Visionary new age music for nourishing and rejuvenating body, mind and spirit
Visionary new age music for nourishing and rejuvenating body, mind and spirit
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River of Stars by 2002 CDs and digital downloads available for purchase at:
2002’s stunning album River of Stars offers gorgeous compositions that glide and soar through the galaxy. As the new millennium unfolds, the heavens open and pour out a River of Stars.
| 1. River of Stars 4:38 |
| 2. Elysian Fields 5:37 |
| 3. Stella Maris 5:15 |
| 4. First Daughter of the Moon 5:23 |
| 5. Starwalkers 4:54 |
| 6. Heaven and Earth 5:36 |
| 7. Lovers' Bridge 4:33 |
| 8. The Dreaming Tree 5:07 |
| 9. Tanabata Moon 5:20 |
| 10. Rays of Light 5:28 |
A significant number of artists have attempted to recreate the Enya sound and in doing so have created some great music . . . However, on River of Stars, Randy and Pamela Copus — 2002 — have gone steps beyond these other efforts with the extent and effective complexity of their instrumental arrangements. Certainly an album that will appeal to enthusiasts of vocally rich new age music like that of Enya and Ceredwen to name two. River of Stars is one to seek out — a very relaxing listen.
If this album was any smoother, it would slide right out of the CD player! Fans of ethereal, uplifting instrumentals and wordless vocals will be in heaven with River of Stars. The melodies are very simple and repetitive, but are beautifully fleshed out with guitar, flute, synthesizers, and piano. Many of the tracks also have twinkling orchestra bells, which are evocative of the “sounds” stars might make. A sweet, gentle mood runs through the whole CD, and the production is impeccable. River of Stars is perfect for relaxation or a quiet dinner. There are no rough edges or jarring chords — just a lovely flow of peaceful tranquility.
The title track sets the gentle mood for the album, and the other songs don't stray far from this setting. My favorite track is “Starwalkers”, probably mostly because the piano carries the slightly melancholy melody. In the liner notes, it says “Throughout time many people have believed that when our life upon earth ends, we rise into the Heavens to become a star. Our departed loved ones and ancestors thereby eternally watch over us.” The flute and voices lend a soothing, dreamy quality, and this piece is “melancholy” only in comparison to the rest of the album.
The artwork for “River of Stars” is exceptionally nice, and the liner notes give the stories of the stars from different cultures. If you are looking for a gentle musical massage, this album is for you!
Fans of Enya, Adiemus and Secret Garden will find much to enjoy in Pamela and Randy Copus’ new CD. Using a cosmic synth, harp, guitar and flute mixed with light, airy vocals, this duo creates music for the new millennium, appropriate for yoga, massage, relaxation or a nightly bubble bath. Pamela Copus’ flute work is particularly enchanting; she plays with gentle emotion and avoids the saccharine. The strongest cuts feature vocals, flute and strings, and the Copuses combine them for a heavenly, soothing musical glow. River of Stars isn’t for everyone, but for those more metaphysically inclined, it’s a fine follow-up to their popular Land of Forever.
On their fifth release, the duo known as 2002 aim for the stars and overshoot their mark, with transcendent glory that translates perfectly through heavenly music with a wider range than they have previously explored. Pam and Randy Copus seem to draw from an unlimited well of creativity, and this aspect, combined with their heartfelt approach, has established them as one of the top New Age groups. Traces of Enya-like lushness combine with the trademark harp, guitars, flutes, etc, and this addition of voice tracks really expands the divine sounds they create. Through meticulous production and utmost care & sensitivity that they put into this project, River of Stars is clearly their best-sounding release yet, and should easily become a runaway best-seller from coast to coast.
The first release of the new millennium from Real Music is Pam and Randy Copus' fifth. The duo's last album, Land of Forever, stayed on the Billboard charts for 34 weeks; this one will surely be a solid seller for the specialty market. This is real pretty music that overflows with the sounds of celestial choir, the gentlest of acoustic guitar, piano, and flute, and sylvan string sections. Sweetness and light abound in the ten original compositions that run, for the most part, around five minutes each. While this is good adult contemporary listening, I would go so far as to say it could work just fine for massage or other relaxation needs, even with the occasional heavenly horn accent.
2002 gathers inspirations from celestial realms for River of Stars. The musicians, Pam and Randy Copus, play numerous instruments — keyboards, flute, harp and guitar — and they sing, too, blending their sounds with a heavenly touch. From rhapsodic waltzes to sparkling melodies with the cadence of a lullaby, River of Stars is a musical journey of peace and enchantment. Each piece has a theme . . . yet the entire album flows gracefully from beginning to end. Fans of Enya will be particularly charmed by 2002’s evocative style.