Pathways and Dawns

Pathways and Dawns Artist: Peter Ulrich
Label: Projekt Records
Category: Music


Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 617026009520
EAN: 0617026009520
ASIN: B00000JPCX


Release Date: 1999-08-10

Pathways and Dawns


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Tracks:

  1. Taqaharu's Leaving
  2. Always Dancing
  3. Life Amongst the Black Sheep
  4. Journey of Discovery
  5. Nocturne
  6. Evocation
  7. Springs of Hope, The
  8. Time and a Word

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Amazon.com

Dead Can Dance, er, died in 1999, but the corpse of that band was barely cold before its members spun off in different directions. To the solo careers of Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry, we must now add longtime DCD percussionist Peter Ulrich. But fans, beware: though Ulrich incorporates some of his old band's grandiose medievalist and world-music tendencies, Pathways and Dawns has more in common with the art-pop of Brian Eno (circa Before and After Science), the quieter side of Pink Floyd (pre-Dark Side of the Moon), and the apocalyptic bardic balladry of Sol Invictus. This is particularly evident in Ulrich's singing, which he does in a treacly, somewhat affected late-'60s British psychedelic style--perhaps the disc's only weakness. Fortunately, there are other elements to focus on. The percussion, of course, is first-rate, and the varied instrumentation (strings, guitars, horns, bells) keeps your ear at attention, particularly on "Life Amongst the Black Sheep," whose sound alternates among Irish folk dance, tribal drum circle, and pastoral folk. Other highlights include "Taqaharu's Leaving," a quietly dramatic lament about a boy going off to war; the Dead Can Dance-like instrumental "Journey of Discovery"; and "Evocation," a rousing, theatrical, mesmerizingly bombastic number complete with a choir, pan flute, and angry horns. --Steve Landau

Album Description

1999 solo debut by the former drummer with Dead Can Dance. Brendan Perry, DCD's enigmatic leader, played on and produced most of the eight atmospheric tracks.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Puts a smile on your face........2004-06-29

Being a big fan of Dead Can Dance, this cd was number 1 on my list to hunt down on my subsequent rare visit to a big city. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but of course was unable to listen to it without DCD's magnificent albums tinting my outlook.

Taqaharu's Leaving blew me away from the outset, it is the most DCD-like track on the album, but saying that, Peter Ulrich is under no obligation to create music in the same vein as DCD, and his own artistic vision does indeed reveal itself as a diverse beast.

Like so many people have said, I detect similarities in his delivery and style to early Brian Eno, and in this he veers away from DCD. There is also a kind of 1960's folk-troubadore innocence on the air here, and even the melancholy songs seem to me to be infused with optimism.

Life Amongst The Black Sheep is a definite highlight, it has something of a medieval feel to it, and is altogether a really charming song. Brendan's hurdy-gurdy playing draws the magic forth.

Tracks 4, 5 and 6 are all a little weak in places, methinks. I have to say that I was taken aback (probably visibly) by the gooey Nocturne at first listen, which paddles in a rather yucky "easy listening" soup,(though if you survive the limp first minute or so, the song does build to something altogether stronger).

Evocation has some really nice ideas in the way it unfolds, but there is something about the lyrics, or perhaps their delivery, that makes me cringe every time, plus I find myself comparing this track, and Journey Of Discovery, to DCD's album Spiritchaser, despite myself, and I have to say these tracks pale in comparison, they feel flimsy and are smitten at times with a New-Agey kitsch that never blighted DCD.

Happily, the album ends with two very strong songs, and I am always tempted to return to the beginning and play the album over again.

It's been 7 years since the bulk of this album was recorded with Brendan at Quivvy Church, and I understand there is a follow up album in the works, but wherever is it? I for one am eager to see how things evolve with the next album.

Pathways And Dawns always cheers me up, and I often reach for it for a burst of it's positive essence. Good on you, Mr Ulrich!

2 out of 5 stars awful.......2003-02-10

Perhaps I set my expecations too high, being that Peter was from DCD, but it was simply terrible. The music was a feined attempt at what the spirit of DCD was, but didn't even come close. I regret risking money on this album, and will definitely be getting rid of it as quickly as possible.

4 out of 5 stars pleasant surprise.......2003-01-06

On first listening to this album, I had no idea Ulrich was a member of Dead Can Dance, though I can now hear the influences. This is a lighter, mellower, more New Age-y type sound, especially in the vocals. The musicianship, the world music influences, and the provocative lyrics keep it soaring above such elevator-Muzak fodder as John Tesh, Yanni, and the more recent incarnations of Tangerine Dream. The Projekt label puts out one quality release after another, and this one is no exception.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent First Effort.......2000-08-29

Very infrequently do I find a CD where every song on it I like. This debut work from Robert Ulrich (sometimes percussionist for Dead Can Dance) is a true sonic pleasure from start to finish. The lyrics and the musical arrangement are combined into a hauntingly beautiful style to make for excellent listening. I have had it several months now and find myself enjoying more with every listen. Anyone who enjoys the offerings of DCD, Enigma, Alan Parsons and some of the quieter moments on Pink Floyd needs to check this out. Dead Can Dance's Brendan Perry helped with the recording and production of this album and his influence is definitely present. Check it out, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

5 out of 5 stars

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