Posts Tagged ‘Vicki Logan’

If you are one in the multitude of dreamers with an ambitious goal in mind, permit me to tell you about one musician’s personal story for reaching goals since she is very much a trusted source of inspiration for those who already know and listen to her music.

Vicki Logan first began without formal music lessons, having only a dream of becoming an accomplished musician someday. Her spirited philosophy of believing in yourself, boldly taking the risks, and then dreaming big since anything is possible, has proved to be more than just a mere statement about turning dreams into reality.

Vicki is now an outstanding musician taking her own advice for years by creating a heartfelt  4  album portfolio where each album title and theme chronicles the subsequent chapters of her achievements along the way.  Chasing Dreams began the first stage for her success and easily set a high watermark for future albums of  Finding My Way, The Ride, & The Journey To the Places In My Soul, along with a much anticipated album now in progress.

Chasing Dreams reached nomination for Album of the Year in regional music charts, then her subsequent albums were established in NAR / ZMR Top  100  charts and abundant online radio airplay on AOL, Sirius Radio, and XM Satellite, grew to reach around  1000  station worldwide.  Writing the original music along with playing piano, strings and flute, Vicki enlists several exceptional musicians with co-producer Randy Gildersleeve on acoustic guitar, banjo & mandolin, Andy LaCasse on bass & electric guitar, and Peter O’Gorman as percussionist.

Change is the only true constant in life.  Instead of fighting it, we should always look for the advantages to change, and then use them to our benefit.  In the end, dreams are only dreams unless you are willing to make them a reality.

Vicki Logan

Chasing Dreams is a  10  song classic storybook of concertos, with chapter one titled as  The Only Way To Say Goodbye. This first song reveals feelings of hope for those who have lost a loved one by a moving piano piece that marks the first song notation as a memorable one.  Respectful by turning each page with a soft finger to key touch, drama crescendos with every step until an emotional full chord melody is expressed, reaching a finale that I can only describe as heartfelt and poetic. The  Reprise version offers another impression and moving portrayal of this exquisite melody.

An Epoch Of Childhood represents growing to adulthood by a wonderful piano opus enhanced with guitar entries and percussion, reaffirming the positive vibes one feels from her entire album collection. Highway  8  From Minnesota To Michigan is a piano and woodwind ballad that navigates at a mid tempo pace with flute passages describing the event as one of amazement, becoming one of your narrator’s favorites.  Beautiful by the emotion rich drama, this song is composed to stay in your mind and I do find myself recalling it often.

Title song  Chasing Dreams is another beautiful piece to bookmark.  Soft wind chimes herald in a thoughtful piano and guitar duo that unite in refined stages until the deepest emotions emerge.

The classic artistry in chord phrasing is pleasing not only to the ear, but to the heart and mind, having a wonderful rhythm that conveys only positive sentiments.  The  Reprise version gives another chance to hear this pleasing song in the same key, yet in a slightly faster tempo defined by synthesizer background that sheds light on this new perspective and classically displays her artistic originality.

The Hopper Song is a lively number that showcases the skills of all musicians starting with an upbeat percussion that leaps into expressive piano chords, while mandolin and banjo strum their engaging scripts with confidence.  This song reminded me that writing songs to inspire people is what Vicki Logan’s music is all about, bringing a smile to my face as I picture the multitudes of optimistic dreamers out there also becoming a success, in their own personal storybook of dreams.

Vicki’s story of inspiration can be read at  vickilogan.com  by clicking here.  Visit her MySpace page to sample her music and find where to purchase albums here.  Our pages dedicated to Vicki Logan have reviews for all of her albums, along with our recent Artist Interview, so discover even more about Vicki right here.

Picture Copyright Bigstockphoto.com – trebeb

Vicki Logan has a history of composing and producing outstanding New Age music from the very beginning of her music career.

