Hey, ...don't know about you ., but i've been collecting this guy's incredible music ,oh, 20 years maybe!!From "cAVERNA mAGICA, "wHITE Winds",,,,,,,,"Down to the Moon", ...the list goes on ....this is one incredible musician!!This swiss-born harp player has truly bleesed my (AND AN AWFUL LOT OF MY FRIENDS, TOO!) with absolutely incredible music , the last 2 decades!!His composing skills are phenomenal!, his unique playing ability on the harp is truly awesome , and, what's more , ..he has composed some of the most relaxing ,beautiful music ---ever!!!!(some claim, i know).Of recent years , Andreas , ,has gotten more involved in the more 'classical' music field ...to me, he was not as inspiring..so, ..i was a little unsure how this new album would sound,..phew, was i in for a shock!!....This new Andreas Vollenweider c.d. is absolutely STUNNING!!!!!!!!From it's incredible opening track-"Hello"!...to the end of this c. d. you , if you appreciate inspired music , will be enthralled Mr Vollenweider is back on form!!The real shock , is the 'vocal' tracks, with Andreas 's own voice (HENCE THE TITLE OF THIS C.D.)The lyrics/vocals are truly , beautiful, especially on the songs-"Innocent", "Ripples in the lake (of time) , and the masterpiece..."Hearts of Gold"....what a GLLLLORIOUS song , this is!!!Thankyou , Andreas vOLLENWEIDER for a truly, truly remarkable album!!.one of your best!!!I treasure this album , close to my heart!(Please , Andreas, play a date (dates) in England(Manchester, Birmingham) this summer ---England needs your music, ..oh, and America, too!BUY THIS C.D.!!!-TONY-eNGLAND

Once again Andreas Vollenweider has created something slightly different from, but clearly connected to, his past work. There are two versions, imported and domestic (this one). Actually, I feel the imported is more interesting in that the additional songs and different sequencing seems to create a more complex overall sound. As others have pointed out, this is his first serious foray into vocal work. I think it works and that it works well. The lyrics are interesting, always have something to say, in fact are often touching, and his voice is quite agreeable (I strongly disagree with the Amazon reviewer's putdown of Vollenweider's voice--as well as with a few other rather odd putdowns). In fact, his expressiveness in conveying the intention of the lyric surprised me and, in my view, demonstrates a subtle artistry of yet another instrument--his voice.

As I continue to listen to this album , I have begun to feel that this is one of his best works. Perhaps because of the meaningfulness of the lyrics or the complexity of the music, this CD has affected me as strongly as my favorite works of the past. On the DVD portion of the domestic disc, Andreas is interviewed and he elucidates his view regarding the influence that music has on emotions and thoughts. He certainly demonstrates such influence on this CD.

My dad uses to say the most beautiful music he's ever heard is Vollenweider's. I haven't played him this penultimate album yet, but if I do I'm completely sure he would put a strange face on a few songs. For me it sounds a little too dark, intimidating and sometimes even scary. Sure it doesn't have to be always the delicate beauty of 'Down to the Moon' B-side, or the melodic charm of 'Eolian Minstrel'. But the gloom and darkness of all the melodies and the soft use of his own voice, which I prefer as he did before as a mere accompaniment for the actual instrumental music, make me feel uneasy along most of the work.

Although Vollenweider's music has been darkening a bit with each record, in this one he's gone too far, sounding really void and unfeeling, even uninspired in some tracks. Probably I'm going too far with this review, but probably counts that I would expect much more from Andreas Vollenweider than from the rest of the musicians, and so this makes me go a little further in disappointment. The quality is still good, but for me it is the weakest attempt from the artist so far and it loses a bit of the soul his works always had. But knowing him, his next one will be completely different and he'll reach inspiration in new faraway sources of art.

Here's a minority opinion, evidently. I couldn't have been more disappointed! I didn't hear a single instrumental line I haven't heard Andreas do better on earlier recordings (and I have almost all his albums.) I always enjoy imagining the worlds and the stories that his melodies suggest to me. But with the lyrics and singing in the foreground on this album, I felt like I was being told how to interpret what I was hearing. And a 9 minute narrative "guided tour?" Talk about filler!

As to the singing and the lyrics ... there are a million singer/songwriters out there (many of whom write better lyrics and sing far better) but there are very few composers of interesting music. I always found Vollenweider creative and original, but I thought he lost his muse on this one.

"Son of Sysiphos" may just be the "new" perspective

of where modern jazz meshed with new age may be taking

us, and again Vollenweider succeeds in top form on this

song. It is definately light years ahead of it's time,

and wonderful at the same time!