Review excerpt from Music and Media Focus
5
By MDiamond
“Lovéren” brings together well-known recording artist David Arkenstone and operatically gifted vocalist Charlee Brooks on one of the most elaborate CD productions I have seen in a long time. The original story of “Lovéren” is an imaginative odyssey of love, romance and passion set in the magical world of mermaids. Accompanying the CD is a lavish 16-page booklet that contains the story along with stunning visionary artwork. In addition to Charlee’s contributions as a vocalist and collaborator on many aspects of the production, she also created an original mermaid language called Mermish, to give the music an even more exotic ambience. While Charlee contributes both vocal and instrumental talents, David creates on keyboards, guitars, drums and percussion, bass, mandolin, vocals, and a number of world music instruments. The album also features additional players on percussion and Uilleann pipes, as well as symphonic touches from a thirteen-member string section. As if this were not enough, the lofty vocals of The Nashville Soul Choir add their distinctive sound to the production.
Opening appropriately with a track called “Origins,” the neo-classical influence is felt as the delicate female vocals ride the waves of swelling strings. Fans of Enya will immediately be captivated by this dramatic intro. On “The Forbidden Sea,” washes of dreamy synthesizer and harp evoke aquatic ambience and set the scene for the next chapter. As the music unfolds, powerful rhythmic undercurrents blend with airy otherworldly vocals - a theme that is found throughout the album. For me it all comes together on ”Love Always Waits,” the grand finale, where various elements from the album converge as it flows through its diverse passages.
I’ve always appreciated David Arkenstone’s flair for imaginative writing and arranging and this piece shows the level of accomplishment he has attained in his accolade-laden 25-year career. As he describes it: “Creating “Lovéren” was a magical experience inspired by my desire to create a symphonic, cinematic album with more singing than usual, and the desire to work with Charlee Brooks, who’s a wonderful vocalist and writer. The originality of the project turned out to be vitally important.” While comparisons to the music of Blackmore’s Night, Yanni, or 2002 might serve as somewhat of a reference point, I have to echo David’s statement about the originality of this work – it is truly unique and a product of his and Charlee’s combined artistic vision. There can be no doubt that “Lovéren” is a transcendent example of musical mastery that will inspire the imaginations of listeners for years to come.
From MainlyPiano
5
By KathyPiano7
"Loveren" is the latest epic musical adventure from composer/ storyteller/ multi-instrumentalist David Arkenstone in collaboration with vocalist Charlee Brooks, who also engineered the recording and plays guitar, kalimba, and zils. But that voice - that voice! Clear, pure, and extraordinarily expressive, Brooks sings most of the lyrics in a mermaid language she created called Mermish. The tale of Loveren comes from an original story by Steven Vlasak. The title character is a young mermaid who defies her parents one night and swims to Lumaria, an enchanted city some distance from her home. She meets a handsome merman named Kayan and they fall in love. Loveren returns home early each morning before her parents awaken and then swims back to Lumaria each night to be with Kayan. Over time, exhaustion causes illness, curtailing Loveren’s nightly travels. When she regains her strength and is able to return to Lumaria, Kayan is gone, having returned to land as a human. A magical and very passionate tale, Loveren’s story is powerfully expressed by Arkenstone on guitars, keyboards, drums, percussion, bass, saz, bouzouki, mandolin, vocals, and programming; Brooks’ voice; a crew of world-class musicians; and a choir. The CD package includes a beautifully-illustrated sixteen-page booklet that tells Loveren’s story and has the lyrics to the three songs that are sung in English. An extraordinary project, this is my favorite David Arkenstone recording from his very long and impressive career.
"Loveren" begins with “Origins,” a soulful prelude that introduces Loveren’s dreamy voice backed with strings, voices, and atmospheric sounds. About a minute into the piece, a multitude of drums enter and the music explodes into something very big and cinematic. “The Forbidden Sea” pulsates with conflicting feelings as Loveren contemplates defying her parents to satisfy her curiosity about what lies beyond her familiar surroundings. “Lumaria” is shimmering and magical, conveying the beauty and majesty of this ancient city. “Sessa Nulma (Mermaid Love)” is a tender love song sung in a combination of Mermish and English while “Jamboree” is a lively and exuberant celebration. “Song of Loveren” goes very dark and mournful - a gorgeous song, sad as it is! “Lost” is the only non-vocal piece and the motion of the music makes it easy to picture Loveren swimming from place to place looking for her lost love only to discover that he has returned to land. “Slip Away” is sung in English, perhaps because Loveren is singing to Kayan as a human. The pain and longing in her voice is heartbreaking. The closing track is “Love Always Waits,” a triumphant and joyous reunion and a happily-ever-after ending to a great story.
I give this one both thumbs up! Great stuff!
