Two worlds of music
John Cordero | 06/26/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"First I would like to say that I greatly admire Constance Demby's talent. However, if you are interested in buying her CDs, be aware that her music falls into two vastly different worlds. Novus Magnificat, Set Free, Aeterna, and Sanctum Sanctuorum are rich in harmony and very uplifting. Attunement, Spirit Trance, and Space Music are atonal and reminiscent of a waking nightmare. Unfortunately Amazon.com does not make much of her music available for listening so it is difficult for someone new to her music to be aware that the mood of her work varies greatly. I would love to have her compose more music along the lines of Set Free and Novus Magnificat."
From the Artists' Review Files...
constance demby | CA | 07/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Constance Demby is known as a musician who gives voice to spaceships and
stargates, but on SPIRIT TRANCE, she returns to earth with a grounded and
deeply felt collection of film music and rare re-mixes. After being
nominated for the New Age Grammy with Novus Magnificat, Demby became known
for her celestial harmonies and her ability to turn sound effects into real,
evocative music. Her talent for giving life to unique sounds is evident on
the albums stand-out track, "Ocean of Life", where underwater echoes convey
the enormity of the sea, while short, high notes vibrate like schools of
fish moving though the dark. "Legend" is a grand, sweeping piece that was
written for an unreleased film about James Dean. On this track, Demby gives
a sonic portrait with all the pathos you would expect from a 500-page tome
on the actor. The earthbound tone of this album may surprise some of her
fans, but careful listening reveals the artist's signature style. Symphonic
and spiritual, TRANCE SPEAKS TO THE SOUL and transports the listener to new
realms without leaving the planet. -CD Universe"CONSTANCE DEMBY IS A PIONEER IN SPACE MUSIC. . Her album NOVUS MAGNIFICANT
pretty much defined ambient musical styles in the late 80's and remains a
benchmark of the sub-genre to this day. It's nice to know that almost two
decades later, Demby still is making music that stands head and shoulders
above the rest. SPIRIT TRANCE is a collection of film score excerpts
(including the stirring theme from "James Dean - An American Legend" and
several quasi-spiritual compositions from "I Am") and re-imagined pieces
from her past repertoire. Each of these selections features an intricate
array of space effects, vocal and chant textures, synthesizers that exhibit
the sweeping grandeur of a symphony and isolated piano melodies that seem to
wander amid the spacious backdrops. Complex and transcendent, this trip
through the cosmos is a journey you won't want to miss." - Blue Eagle Books"COMPOSER OF THE GRAMMY NOMINATED MASTERPIECE, NOVUS MAGNIFICAT, Constance
Demby has returned to the forefront of visionary New Age recordings
withSpirit Trance. Developed from a variety of sources, including her
acclaimed motion picture soundtracks, Spirit Trance has roots in nearly the
entire span of her groundbreaking career. Arranged and blended to weave a
seamless starry fabric, we are transported into deeply beautiful places
within and beyond the self. Highly recommended." -East West"
Cosmic Journey
C. Gallahun | Whurld's End | 04/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The music of Constance Demby has annointed this world for some time. From her previous work... "Set Free," "Novus Magnificat," "Aeterna," "Attunement," "Faces of the Christ," and "Inner Sanctum..." she has guided us on a touching, epic and TRULY ENCHANTING sonic journey into the depths of spiritual feeling and discovery of the essence of joy, healing and heartfelt remembrance of all our yesterdays and tomorrows to come. Her music is CATHEDRAL in scope... --if that cathedral were constructed of the STARS THEMSELVES, surrounded by stellar gas clouds of the Hubble Space Telescope fame. SPIRIT TRANCE continues this journey, gently guiding our musical beings into the next chapter of her MAGNIFICENT JOURNEY. The music is a great companion piece to the deeper selections from the SET FREE album, and in fact, a Spirit Trance version of the "Into the Center" selection from Set Free is delightfully included. Words alone are inadequate to describe the depth, scope and emotion cultivated by the sheer elegance and cosmic resonance of this latest, magnificent work.SPIRIT TRANCE is mysterious, alluring and compassionately welcoming. The music heals the soul and worries drain away... and their absences are replaced with gentle healing, hope and a sense of UNIVERSAL WONDER. Once refreshed by this majestic music, you may be inspired to new levels of artistic wonder and happiness. Hearing this music is an investment in your well being. Constance Demby is a prophet who speaks to us not in words, but music. Her message is different for each person, as we must interpret the powerful music in our own, individual ways. After hearing it, personal growth is a certainty. In this day and age of unease and world turmoil, her healing, enchanting music is a remedy for souls that need soothing, wonder and HOPE for a better tomorrow. One would be amazed at what could be accomplished, if only the citizens of the world could and would sit down, relax and enjoy the universal language of music together, let down the fronts and LISTEN. Listen... Grow... EMERGE... with SPIRIT TRANCE."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1