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1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
His best album Jul 29, 2006
The Book of Roses is Andreas' best album. I have them all but none is as diverse and entertaining as this is.
Where else do you hear music like this? Calming, soothing and yet remarkable! I totally recommend it!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
castle music Jul 22, 2006
From the very first sounds - perhaps a child running through hallways - to the moment at the beginning when the runner pushes open a window, mental pictures start up. I imagine the window looking out over a deep, lushly forested gorge on a bright shining day. Really what I see in my mind, throughout the entire CD, is a variation of a Maxfield Parrish painting, in a land where it only rains at night.
I've had fairly heated arguments with other Vollenweider fans about this CD - my favourite, with everything it brings to mind; as the title says, I can easily see castles with this music, and scholarly people tucked away in odd corners working on esoteric problems. Some of the backdrop stuff is great, too; when the dog runs up to the recording equipment, I always turn it way up so I can hear doggy laughter. Ladysmith Black Mambazo - a class act their own selves - adds an accent to the first half of the CD and the world feels brighter from their voices.
The first time I became aware of Andreas Vollenweider was from an appearance on the Tonight Show - when Johnny Carson was running things. I couldn't even guess at a year - but I have been a fan ever since. This CD trips off a little from the beaten path - as someone else said, you may want to try one of his more mainstream works first - but for folks familiar with his work, this shouldn't be that much of a surprise, and it is so peaceful.
0 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Purchased CD Jul 05, 2005
Purchased CD--it was new condition and arrived VERY fast. Would order from again
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Andreas is Amazing! May 13, 2004
I have been a fan of Andreas since I was 15 years old (now 27) and this is probably one of his most unique and diverse works. The variety of instruments and the haunting image it creates in my mind is beyond comprehension. Andreas is probably the most talented musician I have ever heard. It is true that this album does depart from his normal sound but it is such a unique and capturing sound that one can't help but be pulled into his work. If you aren"t a hard core Andreas Vollenweider fan (like me!), i would be hesitant to recommend it to you as your first Vollenweider album as I think "Down to the Moon" and "Dancing with the Lion" are better, but after hearing his earlier works, you'll be hooked! Andreas is simply awesome.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A "book" of great Vollenweider music Apr 05, 2004
Book of Roses is yet another brilliant Vollenweider album, yet it's notably different from the rest of his works to date. There is a wide range of styles and a tremendous range of different instruments and sound effects used here. In addition to his electroacoutic harp, you hear orchestral music, vocals, hammer dulcimer, bassoon, flutes, harmonica, horns/brass instruments, piano, electric and acoustic guitars, accordion, bass, and many different types of percussion, e.g. hand clapping, chalk/crayon scratching, and various kinds of drums. In addition you hear many sound effects: pages turning in a book, footsteps, clocks ticking, dogs barking, birds chirping, bow and arrow, and many other special effects.Even though this album is perhaps more "chopped up" into different songs (and four separate "chapters" in the book) it flows together nicely as do the rest of his albums and the songs are great to listen to. There is a diverse range of styles. It starts off with orchestral movements, then we have the cheery "Morning at Boma Park" and the smooth crayon-scratching rhythm of the title track, to the optomistic sounding South African "Passage to Promise" to the fast paced Spanish-guitar/harp piece "Jugglers in Obsidian." Track 13 "Hirzel" is my personal favorite, and is probably the most mainstream Vollenweider track on this CD. It is an upbeat song with a pop-rock feel and brings back a similar style and intensity of many of the songs from "Dancing With the Lion." The final track "Letters to a Young Rose" has a somewhat festive African feel and beat with several different kinds of percussion and is a perfect way to end the album IMO. Bottom line: It may be different and more diverse from many of his previous works, with many different instruments and sound effects in addition to his harp, but "Book of Roses" is another must-have Vollenweider album.
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