A Little Night Music
Gord Wilson | Bellingham, WA USA | 04/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listeners who know Jeff Johnson from NPR's "Echoes," Hearts in Space" or the Windham Hill Celtic and seasonal samplers may be surprised at the diversity in his wide-ranging back catalog, but most who hear one CD will want to hear them all. Vespers is almost a follow-up to Benediction, which Johnson called "an ancient future experience of sacred music," and continues his genre-breaking experimental fusions of classical, jazz, and rock.
The point of departure is the ancient evensong service, traditionally held at sunset and based on the Psalms. The most immediate audiences for Vespers are Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans and others from liturgical churches for whom Agnus Dei, "The Breastplate of St. Patrick," and "The Prayer of St. Francis" will strike a familiar chord. Like Benediction, Vespers includes Celtic chants and Taize choruses, but lyrics are sparse in this meditation, which is carried by the music.
The longest vocal piece is "The Prayer of St. Francis." "Magnificat" repeats only the first line of Mary's musing, sung in latin by classical singer Janet Chvatal, who also appeared in the Austrian production of Phantom of the Opera (but the liner notes include the English translation). "Wait for the Lord," a Taize chant, is sung as a duet, with Chvatal taking the latin and Johnson handling the English. Johnson's restrained keyboard here echoes his haunting Songs of Albion, a three CD instrumental series loosely based on the fantasy trilogy by Steve Lawhead. Vespers opens with a 7:45 minute instrumental (again recalling Albion). "Blessed is the Man" takes its title from Psalm one, but the only lyric is "Alleluia," sung by Chvatal over snatches of Rachmoninoff.
While Vespers echoes the intentionality of the traditional evensong service (it was partly recorded in Chartes Cathedral, France), Johnson improvises widely. The ensemble includes electric guitar and bass, but it's balanced by cello, flute and violin. This is not a rock praise album (although I wouldn't be surprised is Johnson did one in the future), neither does it simply capitalize on the current popularity of chant, ala Enigma. Rather, Vespers offers an environment for meditation and contemplation, and for those who will, an experience of praise."
Vespers is a peaceful effort, instrumentally and lyrically
Mark A. Merritt | 04/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jeff Johnson's music is continually changing. It's more of an exercise (or perfection) of a gift or skill than it is an evolution. Over the span of albums we listeners have grown accustomed to one thought for certain - the next album will surprise us in some cool unpredictable way! Such is the case with Vespers. Immediately the listener is transported into a time and place that reaches beyond our normal, typical, and conventional listening experience. Somehow the abstract and the concrete collide peaceably on the 1st cut "light into Light". Jeff has taken on the additional duties of percussion for this release and it pays off immediately. The initial low frequency drums provide a unique perception of distance and depth (He must have slowed them down digitally to get that otherworldly sound!). Later on (on the 1st cut) the song undergoes an interesting and noteworthy transformation as Johnson's percussion intensifies into a steady stream of sampled "pings and ticks"!? The band is in full-out jam mode for the final 2 minutes of this (7:45) mini-epic. This ending portion is one of the tightest rock?/jazz?/celtic? band performances I have ever heard him/them do. You guessed it - the first song alone is worth the price! I bought 6 copies from Arkmusic (5 to give away). If your life has been too hectic lately, if you've lost touch with God's peace, if you're weary (or wary) of the conventional music scene (Oh, and like all Jeff Johnson albums, this one gets better each time around) do yourself a favor - get plugged into God's peace *and* grab a copy of Vespers today."
An Ancient-Future Worship Experience
Michael Dalton | Eureka, CA United States | 04/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jeff Johnson fuses the old and new about as well as anyone I know. He has done it again with Vespers - light into Light, which takes its inspiration from the traditional evensong service.
Vespers refers to the ancient practice of marking the end of each day with Psalms, music and prayers. Though not following the traditional Vespers liturgy, Johnson weaves a wonderful tapestry of Taize choruses, Latin chants, ancient texts, and scripture based songs set to Celtic music that is both old and modern. On this release Johnson shares vocals with classical singer Janet Chvatal, who has collaborated on past recordings including the critically acclaimed Psalmus.
The title song is a seven-minute instrumental that starts quietly with sounds that convey mystery and awe. It's like the beginning of a journey. The song builds slowly with a violin, keyboards and other sounds, then chants until the song reaches a peak. It then takes a turn toward a more modern sound that is marked by Johnson's keyboard wizardry and Brian Dunning's flute.
"Christ Before Me" is a dynamic Celtic tune that takes its words from St. Patrick and Psalm 139. The rhythm is such that it feels like something momentous is about to happen. It's like being transported to a place of ancient castles and battles. It's a definite highlight.
Janet Chvatal sweetly sings "Prayer of St. Francis," the familiar prayer attributed to him. It's punctuated by beautiful musical interludes. I haven't heard a better arrangement.
"Wait For The Lord" is a simple Taize chorus that starts with soaring synthesizer, percussion and Chvatal's vocal. After a fascinating fusion of sounds, Johnson then sings the chorus with Chvatal joining in.
"Deep Within" opens with a Latin chant taken from Psalm 19. The song builds around a simple keyboard progression with synths and chants adding texture. Picture yourself being transported to an ancient monastery or cathedral. That's the feeling that I get.
Brian Dunning's flute is featured prominently at the beginning and end of "Agnus Dei." Solid percussion and violin accompany Chvatal's chant, which takes a verse from John 1.
It seems only fitting that "Magnificant," a chant that comes from Mary's expression of praise, has a joyful sound.
"Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" is an original song by Johnson taken from Psalm 86. The contemporary Celtic sound, and Johnson and Chvatal's harmonizing, make this one of the standout songs.
"Blessed Is The Man (Alleluia)" is an old song that is updated with a synth-driven beat that is layered midway through with Chvatal singing "Alleluia."
A fitting end is "Grant Us Your Peace, O Lord" that alternately has Johnson singing in English and Chvatal in Latin. "Grant us Your peace, O Lord/Grant us Your peace, O Lord/May it fill all our days."
In addition to his trademark swelling synthesizer backgrounds, Johnson adds outstanding percussion throughout. It ranges from a deep Celtic drum sound to Johnson's innovative electronic wizardry.
What's also impressive is the seamless blending of the voices, and the electric and acoustic sounds. Johnson has done this for many years, and with each new recording, he continues to refine his exceptional skills as a producer.
His past work includes the creation of music (Songs From Albion I, II & III and The Katurran Odyssey) inspired by and paralleling books written by Stephen Lawhead and more recently Terryl Whitlach. If I was producing a movie, I would ask Jeff to do the soundtrack. And I would want him to gather his usual collaborators.
Brian Dunning plays flute and whistles as well as anyone and fellow Irishman John Fitzpatrick creates a musical tapestry with his violin. Jozef Luptak, a Slovakian Cellist, adds an additional classical element. Tim Ellis on electric guitar and Phil Baker on electric bass have been featured on a number of Johnson's recordings and are solid contributors.
Listening to Vespers is like participating in a musical meditation. It's a journey for the spirit that sounds ancient and modern at the same time. It is a welcome and unique alternative worship experience that is contemplative and peaceful. If you are looking for music that has a Celtic flavor and conveys mystery, wonder and reverence, give this a try.
For those who might be interested in an instrumental hymns recording, I highly recommend Johnson's A Quiet Knowing.
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Track Listings (10) - Disc #1