Showing posts with label Rock. Show all posts

Pop-Rock-Contemporary-New Age Review: Mary Gospe-Time To Soar

Genre: Pop-Rock-Contemporary-New Age

Release Date: November 15, 2019

Label: Independent

Usually, when I cover new age-related music it is all instrumental and at times some chants and vocalizations. Mary Gospe’s Time To Soar took me right out of that little comfort zone I have been in for so long. That is by no means a negative connotation, change means growth!

One look at the album cover and you see a woman that is shining brightly with positivity and light. The mantra for the project is meant for each listener to embrace their authentic self with love, trust, joy, and freedom (Listen to “Free To Be Me”). If you are already doing that then this will just validate that purpose one step further.

Time To Soar is the message, plain and simple. Mary has a very nice voice that blends well with the music presented. Although the music is not new age, the subject matter is 100%. The music you will hear is pop, rock, and adult contemporary. It was all co-created with producer/multi-instrumentalist, David Vito Gregoli.

“We Are One” is a powerful message to the universe. The message certainly reverberates with me and hopefully, it will with everyone that takes the time to listen to this beautiful combination of lyrical prose and musical excellence. I choose that that track to be represented on my New Age Music Reviews Spotfiy Playlist (I also included the entire album for streaming here as well).

A lot of acoustic guitar playing is very good like on “I Choose Love.” This kind of accompaniment is typical of what you will hear on this recording. It is quality vocals with quality musicianship consistently. If you think about it, it has to be strong. If you want to reach an audience with your message you need a good bed of music to let ride on, and that is exactly what happens. It works well for Mary’s voice and choice of lyrics.

Just like she sings on “Pendulum,” give in to trust, surrender to love. It is simple and straight forward. However, for some of us, that kind of idea can be a task rather than a smooth transition. And that is why people like Mary and Vito are here on the planet, to help us move in that direction a little easier.

“Unity” has more rock elements than all the previous tracks. It is restrained but impactful with some nice organ to complement the electric guitar. There are no rough edges or anything that makes it a flat-out rocker, it is tastefully done to enhance Mary’s vocals and the background vocals. The track “Ride The Wave” has a political and world situation bend to it but is done nicely and gently pushes you into a more positive state of mind. Mary sings-I’m not going to succumb, I’m going “Ride The Wave” of a higher frequency and I’m going to rise above it and rise to a higher vibration. What a great message, and finally a song with those elements without any anger or negativity. It was so refreshing!

This was out of the ordinary for me in the new age realm which made me more selective and tougher from a critical stance. Mary passed with flying colors. If you are ready or if you are not, it is the Time To Soar and “Ride The Wave” to a higher vibration!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

January 20, 2020

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. We Are One
02. Walk Slowly
03. The Black Crow Prophecy
04. Time to Soar
05. I Choose Love
06. Free To Be Me
07. Pendulum
08. Unity
09. Ride The Wave
10. Let's Break Away
11. Live From Your Heart
12. All Is Well

World-New Age-Rock Review: Blackmore’s Night-All Our Yesterdays

Release Date: September 18, 2015
Label: Frontiers
Website

Blackmore’s Night is a legendary band that blends together the most modern contemporary rock with the rhythms and feel of a Renaissance Faire. I fell in love with them the first time I heard their unique flavor of music and I have to say this latest installment in their catalog of albums is another five star piece of awesome. From well-known and loved cover songs to original ballads and instrumental pieces that will curl your toes; this album is lush with visual imagery that blurs the line of fairy tale and reality.

Blackmore’s Night is comprised of Ritchie Blackmore (guitarist and songwriter), Candice Night (vocals, lyricist), Bard David of Larchmont (keyboards, piano, organ, harpsichord, accordion and pipe organ), Lady Kelly DeWinter (voice, piano, French Horn, and various other musical instruments), Troubador of Aberdeen (percussion), Scarlet Fiddler (violin) and Earl Grey of Chimay (bass, mandolin, guitar). All Our Yesterdays is their newest album and focuses heavily on medieval rhythms.