Her second album titled Finding My Way on her Carvic label achieved a top 100 album rating, airing on over 700 online radio stations worldwide. The song Enchanted Winds did arrive at a top # 1 song in AOL Radio for an astounding 21 weeks, reaching the final destination in ratings.

By incorporating elements of New Age, Classical, Pop, Jazz, Contemporary Instrumental, plus a divine gift of creativity, Finding My Way, along with her entire discography does set a high standard for her future projects.

Charting a course as a new musician has never been easy for any artist and by no fault of her own, Vicki has had her share of unforeseen detours and roadblocks along the way, but her professional drive and spirited ambition has led the way to increasing popularity and recognition along her adventurous journey.

Before the compass was invented, a navigator used visual landmarks, celestial bodies, and maps to chart a course.  Today’s Global Positioning System receivers obtain 3 dimensional calculations from a known spatial positioning of at least 4 satellites to make finding your final destination much easier.

Finding My Way is the title Vicki chose for this album since it describes a representation or timeline of where Vicki felt she was in relation to her music career. With that said, her timeless New Age classics have found their way to many people’s hearts and minds with the winning combination of solo performances of piano, flute, saxophone, and guitar along side synthesized representations.

The song Pegasus reveals the exhilarating flight of a mythological horse free, unbridled, and floating weightless during the ride of a lifetime of chasing dreams, gently leaving a trail of puffy white clouds in it’s wake. The bass percussion sprints ahead in tempo while piano melody vigorously runs through the scales in an inspirational message about undaunted courage.  When Xylophone makes an impromptu entrance into the scene, it becomes pretty clear by the lively solo response that this winged horse desires freedom most, having made all the right moves to evade capture by any mere mortal.

My Mother’s Memories is a symbolic song tribute one can easily compare to a mother’s loving embrace. This hymn of love is shown through a classic piano movement complete with angelic choir vocals that emphasize the content of her character and humanity, clearly stated by the pronounced reverent atmosphere.

The emotional tale of a mother’s lifetime of memories is passionately recalled from one family generation to the next by a heart felt piano narration, where her praiseworthy commitment of giving becomes apparent while recalling the eventful past.  Then, almost as if waiting in respectful attention for the proper moment to arrive, something truly amazing happens.

In a heart felt solo performance, an all encompassing trumpet respectfully announces Mother’s grand entrance onto the world stage in a proud anthem, as if honoring all deserving Mothers with a standing ovation of praise. While all rise to the occasion during this profound moment of tribute and recognition, the choir validates through their own voice the unconditional love and support all caring Mothers around the world have given during their lifetime.

Discovering the positive and inspiring music of Vicki Logan and then writing about this New Age artist who is so passionate about their music has been personally rewarding. Having the opportunity to meet this friendly and outgoing musician by our recent Interview has been an honor.

You can read my reviews of her 2 latest albums and our recent Interview together by clicking here.  Then make finding your way to her website and music outlets your next destination: vickilogan.com

You can sample this album on CDBaby.

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto – Xmasbaby

Once again we shine the spotlight on the time tested music of Vicki Logan, who has recently revealed her thoughts and artistic perceptions by our recent interview here at NewAgeMusic.nu.  If you click on my name to read my personal page, you will find that The Ride is listed second of my all time favorite albums.  I hope this will encourage you to listen what this gifted artist is offering the world of New Age music.
 
Vicki Logan presently has 4 impressive albums available to date, with The Ride as the third successful release on her Carvic Publishing label from 2004, winning a place in the New Age Reporter’s Top 100 albums chart.  Personally drawn from her self conclusions about the ride everyone must travel during our day to day life experiences, this album has also held positions in some additional top 100 charts and granted impressive online radio airplay attention worldwide.
 
The Ride is considered inspirational and emotional by recalling the exhilarating roller coaster like moments in life, to times of eminent cross road decisions where one must faithfully reach out for everything life has to offer, or risk losing an opportunity if we choose to remain in the much safer realm of not ever taking a chance at all.  There is also a calming and relaxed atmosphere to her music as if acknowledging contentment in knowing that we have tried and are justly rewarded for having done our personal best.  This comparison is the easiest way to describe how this album makes me feel. 

