Label: Wayfarer Records
A Cinematic, Guitar-Driven Travelogue Across Vast American Landscapes
The multi-talented Dieter Spears has been a fixture on the Nashville music scene for decades. His prowess as a bassist, keyboardist, producer, and mixing engineer has made him a go-to for numerous artists for many years. He joined the Wayfarer Music Label roster in 2023 and became the owner in 2024.
This is Dieter’s 10th Album titled String Dreams. For this album, he explores adding guitars to his sound. These songs are inspired by his travels around the world as a professional photographer. Gray Legere is his key partner on drums for this recording.
“Across The Plains” opens with ambient synths that set a dreamy tone. The guitar sounds sublime, accentuating the layers of ambiance. The notes have a resonant echo, with sprinkles of blues and jazz, as you would hear in “the quiet storm” of jazz. The bass and percussion are just right for the guitar’s tempo changes. This is a great way to start, and it puts you in the music “easy chair,” with your ears and consciousness ready to fall into the music and fully appreciate what you are hearing. I love the fusion of ambient instrumental layers and excellent guitar work.
“Timezone Lounges” begins with those lovely resonating guitar notes. This time, there are different things going on: a fluttering synth in addition to the main layer, and a heavy bass that gives it a slightly darker electronic sound; however, the synths do lighten it up considerably. The tempo and transitions create a different mood from the previous track, which is what a listener looking for diversity would want. Some very colorful, flourishing synths populate the composition as well. If the goal here is to paint a picture of traveling from place to place, it works. This is the longest track at 7:37, and it’s a masterpiece.
“In The Shadow Of Castleton” is a title that readily recalls certain things. Just the word 'shadow' puts a different slant on the story, and it starts with a slow-tempo guitar and a buzzing bass synth, which then adds a more rhythmic, lighter synth. Those two blend with the guitar’s well-placed notes, as the bass and percussion add a strong foundation to branch off from. A crashing cymbal adds some drama to the scene, giving the story a more epic feeling. It’s the resonating guitar that is the star in every track, and that stays in focus, emulating the title of the album.
“Back Porch Morning Coffee” would be a relaxing way to start the day, taking in the surroundings, the air, and the sun, and listening to the birds. If you follow the development of music from beginning to end, it’s not hard to imagine that scenario. This is the shortest track at 3:52, and it is an excellent exercise in using mellowed-out guitar notes and just enough synth to help taste the coffee.
“Desert Sunset Shimmer” continues to feature a variety of scenery throughout the musical journey. The synth creates a shimmering effect as the guitar’s strings come to life with distinctive tones. This is the most rock-like playing so far, and dare I say, heavier than what I previously heard. Even with the change in intensity, the playing is still very tasteful. This is ambient rock fusion done very well. A steady rhythm supports the lead guitar exceptionally well, and the synth layers have their moments of power and grace as well, making it complete. This is one of my favorites.
“Lullaby Breeze” anticipates yet another change in direction, with a whooshing synth ushering in a dreamy state and setting the stage for this instrumental lullaby. This one is a slow burner, as you would expect, and successfully creates the feeling of a warm breeze, helping you to fall into sleep mode. Beautiful sounds from all instruments.
“Riding The Dragon” certainly changes the thought stream after a lullaby! As one would expect, the music takes another turn, starting with energy and color. The synths carry a different sound entirely here as the guitar has a flow that answers the call, and the bass is significant here as well. I appreciated how different this was from the previous track, and that has followed the formula straight through so far. This one sounded retro to me, like something from the 80s.
“Mahone Bay Memories” brings it back to what you heard on the earlier tracks: resonant guitar lines, this time provided by Deiter’s guest Stephen Davis, and silky-smooth synth layers. The synths are like clouds floating by, and the guitar is singing to them as they float by. Just shy of seven minutes, this is full of atmosphere and cinematic elements that evoke memories easily. This is a lovely melody, with sounds that are infectious and emotional, and it combines with an orchestral ambiance. Another one of my favorites!
“When Tree Became Mountains” holds significant meaning if you think about it: if you visualize taking a walk through a forest, with a gradual incline, and then it becomes a mountain rather quickly. The synth and guitar build in that sense as well; it’s gradual, like a climb. The bell sounds, synths, and mainly the distinctive guitar notes that are so firmly established in every one of these tracks again take a front row seat, and the rest of the mix floats alongside it. There is a nice tempo and melody here, and they’re strong throughout before finally culminating in a big climax where everything reaches the highest peak of the musical mountain.
“Chasing Dusk” is the perfect title for the track that closes out this recording. The sun is setting on this journey as darkness begins to take hold. The energy here is strong, full of color, and optimistic. The feeling of chasing something is the concept here; it feels vibrant and meaningful. The guitar is superb, as the backing rhythm feels like a car driving down the highway, with the guitar at the steering wheel. There are some tasteful keyboard moments, but the guitar never quiets; it keeps forging ahead toward its destination. This is an excellent way to end this recording, with all the energy and focus you could possibly imagine within one track.
String Dreams is a thoroughly enjoyable listen, showcasing Dieter Spears’ remarkable transition to guitar. Primarily known as a bassist, Spears boldly stepped into the spotlight as a lead guitarist, embracing one of the most significant challenges of his career. The result is a successful and captivating collection of ten instrumental fusion tracks, each offering its own unique flavor while maintaining a consistent sense of diversity and sophistication.
The album’s tasteful arrangements and inventive musicianship keep the listener engaged from beginning to end, making String Dreams a standout achievement.
Credits:
Drums: Gray Legere
Track 8 Guitars: Stephen Davie
Guitars, Bass, Synths: Dieter Spears
Mixed and Mastered: Dieter Spears
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder
May 22, 2026