Hope

Let's be clear about one thing, Libera doesn't make bad albums. Which of course makes it all the more difficult to settle on a particular favorite. Their US tour album from 2015 must have been an exhaustive feat. It included some of my favorite Libera songs Joyful Joyful We Adore thee, Ave Marie, Voca Me, Rest In Peace, as well as some of America's favorites, which were excellent and appreciated. However, I prefer Libera being Libera and they are after all British, so when their cd Hope was released I was glad to see a return to what Libera does best and thats classical cathedral music. There isn't a misstep in this entire album to mention. It's well polished with an abundance of soaring crescendos that Libera has become famous for. The songs on this album are unbelievably amazing. I'm thinking of Benedictus Deus, which might be the best one on the album backed by a stunning solo and dare I say, a chanting chorus which I don't think I've ever heard from Libera before. Three Ravens is also a new addition as well, and I was awe struck at how dark and beautiful this song came off, its chilling. Some other songs deserving special mention would have to be I'm Dreaming Of Home with another breathtaking solo, and San Damiano which is a prime example of how Libera is best when their performing as a group. This album as a whole has excellent continuity, I never once felt any song was out of place, including From a Distance which I confess I may have done an eye roll upon reading the liner notes. With that said you can't go wrong with this album it pays dividends, big time.

I don’t write reviews very often. However, I am compelled to write something about this album, Hope. My first experience with Libera was in a music store some twenty years ago auditioning CD’s and I picked one simply called Libera. As I listened to it I immediately fell in love with the wonderful sound not realizing I was listening to an all boys choir. I purchased it immediately. Since then I have purchased most of their CD’s and all of their DVD’s. My wife and I even attended a live Libera Concert in Atlanta several years ago under the direction of Robert Prizeman. To me, a choir that consists of all well trained pre-adolescent boys singing in harmony is the most beautiful angelic sound in the world. Thanks to the genius of Robert Prizeman, Libera’s founder and director, Libera is my absolute favorite of all boy choirs. I’ve seen these boys grow up over the years and replaced by new young boys with beautiful voices. The overall sound remains the same, wonderful. This album, Hope, does not disappoint.

I've come to love the music of Libera! It's like listening to angels.

What can I say? Their music is amazing. Calming and enlightening, it's great for hanging around the house, commuting to work, or on long road trips. It's especially magical on long trips through the countryside. There are a lot of new voices since the last album I bought, but the quality it just as good. Since I bought it on Amazon, I pops right up in my Amazon Music app as well.

According to Wikipeid, as well as my own personal collection, it has been 10 years since Libera has put out an album that consisted mostly of songs they have either not released before or haven't released in a long time. Although I have very much enoyed both their Live American album as well as their awesome awesome Christmas in Ireland release (The Wexford Carol is truly my favorite), it is wonderful to have something new to mull over and enjoy.Because of the transient nature of Libera (boys slowly filtering through as their voices change while new ones come to take their places) I tend to lose track of who is singing what, but in the 16+ years I have been listening to Libera I have never found them to use that as an excuse to lower their leverl of excellence. Evident by the continued quality of the group's singing in both their choices of spiritual as well as secular songs.Unfortunately, the brief snippets of songs the Amazon site gives you does true justice to the quality of this latest release, and so let me, hopefully, make it easier on you by sharing with you some of my favorite which is worth buying the entire CD for. Out of the 14 track only tracks 3 and 8 sort of threw me off, but only slightly--the first because of the music, the second because of the lyrics. Your feelings for them may be totally different.However, to me their were several truly stand out songs, the top being in my opinion, "Smile" which shocked me when I found that Judy Garland had sung it in 1936 and still it keeps its poignant beauty, and the 1990, Bette Midler hit - "From A Distance" which, I believe, its lyrics inspired the CD title of HOPE. There versions of which is well worth the price of the CD.There are other great things I can point out but this review is long enough. Look, just get it! If you LOVE beautiful music you'll Absolute LOVE this CD.

Espectacular y muy relajante.

Always great to hear new Libera work. Robert and the team, and the boys, did a great job. Many tracks are new. Thanks for including Holly Marry. As far as packaging, Great insert. Now I know where some pictures from the Calendar came from. CD was hard to remove. Something to think about for the future.

Good, but in my opinion not as good as other Libera recordings.

Producto de muy buena calidad, todo en tiempo y forma. Muy recomendable

Non conoscevo questo gruppo e sto acquistando tutti i CD prodotti, perché sono tutti stupendi , cantati da ragazzi con voci fantastiche e uniche , Tutti capolavori.

The music of this choir is extremely beautiful. Interesting mix of pieces, too. No all ancient CoE anthems, by any means. But the very best of the treble sound, unashamedly, but tastefully, augmented by orchestral accompaniment.

Perfecto

Amazing what a bunch of Boys who like to sing and make harmonies are capable of...