Naomi de Bruyn wrote this review.
Founded in 1979 by artistic director Susan Robbins, Libana came together with the intention of exploring and performing pieces that reflect women’s musical heritage. Unfortunately, much of this heritage is undocumented, and it becomes lost. Libana takes the songs, dances, and instrumental music of the world’s many different cultures, and performs them flawlessly. The name of the group was taken from a 10th-century Moorish poet and musician, as a symbol of women’s creativity throughout the ages.
Libana consists of Lisa Bosley, Allison Coleman, Charlotte Miller, Marytha Paffrath, Susan Robbins, Linda Ugelow, and Cheryl Weber. They perform both a cappella and with a large collection of instruments, including the guitar, dumbek, accordion, oud, naqqara, clarinet, hammered dulcimer, and double bass. This group travels extensively, inspiring audiences wherever they go, be it the Balkans, Africa, the Mediterranean, or South America. The material they perform ranges from ancient to contemporary songs. And it is magical.
With Libana’s first release A Circle is Cast we are treated to music from France to Russia, from Renaissance England to pre-colonization America. It is a fascinating journey on many levels, that instilled a sense of wonder and awe in me.
The opening track, “Ah Comme, C’est Chose Belle,” from 14th century France, sounds as if it would be something you’d hear in a nunnery. The a cappella harmonics of this piece are just incredible, and extremely uplifting for all its solemnity.
There is a Kore Chant included, and it is magnificent. The dynamics of Libana’s vocal abilities are a wonder, producing a potent chant and instilling a sense of reverence. The lyrics of this short yet powerful track speak of the four elements, explaining that “everything she touches, changes.”
The title track is one of minor harmonics blended with the major scale. It is slightly jarring, but yet somehow relaxing; there are simply no words to describe this piece properly. “A Circle Is Cast” reaches into my heart as a 
woman and gives me a sense of oneness, a communal spirit linking each and every one of us together.
Night Passage is the group’s latest release, and includes some guest artists: Margot Chamberlain, Cindy Kallet, Lisle Kulbach, Abby Rabinovitz, Chris Rua, and Rosalind Brooks Stowe. According to the liner notes, Night Passage is the third in a trilogy which began with A Circle is Cast and continued with Fire Within. This is a work which portrays the cyclical nature of life.
“Libana has sung these songs at moments of passage and times of transition…” And happily, they share them with us.
This disc, like the first, contains music from around the world and from varying times in history. According to their web site, the music on this disc runs “from a mystical ode involving the new moon to an undulating chant honoring the Yoruba Goddess Yemaya, from a South African ancestral incantation to lush settings of the poet Rumi.”
The opening track, “Whatever Circle Comes From The Center,” is another solemn piece. The lyrics were taken from the text of Jelaluddin Rumi, with Coleman Barks providing the translation. It is performed a cappella, as is much of Libana’s repertoire, and although brief, instills a deeply peaceful and reverent feeling.
This moves into a haunting chant, “Dark of the Moon.” Marytha Paffrath provides accompaniment on the bombo. It is richly pagan in feel, and the women’s voices lift to the very stars in exquisite harmony. The beat pulses along with the heartbeat, as the words weave their own spell. “Dark of the moon, new beginnings/dark of the moon, fantasy tonight/dark of the moon, what we envision will come to be by the full moonlight…”
The final track is entitled “Deep Peace.” The text came from a Gaelic blessing, composed by Bill Douglas, and it is entirely appropriate for a closing number. The voice of the women again hit some purposely dissonant notes, which only add to the charm of this track. You are left with a sense of closure as the final notes dwindle away, bringing this incredible experience to a memorable end.
(Libana, Inc., 1986)
(Libana, Inc., 2000)
