Heaven Sent By Peter Sterling

 

Heaven Sent

By

Peter Sterling

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There comes a time when an album will literally flow into your arms and create such a calming and soothing energy, that you simply get lost in the moment and breathe an ageless breath of a peace filled tranquillity like never before, this new release by Peter Sterling has achieved just that and is wonderfully entitled, Heaven Sent.

With each textured brush stroke of grace Sterling manifests one of the most compelling new age albums of the year, tracks like the idyllic Golden Leaves of Fall is but one grace filled opus that will sooth the body and ease the mind, the angelic vocalisations and harp combined manifests something utterly transcendent.

Heaven Sent is a 10 track release of many colours and emotions; a beautiful ride through peace filled meadows of harp, a fine example is the deep swathes of tranquillity that can be found on the track Timeless Heart, here is a calming reverie with a rich multi-instrumental nature, one that heals as it plays, similar in energy to that of Deuter back in the day.

The softness of pieces like The Rain Will Fall meant so much to me; our village had no rain for some 7 months, and this incredibly sensitive musical narrative gave me hope that someday it will again, we can also applaud the keyboards and vocalisations provided by the amazing Paul Avgerinos on this piece too, this combined with the piano another I have worked with in Charu Suri on piano, made this a personal favourite of mine.

After looking at pictures and videos to remind myself of what a western autumn used to feel like, I came across this next stunning track called After Glow, the gentle pace of this composition is utterly delightful and incredibly meditative, one could get lost within its realms, and so we should.

While creations like Days Of Old add another layer to the album, with an unusual addition of a musical instrument supplied by the harmonica of Antonio R, the concluding musical narrative called The Sun Always Shines ends our journey of serenity and peace with such a heart-warming caress of a composition, that combination of flute and harp took me back to the golden ages of new age music before the turn of the century.

This may well be the 17^th release of the artist, but truth be told, and in my opinion, I believe that Heaven Sent by Peter Sterling is the best work of the composer thus far, the lengthy list of added performers on the album is simply amazing in every aspect, and the resultant final production is one of the finest new age albums that has come out so far in this decade. Here is a release most deserved of an award, and one of the most beautifully calming musical journeys of a lifetime.

Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music By Craigology

 

Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music

By

Craigology

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I can hardly believe that we are nearing the holiday season, and for many Christmas is a time of year that evokes special family memories, many fun times, much music and happiness, and along the way many tunes, songs and compositions will have been heard throughout the decades, here on Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music, Craigology brings his own special and unique flavours to those popular seasonal melodies.

The album is a 10 track walk through of Christmas music history, starting with the classic The First Noel, a piece that I always felt uplifting in its overall narrative, and one that Craigology has raised further in tone and timbre for us all today.

There are many favourites that you will remember including a very creative version of What Child is This, a spectacular rendition of what I always think of as a Christmas lullaby in, Away In A Manager, and one of my personal favourites from the release in Angels We Have Heard on High, an arrangement that has a delightful jazz motif to its construction.

At the half way juncture Christmas standards like Hark! The Herald Angels Sing can be found, and is a creation so fluent with such a deliciously slowed tempo, whilst offerings like O Holy Night grace the album with a musical presence of a calming and soothing nature. A favourite among many is the magical It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, with its hymn like base structure.

However my personal favourite would be the jazzed up styled manifestation of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, giving the listener an overview of some of the best piano based work ever from the artist, still the original energy of the piece remains, but in a re-energized format.

The penultimate creation is a clever compilation of Christmas tunes called A Christmas Reflection: A Music Collage of Christmas Carols, one that contains a truly great performance from the artist as he wends his way through time tone and timbre.

The concluding piece is of course the finest of all as Craigology would like to give you the best cheer of all with We Wish You a Merry Christmas. This light and fresh presentation gifts us all a few moments to be grateful for, and of course I too wish you a happy Christmas along with the artist as well.

Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music by Craigology has to be one of the most positively played set of Christmas arrangements I have heard for simply decades, if you would like your home to be filled with seasonal music that will bring you much pleasure and happiness, then you would do yourself a great favour by simply adding Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music by Craigology to your playlist of choice, you will not regret it. 

