Lansing, MI's award-winning, 30-strong women's chorus Sistrum's vision is "to provide a musical haven where women may find their voices and enjoy the camaraderie offered by the Sistrum community." They further endeavor "to create a choral instrument by which our members can use their voices to raise beautiful music and powerful energy." This CD was inspired by Sistrum's first commissioned work, the 3-part "Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn," with words by Kris Radish and music by Jenni Brandon. There are 15 songs here, a World tour, if you will, beginning with the piano-accompanied French tune "Ah! Si mon moine voulait danser," a lighthearted piece about a girl trying to get a monk to dance with her by bribing him with material possessions; two chants; with roots in the Celtic pagan culture, "Full Moonlight Dance" and "Everything She Touches;" "Koowu" is directly translated as "strength" and incorporates Middle Eastern scales; Stephen Hatfield's "Camino Caminante" is inspired by the swirling mix of cultures in Miami; and the lightly percussioned, Tamil-based "Odi Odi" urges us to look internally for inspiration and empowerment. Randi Driscoll's powerful "What Matters," the traditional Spiritual "Balm in Gilead," Harold Arlen's "Over the Rainbow," the 3-part, piano-accompanied title tune, and "Still I Rise," an ode to survival regardless of the challenge or obstacle, complete our list of favorites. "Dancing" is a beautiful, inspirational collection from talented Sistrum! |
