Release Date: Mar 18, 2016
Label: Blue
Coast Records
Contributing
artists are: Borbala Bodonyi (vocal layers), Eugene Friesen (cello), James
Englund (percussion), Jeff Haynes (percussion), Jeff Oster (flugelhorn), Marc
Shulman (electric guitar), Nick Hawkins (beat-box), Noah Wilding (vocal
layers), Paul Jarman (Irish whistle, tarogato), Premik Russell Tubbs (EWI),
Rebecca Daniel (violin, soprano vocal layers), Tom Eaton (percussion, keyboard
pads, NS bass, electric and bass guitars, Tony Levin (NS bass, electric bass) ,
Will Ackerman (acoustic guitar), and of course Fiona
Joy provided solo vocals, vocal layers, and her work on the James
Englund Australian made Stuart & Sons piano. The album was produced by Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton (Tom also
mixed the recording).
"Ceremony"
is the first piece on the album, and it gasps to life with stunning piano
sequences and breathy vocals. An easy beat floats along in the background,
adding even more layers to this invigorating composition. Bold and electric,
this is a song to give you courage as you stand before the masses, giving a presentation
or even just finding the courage to deal with the challenges of the every day.
Set to the backdrop of fairy tale splendor, this song is filled with grace and
wonder.
"Grace"
is done twice on the album, once with a straight out version and the other a
chill version. The first bears more of a classical bearing, deliberate in its
movements like a flower unfurling. The second is more electronic with a modern
beat. They are both enthralling, but loving the flavor of the more classical
pieces, I found myself falling for the first one. Hard. Vocals that whisper
like angels sing of grace and it isn't difficult to imagine a scene with
celestial beings with their faces turned to heaven, listening for the voice of
God. Cello music slips in, giving the piece texture and resonance.
"Little
Star" is the last song on the album. Tentative piano sequences play hide
and seek like a night sky falling over the land, one small star flickering in
the broad expanse of gathering dark. Tender spirals of sound drift up, the
universe at play with the tiny being. Like a puppy learning to play, the star
drifts along, finding its place in the vast, big world. Very simple and stark,
this piece is thought provoking and elegant.
Known in China as the Piano Angel, Fiona Joy is a force
of nature. Will Ackerman founder of Windham Hill Records sees her as one of the
top New Age performers of her time. She has her own studio, Little Hartley
Music and a line of jewelry, which she wears while performing on stage. Signature-Synchronicity is a marvelous
joint effort by a group of performers of the highest caliber, making this album
one any classical or solo piano music lover should have in their collection.
Fiona Joy is a musician to watch and she is very much on my list of must haves.
5/5
Stars
Key Tracks: Ceremony, Grace, Little Star
Tracks:
01.Ceremony
02.Grace
03.Fair Not
04.Once Upon Impossible v
05.Calling Earth
06.Invisible Train
07.Grace (Chill Version)
08.Signature
09.From the Mist
10.Little Star
Tracks:
01.Ceremony
02.Grace
03.Fair Not
04.Once Upon Impossible v
05.Calling Earth
06.Invisible Train
07.Grace (Chill Version)
08.Signature
09.From the Mist
10.Little Star
Dana Wright, Sr. Staff
Writer
April 4, 2016
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews