Instrumental Review: Gerhard Daum-Songs Without Words

Release Date: April 26, 2019

Label: Tonework Records

Website

The last time I heard the sweet sounds of Gerhard Daum’s guitar was in 2017 on Rural Renewal with his guitar and string ensemble. At the end of last month, he released Songs Without Words. The title says it all right? Well, not quite.

Gerhard’s guitar playing is outstanding and that did not come as a revelation considering his last effort was a 5-star outing. I decided to just call it instrumental in regards to genre. He covers some ground so making it all inclusive was the best route to take.

You will hear some biting rock and blues licks along with some electrified cinematic jazz moments (‘Told You So”). “Gentleman’s Way” really caught my ear, its upbeat and consistent rhythms and timings made it an instant favorite. “Gold Rush” was another ear catcher, it sounds like a made for TV soundtrack or commercial, actually anything cinematic that needed some added color or depth, then this track would add those elements to it and make it all complete.  “Timeless” was superb as well, another one for the highlight reel. One even better for the film industry would be “Walking On Clouds,” with its orchestrated layers and excellent reverberating jazz-inflected guitar notes.

To be perfectly honest, what is there on Songs Without Words not to like? I loved the entire album. Although I am partial to guitar-based instrumentals, I do require a high standard of listening pleasures and strong production values with everything I hear. This recording gets an A+ in every category and is an absolute joy to listen to.

I am sure Songs Without Words will easily find a home with the contemporary instrumental, jazz and easy listening stations streaming all over the globe. It has that durable crossover appeal because Gerhard goes from strength to strength so seamlessly, mixing all the genres. Every additional instrument to the guitar is just the proverbial icing on the cake. There are many great moments to enjoy on this album night or day, it all fits just like a glove to complete your day with a smile in your heart.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

May 10, 2019

Founder of:

TheFinalonVinyl

MuzikMan Productions

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Review Provided By MuzikMan.net

Tracks: 
01. Berlin Song
02. Talking Softly
03. Gentlemen's Way
04. All That Matters
05. Gold Rush
06. Timeless
07. Holding the Dream
08. Going My Way
09. Told You So
10. Walking on Clouds
11. The Early Passion
12. My Foolish Heart
 

Blurred Vision To Release New Single "Magdalena" Digitally On May 10th!

Free Launch Show on June 6th at Old Queens Head, 44 Essex Rd, London N1 8LN

London - Blurred Vision are pleased to announce the digital release of their new single, “Magdalena.” It will be available on all major streaming and download platforms on 10th May and will be accompanied by a lyric video on Youtube.

Watch the lyric video here:

An official music video will be released on 3rd June to be accompanied by a free show to take place at the Old Queens Head in Angel on Thursday 6th June.

An effervescent, foot-stomping, club rock anthem of a track, “Magdalena” comprises the first offering from the band's forthcoming second album.

Inspired by the call of the collared dove, “Magdalena” is about an eponymous superheroine who breaks the chains of inhibition and mediocrity to free her subjects from the shackles of their mundane world.

Band founder/songwriter Sepp Osley said, “For anyone, if lucky, there is that individual, that free spirit, who comes into your life and completely liberates you from the things that hold you back. Conceptually it really appealed to me as a super power figure. Musically it all started with the call of the collard dove - one of those fortuitous moments where nature gives you that wild ear worm you really want to sing.”

Blurred Vision has been working directly with graduate students from London's MET Film School to create concepts for both the lyric and the official music videos. Students have submitted original material covering all aspects of animation, editing and post production with a view to bringing a young, fresh approach to the interpretation of the song.

This is not the first time that Blurred Vision have been involved with creative video concepts. Their first video to accompany a re-titled remake of Roger Waters' “Another Brick In The Wall” was directed by award-winning director Babak Payami. The song went viral and the video was cited as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Pop Music Videos of All time by Televisor Germany/MTV Europe.

Blurred Vision's “Dear John” video, in celebration of John Lennon, brought together artists and fans from across the world while the stark “Democracy (Beckett cut)” employed a strong monochromatic, confrontational approach which was both moving and compelling.

