Medwyn Goodall – Earth Goddess (2007)
You know me – I’m usually not a man of few words when it comes to music. But listening to Medwyn Goodall’s Earth Goddess always leaves me speechless. In Medwyn’s massive discography (he is represented on iTunes with more than 100 titles!) there are so many excellent albums. But for me Earth Goddess is special. It has to do with my love for the sunny island theme, and the fact that I feel that it is here new age music is at its very best.

Palms, blue water, white beaches, waves, a hot wind blowing, holidays – all of this gives good, happy feelings that our genre so well communicates through music. And nowhere in the complete new age music discography – from Tony Scott till today – is this more present than in Medwyn Goodall’s Earth Goddess. It is simply a summer new age music tour de force!

The six track long album was released in the early summer of 2007. It starts with the ultra light Amulet. The lush pads, echoed pan flute, the bright sounding piano and – after a tasteful build-up – Medwyn’s masterful el-guitar, are all elements that makes this into an unforgettable start of an unforgettable album.

Simply put; Earth Goddess is one of the best albums in the new age music genre.

BT Fasmer

Sungrass, track no. 2, is as laid-back as the title implies. This is music for a sunny day in the grass. The song has the same ingredients as track 1, but here Medwyn’s el-guitar is perhaps even better – sounding a bit like The Shadows’ classical el-guitar songs.

The next song out, Totem, is a song to worship; close your eyes and the dream island will manifest itself. The song has some of the best build-up I have ever heard – the middle part, at around 4min50sec and later, is just so interesting, so deep without being complex. The flute ending is simply breathtaking; I could listen to it all day.

Simply put; Earth Goddess is one of the best albums in the new age music genre. Its warm sound and pleasant atmosphere makes it to a modern classic, a masterpiece for the future. Do yourself a favor and meet the Earth Goddess!

Sample the album on MGMusic.co.uk. Available on all major digital music outlets.

Chris Green: You have produced more than 120 (?) albums, an enviable catalogue of different writing styles ranging from upbeat to meditational, South American, Pagan, Celtic, Mystical and electronic. Do you have any warm-up routines or rituals to create the right mood before you start writing?

Medwyn Goodall: I let an idea sit with me for a long time, up to 2 years sometimes. I research the concept and find out about it. I consider how a project might flow, what the choice of instruments would be and do I have such sounds available. If I don’t then I have to go on a search for the right sounds. When I feel everything is in place and the timing simply feels right, an album usually happens instinctively.

Read the complete interview here

We love books about new age music here at .nu. One of the best is without a doubt Medwyn Goodall’s autobiography from 2000 called No Strings Attached. This book – or ebook is the right word here – has been gone from the selection at the MG Music website for a few years. But now it is back!

For £3.99 you get the ebook and the album “Ocean Waves” – The sounds of Cornwall. So download the file, load up your iPad and start reading this interesting and funny book! You´ll find it here (scroll down)

Here is a presentation of the book:

Medwyn has become a legend in the world of new age and instrumental music with nearly four million album sales to his credit. He has gained an international reputation for composing and recording quite stunning music. He is regarded as being amongst the finest multi-instrumentalist in the music industry. Inspired by nature, ancient mysteries and cultures, his music magically blends many acoustic instruments. Medwyn writes and records his music in his private studio in rural Cornwall. He plays over a dozen instruments and has evolved unique styles of instrumental music, which are highly melodic, deeply expressive and very inspiring. His music connects to your soul and his melodies can haunt you for days.

But there are a few titles I have no problems making a heartfelt recommendation for. One such album is (of course) Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells (1973) and another one is Enigma’s Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! (1996). Another such album is without a doubt the third installment in Medwyn Goodall’s Medicine Woman series.

The album is called Medicine Woman III – The Rising (2005). It is an album you can put on and listen from beginning to end and not find one single uninspired note. It is simply musical harmony. It is perfect; the medicine woman is divine.

