Feast of Silence by Vas

Great thanks.

The music of Vas, Azam Ali and Greg Ellis, creates hypnotic and mystical moods of deep exploration. Azam Ali's voice is darkly angelic and mysterious. Greg Ellis provides percussion and plays a wide range of instruments from around the world: the ones I recognize are, zils, dumbek, tapan, cymbals, Tibetan bowls, gongs, and bells, although there are many others also. This music is so highly appealing because of the sounds created by the cello, bansuri (Indian flute), hammered dulcimer, and oud or bouzouki. The mystical meditative music of India predominates. However, another notable culture present is Celtic, providing contrasting vocal intonations, a welcome variation indeed. A third and unexpected delightful change is, "Izgrejala" which is a Bulgarian traditional folk song, well within the vocal range and haunting style of Ms Ali.It is Azam Ali's unique voice that enters the soul of the listener ... where it resides and lingers the rest of the day. However, no matter how often I listen and no matter how much time elapses between listening, (and no matter how I *wish* it was *different*), a deep sadness, a fog of sorrow arises half way through and I must turn off the CD (track #6, "The Reaper and the Flowers"). Essentially, the feelings evoked is *NOT* where I wish to be ... very often. The title song, "Feast of Silence" could have been dedicated to Sept. 11th 2001. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "The Reaper and the Flowers" begins my "deep dark voyage" and aptly summarizes the contents of the CD. Recommended but with the caveat, expect deep emotions to surface ... no matter how much you resist. Erika Borsos (bakonyvilla)

As a long-time lover of Vas, I was anxiously expecting great things from 'Feast of Silence'. Coming after Azam Ali's magnificent solo album 'Portals of Grace' (containing a number of European traditional songs from the middle-ages), and Greg Ellis's equally enjoyable 'Kala Rupa' (an album with songs built around Greg's remarkable percussive repertoir), this album promised great things.Sadly, I am a little sorry to say this, but I was dissapointed by 'Feast of Silence'. Azam's voice, Greg's percussion, as well as the production, musicianship, and songwriting, are as always impressive, but somehow this album seems to miss the mark for me somewhat. Azam appears singing in English for the first time, in two songs that I simply do not like - and that is the first time I can say that about a Vas song.To give them their due, however, I am sure that there will be people who appreciate this album, and who disagree with me wholeheartedly. Therefore, I would like to say that Vas nevertheless are absolutely one of my favorite groups. Azam Ali's voice is always beautiful and captivating, and Greg Ellis never fails to deliver a hypnotic percussive soundscape.I highly reccomend 'In the Garden of Souls', which in my opinion is their greatest work so far. Some might criticise it for being monotonous - I would prefer to call it coherent. It is one of my all time favorite albums. Also, I heartily reccommend Azam Ali's solo album, 'Portals of Grace', which also is a masterpiece.'Feast of Silence', sadly, for whatever reason, just doesn't quite live up to the monumental, and therefore probably unfair, expectations I have come to have of this magnificent duo. But what the hell, buy it anyway! Vas are fantastic!