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27 Oct 2009 - Calling All Dawns Information and ReviewOn October 1, Civilization IV composer Christopher Tin released his first solo album Calling All Dawns. It features 12 vocal themes in total each sung in a different language. Started in 2005 and completed in 2009, the album is impressive in terms of both concept and production. In total, it features over 200 musicians, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, four choirs, featured vocalists, supporting instrumentalists, and even four men performing the Maori Haka. You can find out the track listings and featured artists at the album page.The album is a song-cycle that serves as a metaphor for the cycle of life. It features three uninterrupted movements: day, night and dawn (corresponding to life, death and rebirth). There are songs of joy, mystery, and hardship, reflecting the complexity of our mortal selves. There are songs of the deepest, darkest sorrow to accompany us through death. And finally, there are songs of triumph and exultation that bring us roaring back to life, beginning the cycle anew. If you play the whole album as a loop, the last song will fade seamlessly into the first, reflecting the cyclical nature of the universe. The underlying message of the album is that we are interconnected as a people. Despite our differences in culture, religion and belief, we all share the same common human experiences. Partly to reflect this, the album is tapestry of interconnected motifs. For example, the main melody of one song will become the instrumental interlude of another. The album features 12 different language namely Swahili, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, French, Latin, Irish, Polish, Hebrew, Farsi, Sanskrit, and Maori. The lyrics come from sources as diverse as religious texts like the Torah and Bhagavad Gita, to ancient Persian and Japanese poetry, to lyrics by contemporary writers. In addition, a number of vocal traditions are featured: African choral music, opera, medieval chant, Irish keening, Indian Carnatic improvisation, and more. The album was recorded at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London. There were additional recordings in Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York,, Johannesburg, and Montreal. The album was recorded by John Kurlander, formerly the Chief Balance Engineer at Abbey Road and a major engineer for The Beatles. While the album was recorded digitally, it was transferred to analog tape in the mastering process to give it a warm, vintage sound. Don and I have been listening to the album since its release. Both of us have been stunned by the scale and depth of the production, which truly reflects the motivation and genius of Christopher Tin. While I am still writing my review of the production, Don has completed his review and has published it here. It should give a very helpful overview of the material on the album. The album is only available through the store at ChristopherTin.com and can be purchased digitally or physically. Look out for more coverage shortly and enjoy! |
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