The opening of the album, the 10 minute long Invocation Part 3, is very effective in creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere – without wasting time on a build-up. The next songs out are all beautiful beyond words; Farewell to the Darkness, Faith, Sherpa and Divinity are all instant new age music classics.

So for once, I’m not going to use more words describing an album – simply saying that this album is highly recommended; it is not to be missed!!!

Sample it at MG Music.

The album Clan: A Celtic Journey came out in 1998 and is one of Medwyn’s most popular albums from the 1990s. The sequel, The Scroll, was released in 2000. So it has now been 10 years since we last heard music with that medieval sound that Medwyn does so well. When listening to it you can almost see the warriors and maidens, the horses and the castles. This music is a true treassure chest for anyone who loves fantasy and fairytales.

And that is not all; the album has been made in Medwyn’s new and upgraded studio! The complete Clan Trilogy is available here.

There have been a few Best of collections of Medwyn’s work, but none oddly enough had his personal input, and none of them gathered tracks from across the labels he has featured on. For the first time working with New World Music and Oreade Music, Medwyn is creating a very personalised 25th anniversary 2 Disc collection of the very cream of his work from 1985 to 2010.  

And more:

Medwyn Goodall is also building a new studio with many upgrades which will be finished in January. The first album to be recorded in the studio will be the long awaited CLAN III which will be the highlight of the celebrations. The 25th Collection will be released around March and Clan III is expected to be released during Summer.

This year, MG Music also will release new titles by Runestone, Paul Sills, Clifford White, Simon Lovelock and MG’s very own Midori.

See a presentation of the titles here.

Druid was, by the way, the first part of a trilogy where the other two albums were Merlin  and Excalibur – also classics of this artist’s early career. Previously this year Medwyn Goodall returned to his Medicine Woman series, releasing the 4^th installment entitled Medicine Woman IV – The 2012 Prophecy.

I like the way Medwyn Goodall creates sequels; he takes the original sound and redefines it, adding new and different colors and harmonies. It is very fan friendly. The Druid update, to call it that, is a musical déjà vu for the longtime fan; here are our beloved melodies mixes with new ones, all in a new and fresh setting. Especially the last track, the 12 minute long Nine Maidens Chronicles Part 4, is a feast for Druid fans.

There are also four other beautiful tracks here, where the listener can sense the Runestone influence. It is welcome, since it creates more variation in sound. The song The Circle Cast has a very nice buildup, with lots of interesting instruments and intertwining melodies – and awesome rain & storm samples as well.

I will not say that anything is missing here – it is just different from the original Druid album. One thing is of course the awesome analogue synth sound of the original album. That 80-90s muffled synth sound gave this album a detached, otherworldly feel. It is hard to recreate something like this with a DAW/sequencer (if that is a goal at all, creating music with a lower sound quality). Another thing is the lack of vocals (the male voice saying: come dance with us/under high heavens/pray with us/under high heavens – on the original).

Medwyn Goodall and Runestone have delivered a very welcome update of Druid, and in the process given new actuality to one of the finest releases in new age music. The new album does not replace the old one, but that was not likely the plan either.

Sample the album here.

Now the follow-up, Druid II, has been released!

You can sample it here.

Druid has been one of Medwyn Goodall’s most beloved albums since it was released back in 1990. In many ways it was his breakthrough album too. Now the follow-up will finally be released! So start preparing, because Druid II is coming!

Aroshanti will release the album ZEN – Searching within Silence. Here is a description of the album provided by the label:

Aroshanti is an artist who improves with huge leaps with ever release. Zen is undoubtedly his best work to date. Already gaining recognition for his performances on Medicine Woman IV, OM 2, Reiki II, Aroshanti has created the perfect CD for meditation, healing and deep relaxation. The music has such a sense of pause and space without ever over doing it. It glides, floats around you effortless providing the perfect ambience.

Olof Hammar is also back this fall by popular demand. The album is entitled Upon a Celtic Shore. It will for sure be Celtic, melodic and full of energy.

