What happens when a group of young British boys get together and start singing? Internationally acclaimed success apparently. At least that’s what happened with the singing youngsters of Libera, a group of South London boys between the ages of seven and fourteen. New Dawn marks their fourth album. The previous three (Angel Voices, Free and Visions) were fairly successful around the world, particularly in the United States, Great Britain, Korea and Japan. New Dawn is the result of a world tour and frequent performances throughout 2007. And while it’s abundantly clear from the tracks here that the boys have beautiful voices, the overall feel of the album is a bit melancholy and repetitive to really enjoy fully.
Opening with a beautifully moving and impressively orchestrated version of Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” makes for a surprisingly strong beginning, but the placement is both bold and a bit misleading, as the majority of the music here is classical. Brian Wilson’s “Love and Mercy,” which the boys sang at the end of 2007 in the Kennedy Center Opera House to honor Brian Wilson himself, is a very welcome addition as well. It’s tracks like these that show how much the boys can do with more standard musical fare, but these two tracks also highlight the lack of more music of this style.
But that’s not to say the rest of the album is unenjoyable, it’s just not as interesting. The more traditional pieces (“Ave Maria,” “Gloria” and “Sancte,” to name a few) are still moving, they just don’t have that ring of uniqueness and surprise that the more poppy songs bring out. Tracks like “Never Be Alone” (featuring soaring solos by Joshua Madine, Tom Cully and Joseph Snelling) and “May the Road Rise Up” deliver an uplifting message and a genuine display of singing talent and production value. The electronic beat in the background of “Never Be Alone” helps set the perfect tone for the track. And the crescendo in “Jerusalem” will impress even the most anti-choir listener.
This is an album of almost overpowering beauty, but once you’ve heard a few tracks they begin to blend with each other a bit. While no one can argue that these boys can sing and that they’ve got a great production team backing them up, it’d be nice to see a bit more variation in their choice of music.
Zach’s Rating: B-
Perfect For: Those who can’t get enough of choir music
Stay Away if: You’re looking for more pop covers
If you only buy one, make it this one: “Love and Mercy” – even Brian Wilson loves it
To purchase New Dawn, visit Amazon
5 users commented in " Music Review: Libera, New Dawn "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI also tended to like the more “pop” tracks best at first, but I found that after listening through the CD several times the unique harmonies of the more traditional tracks also start to stand out – this isn’t an album to listen to just once!
One must listen to this recording more than once, in fact several times. Each time you listen to it you will hear more of the beautiful harmonies which is one of the blessing that Libera gives to their audiance. I too enjoy the two “pop” tracks very much but it’s selections such as “Ave Maria,” this version was arranged by Robert Prizeman (who is their director)especially for Tom Cully and his wonderful voice. I also enjoy “Sancte,” “May the Road Ris Up,” and “Paradisum.” Listening to the CD once or twice is not giving it fair play, listen to it a minimum of (we’ll say) 4 times before you comment on it, and when you listen to it, really listen to it. Sit back, turn out all the lights and/or close your eyes, and listen to these beautiful voices, the harmonies and the words, and let God Bless you.
Producing an album that covers other people’s music is pointless and, at best, lazy. I’d be upset to find myself at an Elton John concert where he sings Paul McCartney’s backlist. I’d want to hear Elton John singing his songs, not someone elses. The same is true of Libera. I love THEIR music, not their version of someone elses.
as a trained top tenor, these lads sing other peoples versions better than the originals, so I am glad to hear the Treble voice come to the fore AT LAST ! I have always known the quality of the Treble voice but seldom seen anything done with it or about it..until this genius called Robert Prizeman got the ‘thing’ going. Where were you Mozart ? Handel ? I am so glad that in my lifetime Libera came to be. Amen to that or helelujah, hari Krishna or Hari Rama, namo Buddhaya..etc.
Don’t ever think the great work these Treble voiced lads perform is a snip..it is hard work, takes concentration, training. These lads have sang for half their lifetimes voluntarily. Tom Cully, Liam, Ed, Michael have stunning voice qualities, beautiful delivery, consistent smooth flow of sound. And all memorised, Amazing feat !I used to hear St.Martin in the fields trebles, but they were shy and buried their heads in a score sheet rather nervously. Yet, here we are with all the superb ingredients in Libera just so, making it a world class classical sound. Unique. Bravo ! Encore. Hari Rama !
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