For the past several days I’ve been listening to Libera’s new CD Peace and I’ve been trying to figure out just what I think about it. I hate to say it, but it’s not my favorite Libera album. It’s nice, of course, very nice and pretty. It has those special Libera harmonies that we all love. The music and the singing are both just great.
I guess it’s just that none of the songs really stand out from the others. Even though I’ve played it a dozen times I still can only name a couple of them. All of the songs have a similar, slow tempo, which I suppose is intended to make us feel peaceful, like the title says.
I expected a few dramatic choruses like in Far Away or You Were There. It would have been nice to hear something powerful like Sanctus or a fun song like Orinoco Flow.
My favorite song is Exsultate which is an Irish sounding tune by Ben Philipp. He handles the bouncing rhythms like a pro.
Daniel Fontannaz sings a good version of Panis Angelicus.
I’m sure everyone has heard Sanctissima by now so you know how pretty it is. The others are similar.
As I said, all of the songs are pretty and it’s fun to hear the new boys getting a turn in the spotlight. There are new soloists but Josh, Tom and Ben are still going strong, too.
One interesting thing about the CD is seeing who is no longer listed as being part of Libera. The Cole brothers are gone and so is Zac Lockett, Joe Snelling and Michael V.
There are 26 choristers shown on the back side of the folding liner notes and their names are listed inside but I have no idea which boy is which. I think we need another DVD so they can introduce themselves again.
This is another Opendisc CD from EMI and it is supposed to give us access to other Libera information but my six-year-old computer won’t connect to it. My office computer tries to but the company filters prevent it. Maybe something there identifies the new boys. I suppose I’ll never know.
I'm sure everyong has their copy by now but in case someone doesn't, buy the CD and support Libera. You’ll like it.
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It's a tough one to answer Larry. With the fame they have achieved the bar is always set very high - but truly memorable albums by famous artists is something that is difficult to achieve on a consistant basis - for some gold surfaces more often than not - but every now and again it may be that only silver surfaces.
ReplyDeleteAs for the matter of introductions to the newer boys a request by yourself on thier website might throw up some information to help you here's hoping.
Regards Stef
I think you're right, Stef. I unconsciously expect more from Libera than from other choirs. They are always good.
ReplyDeleteI ordered their CD from Amazon.UK just so I wouldn't have to wait the extra month for the US release and I paid extra for the 3 day delivery. I'm glad I did. They're the only choir I get really excited about.
Larry - how could you?
ReplyDeleteAs it happens I agree - it isn't amongst their greatest works but it isn't in anyway bad and there are some nice tracks that deserve some recognition.
My biggest gripe is that RP's lyrics seem to repeat quite a bit; I think he has admitted that he struggles to write lyrics and it does show. Funnily enough Exsultate is one of the songs I like least - no accounting for taste!
The track that I'm really in two minds about is Ben's (as in big Ben) Touch The Sky. Completely un-Libera like, twee (sickly?) but I actually think it ain't bad!
By the way, I've sent you an email with some names of the boys on it (although I think you said somewhere you were on dial up so maybe you won't be able to download them at home)
I don't know them, but I'm off to look them up right now!
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