5 Favorite Libera songs--musically

[plumpuff6]

I saw this topic on the Angelvoices Yahoo group, so I thought I'd start it here. The question was basically this:

What are your top 5 songs from Libera musically? Remember to consider the melody, harmony, overall musical atmosphere, etc., and anything from their first album Libera to present may be included. Also include why you like the songs.

1. "Far Away"--This is the very first Libera song I ever heard, so of course I have fond memories of it. The thing that I like so much about the song is how it starts off with a solo, slower and meditative, and with soft backing voices in harmony, and then swells to a multi-part chorus with a soaring descant. The Latin words make the song more mystical, and the lower voices in the chorus lend a solid base as the "middle/upper" voices sing the melody and Tom Cully takes off with the highest notes, giving a celestial sound! Altogether the song has a peaceful feel to it, augmented of course by Michael Horncastle's unique, smooth tone. It sounds like he is truly singing from his heart and smiling as he does the solo part.

2. "Vespera"--This song was the reason I bought the album Luminosa. I love how it starts off in a Gregorian chant style, simple and unadorned, and then there is a high vocalizing solo, and Steven Geraghty sings the opening lines in his high, pure voice. His tone is mature and innocent at the same time, very pure and appropriate to the song. During the chorus, I love the part where the middle voices sing "Keep me as the apple of an eye" and the higher voices sing a descant. For some reason this song gives me a very warm feeling, an appreciation for the song. I don't know why though...It's just beautiful to me. Then when the lowest voices come in the song just becomes 100x better. The sound gets fuller and there is a deep pulse of energy, which tapers off as the song ends with Steven's solo, "Te lucis ante terminum" and some "ahhhs". It is a very special song.

3. "Sanctus"--"Sanctus" was the second Libera song I ever heard, and the intricate harmonies are what make the piece for me. The lyrics are not many, which is why the harmonies are so important. In a way, I think it is a signature Libera song. My favorite version of "Sanctus" is from the 2006 album where Ed Day sings the closing notes because they are so powerful and controlled.

4. "You Were There"--This is partly one of my top 5 because it is Tom Cully's last solo, but that is not the whole reason, by any means! It is a wonderful song, beginning off with Tom's solo, which sounds slightly melancholy to me, and then he is joined by a few more voices at the "You are shelter from the storm" line; from the video it looked like Liam, Mini-Ben, Sam L., and possibly others I forget at the moment. Then the whole choir joins, the lower voices singing beautiful harmonies and possibly in octaves during the Latin part, and later the melody in "ahhs" as the high voices take a descant, and then tapering off so Tom can sing another verse. I love how the chorus swells and then ends with the solo voice, starting on a higher note that gradually lowers as the intervals are sung, as if the day is truly ending. This song is great because it starts with a single voice and then the whole choir joins in the chorus and so on, and then it ends with a solo voice, very soft and wistful.

5. "Time"--This is my recent favorite Libera song. Ever since the video was released, I've been watching it on Youtube practically every day! This song is so wonderful, both musically and in the lyrics, although the lyrics are not being discussed here. The beginning of the song is very haunting and mystical sounding, which is shown well by Josh's voice as he sings in a rich, soothing and almost dark/husky tone, at least compared to the lighter tone he used to have as a higher treble. During the song it seemed as if he were more of an alto. Josh's voice was perfect. It sounded calm and mature and had a timeless quality to it. Then when the chorus begins, Mini-Ben takes off. The whole dynamic of the song changes. Instead of sounding more melancholy/wistful/pensive, it becomes dynamic and full of hope for the future. Mini-Ben's voice is stronger and better here than I have ever heard it before, much more powerful but still clear and with the same excellent diction and ability to sing difficult sounding intervals spot on. The rest of the choir contributes to the whole pensive/mystical and shimmering sound with their "ahhs"...This song is, simply put, one of RP's gems. I feel that it is a tribute to Josh and all he has contributed to Libera as a treble soloist over the years, and a sort of debut (although that is not the right word, as Mini-Ben had been a soloist with the group for some years now) of Mini-Ben as one of the principal soloists, showing off his new voice.

