Customer Reviews
choral music + Weill + Sondheim
What I found delighted me. I came to this album, sound unheard, as a fan of some of Kanno's quirkier works.
This album is basically divided between music with a classical feel --- somewhat like late nineteenth or early-20th century choral music (there is a marvellous "Hallelujah") --- and songs that sound a bit like Stephen Foster and a bit like Kurt Weill. Many of Kanno's soundtracks have featured choral pieces, and the works here are similar. The Foster/Weill-blend half of the album perhaps resembles her "Be human" album --- music for "Ghost in the Shell"'s tachikoma robots --- most. If you're familiar with Kanno's "Cowboy Bebop" soundtrack, the song "Cats on Mars" is not on this album, but it would not feel out of place.
As I said, I'm a fan of some of her quirkier works, and this album does a good job of tickling that fancy.
Fantastic
An experiment in variety, this cd includes a range of musical style-rock to New Age, classical to the unclassifiable-that leaves you wondering if there isn't a form in which Kanno isn't skilled. Diversity characterizes Yoko Kanno's work, and no cd exhibits this more than Song to Fly. Her mastery over chorus and stringed instruments is an especial highlight, making for a gorgeous cd.
Drums and cymbals evoking Amazons and ancient rites, Atomic Bird features a choral that is tribal, almost primeval, in nature. The song is awesome, furthermore establishing Kanno's knack for writing imaginative and interesting compositions for the chorus, such as those composed for Escaflowne.
Donna Cumberbatch leant her voice, and Tim Jensen his lyrics, for Reunion. The song relies on a violin and piano arrangement that is a pleasure, and rounds off with a slightly Jazzy, saxophone component; the sax is never distracting to the tone of the song, making for a well-rounded composition that is mellow and soft.
The strangely sinister playfulness of Next Time is appropriate for the lyrical subject, but the singer is so horrible that the song only grows nerve-wracking upon repeated listening. Suggestive of a demented circus, the song itself may be a wonderful match for a Tim Burton movie, but outside of that arena it's just too strange to listen to.
ABC Mouse Parade is dark and odd, but in such a way that is humorous and brilliant. Characteristically super-cute, Gabriela Robin trolls lyrics that are English enough to tease the listener, but are unintelligible enough to leave you guessing. With a good beat, and electric guitar and classical instruments (i. e. violins, piano) making for an eclectic mix, ABC has a whimsical, fantastic quality that is all Kanno.
This Eden features a tune that is tender and modest, uncomplicated and New Age, angelic and worthy of lyrics that include "Ave Maria. " A song as simple as this could have easily been overwhelmed with heavy instrumentation, but Kanno reins any problematic, heavy-handed accompaniment in, resulting in a composition that may not be exciting, but is soothing and sweet.
Sounding almost straight from a Bond movie, Jensen wrote Nowhere and Everywhere, a song refreshingly not about love. Violins add a symphonic quality to a tune that is engaging, giving a rock-ish song more depth than most rock music. Steve Conte's voice is perfect for the overall feel; the song has a modern touch, but will be pleasantly familiar to those who listen to the Oldies.
Man in the Desert and The Ship were performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic and Chorus, and are reminiscent of Escaflowne, but on a subtler scale. Man in the Desert, suggestive of a sense of motion, begins with a lonely, chillingly beautiful tune, that steadily builds to an inspirational climax as orchestra and chorus unite. Jubilant and majestic, The Ship apexes in a dramatic, almost frantic crescendo of orchestra and chorus, each part playing off each other in everything we have come to expect from Kanno. Hallelujah continues in the same vein, and listening to the three songs in a row gives them a true cohesiveness, one leading into the other naturally and seamlessly.
Artisan is a solo piano piece with an enjoyable tune, and suffers from only one flaw: it is too short, ending just as you begin to expect more. Nonetheless, it is still a great track.
With a full-piece orchestra playing vibrantly and a soprano singing her heart out, most operatic style songs are exhausting to listen to. Effortless in its attributes, Lydia is an exception: a single soprano (Jadwiga Rappe) sings a beautifully simple and sad melody to the accompaniment of a single piano that plays just as simply, resulting in a song that is, overall, easy on the ears and on the nerves.
