Irish born Fionnuala Sherry is the celebrated violinist, vocalist, and fairer side of the music duo Secret Garden, which she shares with equally gifted Norwegian composer and pianist Rolf Løvland. Together as a team the pair of music professionals are admired and loved by millions for their award winning melodies, some of which were performed by stars like Barbara Streisand, Josh Groban, and UK prominent artists Westlife.

Fionnuala Sherry herself arrives from a family of musicians who began her music career at an early age, and I can say with near certainty that it was not luck of the Irish or mere happenchance that she is presently one of the most popular musicians produced in modern day Ireland. After graduating with honors from the College of Music of Trinity College, she relocated in Dublin to continue her musical ambitions. During her tenure as a seasoned professional she remained a member of the RTE Concert Orchestra for 10 years. In addition she has performed with a broad range of top artists over the years, including The Chieftains, Sinead O’Connor, Van Morrison, Chris de Burgh and Bono of U2 fame, along with her role in several Hollywood film scores with the Irish Film Orchestra.

Songs From Before is as you can imagine, unique and personal by her wonderful expressions on violin with instrumental accompaniment, remaining true to character in regards to the fine melodies for which Fionnuala is famous. Her contemporary instrumental album highlights renditions on some of Ireland’s most beloved melodies, and some unreleased material. Given the modern theme which reproduces various songs made for the popular music standards of today, it brings us back to the lineage of her solo release.

Secret Garden is where Fionnuala shares a starring role with composing musician Rolf Løvland from Norway. Together their achievements run deep, having won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1985 and 1995 with sold out concert tour performances to multitudes of people worldwide. It is estimated they have sold well over 5 million albums as the music group Secret Garden, some of which were platinum or gold records, along with their recording status on the Billboard New Age charts.

Fionnuala Sherry breathes new life into the 10 songs which have been in the planning stages for years. Some born of Irish heritage, her contemporary revisions capture traditional moments with charm and charisma during a fine performance on an English John Edward Betts violin from the 1790 time period. The overall sound quality is rich and opulent, uplifting at one moment to deeply poignant in another. Descriptive words like elegant and graceful are often overused, but truly merited in this case. I felt every song has a melodic tenor of sophistication without being overly classical and beautiful in depth without a veiled shroud of mystery.

While fame and success as the fairer side of Secret Garden is a principal achievement which precedes her solo album, Fionnuala Sherry’s Songs From Before is an shining example for her all inclusive music heritage. The 10 pieces are a moving experience and inspirational beacon showing her in a new light. May the light continue to shine far and bright.

Visit fionnualasherry.com homepage and valley-entertainment.com music store for pre-orders, and Amazon.com or iTunes when officially released in June 2011. Visit Fionnuala and Rolf at their secretgarden.no homepage and music webshop page.

Cover art courtesy of fionnualasherry.com.

Keith Driskill has created an acoustic guitar album that gives one the impression of those lighthearted days by gentle guitar melodies of inspiration. His release A Time of Innocence is an acoustic guitar album that momentarily shuttles the listener to a relaxing state of mind by its peaceful down to earth purity.

Keith Driskill performs superbly on acoustic guitar using the fingerstyle technique, and as it turns out, he is well versed in articulating the emotional imagery of those carefree days, and does so with amazing clarity. Finding an early fascination in learning how to play the guitar at age 10, Keith began to explore and develop his own skills during the early years as a youngster growing up in Kentucky. This may have had something to do with the present day Utah resident’s abilities at expressing the more simplistic period of our youth, during a time when hopeful dreams of our future first originate.

A Time of Innocence is a New Age, Solo Guitar album with traditional Folk music elements. The 9 songs are best defined as serene and peaceful, yet there is a broader modulation of warmth and depth, which makes A Time of Innocence something rather unique and special. On the surface you will find light guitar rhythms comingle and reside in time with more complex tracings of depth and refinement which is a nice counterpart to the lighter more serene qualities.

The song Lover’s Farewell is the melody I felt best compliments this adaptation, in words I will phrase as refined serenity. The equally relaxing Moonlight Lullaby & Fireflies each convey an elevated atmosphere of inspiration. It may be less important how I word or phrase the description of Keith Driskill’s acoustic guitar music, just so long as my earlier viewpoint of wonderfully uplifting music is incorporated when summarizing his solo guitar endeavors.

