Heart Land

• Artist: Tim Wheater
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1995
• Genre: New Age

Review

This monumental and ambitious "oratorio" headed by flautist Tim Wheater combines synth orchestra, boys' chorus, men's chorus, male and female operatic soloists, flamenco guitar, French horn, overtone chanting, and ethnic drums and other instruments. It is (or should be) to the men's movement what Constance Demby's 1986 Novus Magnificat is to the new age movement or what the 1812 Overture is to the 4th of July. The album concept sprouted from a simple recording Wheater made of overtone chanting, and the theme is the fateful voyage of The Warrior to the realm of love; a mystical element is added by tying the story into a quatrain written by the prophet Nostradamus.

"The Warrior's Return" begins with a vast and peaceful panorama of overtone chanting, orchestral strings, and Wheater's golden-toned flute. "The Warrior's Prayer" is a deceptively "lighthearted" embrace of the concept by The Warrior; here, Wheater plays a carefree melody on his flute and sings with Spirit in a clear and engaging style. This prayer is obviously not enough, for an ominous and warlike piece titled "The Inner Battle" follows. The climactic outburst by Heart (Sarah Leonard) is the spine-tingling moment of the album. The Medicine Man offers a peaceful prayer in the Lakota language, which is followed by a tribal percussion chant titled "Shaman Rap." "In Love's Domain" begins with a peaceful flute melody by Wheater, backed by a meditative organ drone. The French horn (and echoes) signal the arrival of The Warrior's harmonic chant. Spirit's song weaves lovingly amid The Warrior's singing and his descant flute. The Angels, harp, and Spirit join in until The Warrior is victoriously elevated to spirit. Sharing credit with Wheater on composing the music is David Lord; Stuart Wilde co-authored the words. Works of this scope and impact are rare. ~ Carol Wright, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Heartland: The Warrior's Return, 1st Mvt.	David Lord, Stuart Wilde, Tim Wheater	Tim Wheater	(25:00)
Heartland: The Warrior's Prayer, 2nd Mvt.	David Lord, Stuart Wilde, Tim Wheater	Tim Wheater	(5:53)
Heartland: The Inner Battle, 3rd Mvt.	David Lord, Stuart Wilde, Tim Wheater	Tim Wheater	(8:52)
Heartland: In Love's Domain, 4th MVT.	David Lord, Stuart Wilde, Tim Wheater	Tim Wheater	(13:00)

Credits

Juan Martín (Guitar), Juan Martín (Flamenco Guitar), Frank Perry (Voices), Frank Perry (?), Frank Perry (Conch Shell), Frank Perry (Tibetan Bowls), Tim Wheaton (Flute), Tim Wheaton (Cymbals), Tim Wheaton (Flute (Alto)), Tim Wheaton (Harmonium), Tim Wheaton (Vocals), Tim Wheaton (Flute (Wood)), Tim Wheaton (Bells), Tim Wheaton (Producer), Billy Budd (Vocals), Billy Budd (Choir, Chorus), Manny Elias (Drums), William Gregory (Oboe), John Hodgson (Vocals), John Hodgson (Choir, Chorus), Hossam Ramzy (Percussion), Alan Jenkins (Assistant Engineer), James Kelly (Vocals), James Kelly (Choir, Chorus), Patrick Kelly (Vocals), Patrick Kelly (Choir, Chorus), Sarah Lewis (Assistant Engineer), David Lord (Keyboards), David Lord (Producer), David Lord (Engineer), David Lord (Orchestration), David Lord (Mixing), Mark Robson (Didjeridu), Andrew Richardson (Vocals), Andrew Richardson (Choir, Chorus), John Richardson (Percussion), John Richardson (Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part), Paul Ridout (Design), Patricia Spero (Harp), Tim Wheater (Flute), Tim Wheater (Cymbals), Tim Wheater (Flute (Alto)), Tim Wheater (Harmonium), Tim Wheater (Vocals), Tim Wheater (Bells), Tim Wheater (Producer), Tim Wheater (Main Performer), Tim Wheater (Rainstick), Kevin Westenberg (Photography), Will Gregory (Oboe), Sarah Leonard (Soprano (Vocal)), John Robb (Vocals), Cecilia (Soprano (Vocal)), Robert Powell (Narrator), Gary Thomas (Didjeridu), John Arnold (Choir, Chorus), Ian Cooper (Mastering)