And now, lastly, the two new artists on the MG Music label, both US based: Jillian Aversa (Goldin) and Marc Enfroy!

They are without a doubt two of the most talented artists in this genre. We here at .nu choose Jillian’s debut album as the best album released in 2008, and Marc has been incredibly popular on New Age Stars all year long. Marc’s new album will be re-released on the MG Music label. I’m sure they will do really well under Medwyn Goodall’s masterful supervision.

The big difference between OM and OM II is that this time around it is not Terry Oldfield that plays the flute, but Aroshanti (Nick Truch). Terry’s flute is in my opinion impossible to replace, but Aroshanti is doing a terrific job – like he also has on previous albums like True Reiki II – Reiki Healing and Clearzone Sound Essence.

The other big difference is that OM II has much less melodic structure. There is a lot more improvisation, both in the flute and guitar parts (played by Medwyn Goodall), which is really taking the OM project to new heights. It is the new age music equivalent of a jam session, giving the melody a softer, less constructed feel. For meditation use this is very positive.

The second installment in the OM series is a joint venture between several artists. Medwyn Goodall and Aroshanti are accompanied by other MG Music artists such as Guy Sweens, Runestone, Threefold, Paul Sills, Oshwari, Andrew Kinsella and Simon Lovelock. Yes, it is truly a selection of some of the finest artists around and a statement of MG Music’s quality artist catalogue. They all add their fingerprint to the production.

The tracks on the album are all long, between 5 and 7 minutes, which makes it great for meditation. And I must mention that there is a very good continuity between the tracks, so you might end up thinking about OM II as one track. The rich synth pads are the soundscape’s foundation, while the guitar and flute come and go, sometimes sharing the microphone.

This is the new age music equivalent of a jam session, giving the melody a softer, less constructed feel.

The first few tracks take you into a dream world, as blue as the cover photo and as magical as the OM symbol. My favorite song on the album is Starfield, where Medwyn’s guitar, a distant piano and Aroshanti’s flute intertwine beautifully. And like any quality meditation album it also contains a wake up track, the last one, produced by Guy Sweens. After the slow 11th track it is quite a shower of sound. Here there are some obvious Enigma references with samples and a powerful rhythm too, not very different from his acclaimed India series. A different but effective ending; this song takes you back to mother earth in just about six minutes.

OM II is just as good as the first one. It is simply a great package; inspired artists working together to create the ultimate OM experience.

What more can we, the fans, ask for? That they include a flying carpet?

Sample the album on MG Music.

MG Music has a lot of exciting titles coming up this summer! First out is OM II, the follow-up to the successful collaboration album from 2007. Each artist has submitted a track representing the magical OM, with Medwyn Goodall performing Guitar and Aroshanti on Flutes. This album is expected to be released mid June.

In July Druid II will be out. Druid is one of Medwyn Goodall’s most successful albums from his early career, released in 1990. On Druid II he is joined by Runestone.

And lastly, the much anticipated debut from Steve Orchard, entitled Raindancer. According to the presentation on MGMusic, the album offers soft percussion, guitars and panpipes perfectly depicting the atmosphere of the rain forests.

Some rain and a bit of dancing is also included

Since his debut in 1987, Medwyn Goodall has been one of the leading new age artists. The most striking about his music is his ability to recreate and redefine his style while staying true to the objective: create music that is positive, fresh and uplifting. After more than 80 albums this is still the case: the new Medicine Woman has a lot of powerful magic potions in her bag, ready to heal your stressed-out soul.

In a recent interview with Medwyn Goodall we asked him about the Mayans and the year 2012. He answered: The ultimate conclusion of the Mayans knowledge of time and astrology was their creation of what is known as the Mayan calendar which tells of periods, eons of time each having its influence on humanity. What is immediately noticeable about the calendar is that it stop very precisely on the 21st of December 2012. Read the whole interview here.

