Lotus Land
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 4
Jerry Rabushka
Very little is cooler & more exciting, new-age-musically speaking, than opening a pack of promo CDs and finding a new release from Gandalf, the Austrian musician who took his stage name from Mr. Wizard of Lord of the Rings. He's the cut-above in the new age world, 'new classical' is what he's been called by some, where you can actually listen to the music, or just have it roll over you in the background. Lotus Land is in ways much like his earlier releases, but much different, in that you're not going 'Oh it's the same damn thing!' You can play it over and over, the same smooth rolling guitars, keys, English horn; a bit more sitar this time, melodies reprising when you don't expect it, just very nice driving-in-the-dark or I-have-that-special- someone kind of music. Could be the orchestration, the fact that he uses a variety of instruments, it's well thought out what plays where, it's all lush and peaceful and does what it's supposed to do. I like 'Life is Love,' which takes a sitar into a more western sonic landscape; that same simple melody comes back later in the CD, a bit more subtly. This Sitar comes back in 'Just a Glimpse of Paradise,' which almost gives you just a glimpse of the tune from "Life if Love." The start of Mystic Voyage has a great sounding 'synth pad over bells' going, then in comes the piano; it's how he handles the simplest of chords that makes much of this so nice. Remember the land of the lotus eaters from The Odyssey? If you ate the lotus, you were really really happy and wouldn't care about your wife, kids, or the rest of your life. This won't quite do that, but it'll 'take you away' in a very nice way. Very pretty stuff." Jerry Rabushka, Music Reviewer
Music Design In Review
"Another artist with a history of strong albums, Lotus Land picks up where Gandalf left off with Sacred River. Once again, Asian spiritual undercurrents are omnipresent, with a nice rhythmic mix of guitar, winds, piano and ethereal synths. A pretty album, not to mention that it’s sure to set a lush, mellow mood." Music Design
Midwest Records
Gandalf makes no secret right from the title about how he wants this to be your next yoga session soundtrack. At once peaceful and spiritually uplifting, this set of gentle and graceful music is state of the art audio getaway for life in a stressed world." Chris Spector, Midwest Records
Michael Debbage
It was only last year that Gandalf released the essentially perfect Sacred River that flowed with the fluid touch of an artist at his pinnacle moment, at least to date. To compare with his prior recording may feel like somewhat of an anticlimax when exploring Lotus Land. However, should you enter the Lotus Land as a separate adventure you will not be disappointed as his latest recording, once again, has all the dreamy qualities needed to carry you to the faraway lands of the mysterious Gandalf. Lotus Land represents another true solo effort as the album is composed, performed and produced by Gandalf with absolutely no guest appearances. His multi instrumental performances include top execution on guitar, bouzouki, saz, sitar, keyboards and percussion. The bouzouki, saz and sitar express elements of Greek, Turkish and the Indian cultures respectively, furnishing the exotic touch one has come to expect from Gandalf. The album opens in a very reflective manner with the rather subdued “A Seed Dreaming Inside”. Nevertheless, it is followed by the sitar driven “Life Is Love” bringing the album to life. The sitar theme is revisited later courtesy of “Just A Glimpse Of Paradise” as well as the closer, “Waves Of Delight”. They bring out the more exotic qualities of Gandalf. In complete contrast there is the carefree and light “Where The Heart Finds A Home” that includes the gorgeous string and piano work of Gandalf that dances with his soft nylon guitar strings. Needless to say the song will certainly find a home in your heart as it is warm and inviting as a soft lush king size bed with 800 threads of smooth silky sheets. And if that is not inviting enough then journey on over to “Mystic Voyage” where the melody will whisk you away to distant sun blessed horizons. This is definitely the core and heartbeat of Lotus Land. Even its seven minute duration is not sufficient enough as this epic has it all from piano, guitar, strings and soft percussion all in the right spots. Simply put this is Gandalf at his best. With the knack to integrate meditative qualities with memorable melodies making his work spiritual yet commercial at the same time, Gandalf continues to create his own musical niche. Despite these polarized genres, Gandalf blends these worlds like a master craftsman who knows visually exactly what he wants to say to captivate his audience without beating them into submission. Lotus Land will continue to please his faithful followers. Those of you that have not yet entered the mystical and peaceful world of Gandalf need to come and explore Lotus Land. It is an adventure you won’t soon forget.