibur is the third CD of a trilogy set and is purely instrumental with no actual lyrics. The first CD is Druid (see my review) and second is Merlin (see my previous review). The set is released on the New World Company label and is available in most new age shops or on their website www.newworldmusic.com and is also available on Amazon.
The first track is "Caliburn" which is nearly 8 minutes long. This is a gently flowing track with some high pitched flute notes and subtle percussion. It washes over you like a summer breeze particularly when the pan pipe comes in. Its actually a really good track for just sitting and thinking. Probably my favourite track on the album.
The next track is "Uther & Igrayne" which is quite a long track at just over 10 minutes. Whilst it has some more dramatic deep drumming, it also features the pan pipes which keep it relaxed. Oddly, there are elements in the middle which are almost oriental and remind me of the theme tune to Tenko! Don't let that put you off though, it is still a great track.
The third track is "Beltane" with quite a Celtic introduction. It is a far shorter track at almost 5 minutes. Again there are quite high flute notes soaring away with the Celtic influence repeating throughout the track conjurring images of medieval banquets and dancing.
Next is "The Grail" which has an introduction like wind whistling through caves. It is quite a dramatic start which you almost strain to hear. It is broken by more Oriental sounding notes and eventually more pan pipes. This is another long track at nearly 11 minutes.
The fifth track is "The Last Battle" with a steady beat which helps you almost visualise an army marching to the beat of a drum. This track has a persistent tone to it and a greater sense of drama than the previous tracks on the album.
Last but not least is "Lament" which has a much lighter intro with tinkling chimes and a soothing quality. It feels as it the music is dissolving after the constant beat of "The Last Battle". It is quite uplifting and is sadly the shortest track of all at just over 3 minutes.
Overall the album is very easy to listen to, although possibly a touch intrusive for meditation. Great to listen to whilst working or reading though. For me, it is not quite as good as "Druid" but well worth listening to all the same.
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great review...this will be a real help to me with my own writing experience...
belfin 28.10.2005 20:32
good review but not my cup of tea, Belinda
Collingwood21 27.10.2005 17:02
As a piece of friendly advice, it isn't really a good idea to post reviews back-to-back on ciao. Experienced members will see this and take it as "churning" (when a member produces a large volume of low quality reviews and floods the site with them in a short space of time), even if this is not what you are doing and your reviews are good. If you space them out a bit more you should find you get a better read-per-review rate. :-)
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