Fans will find Medicine Woman 4 to be somewhere between Medicine Woman 3 the rising (2004) and Serve Chilled (2008 ) in sound. The somewhat heavy synth pads of previous Medicine Woman albums are gone, replaced by a lighter, modern synth arrangement. Medwyn uses guitar, flutes and a gentle drum set.

The thing I like best about the Medicine Woman series is the superb sound design. When you put on a new album, you know what it is even though you haven’t heard it before: for the fan it is a musical deja vu. Medwyn uses some of the melodic segments from previous albums while adding plenty of new material. From the first magical sounding synth you know that the medicine woman is here again. On track two you’ll get the first example of the totally renewed sound. The light synth together with the piano is beautiful beyond words.

The Medicine Woman series contain some of Medwyn Goodall’s best tracks, like Temple Journey and Farewell To The Darkness. And fans will be delighted to add track no. four, Solar Waves, to the list. It has an unforgettable melody combined with a light synth arrangement that shows Medwyn’s almost magical abilities to create positive, heartfelt music. This track is one of Medwyn’s finest. It is simply masterful.

As always in the Medicine Woman series the South American influences are many and welcome. I think they give Medwyn’s music both warmth and identity. When you play the album it runs like one track, with only a very short break between the tracks. In this way you get long session with the Medicine Woman. Not bad for a mere £ 9.99. It offers, like the rest of the series, almost endless replay possibilities.

Prophecy 2012 has the good old Medicine Woman atmosphere, pure and simple. This sound should have been patented, put on a bottle and sold to a big pharmaceutical company, since it is truly a healing experience. But I guess that the Medicine Woman is more about herbs and spells, than pills and bills.

Sample the album here.

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto, JaleEvsen

BT Fasmer: The Medicine Woman series contains some of your most popular and beloved songs, like Temple Journey, Invocation (all parts) and Farewell To The Darkness. When you recorded the first Medicine Woman in 1991, it was the beginning of something entirely new in your discography. To quote the cover: Rhythmic, celebratory, nurturing. Today these are the words many fans would use to describe your music. Please tell us what the Medicine Woman series has meant for you as an artist.

Medwyn Goodall: During my career I’ve developed some personal favorite themes and styles that I enjoy returning to and Medicine Woman is one of those themes. It is a sound that is very me, very natural to me and is like an old friend. Whilst I might try out different ideas and do different projects, fans know that at some point I will always return for a period of taking these theme another step. It’s become a trademark of my career that every 5 years or so Medicine Woman will be re-born.

BT: The Medicine Woman series is inspired by the ancient Mayan culture, and this is even more apparent in the latest installment: Medicine Woman IV: Prophecy 2012. Tell us about your interest for the ancient Mayan culture, and the enigmatic year of 2012.

Medwyn: I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t interested in myths, legends, mysteries and native cultures, and the Mayans stand out as being one of the most unusual civilizations there have been. The Mayans were amazing astrologers and keepers of time, so much so and so accurate were they that today’s scientists are still debating theories on how the Mayans had such knowledge. The ultimate conclusion of the Mayans knowledge of time and astrology was their creation of what is known as the Mayan calendar which tells of periods, eons of time each having its influence on humanity.

What is immediately noticeable about the calendar is that it stop very precisely on the 21st of December 2012. It does not predict a doom and gloom end of the world scenario, but more mysteriously hints and foretells of much upheaval as we pass from a period of difficulty in to a time of re-birth and enlightenment. What is truly interesting is that many other cultures all have similar predictions for the same time and date. 2012 to many ancient civilizations seems to indicate a massive change and that is what the CD is referring to. To sit up and take notice and look into the details for oneself.

BT: This series is one of the most successful in new age music history. Are you nervous about making a sequel?

Medwyn: I was very nervous when I made Medicine Woman II and a little less so with CLAN II – the Scroll, because they were the first time I had written a definite sequel. I am not nervous these days, I thoroughly enjoyed making Medicine Woman IV and was perfectly relaxed and content whilst making it, which show I think. It sounds as if I was confident and relaxed.

