Dream (new album 2024)

[john45]

Music was Born - don't hate it but I think the mixing doesn't quite gel for me, the piano needs a bit more volume on the choir parts to balance it.

Perhaps I'm biased. My Auntie Dot used to work at the BBC which, misguidedly as ever, began to get rid of some of their old 78 records from their library in the early 50s. She acquired a stack of them which she gave to my family. Among them was a set of an early recording of “Rhapsody in Blue” featuring the composer. I used to play it non-stop. I must have been about 8 years old at the time. It’s been a favourite ever since.

[Surpinto]

Several remarks:

Firstly, for the audio snobs, you can pre-order a high definition (CD quality) version of the album at both qobuz and 7digital. HD files are in FLAC. Just search “Libera Dream” and you’ll find it (I’m not linking URL’s because those appear to be specific to the country you are ordering from). Weirdly qobuz claims a 24-bit recording, but I’m skeptical.

Next, I must give the composers of the works a lot of credit both for the variety of musical styles present; as well as the lyrics which, even in Robert’s absence, have several songs using Latin and English together.

I don't have any thoughts aside from some of the ones that have been expressed by others so at this point I'm just awaiting the next phase of the previews we are going to get! I do love that we now have audio samples to tease and entice us

Always there - the chorus theme sounds annoyingly the same as previous songs... Soloist : Morgan ?

I had to quote this part as it made me chuckle

Yes, we all know who helped write this song. He really needs to come up with a new chorus theme at this stage as you spot his work from mars. It's a shame, as he has written some good tunes for the group, but the chorus chords are so repetitive.

Agreed in full and I also laughed when I read that .

All composers have their own compositional styles and signatures in their work, but this is just a bit much for me at this point.

It's important that the collaboration between the composer and the choir continues of course, as this has yielded a number of opportunities for Libera that otherwise would not have existed...if only everything didn't sound like "Angel" and "Far Away"

I was thinking the same thing. I think it's possible that there may be solos from Luca, Mitchel and Nathan and maybe even Freddie M in treble/high alto roles. I believe all 4 boys were sang their treble solos in the US tour last summer? And Luca and Nathan I think were still doing so in Japan and maybe even at Christmas? Nathan in fact was still singing From a Distance in the summer concerts albeit as a duet so he clearly still had some part of his treble range then. Plus it may be possible for them to produce treble solos in studio longer than in concert where the demands of singing publicly and potential nerves can make high notes harder anyway (not that you'd know it with the Libera lot).

Good point and I think you could be right! We'll have to wait and see to find out but we know that they pull recordings from the past regularly, and it isn't all super recent recordings by the time the album hits store shelves.

Once (Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence) - not as immediately in love with this as I wanted to be. If I'm honest, I would have liked more focus on the piano and less on the group 'aaaggghhhs' and orchestration. BUT, only a tiny fraction of the song so it might be more balanced on the full track.

Since it's the beginning of the song I actually like this intro because it's less ostentatious but can build to a climax. Maybe I'm just biased because I like a nice acapella portion in their songs.

[Luckdragon]

I've been enjoying the speculation. It's a tough exercise because we've seen boys who've been in the back row for a year or more suddenly become trebles again on a new CD. Even if you were fortunate enough to attend the recent UK concerts and think you have a handle on the current state of the Libera voices, it's not much help due to the potential time span of the recordings.

I'm surprised that Jerome hasn't been mentioned. We have visual evidence that he recorded something. My guess is that he's the young voice we hear in Lullay, but what do I know? Perhaps somebody here has the ability to decipher what's on that score sheet.

► Show Spoiler

GOLr9G_XUAAVu4p.jpg (274.07 KiB) Viewed 516 times

GOLr9G_XUAAVu4p.jpg (274.07 KiB) Viewed 516 times

[fugalharmony]

Excellent, I like this phase of the new CDs

I have just had a quick play through of most of the tracks, focusing on the ones people have commented on so I'll add my first thoughts:

Seabird - I think it is Joseph.

Once (Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence) - not as immediately in love with this as I wanted to be. If I'm honest, I would have liked more focus on the piano and less on the group 'aaaggghhhs' and orchestration. BUT, only a tiny fraction of the song so it might be more balanced on the full track.

Resurrectio - I can see how this would split opinions but I like it. It has a darkish undertone and I do favour songs that have a bit of edge to them. I think this will be another favourite. Soloist? I wouldn't like to say but great voice.

Well, if Joseph is the soloist on the album for "Seabird", then he sounds remarkably good. I would consider it top notch even for a treble at peak maturity. I'm kind of hoping it's Luca, and still think it might be. It would be a shame if mid-2022 was the last time his solo voice would be recorded on a Libera album. They missed his peak solo voice in my opinion.

I think "Once" is going to be a favorite of mine. I thought the sample sounded really good. "Resurrectio" definitely intrigued me, and it seems Liam Connery is going to bring a distinctive style to this album. I really want to hear how the rest of the song plays out.

