was revisiting this album and then googled. Here is an interesting review. More related links at the end of this mail.
http://hometown.aol.com/musbuff/page74.htm BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH 15 Tracks [Total Time = 51:09] Music composed by A.R. Rahman. Czech Film Orchestra and Chorus, Matt Dunkley, Conductor. Solo instrumentalists: Martin Robertson (Duduk); Won On Yuen (Erhu); Chou Boon Chong (Dizi); S. Silvamani (Taiko Drums & Percussion); Raja Tirupathi & Kumar Vuuri (additional percussion); Noreen Kumar (Flute); Vaclav Sykora (Recorder). Solo vocalists: Sadhana Sargam ("Warriors of Peace" - Hindi lyrics by Mehboob Alam); Sunitha Sarathy ("Warriors of Peace" - English lyrics by BlaaZe). Executive Producer: Paul Cremo. A&R Manager: Alison Riach. Art Direcftion and Design by Chris Austopchuck and Detchapat Arttasan. Recorde on June 13-20, 2003 at Sahara Sound Ltd.; London: Rudolfinum & Sono Studios; Prague: Panchathan Record-Inn, Chenn. Sony Classical SK 92494 Rating: ***1/2 After all the media attention given to Rahman, I was expecting something really spectacular on this CD. In a recent article in TIME Magazine (3 May 2004), Allah Rakha Rahman [his name at birth was: A.S. Dileep Kumar] is called "The Mozart of Madras." That is such foolishness! It is simply unfair to compare this young Indian composer to one of the greatest classical music geniuses of all time. They come from totally different backgrounds and traditions. But Rahman is probably more popular than Mozart today, at least in Bombay and other South Asian locations. At only 38, his music has sold more than 40 million units worldwide. Thanks to the encouragement of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, who called him "a melodic genius," Rahman wrote a musical titled BOMBAY DREAMS, his first Western theatrical success which has run for several years in London. For this first CD using symphonic orchestra and ethnic instruments, Rahman has drawn from his score to the Chinese film, WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. This is an album of both delights and disappointments. It features a combination of Western and Asian styles, using traditional orchestra and ethnic instruments. This isn't the first time such a combination has been employed. Tan Dun did it successfully in CROCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, and so did Zhao Jiping in his Electric Shadows compilation. The music on BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH provides enough to keep things moving along, if not always leading to enthralling listening. Many of the tracks don't allow for much expansion of ideas. "The Golden Era" (3:56), starts off very nicely with a solo flute playing a flavorful ethnic theme, followed by the orchestra and wordless chorus. It's a good beginning to the CD. The next track has the song that Rahman wrote for the WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH soundtrack. The song is titled "Warriors in Peace" and is recorded in both a Hindi version (track 2, 4:45) and English version (track 15, 4:31). I didn't care much for the song, but it may interest those who want to have alternate versions. The whispery voice at the beginning of the song makes it even less appealing. No song lyrics are provided in the CD flyer. This is unfortunate since it is difficult to understand what is being sung. At least the English lyrics would have been helpful. On this collection there are a wide diversity of forces used by Rahman. One is chant, as heard on "Lord An's Empire" (track 3, 3:31). The singers are accompanied by drums and percussion and the constant repetition may seem pleasing or not depending on your interest in this sort of world music. I didn't find it very memorable. Another technique is the use of a solo instrument to introduce the theme. This is so on the track titled "Water" (track 4, 3:52), featuring the mesmerizing solo music of the duduk. I've always been drawn to the sounds of lower instruments. For me, this track is very expressive. I believe it's the best one on the CD. After this highly emotional music, the next track sinks into overblown rhythmic tedium. It's titled "Horses" (2:27), and features wordless chorus and drums, and unfortunately reminded me a bit of James Horner's less than stellar music. What does the title represent? The connection between the titles and the music are not explained in the CD flyer. Next comes a beautiful track titled, "Mountains" (1:49), featuring solo flute and orchestra. Such a shame it's so brief. As already mentioned, this CD alternates between Western and Eastern styles. Besides the good ones already mentioned, there are also "Blue Light" and "The Monk and the Miracle" (tracks 10-11). These offer more soothing sounds and have much to savor and enjoy. There is also a track taken from the Chinese film (track 14, 4:27) which is a nice addition. Two tracks highlighting Chinese instruments, "Dacoit Duel" and "Lai Chi" (tracks 7-8) were not to my liking but may appeal to those who like rhythmic drumming. Another track, with the ironic title of "Desert Storm" (track 12, 5:19), is rather monotonous, at least to my ears. I had the same reaction to the next track, "Escape" (2:33). Yet even with my reservations--mainly the song and a few tracks--this is still a worthwhile CD to sample the music of A.R. Rahman. He is a composer to watch out for in the future. If you enjoy the combination of Western and Asian music then you should find BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH quite appealing. --Roger Hall, 6 May 2004 http://musicstore.mymmode.com/album.do?albumID=815889 http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/articles/2004/03_Nov--- CD_Reviews_Battlestar_Galactica_and_Between_Heaven_and_Earth.asp ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. 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