Vicki’s own description is related to the passage of time and how she has experienced progress while composing and producing music, so everyone if free to draw their own self conclusions about how this album makes them feel on a personal level, but believe me, you will feel something positive from her music.

Incorporating elements of New Age pop, jazz, and R & B influences provides the listener a fresh perspective beginning with a classic piano piece.

The Ride is primarily mid tempo instrumental throughout, enhanced by individual solo performances of saxophone, piano, guitar, and the wondrous flute which Vicki plays passionately.  Incorporating elements of New Age pop, jazz, and R & B influences provides the listener a fresh perspective beginning with a classic piano piece.  Track 1 The Dance of the Sun has a heartfelt piano melody with background synthesizer starting a new beginning of an adventure into your earliest observations of what to anticipate further down this musical journey. 

Track 5 Just to be With You offers a harmonious rhythmic ballad that intertwines electronic and saxophone solo into a singular peaceful existence upon adding the engaging percussion beat for blending everything together dramatically.  Track 6 The Ride  is one of many favorites being New Age pop in theme.  This memorable up tempo song with heart pounding rhythms, unbounded keyboard rides, and perfectly timed percussion is truly something to behold on it’s own.  Then upon adding the flowing flute melody, everything fits together so perfectly in the instrumental arrangement, you will soon find yourself recalling the melody over and over in your mind daily. 

Track 8 Finding Freedom is a thought provoking song from this spirited American artist, having deep rhythms, driving percussion, and building flute repertoire which inspire and restore your faith in the very notion of individual freedoms in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as if saying, yes we can !
 
This album is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a talented artist shares a part of themselves by putting their heart and spirit into the creation of their music, offering New Age music lovers a chance to also feel something truly special along the way.

… you will soon find yourself recalling the melody over and over in your mind daily.

Reach out for what this artist is offering you by going to vickilogan.com or Her Myspace page. You can sample the album on CDBaby.

Be also sure to check out our interview with the artist.

Below is John P. Olsen’s  interview with new age music artist Vicki Logan. Also see his review of her album The Journey to the Places in my Soul.

 John P. Olsen:  I understand you did not receive formal piano lessons, do not read sheet music, and play practically everything by ear, which will be surprising to many people.  How is it that you are able to compose such beautiful and creative music  ?
 
Vicki Logan: I honestly wish I knew.  I’ve been asked that question for years and I still don’t know what to say.  I can sort of explain the process though.  (And yes, I do everything by ear, so to speak.  Anyone I work with can attest…I “push the buttons and just do my thing!”)
 
I’ll sit at the piano and start messing around with the keys.  Something will hit me just right and all of a sudden, I know what I want to play and how the whole song should be.  I’ll record the base piece (usually some type of chord progression) and start layering a melody and other sounds to “paint a picture”.  I never really know how it’s going to sound until the end.  I’ll “dial-a-sound” on my synth and then something new hits me.  Even after a song is supposedly finished, I could do more to it.  I don’t start with an idea and a song doesn’t have a title until it’s completed and I listen to it.  Whatever it makes me think about, that’s where the title will come from.  Yes, I know.   I’m backwards.
 
When I record the actual album, I’ll play the parts in a demo and bring that demo into the studio.  I’ll record what I can and then hire other musicians to play the parts that don’t sound right on the synth.  These musicians get free reign to add their ideas to the material since I don’t know what the real instruments are capable of doing, although I do have final say.  For example; guitars can bend a note when a string is slid up or down on the neck.  I can’t do that with my keyboard.  The song, I find, is only enhanced by their performances…as it should be.  This is where it’s true “life” comes from.  That’s why I’ve reverted back to playing with other musicians rather than letting people record things digitally; making the song “perfect”.  Computers are wonderful tools, but, in the end, there just isn’t enough that can be said about the performers.  The feelings/emotions and oopses are priceless!
 