While true none of us can return to the carefree days of our youth, Keith’s guitar melodies offers a moment to reminisce about those lighthearted days of our past that ironically turn out to be important to the majority of us during our adult years. It’s an easygoing acoustic expression about A Time of Innocence.

Visit the driskillmusic.com homepage and then sample / purchase on his music page or visit his amazon.com page.

Photos courtesy driskillmusic.com.

Northern Seas is the fourth narrative from Al Conti that made a grand impression on me after hearing this new release for the first time. On Northern Seas the ancestral homeland and Nordic heritage of Scandinavia is the theme presented in a manner you will find intensely glorious regardless of your own family coat of arms since the perceptions in imagery and rich instrumental landscape valiantly hold the high ground on this resolute masterpiece.

Al Conti has a long family legacy himself arising from a extensive linage of expressive artisans, and in addition to his popularity as a top musician, Al Conti is an performing actor, having made television appearances during shows of the acclaimed CBS daytime drama As The World Turns, commercials, and films in addition to stage theatre productions in the United States and overseas.

Al Conti’s first albums were Shadows & Poeta and third release Scheherazade from 2008 was a landmark award winning release that resided at the top of ZMR charts for 3 consecutive months, and then received 4 ZMR Lifestyle Music Awards nominations including Album of the Year. Scheherazade then sailed among the clouds to secure the Best World Album of 2008 and is played on many satellite and cable channels including Sirius / XM and Music Choice in addition to reaching high watermarks in global radio charts.  Northern Seas at present has reached # 2 in ZMR’s Top 100 chart for October 2010.

Northern Seas is a fascinating mixture of New Age & World Fusion with a Celtic inscription on several of the 11 tales of intrigue recounted from the long ago days of antiquity. The indigenous folklore of Norse mythology brought to light by Al Conti is a melodious one indeed, telling of Norsemen during a time of Viking sovereignty in the Scandinavian nation. Treading a deep imprint on each tale, every single song is crisp, clear, and refreshing as if detailing the pristine landscape and panoramic mountain vistas by the deeply spacious tonal qualities.

Northern Seas ( Title Song ) has a thunderous opening with an aura of mystery by the piano melody but the free spirited rhythms by flute and violin illuminate the first waterscape images and swiftly place you into the forged from fire and ice Nordic landscape. Light lyricless vocals portrays an invigorating atmosphere which greatly changes what could have been pictured as a cold dreary day into one filled with deep but breathtaking rays of shrouded sunbeams. Long drawn out colorful vocals are another positive element dominating an ambient grounded Veil of Mist.

Song of Rig & Valkyrja are adventurous melodies featuring the ancient and exotic instruments used in this albums production. Al Conti is proficient on a wide range of instruments and on Northern Seas he and contributing global talents create the unique feel of ambience using ancient and exotic instruments like kantele, harp, hurdy gurdy, pump organ, accordion and tribal drums melded with modern time instruments of piano, violin, cello, acoustic and electric guitar.

Odin The Wanderer is notably mysterious but also carries a palate full of vibrant hues much in part to the charismatic melody and choir that is lightly comingled with alluring violin and accordion tracings. Two flute melodies with a Celtic essence are the vigorously paced Dans for Loki and then free flowing The Rainbow Bridge. Piano and accordion merge in the light song Baldur and the time honored instrument when united with piano turn the tides of time to create an aesthetically pleasing old world essence.

Ragnarok has a penetrating melody and light percussion rhythm of true enchantment. This graceful new dimension in elaborate instrumentals of piano, harp, flute, and accordion constitute smooth verses in unison with a light choir while transitioning into a breezy reflection well in harmony with the chosen Nordic folklore theme.

Al Conti has crossed yet another threshold with this exciting new release having every telltale sign of award winning success given his intriguing music portraiture of Scandinavian countries centered by Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. The majestic highlands, islets, and fjords bordering the Barents, Baltic, and Norwegian Seas have now become the phenomenal harbor setting for this striking new album christened Northern Seas.

Visit alconti.net to sample / purchase or visit his CDBaby.com page and Amazon.com page.

Album art courtesy Elena Ray. Picture copyright Big Stock Photo – galdzer.

Words cannot express the joy and elation I feel when I allow myself to experience and BE with the almost unreasonable beauty that IS our natural world, our Home. I thank the Universe/God that I CAN experience its awe and wonderment as often as I do. I know this perfection IS Reality. And for some unexplainable miracle, I can see it. I can hear its silent roar. It calls to me. Touches me . . . reaches out and talks to me. It reminds me that I am not alone as I am absorbed into its profound presence. The unspeakable shift. The unthinkable gift. Elation. Here, in the “real” world, the natural world, within each moment and from every direction, resounds the Call Of Love.

With such a powerful message, Peter Kater’s new album Call of Love simply HAD to become great and inspired. It sure is. It is an album that from the very first piano note takes the listener on a musical voyage that is as colorful as Spar Street‘s wonderful cover artwork. Six time Grammy nominee Peter Kater is always delivering, and this is also the case with the album at hand. No artist out there is better when it comes to creating a song that starts with a hint of melancholy and grows into a melodic, passionate and almost divine artwork; the finished musical canvas is filled with nothing but the brightest colors.

Peter has invited three very gifted musicians to create the album. These artists are Legendary reedman, Paul McCandless; celebrated cellist, Jaques Morelenbaum; and Sting guitarist, Dominic Miller. It is obvious to the listener that they have had great fun while creating the album. There is a refreshing playfulness to many segments. This gives the album a more live feeling.

The album starts with the title song. A Call of Love never a whisper, nor everyday talk, and is for sure not a scream. It is a gentle, softly spoken message that tells of deep, true love. This also sums up the song. It starts with a few piano notes and grows into a call that is all about tenderness, gratitude and promises of everlasting love. It is simply masterful.

Breath of Life is like an awakening, and after a gentle start Dominic’s guitar and Paul’s cello lift the songs to new heights – and Peter fills in the theme on the piano. It is almost impossible not to close ones eyes and venture into the beautiful dream, a sphere of colors, that the music creates.

I love it when Peter shows his impressive piano skills. Track 5 is a fast song that shows how being here for you often means running and doing an extra effort for ones love. It is all about getting the work done and take the time to build and strengthen a relationship. Yes, it is all about love!

A song that is impossible not to, well, love, is A Tale To Tell. The tale told here is about the best of feelings. I found myself smiling while listening to it. The theme makes you want to listen to the song again and again.

The next last track is interesting. Sting’s Fields of Gold is always a welcome listen. Cover versions of this international hit have been made by artists such as Eva Cassidy and Mary Wilson. Peter’s take on Fields of Gold is very precise and true to the original, while adding an interesting twist here and there. I especially like the way the melodic theme is shared by the piano and the guitar. As a radio show host I know that this song will be a true winner, and people will stay logged on just to finish listening to it. Few will log off because the song is just so beautiful, and this arrangement is extremely well done.

Call of Love is without a doubt one of this year’s best releases – and one of Peter Kater’s very best albums. Indeed, as we look back it might well be this album we will remember for the year 2010. It is created by love for music, nature and creation itself. It is a true Call of Love.

Visit Peter Kater’s webpage for information.

Since the founding team members of Acoustic Ocean are skilled therapists and all 4 performers on the album live in Hawaii, their unique perspective with daily experiences of island living have helped recreate the relaxing atmosphere for you.

Reflections on Still Water is a New Age, Contemporary Instrumental album retaining a great sense of calm by 9 original compositions and 1 spiritual melody of instrumental beauty that is clearly prominent from the very beginning.

Peggy Morgan and Bette Phelan, as the former folk singer-songwriting duo Morgan & Phelan, toured together for 20 years performing in the US and abroad at a wide variety of venues which numbers in the thousands.  Over the past two decades as a duo their music has been featured on television along with aquiring widespread radio airplay, receiving many awards and notoriety over the years together before founding the New Age artist title we recognize today.

The year 2008 first marked the beginning of Acoustic Ocean and while the genre may have changed, their style in creating original works of relaxing music has fortunately remained constant.

Peggy and Bette are both certified Kripalu Yoga teachers, therapists and have specialized skills in many areas related to stress management so their better living skills enabled a well suited entrance into the New Age genre. On this album the team has enlisted Kay Aldrich playing cello on 3 songs and Anne Berliner on flute in 1 song which turns their wonderful instrumentation into another perspective of beauty.

The album cover shown in Reflections on Still Water gives you a visual hint of the elemental beauty you will hear, plus with the primary instrumentals of Celtic harp, Dulcimer, mandolin, acoustic guitar and fretless bass, the mental images of this restful destination reflect an even clearer picture, translating into a relaxing sound experience all within easy reach of the imagination.

