Search - Anjani Thomas :: The Sacred Names

My soul was dancing and singing along!

Marie | MI USA | 08/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard rumor that this album can't be categorized. No, it's not gospel, not Christian, not pop, not alternative, not folk, not even new age. Why don't they just have a category called "great," because this album is nothing less? First, Anjani has a voice that clearly is not of this earth. Exquisite, poignant, spellbinding. I could write superlatives into the next life and never convey the purity and richness that her voice projects. Quite simply, Anjani's voice nourishes the soul and so, it should be no surprise that she married that voice to this project. This album is all about the soul.In addition to the lyrics, the liner notes contain a glossary, essentially a list of the sacred names and their translation. For instance, "Ari Shemot" (Heb.) means "Glorious Proclamation of the Divine Names" and "Kyrie Eleison" (Gk.) translates to "Lord Have Mercy." These definitions may or may not provide the listener with an intellectual understanding of these songs. They do, however, provide the soul a road map for the journey it is about to take. There are songs on this album that have a soft pop feel, "Goel Shekinah" and "Adonai Yahweh" for instance, that can easily compete with anything heard on the radio today. Songs like "Kyrie" remind you of the most immaculate hymn. "Yoshua" has a wonderful ethnic feel. Individually, all these songs could be categorized, but by the end of the record I realized that categories were meaningless. Quite simply, there is a beauty to this music, to these lyrics, to these sacred names, that transcended my intellectual necessity for order. After hearing these songs it was my soul that was dancing and singing along, an experience I found to be quite unique and joyous. Really it should be no surprise that this record would penetrate the soul, the voice of an angel carried on music of our time speaking sacred names encoded in our spiritual genes. A reaction is almost guaranteed. And I can tell you that my reaction was to play this record again and again to re-experience the warmth and love it conveys."

Putting on the garment of His Presence

Pieter | Johannesburg | 01/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anjani Thomas contributes her lovely voice to Leonard Cohen's masterpiece Dear Heather, adding a touch of the sublime to songs like On That Day (They Wounded New York) and Nightingale. She was also one of the backing vocalists on Cohen's 1984 album Various Positions. This uplifting album of her own songs is a work of devotion in praise of our Judeo-Christian God.



As such, it mirrors the work of the Psalmist. Anjani plays keyboards and guitar while bass and percussion round of the sound, which is mostly gentle and acoustic. The moving Kyrie Eleison is sung in Greek & Aramaic, whilst Yoshua is a blend of Hebrew and English and the absorbing Ari Shemot contains Hebrew, Portuguese and English in a seamless blend of beauty.



The song Praise is an invocation of divine and angelic names like Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel and Michael, a gentle but powerful prayer. Another of my favorites is the comforting and reassuring Yeshurun and the exultant Blessing where her voice really soars on the most beautiful melody on the album. In style, this one reminded me of the early work of folk legend Judy Collins.



The last two tracks are quite mystical and esoteric, the concluding one being especially enchanting with awesome comforting and healing emanations. This song would be ideal for devotional activities like meditation and prayer. In this regard, interested listeners might want to investigate Holy Harmony by Jonathan Goldman, subtitled Healing Code Tuning Forks & Ancient YHSVH Chant.



Those who love Van Morrison in his more spiritual moments, or the classical work Tehillim (Psalms) by Steve Reich, will definitely love this graceful work of devotion. Amongst female artists, this spiritual undertone is also present in the work of vocalists like Emmylou Harris, Jennifer Warnes and Jane Siberry.



The CD case contains a glossary of Hebrew, Greek, Latin and Syriac (Aramaic) terms derived from The Book of Knowledge by Dr James J Hurtak. The Sacred Names is a real find, and I thank Leonard Cohen who, by using Anjani's voice on many of his albums put me on her trail. Let all that breathes praise the Eternal.

"

Beautiful

MissWorld | 10/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anjani takes a different approach on her sophomore release, The Sacred Names, produced with Leonard Cohen. Using her delicate harmonies and talent as a keyboardist, Anjani sings her praises to the Lord. But don't expect the usual Christian album here. Anjani continues to include her Hawaiian/Jazz/Folk influences, making The Sacred Names stand out from contemporary Christian releases."