Instrumental New Age Review: Bob Ardern-Eight Winds

Release Date: November 2015

Label: Indie

Website

Hailing from the shores of Nova Scotia, Bob Ardern brings us a new masterpiece with his newest album Eight Winds. Twelve original compositions including contributions from David Findlay and Duncan Woodcock cover the bases from Classical, New Age, Celtic and light hearted Jazz. This album is a wonderful example of Arden’s finger style playing and offers the listener a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the everyday world.

“Zephyr” is the first track on the album, bringing the listener into the captivating realm of springy playing and intricate movements. Bobbing along the water, you watch the sea hit the side of the boat and hold your head high as you crest wave after wave. This is freedom. Every note. Every wave.

“Matilda’s Dance” is a peppy and frolicking piece that invokes a child at play. Dressing up in too big dresses and shoes and dancing around the house with your father. Afternoon tea parties bumble alongside quirky melodic combinations that give loose tooth smiles and the carefree laugh of a child who knows her father’s love. This is the joy of family, of belonging. Picture the dance of a puppy as she figures out her feet, stomping and hopping over the carpet and stairs….the strumming guitar takes you there, every step of the way.

“Matushka” is a twisty and windy piece that caught my attention immediately. The guitar work is more intricate and I had to think about what was going on in the mind of the musician as he crafted this composition. Like a decorative top, this piece winds its way over street and sidewalk, taking you on a journey as rich as A Christmas Story and as full of mystery and intrigue as Stand By Me. This is the music of growing up and learning who you are. Sometimes it’s beautiful and others not so much, but with every twisting turn, you see another layer spinning out for the world to see-and the picture is marvelous if you stand still long enough to really listen.

Bob Ardern is a skilled guitarist and has picked some excellent contributing musicians for this album. Eight Winds is an experience that will take you skimming along the ocean, revisiting old memories of youth and even playing tea party as a child. Each song invokes an emotional response and a series of pictures that strum along with Arden’s guitar. Take a moment and listen. I think you’ll find a little of yourself peeking from inside…

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Zephyr, Matilda’s Dance, Matushka

Tracks: 
01. Zephyr 5.00
02. Matilda's Dance 5:36
03. Timing Is Everything 4:32
04. Mistral 4:42
05. Crusaders and Jesters 2:59
06. Cascading 4:03
07. 50 Not Out 3:27
08. Another Time Maybe 4:09
09. Three Years On 3:41
10. Matushka 5:49
11. Sangiovese 4:41
Bonus: 50 Not Out (Full Band) 3:24

Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer

September 28, 2015

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Featured Track: Bob Ardern-Zephyr

Bob Ardern's forthcoming album Eight Winds is due in mid November. We are treated to a sneak peak of what to expect with the beautiful track "Zephyr."

His acoustic guitar is simply sublime and crystal clear on the track. This was indeed a good choice by the artist to give listeners a taste of what is in store.

His guitar picking style weaves into your mind, body and soul and leaves you wanting for more. Mission accomplished!

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-5/5 STARS



More About Bob Arden:
http://bobardern.ca

Bob Ardern combines masterful finger-style guitar playing with melodies that conjure vivid images and pulls it all together into a captivating sound. The music delights and excites while it soothes and entertains. With influences from Celtic, Classical and Jazz, Bob's guitar stylings take the listener on a spectral journey of emotions. 

The inspirations for Bob's music come from diverse sources such as a drought in St. Lucia, the purring of a friendly cat, an on-line computer repair and a light-hearted ice dance across a frozen pond. Whether actively listening or playing the music in the background, lovers of acoustic guitar will find this music appealing as a means to de-stress from the pressures of our modern lives.