Search - Talisman A Cappella :: Held In Shining

Primarily A Cappella Review

12/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having won the National A Cappella Championship in 1997, the members of the Stanford world music ensemble Talisman are recognized not only for their talent, but also for their commitment to a wide variety of musical traditions. This recording includes tracks from the both the classes of '96 -'97 and '97 -'98, and is their most diverse yet, featuring a Gaelic, a South Indian and two Native American compositions, as well as pieces from Africa and the American South. With fifteen mixed voices, the arrangements can be multi-dimensional, as heard on "Heav'nbound Train," or succinct, as in the Hebrew "Ksmha Israel." The graceful and soothing "Mahk Jchi," written by Ulali, and accompanied by taiko, is simply hamonized, while "Breaths" uses intriguing countermelodies to establish and embellish it's gentle 3/4 meter. A gospel interpretation of "Amazing Grace" closes out the CD, beginning as a solo, and building to a crescendo of voices."