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.
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
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.
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
Dan
Palladino is no stranger to recording music. His debut in the new age/ambient
genre just arrived in February this year. Pastoral
Memory is seven tracks born out of the art of improvisation.
Dan uses a blend of acoustic and electric guitars over the
top of synth harmonies that breath in and out to create a fluctuating and
soothing effect. Music like this is like an animate object taking form in your
mind’s eye. One of the best examples is the lead-off track “Rising.” It is the
ultimate musical exercise clocking in at a plentiful 10:15.
Some of this music can be used for focus and meditation.
You will hear a steady tone throughout parts of songs like “Thankful,” which is
another generous portion of Dan’s art at 5:13 then it nicely segues into
“Joyful Cleansing” yet another space in time that allows for focus and
relaxation, giving the listener 8:48 minutes. Dan uses the guitar for
consistency with a steady picking while you hear the movement of water. Then
another seamless segue goes right into “Passing Storm,” with rain and thunder,
as the synths add an additional layer of texture and ambiance. As the storm
passes the birds are happy again tweeting away and it blends right into
“Aftermath.” So now you are seeing the logical progression of the music in the
titles and the purposeful transition from one track to another.
The addition of the synths is essential in making this an
ambient treat for the ears, mind, and body, which for this listener, equates to
a happy soul. I for one really appreciated how all of this was arranged and
titled. It all made sense to me and did arouse my internal receptors to all the
sounds and vibrations.
Six out of the seven songs are given plenty of time and
space for the creator of the music and the appreciative listener. For a debut
in this genre, this a stunning group of tracks brilliantly composed and
exercised by Dan Palladino. One other point is the cover, the cool color of
blue water and the white clouds set you at ease and set you up nicely for what
you are about to hear on Pastoral Memory.
If
you look up Jonny Lipford on Spotify you will see quite a collection of album
releases. In fact, I was quite amazed at how much music this man has out there.
On May 1st Migration
will be available. Those who appreciate new age and world music with the flute
or a genuine combination of both will appreciate the nine tracks for your
listening pleasure.
You will hear Native American flute, Mojave flute, Mayan
harmony flute, Irish flute, Persian flute, and Bansuri. That is quite an array
of flutes giving each track an identity, sound, and texture that distinguishes
itself as a standalone artistic achievement. I do not know any other way to put
it.
For Jonny, this is a
Migration of sights and sounds from track to track. As the birds fly in
their patterns it shows nature taking its yearly course. In this instance, this
artist follows his instincts and creates something truly beautiful. I really
enjoyed the entire album but with the way it ended was what really just swept
me away. There is 9:13 minutes of amazing enchantment that awaits a prospective
audience. A nice touch is appropriately adding the chirping birds with about 2
minutes to go before it closes out.Poetry in motion through music, what a wonderful artistic expression.
The purity and earthy tones are what bring me into each
track and hold me. I am touched by the sincerity of the recordings and the
heart and soul that went into making such an impressive group of tracks. It was
like opening a book with an interesting cover then turning each page (or track)
and reading another story. That, my music loving friends is a great example of
the power of music, tones, vibrations and the honesty of an artist painting and
picture we can all step into and make our own.
For these ears Migration
was a journey to complete peace and happiness. Now only if I could hold that
feeling 24/7, now wouldn’t that be amazing to reach a level of spiritual
attainment like that? This music and other similar recordings could help us all
on our way to that level of existence.
Tracks: 01. Fly in Beauty 02. Hunt of the Nighthawk 03. Emerging Vision 04. Migration 05. Masked Ibis 06. At First Light 07. Wisdom in the Wing 08. Poet's Awakening 09. Peace Within
Atmospheric and ambient music can be used as a tool for any
type of focus or mindset.It takes a
talented artist like Stephen Peppos to create music that allows that process to
happen. I got a good taste of his capabilities two years ago on Leaving Terra Firma. With
a title like that it would certainly indicate that the music allows you to
leave the earth, you stand on. The music backs that thought with conviction.
Deep
Listen is another foray into the ether that will satisfy anyone
that is looking to meditate and have a spiritual and perhaps an out of body
experience. This music is very spacey but smooth and relaxing at the same time.
Its calming effect works well on a tired soul, bringing solace with synth and
keyboard sounds, and at times, the sound of the ocean waves hitting the
shoreline. That is exactly what you will find on “Aural Mists.” The track is a
solid 9:07 minutes of music meets natures blissfulness. The sound of waves
alone is a wonderful thing however if you add the right sounds with your music,
a beautiful marriage is consummated and you the listener are the
recipient.It is like a blossoming
flower feeling the first rays of the new day sun.
I really like the title of the CD because what you take is
a “deep dive” right into a Deep Listen.