[Narnian]

Hey, an interesting question!
ok, my musically top5:
1) Salva Me (by beautiful duet Tom & lil' Joe)
2) Time - fantastic harmony. Violin and keys make this song very special... and of course... duet again... Josh & Mr.Ben
3) You were there - love this song
4) Sing forever - an old song with beautiful harmony
5) Do not stand at my grave - harmony again...

[jesuspeace34]

My top five would be:

1. Time: love the harmony of Josh and Ben. It always gives me a feeling of happiness and hope. Kind of that warm feeling that you feel inside. ( All Libera songs however give off that feeling, but Time has a more dramatic effect to it.)
2. Salva Me: for the older versions, I always loved that they added a little beat to it. The newer versions I love how they are more relaxed and soothing.
3. You Were There: helps give off that feeling that we are not alone.
4. I Have a Dream: loved the harmonies of the group.
5. Guadete: same as above, loved the harmony.

[chix]

1. VOCA ME - I lobe the mysterious feel of the song. The song starts with an eerie feeling then during Anthony's part I feel a bit calm. Plus the grandioso part towards the end is awesome.
2. AIR - I love the harmony of Tom, Ed, Liam and Josh. Plus it's an extremely difficult piece.
3. SANCTUS - This is the first song of Libera that I had heard and I was hooked because of this too. I like all the versions. I like how the played
4. MYSTERIUM - Simply hauntingly beautiful.
5. NEW DAY - Simple and very calming. I love the harmony.

[Yorkie]

Too hard by a mile. My favourite songs are what I like, the video is part of it - but why does any one song appeal over another? I don't have the technical knowledge to describe in musical terms what makes a song 'good'. So this is my feeble attempt to explain my choices:

1) Voca Me - it just wows me. The way it builds and builds and builds and then explodes in a peak of harmony - no other song will ever match it. This is and always will be, my favourite Libera track.

2) Sing For Ever - I love every version I've heard. I'm not religious and in many respects it's twee but its simple, pure message moves me. And it is a song that just fits with treble voices so well.

3) Far Away - I'd be a liar if I said the video of Michael in the church was not a major influence here. But, that aside the power of the lyrics and the perfect match for Michael's voice is just so on the money. It's restrained, reflective and .......peaceful? It doesn't try to knock you over with a wall of sound.

Those three were easy, so many brilliant records left and only two choices...... I'm not actually sure I can pick two more, I have about 15 songs that could fill the last two places. But if I must.

4) Semele - like no other libera song. This is basically a virtuoso performance by one of the most legendary Libera voices. It is a tour de force of treble singing with a killer note step at 3.40ish in to the song.

5) Stabat - whisper his name; Steve Geraghty. Simple; pure; honey; gold; light. Heaven.

[JoelinMkt]

I did not consider music highly similar to the original classical compositions (Sacris Solemnis, Lacrymosa, Going Home, Luminosa) and those songs that are traditional (Abide with Me, Rest in Peace, Jerusalem)

1. Sanctus/Locus Iste

This is the song through which I fell in love with Libera. It does not matter which version of this song is playing. The arrangement of Robert Prizeman has taken my love for Pachelbel's Canon in D and raised it to new levels of admiration. The one moment I am definitely looking forward to is being hit by the opening bars of the Sanctus in a live performance.

2. Far Away

The arrangement of the chorus of Far Away in three voices rolling in one after another has the same awesome beauty and power of waves crashing on the white cliffs of Dover.

3. Secret

The song describes itself. "Like mist in the morning, it drifts away silently..."

4. Sancte

Sancte is has all the monotone of a gregorian chant but for me, the arrangement of the coda (Creator, mysterium, O lux creator optime
Beata, fidelium, sit sempiterna gloria) is piercing as it is plaintive. I can literally feel it drill into my soul.

