Search - Velton Ray Bunch :: Xena: Warrior Princess - Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire: Original Television Soundtrack

Excellent!

Sarah Packard | New York, USA | 06/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fun must-have for any Xena fan, as it not only includes all of the terrific musical numbers from the Season 5 episode "Lyre, Lyre, Hearts On Fire," (plus a Xena-Gabrielle duet cut from the final ep, The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out," which is one of my favorites on the CD) but also has some previously unreleased stuff like the "Tara's Dance" song from the Season 4 episode "A Tale of Two Muses"...all in all it's the perfect music for a Xenite party or fan fest, or just to sing (and dance) along to when you need a campy musical release. Lucy Lawless and Ted Raimi have terrific voices, for one, and the gals who stand in for Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle are top-notch as well and even sound kinda like her (as with "The Bitter Suite". Anyway, Joe LoDuca has definitely scored another winner here!"

Highly enjoyable! A must have for Xena Fans.

Dr. Li-ann Thio | 07/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lyre Lyre certainly departs from the previous 4 Xena soundtrack releases which explores more "world" music ( a wonderful introduction to Bulgarian female choral singing in Vol.1) or the melodramatic broadway-esque rendition that is the "Bitter Suite". This release is idiosyncratic but for a Xena fan, in a highly enjoyable way. We get the bonus of tracks not actually featured in the episode of the same name. I particularly enjoyed the cover of "We can work it out" - the Beatles visit ancient Thrace! Even more novel, Renee O'Connor makes a valiant attempt at singing on Gettin'Ready which brings out a big ol'cheesy grin, but then I am a biased fan. I must say that Susans Calloway and Wood who perform the more substantial Gabrielle singing parts execute a fine performance and sound like Gabrielle would sound. As usual, this CD is a showcase for Lucy Lawless' "many skills", insofar as the singing department is concerned though, with respect, please don't rap again :). Surprisingly, a standout track is "Dancin'in the Moonlight' sung by Ted Raimi as Jace - although I am neither a big fan of campy cheese or 70s disco/glitter music, this song is positively infectious, as is People got to be free", in the feel-good sense. There we have it, disco, broadway, rap, 60s jingle-jangly music, a hilarious punkish version of "Always something there to remind me" by Jay La Ga ía - a most eclectic collection of songs which will probably annoy the uninitiated but delight the crazy inhabitants of the Xenaverse. It also includes some wonderful LoDuca compositions from Season 4, notably Tara's Song and the moving "remixed" version of "Grieving Dance". Outstanding in its quirkiness and camp and largely upbeat and well, FUN...but certainly not for everyone's palate: de gustibus non est disputandum."

Lyre, Lyre sets the place on Fire

A. McKaig | Gainesville, Georgia United States | 06/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a Xena fan from episode 1. As such I swallowed up everything including the CD's. Each one had great music that let you visualizing their respective show. Lyre Lyre has gone beyond that. With this CD you feel like you are watching Xena in concert. Loduca has included themes from A Tale of Two Muses and the funeral dirge from End Game. Best of all we finally get to hear the real Rene O' Conner on we can work it out, a song cut from the show. Lucy rocks and I have a whole new respect for Ted Raimi. The Guy is good! Where Bitter Suite was an opera (and a great one at that) Lyre Lyre..is a rock show. Complete with cool costumes and hot lyre licks. We must have more Jace! This is a must have for any Xena fan and I would like to see some main air play on some of these great compositions. Hats off and Lyres afire to the cast and crew and Mr. Loduca for a great treat to my ears!"