Wind, Water and Stone By Windtalker

 

Wind, Water and Stone

By

Windtalker

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I like to have a good read of the information contained within an album, this allows me to gain a written perspective as to where the artist is about to go with his or her work, so I was so pleased to see that Windtalker once more has dedicated his efforts to its indigenous peoples from the home lands of Native America, it would also turn out to be medicine of great power for me recovering from an annoying illness, but then again, music and I mean really good music like Wind, Water and Stone is the musical panacea to cure all ills, so without further ado let’s get our journey started and trust me this is going to be one of the most beautiful, calming, yet incredibly emotional rides ever.

Windtalker over the years has honed his skill on the Native American Flute to become one of the finest creators of his time, you only have to listen to the opening track to see why, we are of course talking about the title offering Wind, Water and Stone, with its delicate and dreamy synth pads and utterly idyllic flute which reminded me of a journey I took across Dartmoor many years back with UK flutist Nigel Shaw, and I have to add, this has to be the best start to any album I have reviewed for years.

Minong Mist is our second location, one that is incredibly haunting as well, the soft keyboard sounds draw a perfect mysterious location for us all to enjoy, while Windtalker’s magical flute dances like Pan around the forest, in a veritable mid-summers night’s dream of a performance.

There is so much to enjoy here, each new track is like arriving at a new location, this next one is a perfect example and called Prairie Thunder, ok so it’s a well know thing that anyone who includes a storm on a track for me to review has a thumbs up already, especially this one, as this is something I have actually experienced myself in Oklahoma, rolling thunder across the prairies, the upbeat energy was perfect for this song and I could wistfully dream of a herd of Buffalo heading for shelter through the percussive beat and vibrant flute.

Sacred Mesa is a place of abundant beauty; it’s a world of flute created by the artist that is literally transcendent, wonderfully meditative and as smooth as drinking chocolate. There is a crafted and well thought out hovering intensity at the start of this arrangement that sets the scene so sweetly, a more caring and honest performance than this one will never be found, this is music from Windtalker’s heart, directly to yours.

Maco Sica Dawn is going to go down as one of my personal favourites, note I say one, as there are so many, the creation of mood here by the synths and flute are nothing less than remarkable, this is one of those pieces that literally takes you there. I could have listened to this on repeat for days, it is so atmospheric. Windtalker’s performance though is a delight that breathes fresh life into the day and kisses the lips of infinity, making this piece a truly special offering.

A nice break into the world of acoustic guitar could be found starting this next track entitled Eagle Dancer, here is a vibrant manifestation that lights up the sky with its energies, ones I may add are perfectly balanced to bring the very eager listeners a wonderfully fluent musical narrative, and another trip down memory lane, reminding me in part of an old Johnny Whitehorse song.

The next one hit the spot, as I have walked some of the trail of tears and researched much about the heinous acts placed upon the native people, Stolen Dreams is a piece that honours the ancestors and ancients, it highlights the sadness that still hovers to this day uncomfortably around the Midwest. This I think is the most mournful, yet most poignant performance I have ever heard from the artist, one that literally moved me to tears.

We swim with reverence into the latter half of the album and arrive at a music cove entitled Majestic Desolation, so once more this one gets another personal favourite tick from me, Windtalker keeps pulling these gems out of the hat with such ease. This is music for the imagination, if you are feeling down or just want to escape, this track will do just fine, just drift along on the harmonic waves created by Windtalker, and you will thoroughly enjoy each and every second.

Our penultimate offering has a real depth to it, it has a wondrous ancestral mood and is entitled Dakota Rider, the soft rhythmic nature of this piece brought us a sensation of onward movement, and Windtalker’s flute, the master creator of great purpose and artistic endeavours, and would lead us perfectly to our concluding arrangement Pictured Rocks Suite, a song that had some interesting elements contained within, especially the added strings, but it has to be said that if you were looking for the perfect concluding composition this is most certainly it.

Wind, Water and Stone by Windtalker is an album I can see will be much sort after, not just by lovers of good flute performances, but by connoisseurs of ultra-classy instrumental music. If you had the good sense to buy Windtalker’s last album Awakening and thought it was good, just wait till you get your hands on a copy of Wind, Water and Stone you will be utterly blown away.