BT: The Medicine Woman series albums have been accompanied by some wonderful cover art by American artist Lisa Iris. I guess it is right to say that she too has given life and identity to the Medicine Woman?

Medwyn: Yes Lisa is a very good friend of mine and she added her own flare giving Medicine Woman a visual style and identity. With Medicine Woman II and Medicine Woman III we very much collaborated on ideas for the cover so that I could echo them in the tracks, making the albums that much more integrated. However Lisa couldn’t join me for the 4th new album and so I designed the cover myself.

BT: The Medicine Woman was the first of several magical women in your discography. Like Priestess: Return To Atlantis, Moon Goddess and Earth Goddess. The celebration of the Feminine is central in your music. Do you see yourself making more Medicine Woman albums in the near future, or will the other powerful women mentioned here get their sequels first? A new Earth Goddess album perhaps?

Medwyn: I do plan to sequel The Sorcerers Daughter next year with Rune Caster. The Sorcerer’s Daughter was always planned to be a mini series or trilogy and I have settled on it being a trilogy, as it has a linked story. I’ll return to Medicine Woman every few years for as long as fans want me to and if I feel I have something fresh to say on the subject. I don’t feel as though it’s over yet so there could be a 5th in the years to come.

BT: You also run the MG Music label. Still you find the time to be an artist yourself. Can you do both at the same time, or do you take time off from the label to create music?

Medwyn: It’s impossible to do both at once. I choose periods where the label doesn’t need me personally too much to escape into the studio. It was harder in the earlier years of the label and my music suffered a bit as a result of the clash. Since the Sorcerer’s Daughter, 2006, I can find the time to focus on just being an artist and I feel as though I have really found myself again as an artist, having gone through the transition to owning a label.

BT: Thank you Medwyn for the interview, and good luck with your new projects! 2009 is looking out to be a great year for the MG Music label.

Sample the new Medicine Woman album here.

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto.com, Craetista

2008 has been a miserable year for the music business as a whole, but a great year for a niche genre like new age. The internet has made it easy to release music without the backing of a label, and in 2008 we have seen some truly amazing new artists. Many small indie labels are also doing well. It is possible that the internet-based music economy will revive a genre like new age.

Still, the major label artists have a great impact, and they too have contributed with incredible albums. 2008 has been a year where both the established artists and the newcomers tried entirely news sounds and beats, expanding the genre and giving it more prestige. Mike Oldfield recorded with the world-renowned pianist Lang Lang and a complete symphony orchestra, while Enigma surprised their millions of fans with unusual hip hop beats. And Jillian Goldin came out of nothing and showed us what new age is really all about.

Below is NewAgeMusic.nu’s top 10 list of 2008. As always it is hard to make lists. Some great albums may have been forgotten, but to my defense I can say that all albums mentioned here are incredible. If you are looking for a fresh new age album, you can’t go wrong with any of them. It is simply great music.

1. Jillian Goldin: Origins

At the very top of this year’s best of list is debut artist Jillian Goldin, who in April released Origins. Her incredible voice, the quality production and her love and understanding for the genre made this into an unforgettable album. On top of this are the album’s beautiful, emotional melodies. If you don’t believe me, you should sample the tracks Hajime or The Winds of Change. They are fantastic beyond words. And, like any serious new age artist, Goldin is also productive. In November she released a beautiful Christmas EP entitled Through Sand and Snow. I am certain that she in the future will give us a lot of great music. A big applause for Jillian!

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

2. Deep Project: Deep Brasil

Deep Forest is one of this genre’s most popular and influential artists. Their last album was Music.Detected_ from 2002, and they will probably not release anything for a long time. But one of the group’s members, Eric Mouquet, launched this year Deep Projects, which will release four Deep Forest styled albums. Deep Brasil is the first one (the others are Africa, China and Sky). And wow, what an incredible album! All Deep Forest fans will feel right at home. This is like an updated version of Sweet Lullaby, with many new elements as well. Flavio Dell Isola and Michel Villain’s vocals give the album a world music feel. And this is only the beginning: we have three more albums to look forward to!

