The Blue Light By Peter Calandra

 

The Blue Light

By

Peter Calandra

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Peter Calandra has been on my musical radar for some 10 years now and the introduction to his works came in the guise of an album named Inner Circle, many years later we are gifted a brand new release, and this one is probably one of the most fascinating and in-depth we have seen from the artist and is called, The Blue Light.

I have to say that in my view the opening piece says a lot about the album and here we can sample one of the most moody of pieces from the artist thus far on, The Gambit. The level of darkness in this track is palpable, as truly we are about to sacrifice ones pawn for something greater later on, I adore this style of ambient piano, this piece is so descriptive so emotive, and such a fantastic start to the release.

The Blue Light is an 11 track collection of classy songs; the title track itself is a wonderful mix of new age piano with subtle Jazz influences, its music you could listen to all day and never get tired of, offerings like The Softest Touch also thrill the soul, its tenderness and pristine performance shows what an amazing composer and performer Calandra truly is.

I was so very thrilled to literally touch the ambience on this album; there is literally something for everyone on this stunning release, Morning Light being but one fine example and one of my personal favourites, the slow growth and progression in this piece was utterly sublime, and then offerings like Rainy Autumn, my favourite time of year, gave us that most desired moment of reflection and introspection.

Our penultimate manifestation is called The Talking Poet, and is one of the most peaceful and tranquil compositions from the album, one tinged with little shards of memory deep inside, it must be one of Calandra’s most beautiful pieces yet.

We arrive at the end of the journey; this voyage of musical heaven concludes with The Séance, this has to be one of the most fascinating creations ever by the artist, a hovering intensity builds on a backdrop of uncertainty, on one of the longest compositions, at nearly nine minutes from the musician, then follows a performance so creative and artistic, that it reminded me in part of one of my pianist friends from New York in Michael Harrison,  we must applaud Calandra for ending his album in such a dramatic, yet textured story telling style.

I would say that personally over the years, when I look back, that this album has to be one of my personal favourites from the Peter Calandra catalogue. The Blue Light offers so much up to the listener, that I would imagine this album would just be too intriguing and too crafted to miss out on. Calandra has gone full on with this release, we have full flowing opuses of calm, ambience personified, and imaginative artistic nuances beyond belief, this is truly a masterwork from the artist, do not let it pass you by.