Holding the Storm By Nick Farr

 

Holding the Storm

By

Nick Farr

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I read Nicks album notes on our own personal or global storms, and he certainly has a point, and I can also state that music has helped me through some of the most turbulent times in my life as well, and I guess it always will, music for me is the only language that always tells the truth and never lies, it is what it is, and this latest album from Nick Farr is as a powerful compilation of great compositions to help anyone who is going through or about to enter the storm itself, and thus this is why releases like Holding The Storm is vitally important in this day and age more than ever.

So let’s take a look at this grand offering and we start with the proud title track. Holding the Storm is a legendary piece with a soundtrack quality, almost Lord of Rings pre final battle scene, it has a deep sense of strength, but a track that also contains quieter segments that go on to build further; if ever you were looking for the perfect start to an album this is it.

Celtic Quest says does exactly what it says on the can, the lilt is from the highlands and the upbeat tempo is not that far away from a rock reverie, mix that with the sublime flute of Leah Wilson and you have a masterpiece of a composition, one that constantly drives onward across valleys and vales, Lyman Golden with both banjo and electric guitar really gives this composition by Farr the edge it needed.

We slide into the open arms of one of the most beautiful compositions from the album called Hope. Again Lyman Golden, this time on acoustic guitar, partners Leah Wilson (flute) to create a pastiche of symbiotic tone and timbre, Farr’s melodic and creative piano brings changes in tempo, uplifts in tone and adds a vibration of hopeful mystery into the weave of the composition.

The opening bars of this next piece truly reminded me of the early days of masters of the piano like Elton John, Farr created here a mood so meaningful and honest on the track called Here We Are, that one would have to wonder if they were perhaps listening to an anthem like opus that would be a timeless reverie over the decades ahead, when the trumpet of Ben Jones joined the fray the answer became a resounding yes, magic was indeed born.

The string sections are so very important on an album like this, I am glad to say that composer Nick Farr has created a symphonic gesture that is utterly delightful on the track Love Notes, this is a piece that changes its posture a few times within its arrangement, as a percussive element is brought into the composition to manifest a cheer filled construction.

Whilst on In the Face of Danger the midway section of the album is reached, this powerful melodramatic offering has us literally standing eye to eye with whatever opponent we have in front of us at that moment, the orchestral prowess of the piece gives us, that ever needy listener, an opportunity to gather up courage and move steadily onwards without fear.

This 12 track release by Farr has been 7 years in the making, but the wait has been worth it, once more power plays like the almost regal and grand Another Way, a composition that builds and flows like a river in mid-winter, this is neoclassical music at its very best, and some of the most inspirational music I have heard since my last visit to my David Arkenstone collection.

From my upstairs balcony I can gaze across the ocean, here I see many ships cross the horizon, and here I know have a piece that encapsulates that moment in music and called Sailing to the Horizon. This is a fast paced exploratory symphonic creation that powers across the late November waves in distain for the inclement weather, and is one of the most dramatic offerings off the album, and most certainly movie score standard with ease.

My second favourite season is Spring, it borders the boundaries of the death of winter and the hopefulness and happiness of summer, this specific piece is even more classical in its posture, highlighting the need for an orchestra to manifest something so redolent of hope, transition, colour and energy, this Farr’s creation does with such style and ease.

There comes a point in all our lives when we give in to the moment, we don’t give up, we become Fearless.  Farr has brought a special scene, perhaps even created a special moment in the album when our heads can bravely come above the parapets of oppression and stand tall. This is a marvellous and careful creation, one that contains a fearless approach, but also one of trepidation and concern.

The shore has been reached as we land at the penultimate track off the album, and this delicious offering is called Return to the Highlands. Anticipation is the watchword here as the composer builds a cautious composition, but one that grows with a steady confidence and fluency, this is a masterful last but one creation by the artist and his orchestra, a piece that would be easily used on a soundtrack for a documentary about the Celts maybe!

The final and departing musical narrative is entitled Meadows of Green, a softer more gentle piece is slowly manifested here, in its self it becomes more of an anthem for a return home after many years of exile, and like the subject matter of the entire album, it is at this point that we can see the benefit of actually standing tall and holding back that storm.

We have all been there, trials, tribulations large and small, life’s rich tapestry, its twists and turns affects us all and always will do, but we all have it in us to hold that storm at bay and rise above the negativity and gloom. On Holding The Storm by Nick Farr we now have a soundtrack for that event, something we can always refer back to when times get tough.