The cover is very inviting and the colors are immediately soothing to the eye.
It unconsciously connects with your mind to set you up for the musical journey.
Fans of Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, and Jean Michel Jarre will love this album.
I personally enjoy all of that music so it was easy for me to get swept away by
this recording and find a meaning that made sense and felt just right.
The masterwork is “Algorithm” which runs for 12:56. By
definition, an “Algorithm” is a process or set of rules to be followed in
calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer. Our
brain functions like a computer when necessary so why can’t this music be
something to process and calculate? In a sense that is what I am expressing
with my words. And it just made me think in those terms by saying the word.
Right away the title implies something scientific and
hi-tech. Is it thinking man’s music? I guess it depends on who you are what
your interest is and what exactly challenges your mind. I do not feel
challenged listening to this track in particular, it has the same purpose and
effect on me like all the others. I think something needs to be said for taking
a track and spreading out the composition with some diversity in sounds and
textures. This is the mark of a true artisan, a craftsman of his trade. Stephen
is able to make this a real masterpiece of ambient nuances that weave together
and make it whole.
In the end, Deep
Listen lives up to its name and gives the listener 1 hour and 18 minutes of
musical chicken soup for the soul. It is onerecipe that you will be reaching for more than once to chill and
let the day just melt away.
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews Tracks: 01. Twilight 02. Break of Dawn 03. Tonality 04. Aural Mists 05. Wide Open 06. Awake 07. Transmogrify 08. Vivid 09. Algorithm 10. Breathe
Juliet
Lyons looks like quite the diverse performer based on the discography listed on
her website. I did not need to see that to be impressed with her music and
vocals. As soon as the first track started, I was spellbound.
The
Light Within is a collection of ten tracks with Ms. Lyons’
gorgeous vocalizations accompanying all the music, which ranges from New Age
and Meditation to World and a mixture of all three. The combinations are very
effective and soothing and her angelic voice leads the way as the various
instruments are introduced throughout each track.
The songs come as advertised on the album cover songs for
Yoga, Healing and Inner Peace. Juliet wrote all the songs and performed on the
Native Flute and Piano. Ricky Kej contributed keyboards and programming on the
opening track “Lokah Samastah” and Ron Korb made a guest appearance on the
recording as well, playing flute on “Eternal Now.” Both of those tracks are
excellent.The opening track is
fantastic, full of positive energy and light. It serves as the perfect
introduction to a very consistent listen. “Eternal Now” is also exceptional, I
found it inspiring and uplifting.
Juliet has a very flexible vocal style that could probably
fit into any genre actually. The music is quite amazing throughout the run of
this album, in fact it serves as the perfect complement to that gifted voice
from the heavens that you will learn to love very quickly. You just can’t have
one without the other, its kismet, a marriage of sound and voice that will give
you happiness deep within your soul.
Let The Light Within shine
brightlywith a little help from the
recordings of Juliet Lyons. I found it a natural course of events listening to
this music and all the wonderful feelings and peace I felt. Music is a powerful
tool, and it’s refreshing to see it being used in such a positive manner. The
tools and gifts of god were put in good hands when Juliet Lyons found her path.
Once you hear this music you will be thankful as well.
My
introduction to Robert Linton’s acoustic guitar music was three years ago on Beyond The Clearing.Adrift In Wonder is the newest offering from
the talented guitarist.
The recording was mixed and mastered by Corin Nelsen of
SycroSonic Productions. If you are familiar with the new age genre you will
recognize some of the people that contributed to Adrift In Wonder and come to an understanding of why it is such a
pleasing listen.
The violin (Sara Milonovich), English Horn (Jill Haley),
Cello (Eugene Friesen), Electronic Wind Instrument and Alto Flute (Premik
Russell Tubbs) add an exceptional layer of sounds to Robert’s acoustic
six-string journeys.
The collaborative spirit they have in the new age culture
is very effective for all involved. These are busy musicians contributing to so
many of the releases that come out, with responsibilities of their own
recordings as well. It is an “everyone gets a slice of the pie” mentality that
anyone in a business should be taking a good look at.
Listening to this music really does have the Adrift In Wonder effect on you. It is
the perfect music for simple relaxation or meditation. Robert’s approach is
consistent and he sustains the warmth of his guitar throughout the recording,
which I naturally appreciated. I work in a highly stressful day job and this
music takes the edge off and sets my soul at ease, and gives me a renewed sense
of hope and strength I cannot find anywhere else.
The importance of music to our world goes beyond words and
music without the words most certainly can say a lot and have an impact. It is
artists like Robert Linton taking one instrument then bringing in other equally
talented artists that know how to present their music. This is a spiritual path
for the artist creating the music and very special listening experience for his
audience.
