5.0 out of 5 stars Pura Vida is pure beauty!, January 11, 2012
By Dawn Leith (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Pura Vida - This is Pure Life (Audio CD)
Astounding! There are no words to accurately describe Randy Granger's Pura Vida, so give a listen and you will know what I mean...Americana, pure and simple, at the same time full of subtle but complex nuances and layers of emotion. One of the most talented Native American flute players I have heard, but so much more. Randy's angelic voice gives soul and substance to moving lyrics, as in the title track 'Pura Vida,' and 'Hier und Jetzt (Here and Now), storytelling at it's heartfelt finest that will leave you breathless. 'Rain In The Canyon' is soft and contemplative, while 'Happy Dance' on the hang pan drum will leave you tapping your toes and grinning from ear to ear! Last but definitely not least, Randy's cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' deserves the final mention...unbelievably stunning, pure and full of genuine feeling. My favorite version of this beautiful song, bar none. Randy Granger's music will not disappoint, you will be a fan for life!
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, August 26, 2010
By John Platt (Belle Mead, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pura Vida this is Pure Life (MP3 Download)
Absolutely wonderful album on every level. 12 great songs, each one a winner. My favorite Randy Granger album.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Joy!, January 16, 2012
By Greybeard "Tree of Life Designs" (Roxboro, NC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Pura Vida - This is Pure Life (Audio CD)
My favorite Sunday Morning CD by far, eggs bacon and Pura Vida set the mood for a beautiful day. I had the pleasure to see Randy perform a few years ago and fell in love with his music and his spirit, with Pura Vida he has created something special. I have been a long time fan of Leonard Cohen and was blown away with Randy's rendition of "Hallelujah". In addition the title song "Pura Vida" and "Hier und Jetzt" are amazing too, the latter holding special signifigance for me. Highly Recommended!
5.0 out of 5 stars A Place Called Peace - Randy Granger, December 29, 2008
By DanaeJade - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Place Called Peace (MP3 Download)
New Mexico musician Randy Granger is back with another gem, A Place Called Peace.
One again, Randy casts a spell on his listeners with voice, flute and percussion, creating an atmosphere of spiritual and sensual peace.
Among my favorites are: Za Zee Za Zu Zing (A Place called Peace), a catchy little ditty with an adorable sing-song chorus and lyrics that make an appeal to peace everywhere.
Dog Star and Chaco Moon Meditiatons are both haunting flute pieces that soothe and relax the soul.
Ghost Dancers, and it's subtle reworking, Ancestors' Ocean Voyage are an invocation of the Ghost Dances performed by Wovoka and the Sioux as a response to white expansion in the 1800's.
Apache Tears also mournfully recalls that tragic period in American history , where many "Trails Of Tears" were walked as many tribes were forced onto reservations.
And then of course there's the fun Double Barrel Train Wreck, performed on a double barrel flute that does actually sound like a train whistle.
All in all, another amazing album from an amazing artist .
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5.0 out of 5 stars On New CD Randy Granger Shows His Expertise On Native American Flute, Metal Hang Drum, Indian Drums & Guitar, March 26, 2009
By Cali - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Place Called Peace (Audio CD)
RANDY GRANGER
A PLACE CALLED PEACE
Native American flute player Randy Granger explores his ancestry on his latest CD, A PLACE CALLED PEACE. That ancestry includes the American Indian tribes from the Southwest (where Granger has lived all his life) -- Chol, Athabascan, Apache, Comanche and Dogrib. Some of the song titles on the CD zero in on that history - APACHE TEARS, GHOST DANCERS, RIO GRANDE LULLABY and CHACO MOON MEDITATION (that one was written after Randy performed at the Chaco Canyon ruin site where a thousand Anasazi people lived more than a thousand years ago).
The recording features wooden flute on every tune plus, at various times, Native drums, a variety of percussion, the modern metal hang drum, digeridoo, acoustic guitar and, on the first piece only, singing. One of the highlights is the solo flute tune DOUBLE-BARREL TRAIN WRECK, so-named because Granger plays the double-barrel flute and creates the lonesome whistle cry of a distant locomotive coming to meet its destiny.
