Light of this World

Constance Demby's compositions range from tuneful to aridly mathmatic. Without some form of entrance key, the listener who isn't used to what she is trying to do may get put off. Since much of Demby borders on minimalism, it is not always easy to absorb. By selecting carefully, this album overcomes this hurdle. There is enough here to draw in any listener.

There are excerpts from albums as diverse as Novus Magnicat, which has had great critical acclaim, and the far more technically oriented Sunborne, which is every inch a challenge. Since Demby appeals both to the New Age listener and the musical adventurer the albums serendipity assures the widest possibler experience.

Often Demby's spiritual leanings put off more catholic listeners, who are afraid that what they are going to get is trance music with pompous titles. And there is, no doubt, some of that here. What is important, is to listen to the music down below the hype. Where you will discover what was at the time a fresh and unique style of musicianship.

Gradually, I became gripped by an almost uncontrollable fear as I realized the actuality of our situation. I started playing "Light of This World" on my cassette player, over and over, blasting the song into my headphones. As the passenger, I felt totally helpless. I noticed that it was about 2 am. We kept driving, and I kept listening and praying that the batteries wouldn't run out. Listening to, and singing along with, the song was the only thing that kept me from going into a state of total, uncontrollable terror.

We continued driving ON EMPTY for 3 hours, until 5 am. When we started to come down out of the mountains, there was no more snow. In the distance, we could see a light. As we got closer, we could see that we were approaching a truck stop. I thought it was a mirage.

It was open. We got gas, food and batteries, and were even allowed to use the showers (only truckers were normally allowed to use them). We felt that we had been given a miracle. I believe the music opened the channel for this to take place.

This was my most profound experience with music therapy!!!

Thank you, Constance!!!

"Light of this World: offers a sampler of the music from Demby's 1978 Skies above Skies through the 1986 masterpiece Novus Magnificat; two bonus tracks were written for this compilation album. The title track opens the album, an inspiring and brash pop vocal piece (Demby sounds remarkably like Bette Midler) with female backup vocals, hot drums, electric guitar emulator,and bass.

The title track from Demby's 1980 Sunborne also showcases Demby's voice, but in her more cosmic and chantlike mode. The instrumentation is vast -- organ sounds, trap set, piano -- a sound fit for the birth of galaxies. The exhilarating "Flying Bach" from Novus Magnificat features some fancy organ work with sampled chorus and orchestra. "Radiance" from Sacred Space Music offers an organ drone with the sparkling tones of the hammered dulcimer. Overhead, Demby vocalizes like an angel. " The Dawning" from Sunborne showcases Demby's enormous Sonic Steel Instruments, the Space Bass and the Whale Sail. Demby's 1994 live album, Constance Demby at Alaron, is represented by two pieces, "The Chakoor Bird" (on which Demby plays the resonant Chinese cheng) and "Gurudev Aja," an exotic synthesizer piece with drone. Demby's first album, Skies Above Skies, is represented by two devotional prayers, "OmManiPadmeHum" (radiant piano and organ drone) and "God Is" (a mystical work for organ).

"Sanctus" ends the album, a radiant new piece brimming with chimes and gongs. None of the pieces here tops seven minutes (the pieces may last to a half hour in the original versions), but I could not sense any had been cut. A lot of albums claim "best of"; this one delivers. Demby is a visionary musician, and this album should whet your appetite for more." - AMG