Robert Gass & On Wings of Song
return with
Awakening
, a collection of eight
chants
from around the world. Subtle instrumentation weaves its way through the album, with pianos underpinning the gentle
"Cuncti Simus"
and drums and flutes adding to the tribal feel of the
Gass
original
"Remembrance,"
but the focus, as always, is on the group's unified voices.
On Wings of Song
does a fine job adapting to the album's different
chant
styles, spanning the lovely Hindu
"Chant of the Lotus Guru"
as well as a 12-minute reading of
"Lord's Prayer"
and an 11-minute version of
Pachelbel
's
"Alleluia."
Guests such as
Glen Velez
,
Steve Gorn
Margo Krimmel
, and
Omar Faruk Tekbilek
add to the album's authenticity and diversity, which is also enhanced by a 28-page booklet of descriptions and translations. Ultimately,
does a good job of contemporizing global
without cheapening it. ~ Heather Phares