Vivienne's CD Review
Circle of Women

Released in 1997 under EarthBeat and produced by Alice Di Micele, "Circle of Women" is a collection of songs, rounds and chants that range from Pagan (Earth My Body) to traditional South African (Umamu Ya Jabula) to traditional Shaker (Simple Gifts). "Circle of Women" is Alice Di Micele, Shelley Phillips, Freyda Epstein, Elouise Burrell, Windsong, and Tina Malia. After listening to this CD a few times you start humming these songs in the shower and chanting in the car. Soon you think you are channeling Aretha Franklin (yeah, I know she ain't dead) and start belting the spirituals in the kitchen with your cats looking on with disdain. Simply put, this is one groovy and catchy recording.

The CD starts with "Earth My Body", setting the tone and getting you into the mood, casting a circle of sacred space. The range displayed is vast; "Oh Ho the Pretty Chain", a Shaker hymn, is sung with an unadorned voice, soft and pure, with only a harp playing in the background. It is very soothing and relaxing. A few songs down and the soulful "Slyahamba" comes on, and before you know it you find your self boogying in your living room, leaping over couches and jumping around joyfully (the cats still aren't amused). "We Shall Lift Each Other Up" is uplifting and empowering; great protest song. Most of these are sung a cappella, though a few, like "Full Moon Dance" do have some musical arrangement that is elaborate.

In my opinion, the most beautiful songs are "Ancient Mother" and "Mother I Feel You", good Pagan chants that go great with any ritual. It plays great as background music for some magickal workings and wonderful for those who don't feel musically inclined who want a melodious touch to their rituals. Nancy Bakerian, co Events Officer, gave me a copy of this CD on a tape when she heard I was interested in starting up a Chanting circle. It has proved to be a wonderful tool and I based my initial chanting hand outs on the songs I heard.

Another note: despite the small label, the recording is excellent. Crisp, clear with no background noises. I highly recommend that this CD be added to your collection. You will be listening to it for years to come.
 

-- Vivienne