jiastar's Full Review: Circle of Women by Circle Of Women
Let me start by telling you about 2 loves of mine. The first is music which touches my spirit, and the second is choral singing. I love the act of raising my voice in celebration. This CD allows me to sing along to songs and chants, many of which are arranged in choral fashion, which uplift my soul.
Circle of Women is a group of 6 women:
Windsong, Freyda Epstein, Alice Di Micele, Tina Malia, Elouise Burrell, and Shelley Phillips. Their voices range from an apparent female tenor to light sopranos. They blend and harmonize well and for the most part work acapella. This is a CD that I recommend listening to on headphones so you don't miss any of the vocal details.
This is a CD geared toward an audience involved in or comfortable with woman centered, or Goddess-oriented spirituality. If this goes against your own religious practices, please know this up front.
The album is 17 songs is length. You definitely get your money's worth. And I can honestly say that I <>love</b> all but 2 pieces.
Earth My Body
An energizing chant sung by all 6 member of "Circle of Women" reminds us that our very bodies are sacred. I love the way their voices intertwine harmonies and melodies. It is a striking piece!
"Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath, and fire my spirit."
Circle Round for Freedom
This reminds me of a gospel-esque hymn. Something that may have been sung on Civil Rights marches. It makes me think of all the ways we strive for peace, of all the ways we find ourselves imprisoned, and how we all want is freedom - freedom from sorrow, from pain, from loneliness.
"Circle round for freedom, circle round for peace, for those of us in prison, circle for release ... circle round the planet, circle for each soul, for our future generations, keep the circle whole."
Oh, ho the Pretty Chain - trad. Shaker hymn
If I could set any one song up as "auto-skip", this would be it. While the song is lovely - speaking to how we are all connected by chains of love and spirit - its arrangement tends to rub me the wrong way. It seems to lack the same balance of low and high voices so beautifully shared in the rest of the CD.
We Shall Lift Each Other Up
This song seems to have almost a beat of "the islands" accented with what seems to be a fiddle. It speaks to humility. How none of us is any better than anyone else. How each of us can both teach and learn. How we must let go of self-importance and treat each other with love and honor.
Simple Gifts - trad. Shaker hymn
I have fallen in love with this song. I find myself singing it even when the CD is not playing. It is a call to simplify your life, to get rid of the clutter in both your outer and inner world in order to make room for peace, for joy, and for your "true purpose". It is sung "simply" and sweetly.
'tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free
Umamu Ya Jabula - trad. South African
While they share the African lyrics - there is no translation provided. It is sung in a call/response fashion. It is quite lovely, I only wish I knew what it means.
Ancient Mother
This is a moving piece from the Neo-Pagan tradition. It makes me feel connected to the Divine, as seen as Goddess. Some gorgeous rich harmonies here!!
Ancient Mother, I hear you calling; Ancient Mother, I hear your song; Ancient Mother, I hear your laughter; Ancient Mother, I taste your tears
Mother of Darkness/We all Come From the Goddess
Enhanced with the sounds of rattles and Native American flutes. A blend of 2 Neo-Pagan chants honoring the Divine as Goddess. I do not know which of the 6 women is singing the low-part. But, her tenor (and yes that is what part she is singing) is GORGEOUS. A favorite!
O' She Will Bring/ Musical Priestess
This song has almost a Renaissance feel to it, something that you would expect to hear at a "Ren Faire". It is a short fable of sorts told in song. We journey with the Goddess through each of the 4 seasons.
Siyahamba - trad. South African Freedom Song
Sung in both African and English, with lovely sun-dappled harmonies. You can feel the joy in these women's hearts in this song. It simply resonates!!!
We are marching in the light of God
Celebrate the Rain
This is written by one of the women in this wonderful vocal group. It is accented by the sound of rainsticks. It is a call, a reminder, that everything is worthy of celebration. The rain, the trees, EVERYTHING. That we shouldn't let one moment of beauty go by without at least acknowledging it.
Spirit of the Plants
This is written by a "New Age" performer not a part of this group, Lisa Thiel. I like this song, but I'm not thrilled by it. It is light and lyrical - with a harp being played in the background. Seems to be sung in praise of Mother Nature personified.
Down by the Riverside
Complete with rhythmic clapping - this IS a gospel hymn. Your toes will tap, you will clap and sing along, you will feel spiritually rejuvenated.
I ain't gonna study war no more.
Full Moonlight Dance
I have heard this song sung on other compilations, by different performers. This is the first time I have heard it sung in a fashion where you can almost hear giddiness and laughter in the voices. And it this particular song/chant - laughter is fitting. This song does have musical accompaniment, but it serves only to compliment the voices and not detract from them.
Mother I Feel You
A song which sings to the Divine as both Mother and Father - and how we can connect to Them in our every day lives by seeing Their reflections in the wonders and beauties of nature.
Accented with rattles and drums -- this is an empowering song. The rattles make it almost a mystical experience.
Woman am I, Blessed am I
A song which speaks to the sacredness of each one of us. How we are blessed, how we have a spirit within us of us which is eternal. This is another piece which is flavored with gospel music. It is flowing and rhythmic and a song to be savored.
May the Circle be Open
Based on words traditionally said at the end of ritual in the Neo-Pagan tradition. This is a fitting end to this CD as it was, for me, a spiritual experience. I was touched, I was moved and I was renewed.
This is a deceivingly simple tune. When you listen closely you hear how finely the voices have blended on this piece. It was a soft and gentle way to close.
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