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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Ambient, ethereal and somniferous to the point of meditative self-engrossment, Foretold in the Language of Dreams is a welcome but unforeseen deviation in the fascinating career-curve of polycentric Anglo-Asian dance-pop diva (and belly dancer) Natacha Atlas.
Bearing little resemblance to either the ethno-trance world beats of her work with Transglobal Underground or the Middle Eastern pop of her subsequent solo offerings, this album--a collaboration with the Marc Eagleton Project and featuring Greek band Avaton, renowned Syrian qanun player Abdullah Chhadeh and Britain's zither virtuoso Andrew Cronshaw, among others--represents a more progressive direction: an arid, illusory, impressionistic Arabian sound tapestry partially inspired by Sufi and the writings of Armenian-born philosopher and mystic George Gurdjieff.
While any listener may presume too far by attempting to draw any conclusions from this album--who are we to encroach on somebody else's self-assessment?--it wouldn't be too belittling to admire Foretold in the Language of Dreams purely for its exotic flight-of-fancy alone, an enticingly mysterious Eastern antidote to incessantly drizzly British afternoons. --Kevin Maidment
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CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When I heard that Natacha Atlas was basing her new album on Peter Brook's film of Gurdjieff's "Meetings With Remarkable Men" I knew I had to buy it.
I read the sleeve notes before playing, and noted that she wanted to do something "soothing and esoteric". That worried me as I do not believe the two are compatible. On playing I believe I was right. This is not a soothing piece of music, but it is esoteric. The whole album shimmers with the excitement and expectation of spiritual revelation. Gurdjieff used music as a tool to raising consciousness but there are few references in contemporary music. Keith Jarrett's album of Gurdjieff hymns is the major exception, and Robert Fripp's music is heavily influenced by his stay in a Gurdjieff retreat.
Marc Eagleton's influence shines through the production and the use of background sounds enhances the "journey" aspect of the music.
Tracks from this album will be used in countless chill out compilations over the next few years but please buy the album because it only makes sense played from beginning to end, and is a discrete entity. The music and spiritual ecstasy captured by Natacha's voice will seep into your being.
Oh, and by the way, don't be fooled by the false ending to the final track - there is a long pause before the final fragment which suggests triumphantly that the journey had an ending.
I read the sleeve notes before playing, and noted that she wanted to do something "soothing and esoteric". That worried me as I do not believe the two are compatible. On playing I believe I was right. This is not a soothing piece of music, but it is esoteric. The whole album shimmers with the excitement and expectation of spiritual revelation. Gurdjieff used music as a tool to raising consciousness but there are few references in contemporary music. Keith Jarrett's album of Gurdjieff hymns is the major exception, and Robert Fripp's music is heavily influenced by his stay in a Gurdjieff retreat.
Marc Eagleton's influence shines through the production and the use of background sounds enhances the "journey" aspect of the music.
Tracks from this album will be used in countless chill out compilations over the next few years but please buy the album because it only makes sense played from beginning to end, and is a discrete entity. The music and spiritual ecstasy captured by Natacha's voice will seep into your being.
Oh, and by the way, don't be fooled by the false ending to the final track - there is a long pause before the final fragment which suggests triumphantly that the journey had an ending.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In interviews Natacha Atlas has been quoted as saying "Foretold..." was a bit like New Age music. This made me a little apprehensive, I have no wish to hear my favourite artist turn out sugary muzak. However - breathing a sigh of relief - this new album is certainly no easy-listening exercise. In fact, this is an album to drive the casual listener screaming out of the room. The New Age monicker is only justified insofar as the album is heavy on atmosphere and ambience, rather than tunes as such. One obvious reference would be the solo albums of Lisa Gerrard (ex Dead Can Dance). I liked it immediately, but as with all Atlas albums it is, in my experience anyway, a slow grower. I can't say that I am completely familiar with it even now after several listenings, but I like it immensely. It is bound to disappoint many of her fans, and I would advise potential buyers to have a listen before shelling out your hard-earned money. OTOH, here we have an artist with a growing following who suddenly changes course in midstream and releases a decidedly non-commercial album. How many artists can this be said of? Forgive me for sounding gushing, but I admire Ms. Atlas so much. Her solo albums, and more recently the albums of Transglobal Underground, have blown me away. They are so original and yet so familiar in that they appeal to a wide range of emotions, even if they draw on traditions foreign to Western ears. There is so much to discover in this music. Give "Foretold..." a chance. The rewards are worth it provided you have the patience for 73 minutes of music with hardly a beat in sight. PS - what is the idea behind the "spoof" ending that comes after a few minutes of silence (a bit like on the Stone Roses' awful "Second Coming"?). A man talking in mock German accent about "confiscat[ing] your artwork and zen ve vill shoot ze entire village" and then breaking up laughing??? Probably to deflate the pomposity (not in a negative sense) of it all and bring us safely back to Earth, I guess?
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Has years of replayability, bought this several years ago and it still has a prominent place in my listening rotation. Very contemplative and creative.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
how to destroy a great voice
i bought this album after a friend let me hear one track from it - the final track. i thought it was fantastic. Read more
Published on 20 July 2005
5.0 out of 5 stars
When she sings she sings to me!
I think this is Natacha's 4th album, and it is superb! She has taken a new direction and comes up with what she says she set out to do; to create an eastern - influenced ambient... Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2003 by "minister-of-dub"
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mellow Melarkey
Breathtaking vocals from wonderful Natacha Atlas. Other terrific instrumental playing. The desert ambience shines through, but opens wider to take in other traditions in a... Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2002 by "oordvark"
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very chilled album
Natacha Atlas has a very haunting arabic voice which is sexy and full of mysticism. It is great to hear her sing in English (check out track 3 Zitherbell). Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2002 by "kam_amazon"
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Woman of Light
Ever since I listened to Atlas' 'Love Song' on a Jah Wobble CD couple of years ago, I knew that Atlas will be a talent and ansipration to learn from. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2002 by M. Hamze
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