[bruinrules]

This little game of "Guess the Soloist" is fun. It's like guessing the March Madness final four! I would have loved to provide a prize for the winner with all the correct guesses on the soloist by shipping homemade baked goods to the winner but I think the macarons and chocolate chip cookies will not survive the jostling and hungry postal inspectors. So it's bragging rights then.
I am totally no good at this but here's a stab in the dark.
Seabird- Mitchell
Always There- Morgan
Twilight- Joseph
Once- Joseph (when in doubt, Joseph is the current default)
Dido's lament- Freddie H.
Resurrectio- Tom M.
Lullay- Morgan
Happy Christmas- Mitchell
I really hope some of the older boys had pre=recorded treble solos as that would be awesome. But that is too hard to figure into the guesses. The upcoming video should provide some more clues. Happy sleuthing!!!!

[Yorkie]

Just realised that Ben Hill's name has not been thrown in to the ring yet. Could he be one of the younger sounding voices noted above?

[Yorkie]

I've been enjoying the speculation. It's a tough exercise because we've seen boys who've been in the back row for a year or more suddenly become trebles again on a new CD. Even if you were fortunate enough to attend the recent UK concerts and think you have a handle on the current state of the Libera voices, it's not much help due to the potential time span of the recordings.

I'm surprised that Jerome hasn't been mentioned. We have visual evidence that he recorded something. My guess is that he's the young voice we hear in Lullay, but what do I know? Perhaps somebody here has the ability to decipher what's on that score sheet.

► Show Spoiler

GOLr9G_XUAAVu4p.jpg

Good point about Jerome. I wonder If anybody with good eyesight can match the lyrics on the music sheet to those Libera have just published to identify the song....

[fan_de_LoK]

Good point about Jerome. I wonder If anybody with good eyesight can match the lyrics on the music sheet to those Libera have just published to identify the song....

The photo shows that he was present with the others and not necessarily that he had a soloist role.
This said, I would be interested to hear him on some solo, on the CD or in a coming concert.

[dani]

As we all love the guessing games, what songs do you think make the concerts at the end of the month from this album?


ETA - besides the obvious ones.

[fan_de_LoK]

As we all love the guessing games, what songs do you think make the concerts at the end of the month from this album?


ETA - besides the obvious ones.

You open me hope for 'Beati Quorum' to be removed to make room for new songs

Music Was Born would be interesting to have in concert to appreciate it in another rendition than from the CD.

Looking to the CD songs list, I would select the last 6 of the list to be performed on stage, meaning:
Veni Sancte Spiritu
Resurrectio
Going Home
Lullay
Music Was Born
Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

[justin]

My guesses after a day (in bold are the ones I'm certain of):

Seabird - Luca (there are 3 solo parts, so we might get Joseph in the other bits)
One Small Voice - Julian , Joseph
Always there - Morgan
Twilight - Morgan (perhaps Ben H as well)
Once - No idea. Two rather young-sounding voices. Could be Ben or Oscar.
Dido's Lament - Joseph
Resurrectio - No idea.
Going Home - Sounds like an older recording, possibly recorded a while back. Could be an old soloist.
Lullay - No idea.
Happy Xmas - Freddie H

[fugalharmony]

I think Justin is probably right about multiple soloists on Seabird. There is some evidence out there to suggest that may be the case, although I'm not at liberty to provide a link. Regarding the song "Resurrectio", if you listen closely to the last second of the sample, it seems that a more upbeat section of the song is starting.

I'm hoping for an album introduction video before the Japan release, but that wasn't the case for the last album.

[filiarheni]

I will not listen too intensely to not take away too much of the anticipation, but out of the unheard pieces, Dream You of and, in particular, Resurrectio attract me the most.
Always There bores me already now, which is no surprise.
Veni Sancte Spiritu sounds interesting as well, very rhythmic and upbeat, another lively song maybe for the time, when Sing will fade out.

About Resurrectio's soloist: It makes me think of Mitchel or Freddie Howarth.
And who is the main following voice, it's a breathy-soft, young one. Morgan or Pietro?

Anyway, it's only a snippet, no praise to a day before its evening, but this one could make it to my album favourite.

[Cat-a-tonic]

Good point about Jerome. I wonder If anybody with good eyesight can match the lyrics on the music sheet to those Libera have just published to identify the song....

The photo shows that he was present with the others and not necessarily that he had a soloist role.
This said, I would be interested to hear him on some solo, on the CD or in a coming concert.

True, although he's standing right in front of one of the big mics, similar to how Luca was recording the solo for Home in the introductory video for If. So that might suggest a solo? And Jerome seems to have come through quickly, being the only mini boy to sing the whole night at the summer concerts.

I also like how they seem to have guessed people will try to guess the soloists and have deliberately put non-solo sections for a couple of the pieces we know from the concerts have solos: One Small Voice and The Lark's Last Song!

And I agree with you Filiarheni - I'm also really excited by and drawn to Resurrectio. Of all of them that's the one I most want to hear the rest of.

[Padmachou]

New theory tonight : the Resurrectio solo part "I am the resurrection and the life"... is Luca's current or recent low voice. Confusing since Sea Bird is full treble. Who's with me ?

I have to agree with Yorkie this is a fun time for the newcoming albums. Also I might get tired of some extracts even before the album is released so I should stop listening to it But it's going to be sooo long until all mystery is solved...

Music was born is already growing on me. How silly of me to think Libera would, one day, make a song I don't enjoy at all. Of course I will like it in the end

Hey Justin : how bold from you !