John: Many of your songs and albums have been recognized on New Age music Charts, plus you have helped many musicians just starting out as artists.  What song and album awards and personal recognition have you received as artist yourself ?

Vicki: This is going to seem really disrespectful, I know, but I really don’t intend for it to be that way.  I have received a lot of honors and awards from various organizations.  I’ve won some song contests.  I’ve been truly honored to receive these awards, and, for the most part, they were given to me in good faith, but, the more involved I’ve gotten within the music industry, the more I’ve found how political they are.  For example – The Grammys.  First off, you have to be a NARAS member.  If you are not, you can’t even submit your material for consideration of any award.  Next, if you do get in, you have to compete against the larger corporations who belong and have several of their staff as members as all members vote on the Grammy Awards.  You can guess where those votes are going to.  And then, there is a lot of “vote for me -s” e-mails that percalate to members.  In the end, the memberships to these groups are expensive and I don’t have that type of money to waste.  Like all of you out there, I have to figure out what gives me the most bang for my buck.  An attempt at stroking my ego or doing more of what I love to do?
 
Again, don’t get me wrong, honors and awards are wonderful things, but only if done for the right reasons. The best award I could ever receive?  If I could make the world a better place for even just one person so that that person could do the same for the next, then creating and sharing what I do was worth it all.
 
John: We are currently playing Enchanted Winds  and  The Ride and other songs of yours from previous albums on Home of the Stars Radio.  You indicated that The Journey To The Places In My Soul is your most creative and best album yet.  Why is that Vicki  ?
 
Vicki: I would say that The Journey is the most creative as I’ve learned so much since my first CD and I’ve attempted more than I have to date.  For example, I’ve played more flute on this one; more than on any other album.  I’ve recorded more of the album at home and just brought in the hard drive to the studio.  I used some new ideas (for me) and made some of my ideas more pronounced.  There is an actual story interwoven into the music for the first time.
 
Anyhow, I believe that each album has a special place for me since each album helped me get to the next.  If I didn’t do the first the way I did, the second one wouldn’t have come to pass.  Same for the third and fourth.  Each one builds on the last…each represents that time in my life in which it was created.  Even the photos chosen represent what was happening; many were from my backyard. 
 
In album number one, I was chasing a dream – trying something I never thought I’d be able to do, thus CHASING DREAMS only to end up FINDING MY WAY in the music industry.  This CD I even arranged a couple of cover tunes, only to find that most people preferred my originals.  I was on THE RIDE of my life realizing that I could do this and ended up with THE JOURNEY TO THE PLACES IN MY SOUL when everyone wanted to find out more about me…about how I came to this place…about my weird life!  (And yes, it’s been strange…lol)
 
So that’s why I believe it is the best so far…but even better is yet to come…  By constantly moving forward, attempting new things and keeping an open mind, a person can only progress…even when they think they aren’t.  It doesn’t matter what someone else believes.  In the end, if YOU believe in yourself, YOU do the work, anything is possible.
 
John:  There were a couple of obstacles you had to overcome with your latest album, if you don’t mind, could you tell our readers what happened during the release of the album  ?
 
Vicki: I believe someone once said to me sarcastically, if anything can happen, it will.  About 3 years ago, we purchased a home only to find that it had major mold and moisture intrusion issues.  The previous owner was found guilty of fraudulent seller misrepresentation and was given the order to repair the home. Instead of getting our home repaired, someone arsoned it and we lost everything…our pets, our businesses.  We literally had the clothes on our backs.
 
