Search - Various Artists, Felicia Sorensen, Trammell Starks :: A Trilogy of Fantasy

An intriguing vision of another realm

Brianna Neal | USA | 10/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Composed by New Age artist Trammell Starks, this album shimmers with magical, upbeat instrumentation and the wispy, otherworldly vocals of Felicia Sorenson, sung and occasionally spoken in a language that either doesn't exist or that I'm not familiar with. In tone and style, it reminds me rather much of "The Merlin Mystery," by Alkaemy (which was created as an accompaniment to--of all things--a book of clues for a modern-day, Arthurian-based treasure hunt). While the songs here tend to be a little more repetitive than those of Alkaemy, "A Trilogy of Fantasy" still makes a rich, solid musical statement in an enjoyable and professional manner. Released during the "Lord of the Rings" craze generated by Peter Jackson's first movie, and unfortunately packaged to give that impression, this album has suffered through expectations that it interprets Tolkien's work, and disappointment that it does not. This may be why there are two versions of it--the original, released in 2001 with a green cover and billed as "Part One," and a re-packaged re-release (red cover) from 2004 with no further mention of "Part One" or any other part. Both CDs seem to contain the same music. "A Trilogy of Fantasy" may not be everyone's idea of a fantasy soundtrack (ala grim sword-and-sorcery), but it should certainly appeal to fans of lighter, magically oriented fare, and ethereal, beat-driven New Age music. For more fantasy fare, try also Alkaemy's "The Merlin Mystery," and just about anything by Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning, David Arkenstone, Llewellyn or Enya.

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