Dream Keeper

Dream Keeper

Track Listings

1. In My Eyes

2. Dreamin

3. Get My Love

4. No Tears [Nu-School Radio Edit]

5. Feels Good 2 B Bad

6. Voo Doo

7. Rhythm Rider (Ride the Rhythm)

8. Purity

9. Lovelite

10. Where Dreams Begin

11. Walking in the Light

12. Dream of Wings

Tracks:

Heaven
Poor Girl's Ruination/The Dream Keeper
A Contemporary
Run Away
When Sue Wears Red
Afternoon On a Hill
Love Song For Lucinda
Wild Swans
I'm Open All Night
Souvenir
New Moon
Resume/Wail/Frustration
The Red Dress
Dream Variations
Song For a Dark Girl
Daybreak In Alabama
Once I Was
Joy

Amazon.com

Along with Michael John LaChiusa and Adam Guettel, Ricky Ian Gordon is one of the Young Turks of New York's musical theater. Like them, Gordon shuns both the accessible pop of a David Yazbek and the bombast of a Frank Wildhorn, preferring instead to write post-Sondheimian art songs. The numbers here (with lyrics by Langston Hughes, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Dorothy Parker, James Agee) span two decades. They are marvelously interpreted by the likes of Audra McDonald, Dawn Upshaw, Darius de Haas, and Judy Blazer. Blazer ambles through "Resumé/Wail/Frustration" with delicious jazz-age wit, while Upshaw once more proves that she's a classical singer with an uncanny flair for the nonclassical repertoire. Note that anyone who's expecting anything resembling a beat is advised to look elsewhere. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Phenomenal!.......2001-09-27

Ricky Ian Gordon is a very talented composer and poet, and the songs on "Bright Eyed Joy" display his magnificent gifts. There is not a contemporary composer who has his talent of fitting text to music, and the singers on this disc bring his compositions alive. Track 17, "Once I Was," will make you weep!

Incredible.......2001-06-02

This is an incredible CD, from the sparkling orchestrations which are chamber but in the way they are mixed everything dances out at you, to the vocal interpretations which are so innovative for a recording of this type...settings of poetry but sung by regular, albeit, extraordinary regular people (except people like Dawn Upshaw and Audra McDonald who have already established themselves as major vocal artists)so that the songs feel personal. There is about this CD an incredibly meaningful air...moving, magisterial, powerful...straight from "Heaven" to "Joy" Gordon takes us on an inexorable journey through life towards transcendence and he and his brilliant players and performers succeed...Nonesuch does it again...Superb! Kudos all around. Gordon is a REAL composer, with a deep understanding of poetry as well as a fabulous gift for writing words himself!

Quite an enjoyable CD.......2001-05-20

Being a fan of Mr. Gordon's, I couldn't wait until this CD came out. And I was not disappointed. The music is a cross between classical art songs and standard Broadway fare. Perhaps most enjoyable are the tracks sung by Audra McDonald, some of which were previously released on her first solo album, Way Back to Paradise, but which were supplimented with some additional tracks that really suit her dramatic voice and extensive range. Two other highlights include "Afternoon on a Hill", "Souvenir", and "Once I Was", which demostrate clever writing on the part of the composer, as well as true understanding of the texts on the part of the performers...I feel that Mr. Guettel performs well on this disc. It may appear that he does not have the vocal training that others do, however, his interpretive skills as well as his clear understanding of texts and emotions make his tracks poignant, and his voice is quite pleasant. My only complaint would be that Darius De Haas was included on the disc instead of Billy Porter, who I have seen performing these songs live, and quite well. Mr. De Haas is quite adequate, I simply prefer the power and exultation that Mr. Porter displays when he sings the compositions. Overall, however, this is a wonderful inclusion to anyone's collection, especially anyone who is a fan of anyone writing new, sophisticated theatre music.