This is outstanding Native flute playing with enough additional instrumentation to keep it interesting at all times. Granger is quickly becoming a leader in the field.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A music CD album reflecting the timeless, land-connected nature of Southwestern life, March 14, 2009
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Place Called Peace (Audio CD)
Southwestern flautist Randy Granger draws on his Native American heritage (his bloodline is connected to the Chol, Athabascan, Apache, Comanche and Dogrib tribes) for inspiration in A Path Called Peace, his music CD album reflecting the timeless, land-connected nature of Southwestern life. Individual pieces are performed with an impressive variety of flutes, from a reproduction of an ancient Anasazi flute to a double-barreled flute with buffalo drum, to the Australian digeridoo. Both pieces with vocals and purely instrumental pieces are present, and individual songs range in theme from somber commiserations to the hardship the Apache endured when remnants of the tribe were forced to live a starvation existence hiding in the canyons, to the ebullient celebration of life in the title song. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Za Zee Za Zu Zing", "The Dog Star", "Chaco Moon Meditation", "Ghost Dancers", "Rio Grande Lullaby", "Apache Tears", "Double-Barrel Train Wreck", and "Ancestor's Ocean Voyage".
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5.0 out of 5 stars SouthWestern Soul Music, July 5, 2008
By Zman "Tom" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Place Called Peace (Audio CD)
Randy Granger is a rising star among performers playing the newest world music format that incorporates instruments like Native American flute, hang drum, didgeridoo, djembe, and other hand percussions. Randy is a virtuoso on all these instruments, and displays his talents in inspired fashion on his latest CD, A Place Called Peace. While the music flows through all the genre's spiritual and haunting elements, my two favorite pieces are more on the rousing fun side. "Za Zee Za Zu Zing" opens the CD with a can't-get-it-out-of-your-head sing along about finding peace through music. Similarly, "Double-Barrel Train Wreck" is a joy ride down the rails played on a double barreled native style flute that has you seeing the on-rushing headlight coming straight at you. I picked up the CD after seeing him play live at the Zion Flute Festival, and knew I had to have his music in my collection.
5.0 out of 5 stars "Amazing Hang", May 25, 2008
By F. R. Thomas - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Roswell Incident (Audio CD)
I agree with DanaeJade's review of this CD. The first song, "Mi Corazon," is a real tour de force and remarkable for its depth. With every playing you hear different things going on. Randy's voice on "Mi Corazon" reminded me right away of Milton Nascimento, but with the hang, digiridoo flute, and Granger's artistry, the song is also quite innovative. "Lavender Lover Lullaby" is another great song--simple words but deep structure and emotion. Listen to the way Granger gets out of this song (the ending) as well as the way he gets into it. There are many moods and emotions on this CD by an accomplished musician. Great album.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Wild And Wonderful Trip, May 6, 2008
By DanaeJade - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Roswell Incident (Audio CD)
Ever listen to music that just swept you away to another world? Well, that's exactly what Randy Granger's new cd, The Roswell Incident does. With it's haunting blend of Native American flute, vocals, digeridoo, and an unusual instrument call a hang (pronounced hung) drum, Randy weaves a musical landscape that is both peaceful and exhilerating.
Before I continue with this review, I would like to explain a little about the hang drum. It has a sound that is similar to a calypso steel drum, but at the same time, produces unique tones of it's own. It looks like two woks stuck together. Or, as my friend's stepson put it, a ufo. (And the joke is not lost on Randy. Which is obvious both from the album title and the little green alien topper that sits on his drum.
)
Among the many wonderful tracks, my favorites are: Mi Corazon, Lavender Lover Lullabye (both which display Randy's amazing vocal talents.), Spiral In Beauty, Solstice (For Ancho), Full Moon Insomnia, and Dancing At The Totem; a fun song that combines chanting, flute and hang drum, with spoken word by poet Wayne Crawford.
The music itself invokes a spiritual and sensual atmosphere that soothes the soul and invigorates the spirit. It is the perfect background for massage, meditation, and even dancing. This is one ufo you definitely want to hitch a ride on.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Otherworldly for sure, March 6, 2011
By C. Gries (Shohola, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Roswell Incident (Audio CD)
this is a great album. I stumbled across Hang Drum music while search for plans to make my own drum. The sound is celestial and Randy Granger's voice is soothing! I recommend this album if you are looking for music to sooth your soul and rejuvenate your mind.
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5.0 out of 5 stars hanging with the hang drum, December 13, 2010
By Dustin M. Peterson (Central Coast, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Roswell Incident (Audio CD)
The sound mix on this cd is excellent. I myself have an udu, a percussive clay drum which is very difficult to mic and record.
Whoever produced/directed the recording of this cd did an excellent job. I'm not going into details about all of the tracks,
some aren't that great, but most of the tracks made the journey listening to this cd an excellent experience.
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