After nearly three decades spent perfecting her multilayered harmony techniques and range of styles as a jingle singer, vocalist for Adiemus and session artist for the likes of George Michael, David Bowie, Tina Turner, and... more » Seal, Miriam Stockley emerges with her debut solo recording, Miriam. An amalgamation of African inspired pop, Celtic folksiness, and classically tinged commercial pop, Miriam is a selection of strongly focused vocals embedded in a tapestry of curiously effective composition. Strings swell and swirl round the singer's potent vocals, reed instruments slice through the smooth flow of keyboards, drums and penny whistle set place and mood. Indicative of what is right with both adult contemporary pop and multiethnic easy listening, Miriam steers clear of easy categorization while remaining familiar enough to be commercially viable. --Paige La Grone« less
After nearly three decades spent perfecting her multilayered harmony techniques and range of styles as a jingle singer, vocalist for Adiemus and session artist for the likes of George Michael, David Bowie, Tina Turner, and Seal, Miriam Stockley emerges with her debut solo recording, Miriam. An amalgamation of African inspired pop, Celtic folksiness, and classically tinged commercial pop, Miriam is a selection of strongly focused vocals embedded in a tapestry of curiously effective composition. Strings swell and swirl round the singer's potent vocals, reed instruments slice through the smooth flow of keyboards, drums and penny whistle set place and mood. Indicative of what is right with both adult contemporary pop and multiethnic easy listening, Miriam steers clear of easy categorization while remaining familiar enough to be commercially viable. --Paige La Grone
"I was a fan of Miriam Stockley from the Adiemus series, but wasn't sure if I should buy this solo effort. If you find yourself having the same dilemma, dear reader, do not hesitate - BUY THIS CD NOW!Far from being "Adiemus Lite," this is a magnificent CD which, if anything, overshadows that series. The symphonic orchestration is lush and wonderfully recorded. And that voice - my God, Miriam Stockley transports me to another world whenever I play this album. It is by turns relaxing, ethereal, moving, magical, and transcendent. Of course, her many-layered vocals are impeccably recorded, and the World Music influence characteristic of her Adiemus work is well represented.This isn't just a CD - it's a gorgeous emotional journey."
Hear the beautiful voice behind Adiemus as you never have.
Daniel L. Civco | Mansfield Center, CT United States | 01/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having been a long-time listener to Adiemus(I, II, and III), I have come to enjoy Miriam Stockley's mystcial and magical voice. But it wasn't until the release of her debut solo CD that I truly appreciated her as a 'singer', a lyricist, and a composer. Those fans of Adiemus expecting to hear more of the same will be surprised. This CD has little, if any, of Karl Jenkins' influence and is all Miriam. Her voice is pure and melodic, and her lyrics find meaning for everyone, I am sure. This is a recording that one will listen to again and again, and never tire of it. If you appreciate Annie Haslam, Enya, Maire Brennan, and other 'superior' female vocalists, then you will enjoy 'Miriam'. It is an outstanding first release and I hope the second is not far behind."
Astonishing
thomas sebring | Philadelphia, PA | 11/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rarely do I purchase a CD that leaves me slack-jawed with speechless astonishment; this is definitely one of them! Miriam has joined the rarified ranks of such angelic female vocalists as Enya, Maire Brennan, Happy Rhodes, Loreena McKennit, Kate Bush, Annie Haslam, Lisa Gerrard, Mary Fahl (October Project), Ali Azzam ,Elizabeth Fraser, and Dadawa. This heart-rendingly beautiful album is alternately swinging(Uku'Lela), haunting (Arcadia, Innocents) ,mystical (Domini) and a hundred other feelings. She has taken a quantum leap from the beautiful but stylisticaly restrained work of Adiemus into a world of African rythyms, lullabies, Gregorian chants, and unbearably lush harmonies and orchestral backrounds. Indeed, Miriam is truly a butterfly taking wing and soaring to heights where few are found. May there be more such efforts from her."
A Beautiful Step beyond Adiemus
Steven Becker | Jacksonville, FL. United States | 02/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One reviewer stated, "Those fans of Adiemus expecting to hear more of the same will be surprised. This CD has little, if any, of Karl Jenkins' influence and is all Miriam." With those words in mind, I wasn't sure I would be buying this CD at first...But taking a chance that all the positive reviews already made on this CD couldn't be off the mark, I went ahead and ordered it.... And now I can say, I agree...I was surprised...pleasantly surprised. However-neither was this old Adiemus fan at all dissappointed in this collection of songs filled with the Voice that is, and always will be, an integral part of the Adiemus sound. Yes there are wonderful selections far removed from those on any of the three Karl Jenkins offerings ("Arcadia", for instance)....but there is still a generous helping of the type of melodies and rhythyms ("Homeland") that have made the three Adiemus CDs some of the most listened to in my collection. This CD will not disappoint, whether you are an Adiemus lover or not. I have already played it more times than I can count, by itself as well as shuffling it in with one or two of the Jenkins CDs, and I haven't grown tired of it yet! My guess is that you won't either!"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
kiesubrich | LAS VEGAS, NEVADA | 12/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every year I seem to find one artist or music contribution that really touches me emotionally. Miriam by Miriam Stockley is hands down my choice of the year. This is not a piece of music to dance to, this is music to listen to and make peace with whatever you need to make peace with. I have read reviews that compare Miriam to Enya and other new age artists and for sake of argument, she lends some comparison to these people in order to at least create some perception in your mind what and who she sounds like. But her music is more pure, more vocal, more harmonious and more worldly than most artists in this category of music. Her voice is magnificient and does not require electronic enhancement to enjoy. I describe Homeland, the last song on the album and my favorite, as African rooted with Celtic overtones and people look at me confused until I play the album and win another fan. All I can say is....incredible writing, great producing on all songs and harmony that will grab you emotionally, from new arrangements of Peter Gabiel's Mercy Street to Uku' Lela. Trust me, if you like really good listening music, from Andrea Bocelli to Enya or Yanni to Secret Garden....this is it for this year."