Don't Walk, run ...run ...run ...to your stores.......2001-05-08

A huge fan of Donald Katz's "Home Fires" in which Mr. Gordan and his family are the central characters in a moving biographical tribute to an American Family, I have followed the story of this talent ever since. What I have to say of this incredible cd is nothing less then INCREDIBLE. Though there are some major comparisons to the likes of Stephan Sondheim, I am sure Mr. Gordan does not mind in the lease, but in the ened, he is all his own. Do not walk to get this cd, run to get it ....run like there is a wild fire following you to your nearest cd store ....If you don't love it, if you aren't moved by every lyric and strong and chord, then all I can say is, your not a real musical theater fanatic.

Where did all the decent singers go?.......2001-05-07

It is such a tragedy that such beautiful music such as this CD is ruined by inadequate singing on behalf of the performers. There is ONE exception to this, of course, and that being Audra McDonald. Darius De Haas and Theresa McCarthy are both excellent musicians in an artistic sense, but they lack any sort of vocal substanance needed to carry off these difficult songs. Unsupported and in need of clarity are how I would describe their performances. Dawn Upshaw must posses some of the most glorious high notes ever to be heard, unfortunately, she swoops and scoops all over the place and manipultes her vowels in such a way as to distract the listener. Since when did this become acceptable? Adam Guettel is not a singer and I never understood why he insists on attempting to sing anyway. I still remember the first time I heard "Come to Jesus" with he and Audra. He paled so much in comparison... In conclusion - if you can stand the singing (which is very hard, I still can't force myself to listen to McCarthy attempt to sing track 4, or maybe 5)then this CD is excellent. Gordon tends to be very elementary in his compostions, so there are many hummable tunes due to his repititious themes. As a fan of art songs and Dawn Upshaw/Audra McDonald, I've been looking forward to this CD. If you are fans of them as well, and don't mind paying [the price] for about 4 good songs, then have a go at this CD!!

Average customer rating:

Snaky Bay Area Vibes with Chorus & Orchestra
one of Charlie's best

Dream Keeper
Charlie Haden & The Liberation Music Orchestra
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Ballad of the Fallen
Not in Our Name
Liberation Music Orchestra
The Montreal Tapes, Vol. 2
You Don't Know Me

ASIN: B000005HGE
Release Date: 1991-01-15

Tracks:

Dream Keeper : Dream Keeper Part 1/Feliciano Ama..
Rabo De Nube (Tail Of The Tornado)
Nkosi Sikelel'I Africa (Anthem Of The A.N.C.)
Sandino
Spiritual

Customer Reviews:

Snaky Bay Area Vibes with Chorus & Orchestra.......2007-05-28

Slow moving & sonorous to start, switching between a small ensemble & orchestral sound, I find this album chewy with complex musical ideas. If I didn't know what I was hearing I still think I'd spot it quickly at a Haden - Carla Bley collaboration. This is one of the rarer of a series of recordings using a Youth Chorus from Oakland, CA. Believe me I appreciate the rich cultural environment of the SF Bay Area; I feel very fortunate to have been born here.
With snaky sounds over pulsating rhythms, then switching to a martial groove, ten on to Bossa Nova, the inventiveness never seems to end till the final note. It sounds a bit like "Music for a Genuine Tong Funeral" & also reminds me of the JCOA Box Sets. I like this quite a bit. It isn't particularly difficult music to appreciate, but does require a bit of an open musical mind. A solid four stars in absolute terms, compared to tripe like Wynton Marsalis (his brother Branford does play on this disc), I'd give it an infinite loop of galaxies. I give it 5 because I'm quite partial to Carla Bley & the whole aesthetic she embodies.

one of Charlie's best.......2002-01-13

I think this is one of the great jazz recordings of all time.

Average customer rating:

Eelectronic Fans!

Dream Keeper
DJ Keri
Manufacturer: Good Pussy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
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Can U Feel It

ASIN: B00008S811
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Tracks:

In My Eyes
Dreamin
Get My Love
No Tears [Nu-School Radio Edit]
Feels Good 2 B Bad
Voo Doo
Rhythm Rider (Ride the Rhythm)
Purity
Lovelite
Where Dreams Begin
Walking in the Light
Dream of Wings

Customer Reviews:

Eelectronic Fans!.......2004-01-10

There are so many DJ's out there to be heard. But one speaks out to my heart in a way no other can. And that my friends is DJ Keri. This album is great in so many ways and even if i tryed to list all of them I could never get them down. Her talent is inspiring as well as her voice. This will rate up with her next album which will be her Illicit breaks cd. Which is truly a work of art itself. If you haven't heard this lady I suggest buying her album. Or check her out live. Shes great!!