There are many cds produced by excellent artists, but many of them tend to grow monotonous upon repeated listening. Most often, the similar music style of every song leads the listener to skipping past most of the cd to get to the "good ones. " Song to Fly defies this, never becoming repetitive and tedious: every song is interesting and unique. Indeed, the "uniqueness" of several songs maybe initially surprising, but every song exhibits a beauty and mastery, and repeated listening only proves to increase appreciation. .
Album To Fly
I blind bought this CD since I was a big Yoko Kanno fan. . The first time I listened to it, I was soooo disappointed. . . I found myself not liking a single piece. . . So, I scrapped the CD to the shelf and let it collect dust. . . Then, one strange day, I decided to listen to it (dunno why, just felt like giving it a second chance). . . Praise be to heavens! I was so glad I did!!! Now I carry this CD with me in my CD case along with all other Yoko Kanno CDs I have for my collection!. . . This album really deserves a second chance if you didn't like it the first time!. . .
1. Atomic Bird - A striking chorale of The Cosmic Voices Of Bulgaria. . . The first part is not that lively, but the second part sets off some very engaging scatting and singing. . . Then the song ends with a nice finale of chanting. . .
2. Reunion - There's something about Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch's voice that's very calm yet strong. . . She's the one who sang the fantastic Mushroom Hunting (Cowboy Bebop: Blue OST, track 4) and grossly misunderstood The Singing Sea (Cowboy Bebop: No Disc OST, track 15). . . I don't particularly find myself listening to this track, but the calm I get from this song is very satisfying. . . Somewhat sounds like one of those Christian Life song IMO. . .
3. Next Time - Dark, villainous, drunkenness. . . All comes to mind with this song. . . Franco Sansalone does a perfect job of singing this drunkard song. . . Oddly, children joins him in singing and turns more lively, sounding like a carousel or carnival in tune!?!?. . .
4. ABC Mouse Parade - Another dark but cute song. . . I guess it does remind me of a mouse parade for a children's cartoon. . . Not a fave of mine, but worth listening to once in a while when in the mood. . . The mood changes entirely though by the end cuz electric guitars finish off the song. . .
5. This EDEN - sounds very similar to 23 Hanashi (Cowboy Bebop: Cowgirl Ed Mini-disc, Track 6). . . The same kid sings a nice tune by the end as well. . . This time though he sings Maria, probably pertaining to THE Immaculate Virgin Maria. . . Not that bad, but I really prefer 23 Hanashi better though. . .
6. Nowhere And Everywhere - Now we come to the BEST song Yoko Kanno made for Steve Conte (In my honest opinion, of course). . . Like the other person below said, I didn't like this song at first!. . . Oh, how could I have been so dumb!. . . This has skyrocketed way up high my favourite Yoko Kanno pieces (or any other songs for that matter!!!). . . I love the lyrics, the strings/piano composition, Steve's voice, and especially the 60's Beatles feel to it!. . .
7. The man in the desert - I'm gonna sound like a dolt sharing this but: One day, I was waiting in a bus stop by a not too busy yet a highly commercial street on a nice sunset WHILE I was listening to this track in my Discman. . . Then pigeons started flying by above (probably about a hundred, there were LOTS). . . My mouth hanged opened and I tells ya' it was such a perfect song to go along with that moment I gotta share the experience!. . . A-N-Y-W-A-Y-Z, other than that I love this piece. . . If any of you have seen the inspiring animated short "The Man Who Planted Trees" (narrated by Christopher Plummer), THIS, in my opinion, is a picture perfect theme for it !. . .
8. Artisan - This is a nice piece but reminds a whole lot of Greensleeves. . . I still like it though. . .
9. The Ship - Doesn't start out that exciting, but. . . . . . . wait for it. . . . . . . . Aah. . . . It escalates to a better piece especially the strong chorale and violins at the end. . . It kinda does remind me of a "Hook"-type ship (Now I really sound like a dolt!). . .
10. Hallelujah - Ms. Yoko Kanno's version of the ever-so-sung Christian chorale piece: HALLELUJIAH. . . I like this version, it has two parts (A lively beginning and a peaceful ending); but I still prefer the more famous Hallelujah mainly played during Christmastime and the less famous Hallelujah from The Sound OF Music (1965). . . But that doesn't mean I still don't like listening to this one. . . It's still a fantastic track. . .
11. Lydia - Jadwiga Rappé sings a more soothing Opera-type song. . . Not a fave of mine although it ends a magnificent CD.
. You can see a complete list of all Yoko Kanno discography, or go back to the Yoko Kanno tabs
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