“Allan Yn N Fan” is the second track on the album and is very Celtic in nature. Just listening to this vibrant composition, I felt like I was walking between the colorful tents of a Renfest, just waiting to catch a glimpse of a maiden fair or a knight in shining armor-but wait! An electric guitar amidst the eclectic jamboree. This piece is exactly why I adore this band. Even without the vocals, it shows the dedication each performer holds for their art. The music is full to bursting with love, life and a never ending search for that special zing that makes you beg for more.

“Moonlight Shadow” is an epic song leaning more toward the modern end of the spectrum. Electric guitar and a whirlwind of multi-instrumentation and percussive elements craft a journey on the wings of night. Candace’s vocals tell of adventure under the cover of darkness drafting a landscape of adventure under the shadow of the moon…

“Queen’s Lament” is an eloquently played piece you will want to savor with your eyes closed. A fine lady walks along, her heart in turmoil by a nameless worry. The strumming guitar simple in its majesty, a hint of ethereal sound in the background to illuminate the piece, like a great pearl in a setting of gold. This composition is a ghost story of a sort and will linger in your mind long after the last note ceases. It is deceptively simple but unyieldingly complex all at once.

“Will O’ The Wisp” is a journey through wild forests filled with sorcery. Candice’s angelic voice details a descent into darkness, following a will o’ wisp into the great beyond. The blend of instruments carries you to another time and if you close your eyes, you can feel the pulse of the excitement as you trail behind the ghostly being, intent on finding what it is you seek. Magic. Secrets. Mystery…

Blackmore’s Night has a catalog of albums but I find their newest to be their most impressive of all. All Our Yesterdays takes the finest of old and new and whips it together for a sugared concoction of medieval might and ethereal wanderings. From cover songs that ring familiar-but with a new flair you won’t be able to resist, the vocals of the angelic Candice to the instrumental antics of a band who can tempt even a writer with deadlines to listen just a little longer, this album is a must have. Take a break from your life and find a moment to spare for these bards. If you listen closely, you might hear the rustle of a fine lady’s gown and the clang of a jousting match in the background. Bring on the magic!

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Will O’ The Wisp, Moonlight Shadow, Allan Yn N Fan, Queen’s Lament

Tracks:
01. All of Our Yesterdays
02. Allan Yn N Fan
03. Darker Shade Of Black
04. Long Long Time
05. Moonlight Shadow
06. I Got You Babe
07. The Other Side
08. Queen's Lament
09. Where Are We Going From Here
10. Will O' The Wisp
11. Earth, Wind & Sky
12. Coming Home

Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer

November 16, 2015

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Featured Track: Blackmore's Night-All Our Yesterdays

The tile track of Blackmore's Night new release is All Our Yesterdays. From his days in Deep Purple and Rainbow to present day, legendary guitarist Richie Blackmore remains a relevant force in music. With his enchanting wife Candice Night on vocals, they present an entertaining mixture of Rock, Celtic, World and New Age Music.

The track and video presented here is a superb representation of their unique music. The song starts sadly then breaks into a gala festival of dance and song.

Enjoy the visuals and music that will take you back to simpler times in our history when castles ruled and there was no technology to complicate lives.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

All Our Yesterdays was released on a variety of formats: CD, CD/DVD and Digital versions on September 18th and in LP and Box Set configurations on October 16th (in North America).

The Band's Bio (Courtesy of their website)

Ritchie Blackmore

British guitarist and songwriter, began his professional career as a session musician as a member of the instrumental band The Outlaws and as a backing musician of pop singers Glenda Collins, Heinz, Screaming Lord Sutch, Neil Christian, etc.. Blackmore was also one of the original members of Deep Purple, playing jam-style rock music which mixed simple guitar riffs and organ sounds During his solo career, he established neo-classical metal band called Rainbow which fused baroque music influences elements with hard rock. However, Rainbow gradually progressed to catchy pop style hard rock. Blackmore formed the traditional folk rock project Blackmore's Night transitioning to vocalist-centered sounds.Click here to read more about Ritchie.

