From the opening chant of the Yakushiji monks, it is apparent that this is going to be a special offering from Kitaro. The legendary World Music pioneer?s latest album is a two-CD set recorded over three evenings in the sa... more »cred Yakushiji Temple in the ancient Japanese capital, Nara. With full instrumentation, Kitaro reprises nine favorite compositions from earlier albums, plus his Golden Globe Award-winning theme from the Oliver Stone film Heaven & Earth and two previously unreleased tracks. This is a tour de force for Kitaro and ensemble. All the drama, grace and humanity of his usual offerings are here with the added immediacy of the live recording and the profound spirit of the Yakushiki monks who appear on the previously unreleased "Wa" in addition to the opening track. Live in Yakushiji is a broad and deep journey, to inner realms as well as exotic earthly destinations.« less
From the opening chant of the Yakushiji monks, it is apparent that this is going to be a special offering from Kitaro. The legendary World Music pioneer?s latest album is a two-CD set recorded over three evenings in the sacred Yakushiji Temple in the ancient Japanese capital, Nara. With full instrumentation, Kitaro reprises nine favorite compositions from earlier albums, plus his Golden Globe Award-winning theme from the Oliver Stone film Heaven & Earth and two previously unreleased tracks. This is a tour de force for Kitaro and ensemble. All the drama, grace and humanity of his usual offerings are here with the added immediacy of the live recording and the profound spirit of the Yakushiki monks who appear on the previously unreleased "Wa" in addition to the opening track. Live in Yakushiji is a broad and deep journey, to inner realms as well as exotic earthly destinations.
John Schneiderwind | Omaha, NE United States | 04/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kitaro's journey from unabashed electronica to a more relaxing orchestral style is culminated with the live release of Live in Yakushiji. I was lucky enough to see this particular concert series live in Shibuya, Japan and a variant of that concert is reproduced brilliantly here. The music along with the photos in the booklet set the mood for a fantastic listening experience that shows how much Kitaro has grown as an artist and continues to keep his music fresh, despite a tendancy for artists to "over-technologize" their music. Kitaro has none of that here."
Peace-restoring Music for our unpeaceful world
John Schneiderwind | 02/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having just watched Kitaro's concert on pbs, all I can say is that now I have a better idea of what the music must sound like in any place of perfect Light and Being. In fact, with the concert playing softly in the background, I watched everyone in my home who was within earshot of Kitaro's performance become calmer and kinder toward each other, even if they were not actively paying attention to what they were hearing. If you want to own beautiful music that is great as either gentle background music, or as something you are more actively listening to and relaxing to, this is it. So peaceful, so healing, so hauntingly beautiful that it stirs the hearts and souls of all who listen."
Unbelievable!
John Schneiderwind | 12/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is my first Kitaro CD and I am amazed. The music is so moving that you can't help but feel your soul stirring inside. This music will keep anyone on their spiritual path."
Transitions very smoothly done!
Aisjah Hopkins | San Mateo, CA United States | 04/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First listened to Kitaro in the 80's wore out the "tapes". More recently purchased the " Light of the Spirit" and was very disappointed with the choppy feeling, the pieces did not seem as full or rich as I had first heard so long ago. This performance Daylight Moonlight: Kitaro Live in Yakushiji has the qualities of the earlier Kitaro I so enjoyed. I sometimes listen to music while I paint, and find that I really hear the music deeply as my "chattering" logical brain quietens and my creative right brain really hears!"