I really appreciate guitar-based albums and in particular
acoustic undertakings that have to work harder to get your attention. Adrift In Wonder opens a pathway to a
“Gentle Descent” as you are “Weaving Through the Waves” of sound and beauty
presented. I highly recommend this album to those seeking tranquility and
regeneration of energy and spirit. Synchronicity with the music can be
accomplished quite quickly, all you have to do is pay attention to what you are
hearing.
A+ musicianship and production set Robert Linton apart from
those aspirant folks looking to complete the same experience with the
gratifying results that all listeners and he will surely enjoy.
A
debut album can make you or break you in many ways. On the other side of that
black and white outlook, it can change your entire life path regardless of what
direction it takes you, change will prevail. Any way you look at it your music
effects each and every individual.
For Stephen Wallack April 1, 2019, was a pivotal moment in
his life.He released his first
recording Chapters. He looks at his
life as a story that has unfolded in different Chapters, and now his music reflects that outlook. Stephen, I can
tell you the right person is hearing everything you are saying in your
biography and in your music.
The spontaneity of a first listen launches my inspiration
to talk about music and with Stephen’s music, it was an easy task, a natural
flow of feelings. For this music fan, that is the very process that keeps the
blood pumping and my fingers moving to type these words you read. Music keeps
me alive 24/7 and at times makes me feel like I have already reached
heaven.
For instance, “Cooper’s Song” is about the passing of a
friend and you can feel the pain and sadness in the voice of the music. I also
got a chill knowing that person’s spirit lives on through Stephen’s music, what
a blessing to feel that and really hear the emotion of a song without words. It
is indeed a beautiful thing that anyone can experience with the right mindset
before you decide to hit “play.” There are many uplifting tracks on this
release, however I thought mentioning the pure emotion of “Coppers Song” was a
very good example of how powerful this music can be.
A lot of this instrumental piano-based music is thriving as
a sub-genre of new age. This is for a good reason; it is very spiritually based
music that touches the very soul of the listener. The individuality and on
purpose simplicity are the strengths from which each story is composed then
played through the fingers of an artist. In this case, it is Stephen Wallack
that brings us all to that place we love to go, another dimension, space,
feeling, emotion, or whatever you want to call it. This is what changes our
view of our surroundings and the people in our lives.
Stephen mentions hearing George Winston’s classic piano
instrumental album December when he
was 12.I happen to love that album and
after hearing it sought out more of the same. So right at the start of
listening to Stephen’s music, I felt a connection that helped me to instantly
bond to the sounds, vibrations, and colors he offered within the 10 tracks of Chapters.
Let Chapters into
your life and write your own story to the music. This is a great tool for
clearing the mind and to focus while de-stressing every second of the way.
The pictures I have
provided were snapped by me with my phone to give you an idea of the backdrop
to the music prior to the show. That screen changed with each song and it was
very trippy psychedelic colors and images that mirrored the timeframe of Jimi
in his prime. -Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
The Electric Church arrived in Albany, NY last night with
its all-star cast for the Experience Hendrix 2019 Tour.The music of Jimi Hendrix continues to thrive
and be embraced by fans worldwide. This is a tour I have been wanting to catch
for several years now and I finally made it, and so glad I did.
The best thing that could happen to this event is the
involvement of Billy Cox. Anyone familiar with Jimi’s music knows that they
were friends for a long time and Billy played bass on some of Jimi’s albums.
Also, with Janie Hendrix involved it makes everything legit. Also having a
powerhouse rhythm section like Chris Layton (drums) and Kevin McCormick (bass)
makes the entire gig more presentable and helps the other musicians blend into
the Hendrix songs.
What you will witness at one of these shows is quite a
display of musicianship, primarily guitar heroes having a really good time. The
music of Hendrix is timeless as is his legend and persona.With that thought in mind, how do all these
current artists interpret the music of this fabled performer?
The wide array of styles with the musicians tells the tale.
With Billy Cox, you have the living legend, the reigning high priest of The
Electric Church. He is the only one left and he has done a great job of playing
bass and singing in a live setting, as he did last evening. Having Billy as the
main cog in the wheel for this presentation is key to its success.
One of my favorites, Eric Johnson, kicked off the night with
Dweezil Zappa. This was the segment of the show I enjoyed the most.Actually, anytime Eric took the stage it was
enjoyable. Eric’s sound is instantly recognizable, as it is with most
high-level players. One has to remember that Dweezil is excellent as well, the
fact alone that he mastered father Frank’s music is an incredible feat.One of the more consistent presences on stage
was Mato Nanji.Not a name that is as
well known as some of the others but he was part of the act at least 75% of the
time and he was consistently excellent emulating Jimi’s music.