Holding The Storm by Nick Farr is a high quality instrumental moment of musical power and intensity, and holding that musical flag of hope high we will always prevail. This is an example of fine instrumental work from Farr, his piano and his orchestral team, it is a fine example of top class Neo Classical music, and as such I would not be surprised at all to see this album in the top reaches of the charts, it is that compelling and invigorating.

Future Temples By Forrest Smithson

 

Future Temples

By

Forrest Smithson

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Back in the hazy days of 2015 I heard one of the most accomplished albums in the electronic ambient field from Forrest Smithson that I thought he would never be able to better, it was called Ooti, this album has lived on my personal playlists of choice for years, I still love it as much today as I did back then, but now Smithson has finally done it, he has created the seminal musical album that in my view has even surpassed that previously aforementioned release, and this marvellous collection of great arrangements is called Future Temples.

As I write I am now on my second consecutive listen, it is a splendid experience; it’s glorious in its own constructed narrative, and tracks like the transcendent opener and the title track Future Temples leads the way with its grounding synths and swirling descriptive tones, this is stunning stuff and at times feels like we are flowing upwards from the bass charka towards the crown.

The next opus of grandeur starts with some pertinent natural bird sounds, keeping us in the realm of reality and nature, whilst the keyboards of Smithson manifest an electronic rhythm that is undeniable and called The Earliest Moments, this leads us beautifully into one if the prettiest pieces off the release called Reflections, the hovering synths manifest a still scenic vista that we can float within, whilst the progression of the keyboards gift us a sense of slow movement perhaps towards the temple itself, pleas note the delightful convergence of the water sounds and the music, this is so wonderfully textured.

This 7 track creation is sublime with each track played, the whole package is blissful in its creation and lush in its colours and moods, even the long form narrative is catered for in pieces like Vanishing Territories. A true voyage can be taken through this magnificent opus of mysterious delight, changing course and tempo, changing scenes and landscapes, and containing a virtual tour of natural sounds and tones.

The track Saudade gifts the enquiring listener a sense of ambience to dwell within for well over nine minutes, and through the tonal enchantment one can literally find a meditative sanctuary to reflect in, this piece is one of the most beautiful ambient tracks I have heard for many years, a light bird sound can be heard, and one that sounds like a Blackbird or Thrush, this just adds to the sense of longing and mournful construction of the composition.

The penultimate piece Time Prints, has a light Berlin school motif to its arrangement, but holds its calmness and musical posture well in check, and thus carries a sense of tranquillity with the creation as it goes, and in fact right up to the eventual storm at the latter half of the track.

We alas have to conclude our journey this simply incredible voyage of creative and aware electronic ambient music, with the last composition from the album called Nostalgia. We all from time to time long for moments we enjoyed in the past to return to us in the present or at least in the future, this rarely happens, and when it does it is different, beautiful, but different, here Smithson craft-fully explores those emotions and longings, and in doing so manifests one of the most meditative and fascinating endings to an album I think I have heard for decades.

Future Temples by Forrest Smithson is one of those albums that you might wait your whole life to hear, but when that chance comes, you love every second of what it brings to your musical table. As an electronic musician myself, I would love one day to create something as good as this, it has a sweet tone, an enticing vibrational flow, a narrative that is both palpable and attractive, the performance is one of the best I have heard in this genre, and the artistry and compositional structures are unbelievably astounding, I therefore urge you to get Future Temples by Forrest Smithson it is a musical experience you will never want to end.

Dark of Night By Johannes Linstead

 

Dark of Night

By

Johannes Linstead

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The smooth ride that this new single from Johannes Linstead creates is somewhat magical in its musical properties, the title of the song is Dark of Night and in its early inception it actually brings a mysterious vibration to the fore, but one that morphs into an almost travelling narrative.

There can be no doubt that Johannes is one of the most flavourful acoustic guitarists of his day, and his Latin arrangements have coloured many a listeners musical path along the many years of his creations in the business.

Here on this new single he has created a compelling and fluent composition that takes us eager listeners along the way with him, as if we are his musical passengers. Dark of Night is a multi-faceted tale a guitar based reverie that builds of the excitement of the night, and all the mysteries it has to unfold before us.

Johannes Linstead manifests a fine performance on this new single and in doing so adds a light rhythmic percussive element into the weave of the manifestation too, the mood changes, the chord shifts and tones, all go to bring to its audience one of the most enthralling singles he has ever created, and thus I predict a huge chart hit for Dark of Night by Johannes Linstead, one of the most addictive singles of the year to date.

The Dawn by Suren Lama

 

The Dawn

By

Suren Lama

By

Steve Sheppard

 

One of the most eclectic acoustic singles came my way today, in a breath of much needed fresh air within the realms of instrumental genre; the composition is called The Dawn and the artist Suren Lama. This is one extremely vibrant offering that has many facets to its diamond like construction of an arrangement.

The fluent and rhythmic guitar of the artist is utterly enhanced by the crisp added instrumentation and unique global flow of the overall narrative, Jagannath JD on Tabala is a fine example of that aforementioned statement, the added rhythm swings the piece forward with happy invigorated energies. Whilst the sweet acoustic guitar of Lama brings the listener a place of serene joy to visit, one has to say that the performance on his instrument of choice was one of the most colourful and passionate I have heard this year with ease.

The Dawn by Suren Lama is a recording of soothing yet up beat global infused rhythmic guitar and light percussion, and likely one that will become a very addictive part of many listeners listening experiences. Here on this new offering from the artist Suren Lama has gifted us a cheer filled moment of musical bliss to enjoy in an otherwise fear filled world, so smile, be happy, enjoy life, and spin The Dawn By Suren Lama, it may well be the musical panacea you have been searching for.

Storyteller Part II By Walter Holland

 

Storyteller Part II

By

Walter Holland

Written by

Andy Rogers

 

Storyteller Part II is very much a companion album to the Storyteller Part I album. The album opens with Ralph McTell’s song “Peppers and Tomatoes”, a forceful song that tells of a man trying to live peacefully and keep his family safe in the face of aggression … forcefully sung and played, which I found chilling.

We move on to Black is the Colour, a traditional Scottish song about a lover who has failed to return; this was later adapted and sung in the Appalachians. Next up is Hallelujah which has become Leonard Cohen’s best known song these last few years. Walter’s version has just him and a piano plus backing vocals and is very effective.

There is a return to acoustic guitar for track 4, The Three Ravens, a sad tale of a slain young knight who is saved from being eaten by the ravens by a pregnant doe who carries him off and buries him. Sadly the doe dies carrying out the noble deed.

Our next delight is the classic river man’s and sailor's song Shenandoah, here it gets a very nice acoustic treatment with a superb electric guitar solo in the middle.

Next up is the much loved Scottish folk song Wild Mountain Thyme, here going by one of its many alternate titles The Braes o’ Balquhidder, beautifully sung to the perfect acoustic backing it was very hard not to join in on this one!

The next piece is Emmanuel,  is a simple but emotive take on the 12^th Century advent hymn O come O come Emmanuel. This is followed by Hame Hame Hame, this starts like Pink Floyd’s Shine on you Crazy Diamond then brings in vocals with Moody Blues style strings... Scottish Traditional Prog-folk-rock maybe, unclassifiable yet truly wonderful and in my opinion the high point of the album!

Carrying on with this “prog” feel is Follow the Drinking Gourd, this is based on a folk song that provided directions for escaping slaves. The Big Dipper is also known as the Drinking Gourd, and its position in the night sky served as a guide for those seeking freedom.

The last track on the album is The Bewlay Brothers, originally on David Bowie’s album Hunky Dory. Bowie himself has said the lyrics made no sense. Walter has put together a very good version here, thankfully not going for the very odd ending on the original Bowie version.

I loved this album: I found it intriguing, memorable and mesmerizing. A great choice of material with superb performances means that the 45 minutes play time just flies by. Even if you’re not a fan of Folk music, I can safely say you will love listening to Storyteller Part II.

Storyteller Part I By Walter Holland

 

Storyteller Part I

By

Walter Holland

Written by

Andy Rogers

Walter Holland is a man of many talents… a highly regarded artist with works exhibited widely across the USA, an engineer/producer and lastly a respected musician whose music reflects his influences such as Pink Floyd, Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Steeleye Span. Having been making music since the 1980s, in 2019 & 2020 he turned his attention to a more traditional folk sound and produced two albums, Storyteller, parts 1 and 2

Storyteller Part I begins with an instrumental track, A Highland Welcome as we walk with the sounds of nature from heathland to seashore. This leads straight into City of Chicago, a contemporary folk/rock track that to me has something of Harry Chapin about its vocals.

