Release Date: November 15, 2024
Label: Independent
Website: www.pauladams.org /
www.elizabethgeyer.com
"A Journey of Dreams" is their title track to start
this recording and the second longest track at 6:00 minutes. The Native
American Anasazi Flute and slide guitar provided by Paul and Elizabeth's
keyboards and vocalizations are a superb marriage of sound. The synth layer is
like a soft sound cloud for everything to glide nicely—an excellent lead-off
track to correctly set the mood and experiential process.
"The Emergence" starts with the piano, wordless
vocals, and the flute's fantastic and relaxing earthly tones. The word
emergence indicates the realization of something happening physically or
spiritually, so from my listening perspective, it is either physically,
mentally, or something otherworldly or esoteric. And this can be about a
person, place, or thing. Again, my thoughts only and my perception. The music
triggered my feelings and thoughts, which is what it is supposed to do. The
electric sitar makes its "emergence," giving the composition a more
world feel, and it's an excellent addition.
"The Arrival" follows in perfect sequence to the last
track about the title, first the emergence, then the arrival. You may ask
yourself, what is the arrival? I can relate to what I previously stated in my
spiritual, physical, and mental state. The piano is subtle, and the layer of
consistent synth with the differentiators of the harmonica and sitar. Two
elements combine to add to this mix of new age and world flute for a
trance-like, meditative sound.
"Gabriel" is a title that immediately recognizes
anyone familiar with the Bible or religions. As little as I know, I did find recognition,
and I do with biblical names. I heard some of the same this time, but a horn is
added to the mix, giving it a floaty jazz element. So many different
instruments come into play in these tracks that, at times, it defies
explanation or any generalization, which is a good thing.
"A Beautiful Sadness" is a thought-provoking title. So
where does one find that? I hear and feel it all the time in music. This track
holds a beauty, but at the same time, you could be engaged to reflect on a
sadness you have been feeling or a part of your life where that happened, and
you can never forget it. While the music soothes and guides with the layer of
synths, the flute, piano, and sitar, it leads you down a clear path to find the
truth and meaning of each word.
"The Lightness" is bright and airy, relieving the
previous sadness; however beautiful it was, some dark areas and grey shadings
need cleansing. Here, you find it in the music again; its magic is in the
feeling of lightness around you as it carries you to another frame of
mindfulness and space without barriers. The constancy of that synth layer is
always there as the foundation to add all the other instruments, giving you comfort.
It highlights the flute's organic, earthy tones and the acoustic guitar's
subtle yet impactive strings.
In “Contemplation,” a word that the music allows to come through
and process, the duo's talents shine. Much like the pied piper throughout this
journey, Paul's flute brings immediate calmness to your receptors. Elizabeth's
dreamy, wordless vocalizations add a touch of heaven. At the same time, the
sitar and its Middle Eastern flavor bring a spiritual and ethnic element to the
track, creating a powerful combination that resonates deeply.
"Drifting" is the most extended composition at 6:25
minutes. A word indicative of what this kind of music can initiate in a
listener, whether you call it relaxation, meditation, or a form of hypnotic
state, drifting is part of getting into that place. The piano plays a more
significant role this time, and its significance is noticeable. The dobro was a
nice touch and addition with its definitive echoing sound.
"Somewhere There Is Hope" for all of us. Should that
be a statement or question? It is a statement that can apply to anyone's
life regardless of the situation. I have been there several times, as I imagine
many of you have. If you are following the story to this point, you can see
how it all fell into sequence and how we got here through all the other tracks
and their meaningful titles. A track title is a hint, and you need to take it
from there. This music continues down the path you have been on, with the
flute, piano, and ambient synths creating that backdrop for thought,
reflection, and healing in the music, which in turn gives us hope.
"The Reward" is yours to take now that you have made
it to the end of this journey. The music's purity and healing frequencies,
tones, and colors again give you clarity and meaning. It is unencumbered by
racing thoughts or a mental "to-do list," which magically disappears
in the flute, piano, sitar, vocalizations, and the different instrumentations
that allow you to go to another place in time and space. This track
encapsulates all of that in just under six minutes.
The title and artwork are engaging and give you a good idea of the journey you are about to partake. The music is suitable for relaxing and meditating, and if you choose to do some dreaming during the day or evening, it is perfect for that as well. And that is the point of this music and A Journey of Dreams.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR
Reviews Founder
November 12, 2024
Tracks:
01. A Journey Of Dreams 6:00
02. The Emergence 4:50
03. The Arrival 4:46
04. Gabriel 5:15
05. A Beautiful Sadness 5:51
06. The Lightness 6:10
07. Contemplation 4:10
08. Drifting 6:25
09. Somewhere There Is Hope 4:58
10. The Reward 5:46
