And while you are waiting for the concert to begin, why not check out our review of the Seven Falls album?

The thing I find most interesting is how Marshall Styler paints a picture of nature in sound. I own a large collection of nature sounds CDs, but few of them give a better representation in sound of the human experience of nature – even though they are recordings of live nature sounds, like rain, waves or wind. Seven Falls is the musical equivalent of how a painting often can communicate feelings better than a photo. When you play Seven Falls you feel that you are one with nature, because the music is so visual, so heartfelt. You understand why Styler HAD to create this album.

I love keyboards and that warm, analogue sound that gave life to so much music in the 70s and ’80s. Today some might find that Marshall Styler’s instrumental music is too retro sounding, but to me it sounds fantastic. Styler’s understanding and love for the simple but elegant keyboard melody, to call it that, is just world class. He is a synth master, and his music reminds me of Edard Froesse’s solo material. You cannot become this good by just using a software synth. You’ll need a truckload of  hardware synths.

Nothing is worth more than this day

Seven Falls is Marshall Styler’s seventh instrumental album. There is one song on this album that truly deserves to become a modern classic. It is the title song, Seven Falls, which surprisingly is track no. six on the album… That aside, it is a magnificent song. If it had been the sound track to a major film in the 80s, we would all be able to whistle it today. Believe me, you will fall in love with it at once. I was also deeply moved by the song The Locket. Here melancholy and positivity are mixed in an original way, filling the canvas with colors of all shades.

As a fan of Marshall Styler’s previous works (especially Bluefields from 1994, which is a very happy and positive album), I must say that I am thankful that he didn’t take the time off. But now when the album is finished I hope that he finds the time to take some well deserved holiday. But mr. Styler, please do get back into the studio if the melodies keep on coming!

Sample the album on CDBaby.

Also be sure to read this recent interview with the artist.

I was looking forward to taking a break, but all of a sudden I heard these melodies in my head, and I’m not one to question it. I played them on the little piano, in the house, and then moved into the studio with a few songs to develop. This album took a little over two years, and as you’ll see in the liner notes, it’s dedicated to all the fantastic mothers in my life.

Styler had just released A Face in the Clouds in 2007 when this urge to create new music came over him . Styler is perhaps best-known for his Red River Trilogy of albums inspired by places around Texas. About Seven Falls Styler says:

Listening to it now, It sounds like a culmination of what I’ve been striving for in my music – for the listener to feel what I felt writing it, and for the music not to overwhelm the emotion. Based on what I hear from my listeners, that emotional element runs quietly and deeply throughout my music.

A live piano performance by Styler is set for June 20th @ 7 pm, on the patio overlooking scenic Lake Travis at The Crossings resort and spa in Austin, TX. So if you are in the area, this event is not to miss!

The album has a wonderful cover:

Sample the album here.

We will soon post a review of the new album, and selected songs from it are playing on New Age Stars.