Next up is Fareweel tai Fiunary a lovely slow paced tune with some wonderful harmonies on the chorus, whereas Amang the Bonnie Winding Banks opens with more nature sounds before becoming “an old traditional lament for bagpipes, mellotron and electric guitar that we just wrote”.. That describes it perfectly!

Track 5 is Ca’ the Ewes, a Robert Burns poem performed as if it were an out-take from Pink Floyd’s The Wall. This is followed by The Three Ravens (Revisited), this is another instrumental arrangement, and features layers of guitars (acoustic then electric) with occasional cello … all rather beautiful.

Next is a wonderful folk-ballad From Clare to Here composed by Ralph McTell it tells the story of a young man leaving home in Clare to find work abroad. Walter’s performance is both moving and sensitive.

Track 8 Fear A’ Bhata is a sad song reflecting on lost love with the sound of Harpsichord and strings giving an almost medieval feel to the music. As we head towards the last parts of the album we find Poor Wayfaring Stranger this is the well-known American 19^th century folk/gospel song about a lost soul on the journey through life. It works really well here with a backing of guitar and sympathetic strings.

The penultimate track on the album is called Ride On, an up-tempo yet ultimately sad tune featuring insistent electronic figure over strings and guitar, a tale of someone who can never “go with you no matter how I wanted to”- we’ve all been there.

The album ends with If I was a Blackbird, another tale of lost unrequited love featuring emotive lyrics, guitars and string accompaniment with Walter’s plaintive vocals to the fore.

Walter Holland was a new name to me before hearing this album but I was very impressed with Storyteller Part I Anyone who has any interest in acoustic music, folk music or singer songwriters will find much to enjoy here. Combining elements of folk, rock and even a dash of Prog this is an excellent album.  

Compassion by Eric Tingstad

 

Compassion

By

Eric Tingstad

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The guitars of Eric Tingstad have been a constant in my life since 2007 and the Southwest album. Since then it has ways been a pleasing thing to be informed that new music is about to come from the artist, here on this brand new offering entitled Compassion we have just that, and never has there been a guitar based reverie as well named as this one is.

The gentle caresses upon the fret by Tingstad float like musical jasmine into and around my senses. The combination of electric and acoustic is certainly something I should do a lot more of, and I find this piece quite inspiring to do so.

The tender tones of a Tingstad guitar are something to be grateful for as with each passing note and measure we are gifted something that is utterly beautiful, and completely transcendent. The shift from major to minor and back again is delightfully thoughtful, and the sensitivity with which this new single has been created is as I said earlier, one that flows perfectly with the subject matter of Compassion.

Compassion by Eric Tingstad is that single fans of guitar based music have been waiting for; a piece with a meditative repose, a crafted melodic artistry, and an empathetic tone and timbre that creates a serene energy for all, surely Compassion by Eric Tingstad must be a big hit for the composer and performer.

Ashes to Ashes

 

Ashes to Ashes

By

James Filkins

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I find the twists and turns of life’s somewhat rich tapestry uncanny and sometimes quite bizarre if I were honest, today that has been the case for both Chrissie and I, as we said goodbye to a long-time friend that has sadly passed, one we never had a chance to say a farewell to, one that for a while will lay heavy upon our hearts, but his music still lives on in and around us.

Here on this brand new single from guitarist James Filkins I get to write about that very subject in a review for his latest single called Ashes to Ashes. A mournful repose can be found here, and if I may paraphrase the artist himself when he states “The tune expresses grief, but also an emotional reverence, and the longing for a farewell that never occurred” exactly our feelings of about three hours ago when we garnered our sad news.

Filkins has become a guitarist of sublime skill and artistry over the years, here on this new single though he is joined by Crispin Campbell on Cello and Jack Dryden on bass, whom take that crafted intelligent performance by the guitarist a realm further, their performances add a reflective and mournful calmness to the proceeding’s, on top of one of the most philosophical and contemplative recordings ever from Filkins.

