Search - Cirque du Soleil :: Mystere

Let Mystere Sweep You Off Your Feet...

Clarissa | Ontario, California | 08/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first time I listened to Cirques du Soleil's MYSTERE it literally swept me off my feet. I was completely blown away by the opening note and was therefore swept into a place beyond all human reason until the last note settled and left me sitting in absolute awe by the awakened beauty that had just flourished like in a distant daydream. I say all of this because the beauty that emanates from this album is profoundly surreal and yet all too thrilling to be true. From the haunting cello in "Rumeurs" to the flute pipes in "Kunya Sobe" to the electric guitar playing in "Birimbau", the sheer vibe of every single note of every single song will leave you gasping for more and more and more! That's why I can't wait to get my hands on MYSTERE: Live In Las Vegas. Obviously Cirques du Soleil are an act to not just listen to on a CD but to actually see in person. I want to see Cirques du Soleil almost as badly as I want to see my favorite singer Sarah Brightman, which is saying a lot given the fact that I've only been a fan of their music for little over a month. And though I find it hard to pick a favorite song, I deliberated for a very long time and came to realize that the purity of "Kalimando" was my favorite song with what sounds like a chorus of children and adults singing in unison a calming yet emotional melody. This album also has its dark side, however, with some somber tunes like "Ulysse" where soprano vocal singer Nathalie Gauvin mourns a disturbing refrain with some eerie percussion as backup. The song soon connects with the light though and breaks through to ecstatic yet joyous guitar playing. This is highly recommended!"

Te live version is better, but this is still an excellent CD

Jim Carson | Bellevue, WA | 08/05/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The music initially seems new age, and weird, but after several listenings, you appreciate the sophistication and variety.Taken by itself, the CD *is* very good, and provides some great background mood music.The studio feel detracts from the overwhelming punch the live presentation has. For example, this CD lacks the opening drum act. If you've seen the show at Treasure Island, you'll remember the intensity of the pounding from all directions. Similarly, the violins in Kunya Sobe are a little *too* centered (in the live, they're very widely spaced from the center).The original CD didn't have "Taiko," which is the opening drum piece. The live performance is definitely worth seeing, especially for the intense and rhythmic pounding coming from every direction."

Too studio-ized, but still excellent

netsurfr | 03/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first bought the live performance CD of Mystere @ Treasure Island. Loved it, didn't take it out of the car CD player for MONTHS! Finally decided to invest in the studio version, thinking it would be that much better. Wrong. The Live version crackles with the emotions of the musicians, the studio version is glossy but flat-lined. The songs are so different on the live version. Mystere Live and Dralion are tied for first in my book, La Nouba is just too urban for me."