Search - Ahn Trio :: Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac

A new direction for the Ahns - FABULOUS!

Steven I. Ramm | Phila, PA USA | 04/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The last album by the talented - not to mention gorgeous - Ahn Trio seems to have been released almost a decade ago. Actually it wasn't that far back (they aren't THAT old!) but it has been about FIVE years since Groovebox introduced them to me. Since then I've been a huge fan and anxiously awaited the next disc. While Groovebox was great, it wasn't a CD I'd return to weekly, or even monthly.



Then, last week, their new CD on Sony BMG arrived and I was in heaven! This album has been in my CD player almost constantly. Great over breakfast and wonderful before I go to sleep! Talk about crossover! There's Rodgers & Hart's "My Funny Valentine", David Bowie's "This Is Not America" and a wonderful new song by Susie Suh ("All I Want") with Suh on vocals! There are two Michael Nyman pieces (including "Heart and Pleasure First" which is the title theme from the film The Piano - the soundtrack of which is a favorite to play when friends come top visit. There are just enough vocals to balance out the album. And let's not forget the four "bonus tracks", all "remixes" of earlier tracks which give each of those compositions a new life.



This is not "new age music" and it's certainly not "classical". I define it as "Ahn Music" - something really special. The disc should broaden the Ahns' fan base considerably.



I only hope it's not another three years before the next CD. And, oh if only they would release a DVD of this material! I've seen them play live and the visual beauty of the three sisters doubles the pleasure of hearing them play.



Steve Ramm

"Anything Phonographic"



"

AHN TRIO CONTINUE TO MAKE SOME OF THE BEST CONTEMPORARY CLAS

Cali | 05/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"AHN TRIO

LULLABY FOR MY FAVORITE INSOMNIAC



The Ahn Trio is comprised of three sisters born in Korea and educated in the U.S.A. at the prestigious Juilliard School. They play piano, violin and cello and their deep-roots in the classical tradition are clearly evident. But consistent with their last two albums, their fifth CD, Lullaby for my Favorite Insomniac (Sony-BMG-RCA), finds them playing everything but traditional classical repertoire. They try their hand at "My Funny Valentine," David Bowie's "This Is Not America," a Brazilian number, a couple of folk songs, and several film themes.



In addition, the Ahn Trio is joined by folk singers, DJ-beat-masters, Czech musicians and even a Korean rapper. The Ahn Trio's instruments stay in the forefront on the first dozen songs, but fade a bit into the background on the four bonus tunes which are remixes of four of the first selections using club beats and grooves. Several of these compositions were covered by the Ahn Trio on previous albums (these are different versions, however). The first three-fourths of the CD comes across (as the title suggests) as a recording of lullabyes and softer songs for dreaming, loving and relaxing, so be prepared the first time the bonus tracks come on because they are much more beat-oriented.



The Ahn Trio must be commended for their continued experimentation. They bring a lot excitement to classical music, which can use some shaking up from time to time. Whether you call it neo-classical, contemporary classical, classical crossover or modern classical, this is some of the best, most refreshing and most invigorating out there.

"

Buy It! You won't be able to stop listening!

Carrie Clogg | Des Moines, IA | 04/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The new CD from the Ahn Trio is simply amazing. Since I purchased it, I think I have listened to it almost everyday! It is the perfect CD for "challenged relaxation." I am able to have a wonderful listening experience with fabulous music and be relaxed at the same time."