Treasures of the Saints [Import]

My brother and I first discovered this CD about five years ago in a used CD rack at a music store. He bought it because the cover looked interesting, and when I heard it, was I jealous he'd snapped it up before me! I'm happy that I finally have my own copy from one of Amazon.com's Marketplace Sellers.

The music on the CD is what I often call "Imagination Music": music which tells a story; music which is so vivid and engrossing that your brain is encouraged to create vivid images to go with the sound. The tracks on this CD are all similar but different. Some are very active, with grand soundscapes and a multi-layered fullness that seems to engulf you. Others are more peaceful and relaxing, but still like fuzzy blankets that surround the listener.

"Procession of Treasures" begins the CD with a heavy percussive sound, the cymbals highlighting the rhythm of the track. One can't help but imagine a procession with swirling silks, golden adornments, lavish costumes, and incredible grandeur.

"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" is not a song, but rather a recited work set to music. The lush imagery of the poem and the gentle ambience of Burmer's music blend together to create a track that is both soothing and a little bit creepy. This is very autumnal and Halloween-ish.

"Rabrini" is the next track, and is dominated by synthesized strings, but it's a relaxing track, faintly bittersweet. "Ghost Tower" is exactly the opposite...more percussive sounds, more depth. It's almost like walking through an old graveyard at night, but instead of feeling afraid, you see the massive statues and crypts and almost feel sorry for the passing of time. A mildly scary track if you have an over-active imagination.

"Apples on the Windowsill"...well, not sure why it's titled like this. It could almost be called 'Shaman's Journey' or something like that. The sounds of rattles, the almost expectant tone to the music, conjurs up images of seeking an answer from beyond. Maybe that's why the apples were on the windowsill...

"These Things Will Change The Sleep Of Angels" is just a dreamy, pleasant track...one you can happily fall asleep to. This is not a remarkable track as such, but it keeps with the theme of the rest of the CD.

"Leaders In Frenzy" takes a sharp turn from the previous track and is very active, bringing to mind great medieval armies preparing for war. The underlying sound of men speaking only serves to heighten the tension and "frenzy" created by the music. This is another track, much like "Ghost Tower", that can make the imagination get up and go.

"Three Off A Grassy Shore" again soothes the ears and calms the imagination. Also an unremarkable track, but still lovely. And finally, "Revolving Faces of God" wraps up the CD with an almost celestial sound, light and sweeping and harmonious.

I have loved this CD for a number of years now, and it's a great vehicle for the imagination to soar. It's just a shame that it can be somewhat difficult to get a hold of, but it's well worth adding to any collection.

I've owned this CD for years, and the first two cuts alone make it worth the price. "Procession of Treasures" has an unique elegance with echoes of antiquity that are lovely and pleasing. To hear Dylan Thomas recite "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" accompanied by Burmer's cell-penetrating music is not to be missed. "Leaders in Frenzy" evokes a kind of tribal mysticism that evokes in me what feels like distant echoes of a past life. This is an eclectic collection of offerings that are an altogether worthy endeavor!

Only noteworthy track features poet Dylan Thomas reading his "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night". The rest is pleasant but unremarkable.

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