5. Sing Forever

The melody of this song makes me want to do just what the title recommends - sing forever.

[Nikki178]

I'm not even going to pretend I know anything about harmonies and melodies or anything about what a "good" songs sounds like. I'm picking my top five Libera songs based on how much I like them.

1. Locus Iste / Sanctus - This was the first song I heard from Libera and I agree with JoelinMkt: this song was the one that made me fall in love with them.

2. I Am the Day - Another favorite because of the haunting feeling of the song. Chills ran down my spine when I first saw the video in youtube a couple of years ago. I love the concept of the video.

3. We Are the Lost - Another song that sends chills down my spine. There's something about the lyrics that makes me picture the casualties of war and how those soldiers are also fathers, sons, friends and so on.

4. Love and Mercy - I like this because of the message of the song. There were points in time that whenever I opened the TV, there was always something about a war waging somewhere, the most recent being a political war that resulted to the death of so many people. During that time I had this song on repeat.

5. Never Be Alone - I love the message of this one as well. I like listening to it during those times when I feel like I'm being suffocated because of the pressures that comes from everything in my life.

[TEB]

Here goes.
1- Dies Irae. This was the very first song of Libera's I ever heard. There is something so New Age about it, especially the harmonies on the last note. When I first heard this, my immediate thought was of Enya. This was something she would do.

2- Far Away. I like the spiritual message in this song. Plus I just simply like Michael's work. He was still such a happy young man when he recorded this song. I miss that young man.

3- I Am The Day. Again, the spiritual message. And the vid with Ben Crawley. That vid is so eerie with all the different special effects and all the boys disappearing into that spinning picture projector. Until recently, Day was my favorite and will always remain as one of my favorites. I am glad RP uses that as the finali of the main concert.

4- You Were There Again, the spiritual message in the lyrics. God has always been with us and RP's Christian life is certainly shown in all of his songs.

5- Time I just finally got to see this video. This is simply a wonderful song. I like the arrangement and I like Josh's new singing voice. Plus, Ben is now showing some new energy behind his voice. It reminds me of Joseph McManners when he first started singing. The shear restrained power behind the voice. I have grown so used to hearing Ben with quiet solos, it is quite a surprise to hear a powerful one. He may even be the one to replace Liam on high powered solos.

And I have to add one more:
6- Sancte I just like this song. It always makes me feel good inside when I hear it. Plus Liam's solo is so very powerful.

I could just keep on because there are so many of their songs that affect me in some manner or another.

[filiarheni]

Too hard by a mile. My favourite songs are what I like, the video is part of it - but why does any one song appeal over another? I don't have the technical knowledge to describe in musical terms what makes a song 'good'. So this is my feeble attempt to explain my choices:

1) Voca Me - it just wows me. The way it builds and builds and builds and then explodes in a peak of harmony - no other song will ever match it. This is and always will be, my favourite Libera track.

I never came across this thread, before you, Yorkie, just threw it between my feet in the 2024 new album "Dream" thread. Now look what I wrote in my introduction post 8 years ago:

I love a whole lot of their songs, but my top favourite is and has been and probably will forever be the terrific Voca Me. Those dissonances and their releases (right word?), the wonderful soloists there, the crystal clear singing of the "Lacrymosa" bits and so on ... I am absolutely enthusiastic about this song!

Voca Me is the undisputed favourite among favourites.

And here's about two more of your chosen favourites: Where'er You Walk (Semele) and Stabat, which I praised in my "Luminosa" album review in 2018:

Where'er you walk from "Semele"
A lovely aria from a Händel oratorio/opera and Ben is the one to sing it! The only one forever? I'd like to hear it live, but Ben set the bar so high that it is very hard to find a successor for him in this very piece. Really stunning performance. Splendid voice, elastic and flexible. Very expressive, gentle, warm, but shining tone. It fascinates me so much that mostly when I listen to it, I feel like a, as we say, "hypnotised rabbit". The choir supports Ben wonderfully with adding the harmonies, gently enfolding his singing. Very enjoyable song, belonging to a totally different genre.

