Yanni - Tribute

Yanni's gargantuan popularity unfortunately makes him an easy target for those who see his orchestrally inspired works as glorified musical wallpaper. But if they'd listen for the whole picture before judging, it would be clear that he brings classically influenced symphonic qualities to modern instrumental music; it's highly charged film scoring, only without the movie. The musical images comprising Tribute and the photos in the packaging come from the famous places that not only inspired it but at which it was performed: India's Taj Mahal and China's Forbidden City. While conventional string and brass instruments lead the way, Pedro Eustache's bamboo sax and Doodook and the gypsy-flavored lead violin of Karen Briggs supply appropriate dashes of Eastern culture. "Waltz 7/8" combines the traditional western rhythm scheme with Eustache's exotic flute improvisation. As always, Yanni plays keyboards, but he's more a ringmaster/conductor of an inspiring, symphonic brew that includes gospel and flamenco (with rousing vocals and an accompanying guitar textured over a mid size string section), powerful violin/funky sax duets (the core of the seven-minute "Renegade"), improvisational trumpet ("Dance With a Stranger"), and an intoxicating weave of an orchestra with upward climbing operatic voices. Yanni and friends tap on another culture on the closing track, the previously recorded African tribal piece "Niki Nana," which features Eustache's percussive flute and a hooky wordless vocal chant from a gospel-flavored, female choir. As we see from the other artists this month, there are many ways to build musical bridges between East and West; Yanni's approach is spiritual grandeur in a beautiful, theatrical setting. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Name Credits Aleksandr Zhirov Cello, Celli Alfreda Gerald Vocals Ann Lasley Violin, Choir, Chorus Anthony Stabile Mixing Assistant, Assistant Engineer April Aoki Harp Armen Anassian Violin, Conductor Beth Folsom Violin Cathy Paynter Choir, Chorus, Viola Catte Adams Choir, Chorus, Vocals Cheryl Foster Oboe Cheryl Ongaro Violin Chris Bellman Mastering Clifton Foster Concert Master Corinne Chapelle Violin Dana Hughes Trombone (Bass) Daniel Reyes Percussion, Choir, Chorus David Hudson Didjeridu Delia Park Violin, Choir, Chorus Doug Lyons French Horn Eugene Mechtovich Viola Gary Lasley Choir, Chorus, Contrabass German Markosian Viola Irina Voloshina Violin Jeffrey Mark Silverman Fender Rhodes, Orchestration Jennette Clinger Choir, Chorus, Vocals Jim Mattos French Horn Joel Taylor Drums, Choir, Chorus John Krovoza Cello, Celli Julian Hallmark Violin Julie Metz Violin Karen Briggs Violin, Choir, Chorus Kazuyuki Nagae Photography Kerry Hughes Trumpet Lisa Pribanic Celli, Cello Luis Aquino Flugelhorn, Trumpet Lynn Goldsmith Photography Matt Reynolds French Horn, Choir, Chorus Ming Freeman Keyboards Neal Laite Violin Norman Moore Art Direction, Design Pamela Moore Violin, Choir, Chorus Paul Klintworth French Horn Pedro Eustache Sax (Soprano), Multi Instruments, Doodook, Bamboo Saxophone, Choir, Chorus, Flute Ramon Stagnaro Charango, Guitar, Choir, Chorus Ria Lewerke Art Direction, Design Ric Fierabracci Choir, Chorus, Bass Rich Berkeley Trombone Richard Boukas Arranger, Arrangement Preparation, Transcription, Orchestra Transcription Sarah O'Brien Cello, Celli Sayuri Kawada Violin Tommy Sterling Mixing Assistant, Assistant Engineer Vann Johnson Choir, Chorus, Vocals Wil Logan Violin Yanni Engineer, Mixing, Arranger, Producer, Orchestration