Search - Kiva :: Mother Wisdom: Original & Traditional Chants

ModernWiccan.com Review (by Dracolytch)

dracolytch | Fairfax, Virginia USA | 09/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"ModernWiccan.com Review (by Dracolytch):
From time to time I'll get the chance to listen to something both unique and special. I firmly believe this album is one of those chances. When Mother Wisdom starts it gently, but firmly, grabs your hand and pulls you into an irresistibly beautiful piece of music. The CD continues, and while many of the other songs aren't as powerful as the first, they certainly are beautiful. The music is very simple, since it is a collection of chants (Some traditional, some original). Each chant is beautifully constructed and Kiva's voices blend together marvelously.Having a whole album of chants is something of a double-edged sword. On one hand, all of the music is very easy to learn, and LOTS of fun to close your eyes and sing with. In fact, in many cases, it's hard NOT to (However, this behavior is not suggested when stopped at a red light in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area). The downside is that in many cases, it's not an album you'll want to listen to all the way through over and over again unless you really like chants. By the very nature of it's simplicity, it lacks the contrast and complexity that is in my favorite albums.Oddly enough, one of the most exciting things about the album is how it can be used. The CD took me to a magickal state of mind almost instantly, which is saying a lot since I was in my car... in traffic. Also, since the chants on this CD are so easy to learn, it would be conceivable to use it as a method to teach a chant to a group for a ritual. There are a few chants that can immediately be used as-is for certain rituals (Such as Aphrodite). Some people may be inclined to substitute words, but keep the music. That way people can learn the music, and then apply whatever words are needed for the specific ritual. Even as a solitary, the music is very open welcoming, and powerful. This music would be awesome for some individual magickal works, especially if it's water-based magick (since Mother Wisdom tends to lean towards that element).All around, this is a really nice album. Kiva sounds absolutely wonderful. Since I'm not really into chants as much as other music, this isn't a disc I'll listen to all the way through. However, this album will most likely play some part in my magickal lifestyle. Should you buy it? If you like chants, yes. If you're looking for magickal music, yes. If you're looking for something a group can get into with a minimum of fuss, yes. Otherwise, you still might want to think about it."