Visit acousticoceanmusic.com to sample / purchase or their CDBaby.com page. Learn more about this team at their morganandphelan.com website.

Cover photo copyright Bette Phelan

Devin Rice & Erin Aas are seasoned musicians already recognized by their proficient styles as individual artists now emerging as a team that writes and performs original piano / guitar and finger styled guitar duet compositions with hand selected musicians adding polished accompaniments on their new release titled Arrival.

Residing in the state of Washington, Devin & Erin had also traveled to Imaginary Road Studios in rural Vermont to enlist the expertise of Grammy Award winning Will Ackerman, so the level of quality on the album’s production retraces their visit to a highly specialized destination.

Arrival is an album where Devin plays piano in addition to guitar along with Erin, showcasing their 15 song compilation that is adventuresome and symmetrical from the first song to the last.  After meeting for the first time several years ago, I felt their earlier mainstay as professional soloists has been doubled and enhanced using simple math, along with their broad variance in individual styles.

Devin Rice & Erin Aas, have selected skilled artists along with Grammy Award winning producer Will Ackerman, to emerge as a fortified musical team, and by virtue of each artist’s specialized skills, has attained a winning strategy with Arrivial.

Thyn Ayre is the crisp beginning song that sounds like a down to earth journey put to sheet music, like Procession, where a wonderful just right feel becomes the standard atmosphere.  These folk styled narratives flourish during the piano and guitar duets set in a moderate tempo like most of the 15 songs.

Borderline is a breezy guitar duet by Erin and Devin, while their Tribute to Robert Frost expresses a more stately approach that includes percussion rhythms backing majestic piano melodies with subtler acoustic guitar highlights.

Lively acoustic guitar and percussion rhythms are heard on the memorable song Nevada, while Something About A Harbor has piano lead in for guitar, with rich melodic tones showing depth in a natural way.  Perdido En Granada, Lullaby For Now & For JB are gentle and more introspective songs with English horn and cello support that compliment the pleasing atmosphere.

Whiskey In The Watertower is truly spirited and a nicely coordinated guitar duet, featuring Will Ackerman on the final guitar solo that resembles Pulborough Spring by taking an up-tempo direction from the primarily moderate paced piano and guitar duets with instrumentals.

Rich cello harmonics are the scenic backdrop in songs, Morning With Annie, Southern Breeze, & Stars of Winter, with the latter song taking an adventurous free flight expression during the melody and refrains that gently lands with guitar, cello, and piano uniting in an ensemble.

Although solo albums are a mainstay and pleasing source of enjoyment, Arrival is a nice departure from singular solo albums given the enriching instrumentals and contrasting styles of the two principal soloists. 

This departure notably doubles the harmonic value for the listener, along with Devin & Erin who have doubled their musical achievements together as a team, and as individuals.

Additional musicians include Derrick Jordan on djembe with Eugene Friesen & Traci Hoveskeland giving cello performances on several tracks.  Jill Haley lends her talents on English horn and Will Ackerman is featured in the final guitar performance.

Visit devinriceanderinaas.com to sample / purchase or at their CDBaby.com page.  Click on their biographies page to read about their backgrounds and how it all began.  If you would like to visit the Imaginary Road Studios go to williamackerman.com right here.

Picture copyright BigStockPhoto – MelMcNaughton

Contemporary New Age composing artist Lawrence Blatt, who emerged number 1 in the NAR Best New Artist and Independent Music Award finalist, paints a beautiful artist’s interpretation through a color spectrum metaphor.  His album is inspired from a description of color relating to physicist Isaac Newton’s color circle titled Opticks.

Newton had compared colors of the visible spectrum to musical notes centuries ago.  Almost as if holding a brush and an artist’s palette of paint, Lawrence defines his own present day theory in a representation of the audible color spectrum in an adaptation of Newton’s principas through his own vivid musical compositions.

Lawrence Blatt has his most recent album titled The Color of Sunshine, on the Blue Pie label 2009, displaying 14 songs as artistic strokes in a colorful exhibit of his music, visualized from his home in San Francisco California.  Many music influences are represented including New Age Classical, Latin, Folk, and World, blending primary genres in this masterful rendition.