Ashes to Ashes by James Filkins was most certainly a cathartic voyage for us both as we continue to mourn our lost comrade in music, it is an absorbing composition of tender tones and profoundly introspective intonations, and one of the finest examples of guitar based multi instrumental music I have heard for simply ages.

That Trip To Bethlehem by Ryan Michael Richards

 

That Trip To Bethlehem

By

Ryan Michael Richards

Written by

Chrissie Sheppard

 

Most of us know of the story about the trip taken to Bethlehem, religious or not, it is something we have heard over the years. Guitarist Ryan Michael Richards has taken that story and created a new single entitled That Trip To Bethlehem, a gentle arrangement, as we have come to expect from the artist, one that you can simply get lost within.

I adore the additional instrumentation in this arrangement; it seems to just swirl around in the background, pulling you into it deeper and deeper, and even better, the arrangement is just short of six minutes in duration, allowing you the time and space to do just that.

I love the gentle build within the arrangement, that towards the end, pulls right back and leaves you with that gentleness that opened the piece. This is one not to be missed, a beautiful acoustic creation indeed, and one to be added to your playlist at any time of year!

A Christmas Sky By Suzanne Herman

 

A Christmas Sky

By

Suzanne Herman

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Christmas is a time of year that means many things too many people, to some it is a religious occasion, to others like me, it’s a time to relax and be away from computer screens, for others like Suzanne Herman it was an opportunity to sail to Antarctica from South Africa, to see a different sky from a different perspective, A Christmas Sky.

This is the latest single from the artist, and many will know that Suzanne is one of my favourite female pianists; her colourful touch on the keys always sets the scene and draws comforting pictorial narratives for us to enjoy.

Here the pianist breathes an icy but fresh breath of piano wisdom into her latest creation, with fluent crisp passages, exciting but restrained crescendos, and joyful happy melodies, all contained within this one quite splendid manifestation.

The constant compelling vistas that Herman creates via her piano are something to thoroughly enjoy, and as the gentle coda softly dissipates into the ether of time, we can truly say that we have heard another beautiful arrangement from the artist, and we hope that whatever you are doing this holiday season, that you will donate a few moments of your time to listen to A Christmas Sky by Suzanne Herman, as your festive spirit will love you forever.

Tibet (20th Anniversary Remaster) By Deborah Martin & Cheryl Gallagher

 

Tibet (20th Anniversary Remaster)

By

Deborah Martin & Cheryl Gallagher

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

When I need a sanctuary to rest a while in, I usually turn to the East and gaze towards the magical realms and meditative bliss of places like Tibet, I have a lot of time and respect for Buddhist traditions, unlike some western belief systems they are free from overwhelming dogma, threats of eternal damnation and infinite suffering for nonsensical crimes, and thus a rare beauty, a perception, of blissful tranquillity, a calm and a oneness can be found, and here on Tibet (20th Anniversary Remaster) by Deborah Martin & Cheryl Gallagher, we have that in all its glory.

I can only imagine what it must be like to have your works re-worked some twenty years later, here the artists must have felt each drum beat, each chime and tone still to this day with such great clarity. The opening piece gives me that ambiance with ease and is simply called Palace. A gentle progression I have not heard the like from an electronic musician since Thom Brennan on his seminal album Mountains.

The entire 8 track release is a step into a world that is in perfect harmony with its surroundings, both Martin and Gallagher capture that atmospheric spirit with ease on pieces like the mysterious and moving opus of Morning In Tibet, a sparkling home spun reverie containing wondrous electronic wizardry, and ethereal vocalisations, and also on compositions like the transcendent Seeker and Sought, a powerful, yet still meditative manifestation that brings us pristine musicianship, and also that aforementioned sanctuary of the soul we all so readily desire.

The location is captured splendidly on Eklabatti, a snow driven arrangement with a true indigenous feel to its progression. One can also enjoy the bells and chimes of the region, at my age I doubt that I will ever be able to visit this stunning site, but at least through breath-taking albums like this from Martin and Gallagher I can do so vicariously thought the music.

The entire project is concluded via the medium of the last track called Procession, a delicious long form creation that one can literally float like an eagle upon the thermals of a timeless reverie of serenity with. A river of energy flows from this piece, and in doing so manifests a musical moment of sublime mastery like I have never heard before, for me, this is exactly what truly great electronic based music should sound like, this last work I got lost within and never wanted to return, kudos for the inclusion of pertinent natural sounds too.