Average customer rating:

Songs

Manufacturer: Naxos American
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0007ORDZE
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

All My Love - Dave Brubeck
Strange Meadowlark - Dave Brubeck
The Things You Never Remember - Dave Brubeck
So Lonely - Dave Brubeck
Don't Forget Me - Dave Brubeck
There'll Be No Tomorrow - Dave Brubeck
The Time Of Our Madness - Dave Brubeck
Tao - John De Haan
Final Curve/Search - Cliff Jackson
Dream Dust/Hold Fast To Dreams - Cliff Jackson
Hold Fast To Dreams - Cliff Jackson
The Dream Keeper - Cliff Jackson
Day After Day - Cliff Jackson
Once When I Was Very Young - Cliff Jackson

Average customer rating:

Amazing music by the rare Liberation Music Orchestra
Saw the tour with the full group and it was outstanding

Dream Keeper
Charlie Haden & The Liberation Music Orchestra
Manufacturer: Diw
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00001ZTS3

Tracks:

Dream Keeper/Dream Keeper, Pt. I/Feliciano Ama/Dream Keeper, Pt. 2/C - Charlie Haden, Liberation Music Orchestra
Rabo de Nube
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika
Sandino
Spiritual

Album Details

Featuring: Branford Marsalis.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing music by the rare Liberation Music Orchestra.......2001-09-23

This April 1990 recording of Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra is one of a handful.The personnel is superlative: Carla Bley,cond,Dewey Redman,Joe Lovano,Branford Marsalis,Ken McIntyre,reeds;Tom Harrell,Earl Gardner,trumpet;Sharon Freeman,french horn;Ray Anderson,trombone;Joe Daley,tuba;Amina Claudine Myers,pîano;Mick Goodrick,guitar;Don Alias,perc;Juan Lazzaro Mendolas,flutes;and Paul Motian,drums.The music is at the same incredible level than on the "ballad of the fallen" album from 1982.The "dream keeper" suite,with words by Langston Hughes,is composed of eight tunes:the four parts titled "dream keeper" were written by Carla Bley;the four others come from Venezuela "canto del pilon" I & II,El Salvador "feliciano ama",and the Spanish Civil war "hymn of the anarchist women's movement".There are no words to describe the haunting beauty of this music, so close to a Duke Ellington's suite.Fanfares parts alternate with improvised moments,and how great it would have been to have Albert Ayler in the reed section ! Like in Charlie's "ballad of the fallen",the spanish tunes from the civil war may be the most emotionnal tunes,because they were the songs of men fighting desperatly against fascism and dictatorship.Speaking of the Spanish Civil War, if you're interested in these sad times of our history,I urge you to read George Orwell's writings on the subject.The second tune,"rabo de nube",was written by a cuban musician and arranged by Carla's daughter,Karen Mantler.Another masterpiece of this record is the version of "nkosi sikelel'i afrika",the anthem of the African National Congress.After a beautiful fanfare introduction,Dewey Redman comes in for a long free improvisation."spiritual",as the name says, is a church song,written by Haden in memory of Martin Luther King,Medgar Evers and Malcolm X.Ray Anderson's trombone shines here,with Amina Claudine Myers moving piano playing.This is outstanding music, full of noise and fury (thanks William and William),a shout for hope and love and beauty.Surely, this is one of the most important recordings of the last decade,if not the greatest.

Saw the tour with the full group and it was outstanding.......2000-08-11

The group toured with a bunch of major players to some very selective dates and they were backed up by the Duke Ellington School choir where the concert was. It was one of those very rare moments in a jazz listener/collectors life. It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen and I have seen a fair share of jazz over the last 20 years. The album is one of my all time favorites, and with close to 3000 records, that says a lot. Such beauty and variety in composition. Feel free to email me.

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