With the recent announcement of a new live lineup, Blurred Vision are on the verge of releasing their second album. Like their first, it is again produced by Terry Brown.

The new lineup sees the addition of some of London's hottest young musicians. Joining Sepp Osley are Bentley Levy on bass, Jake Bradford Sharp on drums and Jake Libretto on guitars.

Blurred Vision's  “Magdalena” is available for purchase and streaming from the band's official website.

For more information: http://blurredvisionmusic.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Blurred Vision To Release New Single "Magdalena" Digitally On May 10th!

Free Launch Show on June 6th at Old Queens Head, 44 Essex Rd, London N1 8LN

London - Blurred Vision are pleased to announce the digital release of their new single, “Magdalena.” It will be available on all major streaming and download platforms on 10th May and will be accompanied by a lyric video on Youtube.

Watch the lyric video here:

An official music video will be released on 3rd June to be accompanied by a free show to take place at the Old Queens Head in Angel on Thursday 6th June.

An effervescent, foot-stomping, club rock anthem of a track, “Magdalena” comprises the first offering from the band's forthcoming second album.

Inspired by the call of the collared dove, “Magdalena” is about an eponymous superheroine who breaks the chains of inhibition and mediocrity to free her subjects from the shackles of their mundane world.

Band founder/songwriter Sepp Osley said, “For anyone, if lucky, there is that individual, that free spirit, who comes into your life and completely liberates you from the things that hold you back. Conceptually it really appealed to me as a super power figure. Musically it all started with the call of the collard dove - one of those fortuitous moments where nature gives you that wild ear worm you really want to sing.”

Blurred Vision has been working directly with graduate students from London's MET Film School to create concepts for both the lyric and the official music videos. Students have submitted original material covering all aspects of animation, editing and post production with a view to bringing a young, fresh approach to the interpretation of the song.

This is not the first time that Blurred Vision have been involved with creative video concepts. Their first video to accompany a re-titled remake of Roger Waters' “Another Brick In The Wall” was directed by award-winning director Babak Payami. The song went viral and the video was cited as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Pop Music Videos of All time by Televisor Germany/MTV Europe.

Blurred Vision's “Dear John” video, in celebration of John Lennon, brought together artists and fans from across the world while the stark “Democracy (Beckett cut)” employed a strong monochromatic, confrontational approach which was both moving and compelling.

With the recent announcement of a new live lineup, Blurred Vision are on the verge of releasing their second album. Like their first, it is again produced by Terry Brown.

The new lineup sees the addition of some of London's hottest young musicians. Joining Sepp Osley are Bentley Levy on bass, Jake Bradford Sharp on drums and Jake Libretto on guitars.

Blurred Vision's  “Magdalena” is available for purchase and streaming from the band's official website.

For more information: http://blurredvisionmusic.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Blurred Vision To Release New Single "Magdalena" Digitally On May 10th!

Free Launch Show on June 6th at Old Queens Head, 44 Essex Rd, London N1 8LN

London - Blurred Vision are pleased to announce the digital release of their new single, “Magdalena.” It will be available on all major streaming and download platforms on 10th May and will be accompanied by a lyric video on Youtube.

Watch the lyric video here:

An official music video will be released on 3rd June to be accompanied by a free show to take place at the Old Queens Head in Angel on Thursday 6th June.

An effervescent, foot-stomping, club rock anthem of a track, “Magdalena” comprises the first offering from the band's forthcoming second album.

Inspired by the call of the collared dove, “Magdalena” is about an eponymous superheroine who breaks the chains of inhibition and mediocrity to free her subjects from the shackles of their mundane world.

Band founder/songwriter Sepp Osley said, “For anyone, if lucky, there is that individual, that free spirit, who comes into your life and completely liberates you from the things that hold you back. Conceptually it really appealed to me as a super power figure. Musically it all started with the call of the collard dove - one of those fortuitous moments where nature gives you that wild ear worm you really want to sing.”