Then I got lyme disease because I am an over zealous lawn mower.  I mow everything.  Due to genetics, I found that I had back issues.  I had stenosis.  My bone was growing onto my nerves and causing massive pain.  It was a quick surgery and I’m hoping it’s not the beginning of more because the pain is starting to come back yet again.  Then I had cataract surgery.  (By the way, those of you who would like to know, I’m 43.)  I haven’t been able to see right since 3rd grade!  To wake up and see the alarm clock in the morning – to actually see who someone is and not a big fuzzy blob – to go swimming and not worry about getting splashed and losing a contact lens – wow!  And the list goes on!  And I didn’t even added the rest of my families challenges!  Maybe someday I’ll write a book…  lol
 
 
John: Something everyone might wonder is, like most Americans, we are constantly surrounded by rock, pop, jazz, and other genres, which are all great forms of music, so how did you discover, or what brought you into the New Age music scene  ?
 
Vicki: STRESS!  (Just kidding…kinda)
 
Really, it’s the creativity I find within myself listening to this specific genre, but I think that many of you will find that even the term “New Age” covers a lot more than just one style of music and the term has a different meaning for a lot of people.  (A subject for a much later conversation.)  I think that, using my music as an example, “New Age” music can be found labeled Celtic Pop, Smooth Jazz, and a gazillion other things.  I love all music and I think that comes out in what I create.  I hope people realize that it’s not the music that people are attracted to or not.  It’s the message of the artist using the music that people relate with.  Music is but a tool that allows people to communicate with others.  Instrumental music is all encompassing.  There are no words so there are no boundaries.  Not even for the deaf or animals, believe it or not.  At least that’s how I view it.  It’s another medium with which to paint something.  So, I like the “New Age” music best because I feel that most of the artists here have a more postivie view on life and I think we really need to be more positive.  Personally, a label is just something we put on something else because we need to be able to identify it when we communicate with others and we all label differently according to what that label means to us.
 
 
John:  There are other talented musicians who perform on particular songs and albums, who are the band members, and is creating the albums fun for you and the group, or do you consider it work  ?
 
Vicki: In reality, I am all the parts when I create the songs.  The musicians I work with take the parts I create and give them life.  Technology has provided me with a lot of sounds which are similiar to the real thing, but it’s not like having the real item in the studio.  People are capable of manipulating their instruments in ways computers can’t.  To give credit where credit is due, these musicians all have excellent ideas to help make a song much more interesting.  I don’t know everything and I don’t expect I ever will, so human interaction is something that we all need.  Period.
 
The folks that help me out are Randy Gildersleeve (also my main mentor) who performs miracles on guitars, mandolin, banjo and pushes me to learn more and open my mind when we are in the studio during production.  Then there is Andy LaCasse who does things with bass that I would never think of.  He also puts my music into sheet music form so others can play the parts with backing tracks.  I can’t read a stitch of it, but I guess it’s pretty cool since there is a lot of black all over the paper!  The other person who helps me get the music where I need it to be is Peter O’Gorman – percussionist extraordinaire.  He will play anything to get the sounds we need…and that is no lie.  Give him a garbage can lid, a stick, whatever.  He’ll make it sound awesome.
 
There are several other people that help out depending upon what my needs are.  Matt Fink (aka – “Dr. Fink”) is an incredible keyboardist and producer and taught me a lot about midi recording, computer work and pro-tools in his home studio.  I now know why I hire people to do those things!  Too much information and I just don’t have the nack for that part!  Then there are loads of other instrumentalists, producers, mentors and more that I’ve worked with but would take forever if I named them all.  They ARE ALL listed in my CD packages and I could never thank them all enough.  That’s why I get to be where I am.  With all of them.
 
Work?  Music is NEVER work.  Promoting and making merchandising things…figuring taxes and making sure the right things go to the right places…THAT’s work!
 
John:  You already have 4 exceptional CD’s now available for purchase.  Are you presently producing, or plan to have another album in the future besides the 4 currently on sale  ?
 
