Monday, May 13, 2013

CD Review – Loveren, by David Arkenstone and Charlee Brooks


The latest release in David Arkenstone’s 25-year-plus recording career finds the new age legend collaborating with operatic vocalist Charlee Brooks on an ambitious musical tale set in the magical realm of mermaids.
 
Arkenstone brings his formidable multi-instrumental talents to bear on this project, which is also the basis for an original live production. Arkenstone’s hallmark sounds (guitars, bass, keyboards, and percussion, in addition to instrumentation and orchestration from other musicians) are evidenced in full force here, with a dramatic new twist: Many of the songs are sung by Brooks in a new language created just for this CD and live show – Mermish, the supposed language of mermen, mermaids, and all sorts of merfolk. The result is a musical journey unlike most, combining fantasy and folklore for an enchanting otherworldly experience.
 
The packaging is also exquisite, recalling the medieval milieu of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. The unique art design and direction amplify the idyllic lyricism of the dreamlike world of song and music that Arkenstone and Brooks have created.
 
This album provides thrilling escape and should be of particular interest to those listeners who are fond of high-concept music.
 
--Raj Manoharan

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