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

3. Mike Oldfield: Music of the Spheres

First I must say that Music of the Spheres is in many respects in a class of its own. With pianist Lang Lang, soprano Hayley Westenra and the complete Euskadiko Orkestra Sinfonikoa, the scene at Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao was set for the performance of Music of the Spheres, the first classical album by Mike Oldfield. It is a beautiful and powerful piece of music, and a sign that Mike still has it. The reason Music of the Spheres is not on the top of this list, is that Mike has created several better albums before, like Tubular Bells, Ommadawn and Amarok. Still, it is an impressive effort. I hope that Mike will do more classical music in the future.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

4. Enigma: Seven Lives Many Faces

Enigma’s seventh album entitled Seven Lives Many Faces was, as mentioned above, a big surprise to their fans. Hip hops beats have not usually been a part of a new age music soundscape. But perhaps this will change now with hit singles like La Puerta Del Cielo and Seven Lives? Michael Cretu is always looking for new samples, loops and sounds. This time he succeeded in creating something entirely new, and breathed new life into the Enigma project as well. The album also has a great EP with songs that didn’t make the cut.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

5. Medwyn Goodall: Amun Ra

Amun Ra is Medwyn Goodall’s first Egypt album. It has a fresh, warm sound and an epic theme. Goodall’s use of exotic instruments are both interesting and creative. When listening to the album you feel like you are in front of a pyramid, and the desert is all around you. There are not many Egypt themed new age albums on the market (one by Diane Arkenstone and one by Phil Thornton & Hossam Ramzy). Hopefully there will be more Egypt albums soon, and Goodall has with Amun Ra shown the way through the desert. A brilliant album!

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

6. Marc Enfroy: Unbounded

Unbounded is a Cinematic Piano album by debut artist Marc Enfroy. It is a collection of gentle piano melodies with orchestral arrangements, and all of the album’s 12 songs are rich with feelings and emotions. It is a very promising debut. Powerful and beautiful at the same time.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

7. David Arkenstone: Echoes of Light and Shadow

Echoes of Light and Shadow is one of David Arkenstone’s most personal albums. From the black/white photograph of the artist on the cover to the gentle melodies, is has a personal touch that is rare in this genre. Several songs on this album will in time perhaps be considered classics, like the positive Lightdance and the emotional Secret on the moors. Arkenstone also released an interesting Christmas album this year with a fresh lounge sound.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

8. Al Conti: Scheherazade

Scheherazade has taken the new age music scene with storm. Al Conti’s third album has been on top of the internet radio play lists for several months now, and the success will probably continue because it is an incredible, epic album. The story of Scheherazade comes from the One Thousand And One Arabian Nights. It is an unforgettable voyage in time and space.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

9. Kindred: Kevin Wood

Kindred is a relaxing, uplifting and somewhat different album. It is Kevin Wood’s third release. Kindred has an interesting ethnic approach, but the sound is much like Wood’s previous albums. He uses rich synth pads, a beat box like drum and additional layers of piano, strings and vocals. This is music with a message: we all have a lot in common, regardless of race, ethnicity and religion. Yes, we are all kindred. Yet another beautiful album from Kevin Wood! Perfection at every level.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

10. Kevin Kendle: Light From The Pleiades

Kevin Kendle’s Light From The Pleiades is the third installment it the popular Deep Skies series. This is ambient electronica at its very best. There is this incredible feeling of distance and weightlessness in Kendle’s space music. My favorite track is the last one, Celaeno, which has a beautiful ambient melody. The sound of retro synths and powerful pads make Light From The Pleiades to one of the finest albums in the space music genre ever.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

And now 2009 is here! I am sure some truly great music will be released this year too. Stay tuned!

Photo copyright BigStockPhoto