Vicki: Funny you should ask that question.  I literally got my new equipment today (after waiting patiently for the past 2 1/2 years!) and when I started messing around with all the buttons, I found that I have more sounds then I had previously and songs were rushing out left and right.  I hope to have a new CD for release sometime in 2010.  We’ll have to see what happens until then, though.  Timing is everything and it has a mind of it’s own!  Beisdes, remember my little quote above?  If anything can happen it will?  I just have to see what will happen!  lol
 
John: After reading your homepage biography, you seem to be philosophic about a person obtaining their goals by your own life experience.  What advice can you offer persons just beginning in the music business, or suggestion to others about overcoming obstacles in general  ?
 
Vicki: Everyone is different, yet everyone is the same.  What I have found is that if you do what it is that you truly love, you make time for it and you are happier.  If you THINK you want to do something and have a million excuses as to why you don’t get to it, I’d say that you must not be that interested in it.  Think about it.  If you want to go to the park, you will find a way to go to the park.  If you want to take a vacation, you will find a way to take that vacation.  For the most part, we will do the work necessary to get instant gratification.  For some reason, we don’t do the work necessary for LONG TERM gratification.  Time goes by so fast, even our so called long term is here before we know it.  My favorite quote is “Dreams are only dreams unless YOU are willing to make them a reality.”  Many someones out there said that opportunities don’t just happen, we make them happen and that is more right than any one can imagine.  If you want something, then do what it takes and get it!  Just be realistic. 
 
Life is a precious gift.  Use it.  Enjoy it.  Live it.

Check out Vicki Logan’s homepage.

Picture Copyright BigStockPhoto. Yoga Heart.

If you have already experienced the good fortune of discovering the bright and talented musical star known as Vicki Logan, you are fully aware that what I write today is solid truth. For those who have yet to discover her music, prepare yourself for a true original New Age artist whose music is so unique, one can compare her musical expression as unique to each person as an individual.

There is something I must admit before we go any further. When I am not diligently listening to and writing another artist’s album on review, I find myself returning to the music created by Vicky Logan. After first discovering her inspirational New Age expressions, everyone I have shared her music with loves her discography as well, so it is not just mere coincidence.

Vicki Logan’s latest release titled The Journey to the Places in my Soul under her own Carvic Publishing label, is the review we shall explore together. Come with me to find the inspirational bliss someone would expect to hear from a more globally recognized artist. First released in 2006, and now reissued in 2009, this album is upbeat classical in form, shining brightly by having a palpable feeling of the artist’s personal touch in creativity and imagination integrated into every song. Track 2 The Journey is an upbeat inspirational flute and piano tune that will inspire and enlighten you today and everyday. Track 3 Dancing with the Northern Lights displays a kaleidoscope of colors to reveal every tone and shade of an Aurora Borealis phenomenon, for which the song is titled, if you can imagine or have ever witnessed the Northern Lights.

There is also a complexity to her layered electronic instrumentals described as deep, up tempo, and even orchestral, by having piano, guitar, sax, oboe, and ever present flute which she plays with drive and purpose. To their credit, fellow band members add their own personal flavor by accompanying on individual songs which enhance the album’s classic there admirably. Track 6 Everlasting Memories presents a flute and piano arrangement with additional guitar rhythms combining for a more mystical tone, yet still retains a hopeful theme as if recalling distant memories of years gone by.

The entire album carries an abundance of depth and feeling in each of the melodies which leads me to believe much thought and even a portion of the artist’s personality are on display in this latest project. This is also true in prior albums, in which one can listen to over and over and still find meaningful with the passage of time, being an important consideration when purchasing CDs.

When we first spoke, I informed her I am also one of her many fans of her music, she just laughed and seemed surprised, which is just typical of Vicki, who is much too modest when discussing her talents in my opinion, so you will have to decide that for yourself. Vicki has agreed to an interview, so more information and prior album reviews will be available to you soon so that you may discover what I have found in the discography of this uniquely bright star known as Vicky Logan.

Visit Vickilogan.com to see for yourself. Sample the album on CDBaby.