Release Date: June
10, 2014
Label: Soundbrush
Records
People
like Roger Davidson receive a gift from a higher power or a superior intelligence
at a very early age. At four years old he was drawn to the piano and began
playing and improvising. He continues on to this day bringing the solace and
joy of the ivory keys through his compositions.
The recently released Temple
of the Soul: Rhapsodies & Meditations for Solo Piano is a gorgeous
collection of solo piano works. The tracks range from classical to new age and on
to jazz-infused piano throughout, in any combination of all the genres. This is
an album that eases your mind, body and spirit. Yes, the triangle of life
receives a surge of energy by absorbing this powerful yet serene music.
On the artist website it states the following: The solo
piano pieces on this CD show what happens when Roger, in a reflective mood,
simply lays his hands on the keys. The influences of a lifetime flow through
him. You may hear nods to Gershwin, Jobim, and Ravel, and to the wealth of
styles he has absorbed in his travels. The album, he says, is “not just a
journey of the spirit; it’s an intuitive journey around the world. When you
have the right color and the right kind of brush to express a feeling or a
quality of life, it instinctively comes up and becomes part of the fabric of
each piece.”
That puts everything into proper perspective. The
simplicity of one man sitting at a piano and creating such beauty is a wonder
to me. I listen to many forms of music and some of it is very complex. This
kind of experience allows you to appreciate artistry in its finest form. You
bear witness to an enlightened soul letting the music do all the talking. I
think that is much more difficult than singing along to a tune. Davidson has
the ability to make it all seem so natural and flowing; it’s comparable to a
river running down a mountainside, giving life wherever it may go. In essence
this perception, as the title of the album would indicate, literally feeds the
temple of soul.
I found myself not only appreciating the sheer beauty of
the music, but what each piece was communicating to me. “Temple of the Soul”
breaks the ice, ever so sweetly, while the majesty of an “Ethereal Ocean” of
sound sweeps you away with tides of peace and introspection. “Blessing” holds
beauty, proud and strong at the outset, then it allows for tranquility to
prevail as it moves along. If your ears are open there is so much to take with
you while paying attention to this music. Every track is a special journey that
can be translated to your own understanding.
Temple
of the Soul: Rhapsodies & Meditations for Solo Piano is a
good listen for any time day or evening. Simplicity and beauty abound through
the fingers of this talented man, Roger Davidson. This recording comes highly
recommended from this listener.
5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: Temple of the Soul, Ethereal Ocean, Blessing
Tracks:
01. Temple of the Soul
02. Ethereal Ocean
03. Forest Prayer
04. Blessing
05. From the Rising Run
06. In the Eye of the Storm
07. Desert Light
08. Blue Voyage
09. Freedom From All
10. Journey of Wisdom
11. Waves of Reflection
Tracks:
01. Temple of the Soul
02. Ethereal Ocean
03. Forest Prayer
04. Blessing
05. From the Rising Run
06. In the Eye of the Storm
07. Desert Light
08. Blue Voyage
09. Freedom From All
10. Journey of Wisdom
11. Waves of Reflection
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
July 16, 2014
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
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