Blurred Vision has been working directly with graduate students from London's MET Film School to create concepts for both the lyric and the official music videos. Students have submitted original material covering all aspects of animation, editing and post production with a view to bringing a young, fresh approach to the interpretation of the song.

This is not the first time that Blurred Vision have been involved with creative video concepts. Their first video to accompany a re-titled remake of Roger Waters' “Another Brick In The Wall” was directed by award-winning director Babak Payami. The song went viral and the video was cited as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Pop Music Videos of All time by Televisor Germany/MTV Europe.

Blurred Vision's “Dear John” video, in celebration of John Lennon, brought together artists and fans from across the world while the stark “Democracy (Beckett cut)” employed a strong monochromatic, confrontational approach which was both moving and compelling.

With the recent announcement of a new live lineup, Blurred Vision are on the verge of releasing their second album. Like their first, it is again produced by Terry Brown.

The new lineup sees the addition of some of London's hottest young musicians. Joining Sepp Osley are Bentley Levy on bass, Jake Bradford Sharp on drums and Jake Libretto on guitars.

Blurred Vision's  “Magdalena” is available for purchase and streaming from the band's official website.

For more information: http://blurredvisionmusic.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Contemporary Instrumental Review: Ed Blumenthal-The Late Train Home

Release Date: June 3, 2019

Label: Independent

Website

Ed Blumenthal is a Chiropractor by trade. His was no different than many married folks trying to make a life for his family. His work became demanding and his children needed his time as well. Little time was left for him to play the piano. In fact, it took him nine years to return to the ivory keys. As if by some magical instance or the hand of God, Ed learned how to play the piano without being able to read music. He is self-taught and took videos of his hands creating the basis of some tunes. Further down the road, his wife took the tapes and converted them over to DVD, and he was able to relive his videos playing.  As fate would have it, a cello player named Eugene Friesen, thought the music needed accompaniment. To make a long story short, Ed ended up in Will Ackerman’s Imaginary Road Studio to record The Late Train Home. That is the music you will hear on this recording.

In a literal sense, the album is late in coming but it finally made it home. Ed and his music are The Late Train Home. The cover of the album is a view from the train with a beautiful sunset and the crescent moon right above it. We can all be passengers on that train and while we are all traveling down those tracks of life on our journey, we can sit back, breath deep, knowing and trusting that everything is going to be ok. We are here for a reason and to meet our destiny. Ed’s most certainly met his and part of the path he took led to ten tracks on this instrumental piano recording. Some folks may not agree but I look at this as contemporary instrumental music, particularly with piano, as a sub-genre of new age. It is easy enough for relaxation and meditation, so it qualifies as far as I am concerned.

Ed’s piano is like waves and ripples of sound that glide over your body, touching every sense you have, bringing to life awareness of your being and spirituality. In my world, any good music has that capability regardless of the genre. The rolling piano and rhythms are what mesmerize me and carry me away from where I am and where I need to be at that moment in time. Take for instance the title track, it is a captivating and poignant track that has character, purpose, and it tells the story of an artist reaching his destination. Music does speak to us in many different forms. For my ears, I get what the tracks and the title of the album mean by first understanding where the artist is coming from and where they are going. Then I look at the images presented and it all falls into place. That is for me from my vantage point and hopefully in sync with what the artist is trying to convey.

You must look beyond yourself and inside the music to find the answers you seek. When looking through the eyes and soul of another, or in this case the music which equates to those two elements, we see a reflection of ourselves in some shape or form that makes perfect sense. That is what The Late Train Home did for me but the train home was on schedule and arrived at the destination right on time.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

May 5, 2019

Founder of:

TheFinalonVinyl

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

Write A Music Review

Prog Rock Music Talk

New Age Music Reviews

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Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks: 
01. Who Knows
02. The Roads Imagined
03. We Walk On
04. The Hands We Hold
05. Along The Way
06. The Late Train Home
07. Always Waiting
08. Until Then
09. The Sea Sings
10. For Us