Lawrence paints a beautiful artist’s interpretation through a color spectrum metaphor.

Grammy Award winner Will Ackerman, founder of Windham Hill Records, lends his talented hand as producer of this vibrant album, also taking part during song recording sessions in guitar, vocal, and percussion roles.

Holding a brush and artist’s palette of paint, Lawrence defines his own present day theory in a representation of the audible color spectrum.

The Color of Sunshine can be defined as intricate acoustic guitar melodies fusing with orchestral instruments and numerous percussion roles, in a unique companionship, portraying a warm and pleasant atmosphere.  Lawrence plays the guitars like a pro, easily certifying his abilities, having over 30 years of playing guitar.

The song Mar Azul begins with a serene moderate paced beginning and quickly advances to a faster tempo where Latin and World emerge near the outer edges of the color spectrum.  Inspiration for this song was drawn from the Pacific Ocean, where the shade of deep cobalt blue waters contrast beautifully with the lighter pastel blue sky.  The rays of lighter tones shine brightly by guitar strumming full of abundant runs and bounding rhythms.  The characteristic warm sounds of Charango guitar and accordion announce their presence, while violin soon converge in perfect harmony, capturing the dramatic ending.

Violet Blue is a song that caught my attention from the very start, having a simple yet well defined ukulele tone melody full of emotion.  The multiple classic instruments of South American Charango, acoustic, and nylon guitars, mix with piano and cello, lending to a heart felt melancholy touch to the piece.  The rich sound of the exotic Charango captures the primary melody as each note lends itself to a memorable upbeat rhythm that includes light, perfectly times hand clapping that I found quite interesting and added the ideal touch to the overall effect of the theme.  As it turned out, I ended up doing a little hand clapping of my own.

The Color of Sunshine is a beautiful album put to an audible canvas.  Full of interest and creativity by the many talents put on display in this exhibit it shows, and it shows well.

You can find this musical exhibit at lawrenceblatt.com.

Picture Copyright Bigstockphoto.com – HelleM

Phoenix Rising is a duo consisting of Wendy Loomis (piano) and Monica Williams (flute). Other artists perform on the album as well, like Jennifer Lim (playing the Chinese harp guzheng ), Debra Podjed (Indian table) and Jessica Styler (Swiss hang drum), among others. As you can see it is a truly international album. According to the cover, Phoenix Rising wanted to create a CD that had the power to help people relax, de-stress, and energize with positive vibrations. And from the first few harp notes you can feel that they have indeed succeeded in this.

There are 7 tracks on the album. The number 7 has a special meaning here too:

7 is a lucky and inspiring number that is threaded through ASCENSION: there are 7 tones in a scale, the compositions are in 7 different key signatures, the music is played on 7 primary instruments, Monica was born in ’77, and this is the 7th CD of Wendy’s music.

The first track, Seed, is a wonderful song inspired of the Far East. It is actually based on the Plum Blossom melodies written in 1490. The harp, piano and flute are a combination that is impossible not to like. Your mind drifts away to a bonsai garden far away.

My favorite track on the album is Creation. It is perfect in every way; it has a great melody with an atmosphere that is like creation itself, filled with both light and darkness.

All the songs are quite long, between 5 to 7 minutes. The track Nourishment has very interesting use of the hang drum. When this instrument is used it tends to be the lead instrument (or the only instrument), but here it is just a drum while the piano takes the lead. Or, a hang drum is never just a drum. It is so filled with life and energy.  But you get the point; it is a creative use of the hang drum. You’ll love it!

Several new instruments are introduced; first the cello (played by Suellen Primost) on Heartstrings, and guitar (Karen Segal) on Insight.

The title track is the last one out. It is a laid back and gentle song, like the soundtrack to a beautiful dream.

So far Ascension has done very well on the charts, and I guess this is only the beginning. It got a 7th place on New Age Reporter Radio Charts for the month of February and 9th place on Soundscapes Music Choice for March. It is also nominated for best acoustic album of the year by L.A. Music Awards. And, while we are at it, the fact that it is an acoustic album makes it even better. Even a synth junkie like me is not missing ethnic samples or dreamy pads. Ascension is perfect for relaxation, but don’t expect to venture  far into dreamland while listening to it. After all, phoenix is rising, not falling asleep. 

Sample Ascension on CDBaby. The album also has wonderful cover art by Clancy Cavnar.