[...]

Stabat
This is the song where I couldn't defeat my curiosity before the CD was mine, and my first listen was: Just awww, this is a dream of a song! How could I keep myself away from it?? (Actually, I heard it while I was supposed to be packing my things for the trip to the Ely concert last April, but I couldn't get up anymore and instead remained sitting there listening ... and listening ... with endless goosebumps. And: The very first note reminded me of Voca Me, and the pitch seemed to be the same ... which proved true, but then it goes on so extremely differently. )
It still captivates me entirely with its unequaled mood. Gentle melody, gentle harmonies, gentle arrangement, Steven's marvelous solo. I LOVE the song.

As I referred to this Stabat in my "Hope" review, I permit myself to just copy a relevant passage from there, as nothing has changed for me since then:

I feel Stabat to be a silent, introverted, sympathetic, praying pain (small tone steps make it clear) with a focus on the harmonies, and it seems to me that the pain is more observed and described with sympathy. Somehow, it is obvious that the purpose of the whole situation ultimately was a good one. [...]Stabat - heart-softening; Stabat Mater - heartbreaking. I am at the mercy at both of them. Robert knows extremely well how to handle Stabat Mater words!

I have to neglect Far Away and Sing Forever though, I'm sorry.

[Yorkie]

I have to neglect Far Away and Sing Forever though, I'm sorry.

Well, given the vast number of songs, having 3 out of 5 in common counts for something surely

Far Away and Sing Forever might not make my list today but Far Away was the song that revealed Libera to me so I guess I have a soft spot for that one.

[filiarheni]

Far Away and Sing Forever might not make my list today but Far Away was the song that revealed Libera to me so I guess I have a soft spot for that one.

That's a merit that should be held high, yes.

I should think about trying to select 5 songs as of the status of existing songs quo back then, 2010, just for the fun. Maybe I will. But not today.

[filiarheni]

Just listening to Stabat. How incredibly lucky the Libera boys were and are to get the opportunity to sing such type of music, with this beautiful song representing many others. If I only had had a chance to sing in such a choir, not for the fame or for the travels, just for this very music.

[Surpinto]

Just listening to Stabat. How incredibly lucky the Libera boys were and are to get the opportunity to sing such type of music, with this beautiful song representing many others. If I only had had a chance to sing in such a choir, not for the fame or for the travels, just for this very music.

It's a fantastic song. Luminosa as a whole stands out as having a slightly different vibe than the other albums by having more songs on the new age or ethereal end of the spectrum of Libera's music, rather than the mixture of styles we're more used to since.

And, yes, Libera's alumni are very lucky to be exposed to so much variety of music.

[filiarheni]

Luminosa as a whole stands out as having a slightly different vibe than the other albums by having more songs on the new age or ethereal end of the spectrum of Libera's music, rather than the mixture of styles we're more used to since.

That is true and the ethereal is what I love so much. "Luminosa" is in fact my favourite album, whose only mistake is that Voca Me is not part of it. But if someone forced me to take only one to a lonely island instead of compiling a playlist.

And, yes, Libera's alumni are very lucky to be exposed to so much variety of music.

When I discovered their music, I felt like coming home. I keep being amazed and grateful that through all the years they always found enough members who dedicate so much love and time to this kind of music and often stay faithful to Libera even after they left the singing group.

Is this very much off-topic now? I'm not aware of a storage basin thread where we can just randomly throw our wallowing in.

[Surpinto]

And, yes, Libera's alumni are very lucky to be exposed to so much variety of music.

When I discovered their music, I felt like coming home. I keep being amazed and grateful that through all the years they always found enough members who dedicate so much love and time to this kind of music and often stay faithful to Libera even after they left the singing group.

Is this very much off-topic now? I'm not aware of a storage basin thread where we can just randomly throw our wallowing in.

There's no such thing as off-topic in a 14 year old thread But, yeah, I agree with you about all of this.