Cirque du Soleil Album: “Dralion”

For the 11th time, Cirque manages to put out an incredible CD. Rather than managing to tackle complex topics (such as being one of millions in a society, or death and rebirth) like Benoit did, Dralion's CD seems to tell a simple love story. "Ballare" is one of the best Cirque ballads, second only to Quidam's heart-wrenching "Let Me Fall". As the music progresses, it gets deeper, more suspenseful. The clouds break momentarily in the electric "Aborigines Jam" (track 9), then return for the superbly dark "Hinko". The finale, "Kamande", is everything that a Cirque ending should be- bright, upbeat, and triumphant are some words that come to mind.

This is Violaine Corradi's first time ever composing for Cirque du Soleil. Dralion leaves me certainly hoping that it won't be the last.

Dralion, being the 9th Cirque du Soleil soundtrack release, continues the tradition of outstanding music. This time however, even more words (real meaningful words, not just ah and la) are used then in Quidam, which is a lot. The words are also in a large variety of languages, Ballare being in Italian, Miracula Æternatatis being completely in Latin, Kamande in French (I think), Aborigine Jam being in sampled Native American tongue, and Ombra being in Italian, French, and English. The main singer, Erik displays a marveleous range, singing above the treble clef in Stella Errans, and rapping in Latin below (or near there) the bass clef, and then doing a two octave jump in Miracula Æternatatis. This is another hit definetly worth getting for any Cirque du Soleil fan.

Dralion's music, a combination of Oriental themes spiced with different music, sparkles with originality and creativity, and it appears that Violaine Corradi, Cirque du Soleil's newest composer, is not going to be a disappointment. Kamande (track 11) is lively and wonderful, with a vocalist to match, and Ombra, sung in Italian, is a beautiful, soothing melody. Definitely worth buying. Oh, Dralion (the show) is great too!

On the first listen, I was not immediately drawn in by Dralion. The music was not my usual genre: it seemed overly dissonant and electronic. There did not seem to be any sense of continuity between the tracks. Some had a pseudo-African drum beat, one reminded me of the intro to Ricky Martin's "La Copa de la Vida"...it sounded like a synth-induced roaring soccer crowd.

Twenty or so listens later, I've grown to love Dralion, mostly for the solos by Erik Karol, French countertenor and poet of sorts. His voice is clear and soaring, angelic and genderless. I had not heard of him before Dralion, but the instant I heard his voice I fell in love with it.

I still have not seen all of Dralion (I have ordered the DVD), but after listening to the music repeated times I have come to understand the blend of futuristic electronic music and Asian, African, and Hispanic influences, much as the show is a blend of mythology and international influences. Although it is not something I would normally buy, I have to recommend Dralion for its amazing blend of cultures and themes and its gorgeous vocals by Erik Karol and Agnes Sohier.

I must say Dralion is no different from any Chinese act I've seen in the past. Yet, there is something that binds me to love it...the music. Absolutely gorgeous from the solo type operettas to hip Native American and Asian mixes. What I do find mildly disappointing is that the CD does come short. The CD lasts 50 minutes while the show lasts for 2 hr. 15 minutes (w/o intermission). There are lots of great pieces in the show that was left onto the cutting room floor for this CD like the funny incident with the clowns playing the bass, drums, and ukelele. I know it's weird but it was all so funny! Most of what you hear on the CD is the sheer energy and charisma from the live performance. Too bad it wasn't ALL of the fun! But what the hell, it's a good hear for long car trips and nagging spouses!