Search - Heather Alexander :: Insh'Allah, The Music of "Lion's Blood"

Mostly excellent music, a few songs I don't care for.

Anadrel | Crestwood, KY USA | 04/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I do not own the book "Lion's Blood," and perhaps should to understand completely what the story is about. But the CD inset explains a lot of it.And I truly do think the music can stand on its own.The first two songs, "Fire on the Sea" and "Laddie, Are Ya Working?", as well as "New Northwest," are my favorites. For one, they make good writing music. "Fire On The Sea" moves frantically fast and includes good sound effects, such as clanging bells. "Laddie, Are Ya Working?" includes drums and excellent, evocative lyrics."New Northwest" is harder to describe. The opening few notes set an impression of ecstatic joy, and that may be the thing I like best about it. There comes the sense of a turning point, that something has truly happened. This makes it excellent music for story high points.Of the other songs, "The Mushroom Song" is interesting for its use of repeated rounds of verses, though the words themselves are very simple. "Gruagach!" has lyrics that are actually frightening at times, describing in graphic detail what the gruagach does to its victims. The hisses on the chorus here and the snapping of fingers add to the impression of racing through the woods alone, at night, and hoping the gruagach doesn't get you.I did not care for "Fresh Hops and Hemp," perhaps simply because it is a very slow song that keeps putting me to sleep. "Green Are the Hills" and "Deirdre's Lament" are too much like Generic Celtic music for me, and I find I also tend to ignore them. The CD is a mixed bag.However, there are songs on here that are genuinely thrilling, and that happens rarely enough that I would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who wished to buy it."

An Amazing CD

J. Cavanagh | Inverness, Scotland | 06/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Heather Alexander has outdone herself. The blend of Middle-Eastern, African, and Irish music is flawless, both beautiful and entrancing. I've discussed the album with my friends and found myself unable to choose a favorite track as I love most of them. Though the book and the album place different emphasis on the world they combine to create a world far richer than either could standing on their own. I recomend both."

Chilling and beautifully haunting! Must read the book, too!

A. Wolfe | Berkeley, California | 05/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Heather Alexander is a wonderful artist... the way she has combined the song-style of Ireland with the musical influences of Africa, Egypt, and the Islamic culture are both fascinating and brilliant! Interwoven drum rhythms from Djembes and Bodhrans is not something I've heard on a recording before... and it seems to well represent the overtones of the novel it was written for. I would highly recommend reading Steven Barnes' book, Lion's Blood... and then listen to this CD again. While it tells a story on its own, it really comes to life once you have the whole picture! To read about slaves singing in the fields while they labor... and then hear Heather's "Laddie, Are Ya Workin'?" is an amazingly powerful combination. The CD acts as a catalyst for the novel and perhaps the reverse is true as well. I think Steven Barnes and Heather Alexander have created a great work together, and it's one they can be proud of."