Tibet (20th Anniversary Remaster) by Deborah Martin & Cheryl Gallagher is an influential release that commands respect, its soft and creative journey is simply remarkable. A huge tip of the hat must also go to Howard Givens, Mark Hunton, Mark Rownd and David Helpling whose musical contributions were a pleasure to be enjoy, and one must also not forget the tireless work Todd Boston with his engineers hat on in this case.

Tibet (20th Anniversary Remaster) by Deborah Martin & Cheryl Gallagher is an album that should never be forgotten, it is a timeless pastiche of peace and harmony, a tonal universe of electronic music and added instrumentation, that manifested for me one of the finest releases I have heard in this genre for years, and thus should be a guaranteed hit and perhaps even more!

Boudica By Jon Richards

 

Boudica

By

Jon Richards

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There is good news my lord, I have gazed into the future, and my scrying mirror informs me that we must prepare for one of the finest musical warriors of the land to arrive, as the mighty bard Jon Richards is back, and with a brand new and powerful release called Boudica.

Boudica is regarded as a national heroine for Britain still to this day, and perhaps ever onwards, some might say it was a shame she never managed to win against the vast swathes of the Roman Empire, Britain would have been a very different place indeed. Here the artist has taken that subject matter and created a truly fascinating offering of a multi-instrumental delight.

The title track Boudica of course leads the way on point, and is a marvellously colourful pastiche of new age and Celtic music combined in what is a lush instrumental paradise. The opening offering moves along gently, with a light percussion and strings, ones raising the rhythms in an almost David Arkenstone kind of way.

The Druidess has a blissful sense of lightness and mystery about its compositional structure, which one could with ease float away on its bed of sweet tonal delights. The light Celtic pipes led the way and the drum partners a tapestry of tone that marches over the misty landscape, also note the textured vocalisations towards the latter half of this offering too.

The acoustic start to this next offering was simply splendid and ushered in the track Twilight Invocation with such a delightful sense of subtlety. At well over eight minutes, one has more than enough time to drift into the other world on a bed of soft vibrations, an almost Gregorian chant, both male and female greets us on our musical journey, one that leads to a soft but ever increasing climax on one of the most beautiful pieces off the release.

Andraste is where the album takes a darker tone, one through the compositional structure and its mysterious and ominous intent; we can hear the great queen crying out this term which I believe means victory, at the very top of her voice. The reflective passage in this arrangement gives us the listener, a haunting and somewhat thoughtful musical composition to observe and float within, a dramatic offering indeed and in my view film worthy.

On our next musical foray we come across is a piece called A Call to Arms, one that encapsulates the expression, “build and progression” perfectly, combining a deft flute with electric guitars and keyboards at its helm, and gentle percussive element leads us through a splendid and colourful arrangement, one that manifests a mood of expectation with ease.

Next on our ever onward journey through the hills and valleys of this fantastic journey of the album Boudica by Jon Richards, is the track March of Fate, the title expresses this perfectly, whilst the mood is upbeat and confident, there is an underpinned element here, where one can feel a strange sense of resignation within the weave of this superb instrumental creation.

The album is slowly brought to a climax by giving us a musical overview of her tribe from the east of England called the Iceni. This next musical composition is played out beautifully, with a reflective energy bathed in a Celtic refrain that seems to cry out across the ages, perhaps even to this day. Ghosts of the Iceni is a superior offering, one of great artistic endeavour and mastery.

The concluding creation sums it all up nicely and called Lost Freedom, and forever more this is a truism perhaps, the fate of Britain is in the hands of the empire and all is lost. The piece itself is a mournful composition with Uilleann pipes, a soft string section and a gentle resigned motif that is akin to the last few panned out shots of a movie, what a splendid way with which to conclude the album indeed.

Jon Richards in my view has created a master work here on his latest release Boudica; he has crafted a collection of songs with such skill and dexterity, and with such an amazing awareness of the subject matter, and brought to us ever eager listeners a release that is encapsulating and totally addictive to listen to. If ever an album deserved to be a huge hit this one does, and perhaps there is still one andraste left, one that drifts across the timeless worn torn battlefields of Britain, to bring the artist one of the biggest musical victories of his career thus far, for Jon Richards and Boudica.

