Date: Sun, 14 Jan 1996 19:32:02 -0500 
      From: hortman_m@HCCS.CC.TX.US 
      Subject: MINI REVIEW: Stina Nordenstam's NEW song


Anyone who hasn't heard the new Vangelis CD, _Voices_ is missing a treat.
(well, one of the songs, anyway.)  This new CD which came out a few days ago
features her highness as well as Paul Young and Caroline Lavelle on different
tracks.

I've just listened to the Stina Nordenstam track "Ask The Mountains" for about
the 50th time in the last 3 days, and it is amazing!  It's not exactly Stina's
typical music; it appears Vangelis did the music, and Stina provided the
lyrics and the vocals.  It begins very sparse, vocally--it nevertheless
resonates through you as it carefully builds (the song lasts 7:55!).  It
actually starts out with crickets; and what sounds like a wolf or bird howling
in the distnace.  I think this is one of the most beautiful songs Stina has
done.  It's certainly as well-crafted as anything from _memories of a color_
or _and she closed her eyes_.  Very sad; yet beautiful.  A heavy bass
underlies the whole song while sprinkled throughout are reverberating
synthesizers and the soft plinks of a piano which make this song more haunting
than anything I've heard in ages.

As for the rest of the CD; I could take it or leave.  Mostly, leave it, I
suppose; as it sounds like Vangelis hasn't progressed much since he did the
music to Blade Runner in 1982.  However, this one song is worth the price of
the CD.  Stina rocks my world and her new and improved house of worship should
be up anytime now; complete with Shockwave animations.

BTW I got engaged in San Antonio over the weekend!!!  (no, not to Stina) You
guys are the first people I've had a chance to tell.  Wish me luck and if you
want to see what she/I look like; check out my web page. (same address as the
ftp site on my .sig)


marvynHortman                     ftp://sharedcast.hccs.cc.tx