Showing posts with label Karen Olson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karen Olson. Show all posts

9/09/2018

New Age/Classical/Ambient Review: Karen Olson-SongPath

Release Date: July 13th, 2018
Label: Soundview Records

SongPath is Karen Olson's 8th CD release and is a companion to her soon to be published book entitled, SoundPath: Using the Power of Sound and Silence for Health, Harmony, and Happiness. Notably, SongPath is in the top 10 on four Billboard charts including Classical and #3 as the Highest-Ranking Debut New Age Album so far in 2018.

According to Karen’s website:  She combines her unique background as a Violist, Recording Artist, Composer, Author, and intuitive Holistic Healer, to make a positive difference in the lives of others through interactive programming, events, and concert performances that are fun, inspiring, and transformative.
Karen Olson is a respected healer, practitioner, and musician. With SongPath she adds to her already incredibly impressive resume of releases and has reached the pinnacle (thus far) of her musical achievements for variety, depth, and healing. 

I think after listening to her latest offering I can agree with that statement. I covered A Hero’s Journey in 2016 and was quite impressed. It is nice to find out 2 years later that I feel the same about her music. 

SongPath is very wide-ranging. One of the tracks that caught me completely off guard was “New Ways.” It is an electronic-R&B- rap style song. I think it was titled appropriately considering I never expected to hear such a big change in direction on this album. Olivia Meihofer provides the excellent vocals as she does on other songs as well. I give Karen credit for stretching out musically and taking a chance. I enjoyed the song because it was so different and done very well. I imagine there will be new age fans that will probably not appreciate it but that is ok. All the rest of the album is more along the lines of what you would expect from Karen.

With her “New Ways” you will find “Inspiration” and “Serenity” and an “Adventure” inside the music. All of that is wrapped in a nice package for the prospective listener. 

Personally, if I can find pleasure in any type of music, it is healing. It doesn’t necessarily have to have a certain tag on it for it to work, but that is for me. In this case, the label of new age, classical and ambient certainly fits. What you will discover is joy, healing and quite a range of sounds and styles that would satisfy any musical palette. 

SongPath is a prolific release from my viewpoint mainly based on the fact the lead instrument is a viola. That my music loving friends is not an easy task to accomplish, yet Karen Olson makes it sound like it is all very natural, with very concise musicianship and a flow that syncs with your inner voice and soul.  That covers it all as far as I am concerned.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
September 9, 2018

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks: 
1. Ever Peace
2. Why Not
3. Adventure
4. Moving Higher
5. Reminding
6. Inspiration
7. New Ways
8. Gaining Grace
9. Serenity

 

11/13/2016

Featured Track: Karen Olson and Crispin Barrymore-Inner Wanderings


Karen Olson's latest release is A Hero's Journey created with Crispin Barrymore on the piano and sampled sounds.  A Hero's Journey. It contains 11 tracks of new age/classical influenced instrumentals. We are featuring her choice track  titled "Inner Wanderings."

The track suggests the human condition and what we find when we look inside for the truth. Karen's music is recognized on the world stage because of the expertise she commands with the viola.

It's not any easy task taking one instrument and making it a lead in a track or an entire album. This is a major accomplishment for any artist and particularly those that choose stringed instruments.

Karen's viola leads you down a path to push aside the feelings and emotions that are superficial. Her music will invite you to focus on your own "Inner Wanderings." - Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck



More About Karen Olson:
http://karenolson.com 

Karen Olson is an internationally recognized violist, recording artist and composer. She combines her unique background as a musician, Reiki master, and intuitive holistic healer, by providing interactive, fun and inspiring concerts and programs.

Karen’s music has been called “jazzical”: classically oriented jazz fusion that has New Age and World Music influences...READ MORE...