Other Worlds By David Darling

 

Other Worlds

By

David Darling

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The essence of any good track is its inception and foundation, its build and progression, along with its on-going narrative and the conclusion, in all aspects Grammy winning Cellist David Darling has succeeded in the highest possible regard on the track Other Worlds off his latest album of the same name.

The opening is moving and incredibly scenic, the gentle electric piano, the soothing cello and synths, and the slow but natural build that manifest a texture not to dissimilar to Ralph Vaughan Williams back in the day, then the piece literally cast off on the wide open seas of lush open contemporary instrumental music at 1 minute 37 and never looked back, adding a driving percussion, piano and bass along the way.

This is one of those tracks you will no doubt wish to constantly come back to from time to time, as it has that timbre about its composition that is so tangible and artistic, giving the whole musical creation a rhythmic corporeal feel, mixed with the fluency of a captivating dream-like soundtrack.

This is a truly special musical moment from an album that will highlight the desire to listen further, and is most certainly a composition that many artists would be extremely proud to call a title track; a thoroughly enjoyable musical experience indeed can be found on the track Other Worlds, by David Darling.

My Heart by Jeffrey Baker

 

My Heart

By

Jeffrey Baker

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

This for me is an example of piano based at its very best; there is an echo of solitude about this new single from Jeffrey Baker that I adore, this delicious composition is called My Heart. It doesn’t happen as often as I would like, but every now and then someone will create a piano based composition that I find great solace from, and the musical journey is completely cathartic, this is the case with this new single from Baker.

The mood created is delightfully ambient, quietly unassuming, yet sincere in its arrangement, and the performance is quite meditative, exploring textures and ambient constructs. My Heart is one of those singles, that could have lasted 10 minutes and I personally would have not minded a bit.

The creation itself reminds me of contemporary artists in the instrumental field from a few years back, namely Holland Phillips and Bill Wren, that sense of a timeless reverie that hovers through the windmills of memories of the past, the use of a combination of minor and major chords is equally as delightful.

With ease I would have to say that My Heart from Jeffrey Baker is one of the best piano based singles I have heard this year, and there is not much of that left as I write, in all honesty this one deserves to be a big hit, as it will bring the listener a sanctuary of musical tone and timbre that they will never ever want to leave.

The Color Connection By Jeremy Weinglass

 

The Color Connection

By

Jeremy Weinglass

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The uniqueness of this new album The Color Connection from Jeremy Weinglass is wonderful; it is a special creation of solo piano that differs from the standard compositions I hear on a regular basis, this is an inventive artistic and somewhat transcendent manifestation of music that is a delight to listen to.

The opening track of this 7 track collection of songs is called Red Rose and for me is a composition that ushers in a steady growth, a very neat change of chords, and one literally blooms towards the middle and later parts of the creation.

Something we have in abundance here, and is seen sitting in trees are Orange Fruit, this textured composition graphically depicts this gift of nature, there is a softness here that is palpable and artistically charming, akin to the next musical narrative of Yellow Sun or Helios as we call him here, now for me this is a special composition, as its arrangement is higher in both tone and energy, in an almost classical performance by the artist.

Weinglass has a keen mind and a sensitive touch, on Green Forest he manifests a deeper offering that we can all get lost within, whilst on Blue Ocean, the trickledown effect was splendid and very much like the view from my balcony upstairs, as I gaze daily at the Mediterranean Sea in all its glory, the perfect musical depiction for my vista.

The dark blankets of a darkened sky can be felt in the penultimate piece from the album entitled Indigo Sky. Here is one of my favourite offerings from the release one that constantly moves onward and right into the arms of our concluding creation called Violet Rain.

The artist finishes with a flourishes on this manifestation, an upbeat and passionate offering can be found here, one that moves through many measures along its journey, and concludes with an almost light hearted coda too.

The Color Connection by Jeremy Weinglass is a breath of fresh air for this genre; it is like the artist has flung the windows of banality wide open, and a wind of many textures, explorative artistically smart endeavour’s, tones and timbres, have come flying in. The Color Connection by Jeremy Weinglass is an exciting new album from the pianist, one that I think will be thoroughly enjoyed by the legions of the solo piano genre.