Another treat was The Slide Brothers. Calvin Cooke and Chuck
Campbell. Man did those to wail away at every opportunity! The added a
dimension to the music that made it all more as close to the original sound as possible.
They were the X factor of the night.
One of the many high points of the evening was Johnny Lang
with his powerful vocals and guitar playing. I thought his vocals were the
strong point in regards to the songs covered. He is more of a straight-ahead
bluesman with no tricks or fluff.Sometimes that is just what the doctor ordered and he is a good fit for
Jimi’s music. And I cannot forget the vocals of Henri Brown, who brought the
sold-out crowd to its feet towards the end of the night.
Then Dave Mustaine of Megadeth came out and played. He did
an admirable job with his flying V guitar. And towards the end of the show was
the Three Amigos, Joe Satriani (guitar), Doug Pinnick (bass) and Kenny Aronoff
(drums). Now, this was a picture I could not forget as all three do not have
one hair follicle to show, if they painted themselves blue, they could pass for
that other group we all know. All of that aside, this was the highlight of the
evening I would think for most guitar fans.
Kenny was a madman on those skins, he is so fast and so
powerful after all these years, age has not affected him one bit. Pinnick with
has bass hanging nearly to his ankles, and he can still reach it, by the way,
sounded a lot like Jimi when he sang. For me, Satriani has been a favorite
since his first release back in the 80s. This night however I did not
appreciate him as much. The idea here I would think is to play Jimi’s music but
in your own way and still keeping with the original sound as much as possible.
Joe likes to use that whammy bar and make squealing sounds and such. I am not a
fan of that so much. So, from my point of view, I wanted to see Joe that
masterful guitar player, crank out the music of Hendrix minus all of the extra
effects. He needs to save all that flashy technical playing for his own shows.
This is a matter of personal taste and opinion and I am sure plenty of fans
enjoyed that part of the show.
And lastly, I need to give the nod to blues legend Taj
Mahal. The man is getting on in years but can still belt out the blues and play
that six-string.That is a lot of talent
to witness in one concert and it is a night I never will forget.
The bottom line is respecting and celebrating the music of
the greatest guitar player that walked this earth. That is the reason for the
Experience Hendrix Tour. They do succeed with an amazing show that runs for 2.5
hours. It is a must-see affair. So, are you experienced?
I
heardThe Sad Waltzin 2017 and was very impressed
with the talents and musical output of Christopher James. Two years on and my
anticipation is mounting to hear the next offering titled Grace From Persistence.
From my perspective, it always helps to know the meaning
and messages in the music. It makes my listening experience richer and fuller.
Christopher took the title track and gave it some thought. The Native
Americans’ belief about the Saguaro cactus came to mind. That album title is a
perspective that each of these sacred Saguaros is considered to be a unique
individual, surviving on its own despite nature’s extremes. This relates
directly to mankind and how resilient we can be as well. It also makes you
think about living things like trees and how important they are to our
survival.
Christopher set out to continue his explorations into the
more complex compositions and that is what he accomplishes on Grace From Persistence. I had to call it
contemporary instrumental because of the diverse instruments that accompany the
piano of the main artist. I got lost in this music so much that before I
realized it, track 7 was playing and it was getting near the end of this
musical excursion.
Christopher definitely achieves his own Grace From Persistence by continuing
down the path of musical intricacies. Music like this you simply cannot
pigeonhole. If the entire album was like “Cul-De-Sac” for instance, then you
could classify it as jazz. Which by the way is a big step away from the
previous tracks, and it is that kind of change done so well that makes this
recording a special and an important contribution in 2019.
I am consistently in awe of musicians that can take one
main instrument, like the piano, and build these incredible musical stories. As
I always say, music without words presents more of a challenge to convey a
mood, atmosphere, ambiance, or message if you will. When I feel the impact of
the music strongly like I did with Grace
From Persistence it sets the bar higher for the next artist that is attempting
to accomplish the same thing with their music.
All of these thoughts point in a positive direction because
we need each other for inspiration and to set goals. Your interpretation of
this music will be based on your own life situation and overall feelings and
thoughts the moment you listen. I think it’s important to keep one thing in
mind, and that is to listen to this music at different points in the day to see
what it can do for you. It’s a wonderful listening experience that heals and
brings joy. The musicianship is beyond reproach and every track will get and
keep your attention.
Tracks: 01. Awakening 02. Get on with It 03. Mother Russia (Fantasy Based on a Theme from Scriabin) 04. Where's Frederick? 05. Beyond the Stars 06. Grace from Persistence 07. Yes and No 08. Weimar Blues (1929) 09. Cul-De-Sac 10. Neitherworld
