Label: Independent
“Ancient
Mariner” awakens the listener to the magic of New Horizon and the versatile talents of this amazing duo. Cello,
piano, flute, bass and background vocals sing a siren’s song of the ocean’s
vast and eternal beauty. Cascading piano movements carry the listener over the
waves and into the open waters. Glimpses of a shimmering tail and a flash of
red hair drift by as the ship crests a swell. A mermaid winks and you are
captivated by the enchantment in a world that tempts you to dip your toes in
the water and be free.
“Golden
Treasures” is a lively piece. Piano, flute, cello, bass, and percussion swirl
together like the rich melty flavors of a salted caramel mocha. Smooth going
down and just when you think you have discovered all the rich flavors, there is
another one hiding in the middle. The flute flutters delicately to the top as
the cello rises to greet the listener with deep resonating string movements.
The streams cross together to create a perfect blend of sound. There just in
the center of the piece you can hear a bit of acoustic guitar that sounds
remarkably like a harpsichord, adding further texture to this already splendid
track.
“Celestial’s
Rainbow” is a joyful song. Acoustic guitar, flute, accordion, bass, Bodhran drum,
and percussion weave a piece that invokes a summer’s dance around the Maypole.
Ribbons ride high on the wind as emotions run free. Breathe in the heady pulse
of life and the heightened senses that come from blood pumping wild in your
veins. Dance. Let you hair down and let the magic of the summer season take
flight. See the twinkle in your lover’s eyes and smile. The steady percussion
raises the beat and just there, the flute takes flight.
Minstrel
Streams is a duo that I now have on my must hear list. Classical movements whip
and whirl with improvised compositions that took my mind to distant lands the
moment the album began to play. The distinct element of water was throughout
this album. Whether a ride with an ancient mariner or a treasure hunt, or even
a voyage home, it all centered on the majesty and mystery within the waves. New Horizon is indeed a new step forward
for Minstrel Streams and is an album destined for greatness from the onset.
With guest musicians and the art and skill of Matt and Rebecca Stuart, this
album was inspired and recorded in Will Ackerman’s Imaginary Road Studios in
Vermont. New Horizon is a journey and
one that I will be taking often. In a humorous moment my mind went back to a
line in the movie Ghostbusters when
one of the men is told not to cross the streams. Matt and Rebecca—you chose the
road less traveled by and it did make the difference. I hope you will be
crossing streams together for a very long time to come.
4.5/5 Stars
Key
Tracks: Ancient Mariner, Golden Treasures, Celestial’s Rainbow
Dana Wright
March 14, 2014
Tracks:
01. Ancient Mariner
02. Come to the Waters
03. Dawn Rising
04. On a Distant Shore
05. Golden Treasures
06. Voices of the Wind
07. New Horizon
08. Passages
09. Celestial's Rainbow
10. Coming Home to You
11. Memories of Kyoto
12. Visions for Tomorrow
13. Simple Pleasures
Tracks:
01. Ancient Mariner
02. Come to the Waters
03. Dawn Rising
04. On a Distant Shore
05. Golden Treasures
06. Voices of the Wind
07. New Horizon
08. Passages
09. Celestial's Rainbow
10. Coming Home to You
11. Memories of Kyoto
12. Visions for Tomorrow
13. Simple Pleasures