Candice Night

Although she's done back-up vocals for such major bands as Deep Purple, Rainbow, and Twang (the Hank Marvin Tribute album), Candice Night's success was anything but overnight. In 1997, the talented lyricist and lead singer of Blackmore's Night completed a musical project with legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore titled Shadow of the Moon. The album features acoustic renaissance music, a direction she thoroughly enjoyed. "This music is feel good, soul searching music," says Candice. "Listening to it makes me appreciate the beauty in simple things that most of us overlook everyday. It has a magical effect. It makes me smile and it makes me cry, but listening to it always takes me on a different journey somewhere else. Being a part in creating such music is a reward in itself." Click here to read more about Candice.

Bard David of Larchmont

The spine tingling melodies of classical composers wafts through the rehearsal halls as Bard David prepares for his performances. This extremely talented virtuoso has been delighting audiences for the past 20 years on keyboards, piano, organ, harpsichord, accordion and pipe organ. He is a graduate of Purchase University in piano performances and Blackmore's Night is proud to add him to our Minstrel Band.

Lady Kelly DeWinter

Kelly was just a wee babe when she first found herself singing tunes – and it wasn’t long after that she discovered what joy music could truly bring those around her. Classically trained in voice, piano, French Horn, and various other musical instruments, she was clearly drawn to perform - and soon found herself a graduate of the Musical Theatre program at Shenandoah University. Thus far, her professional career has allowed her to perform on stages across the United States, but no indoor theatre ever gave her the same magical feeling as portraying Queen Elizabeth I at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. It was during this time that she truly discovered “All the Fun of the Fayre". She is thrilled to be joining Blackmore’s Night playing French Horn and singing harmony vocals. Lady Kelly says she owes a debt of gratitude to her Renaissance family for introducing her to such a wonderful group.

Troubador of Aberdeen

The percussionist for Blackmore's Night is truly of Scottish descent. His ancestors resided in a castle fortress near Aberdeen during Medieval times. The moonlight beckoned to him and he embarked upon a midnight journey -wandering the countryside, listening to and echoing the rhythms of the night. He spent a lot of time camping in the woods- playing percussion with the otters and badgers- and pitching acorns with the squirrels. Always atune to the rhythms that surround the country side- natural rhythms and sounds of nature abound in his soul, Blackmore's Night came across him in England- we picked him up hitchhiking to London on his way to see the Queen. He instantly felt a comaderaderie with the Band of minstrels and the group invited him to join and share his many talents with them.

Scarlet Fiddler

Our amazing violinist received her MM in violin performance at The Boston Conservatory where she studied with Masters. She has performed at the Amherst Early Music Festival , Oberlin’s Baroque Performance Institute,Trinity Baroque Orchestra and Choir, amongst many other prestigious performances. This Renaissance Fiddler is Concertmaster of the Astoria Symphony and Sinfonia Celestis, and can also be found performing with Greenwich Symphony, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Di Capo Opera Company, Bronx Opera Company and the Orchestra of the Bronx. She has graced the stages at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Town Hall the Apollo Theater and Lincoln Center. She has been seen on tv on “Saturday Night Live,” “David Letterman” and “The View”.

Her heart called out for the simplicity of less technological times - and the beauty of nature. She longed to join a group where she could participate with Medieval/Renassiance music from within the castle walls. She found herself delightfully challenged by the music she heard from Blackmore's Night. We welcome this very talented musician to our group.

Earl Grey of Chimay

Bass, mandolin, guitar. Often enchanted with a musical spirit he can be found performing his music throughout medieval forests and cavernous terrains where they echo the melodic sounds resonating from the instruments played by Earl Grey of Chimay. Assimilating an alchemistic approach to a variety of instruments , he brings to Blackmore's Night his music, camaraderie, a plethora of potent ale, and an extraneous habit of being a bit verbose., yet a dash of humor emanates through the serious facade-but he is always passionate about his love for the music of Blackmore's Night.

Adult Contemporary Rock/New Age Review: Russell Suereth-Going Down the Highway

Release Date: April 7, 2014

Label: Independent

Website

Russell Suereth’s Going Down the Highway is a conglomeration of adult contemporary rock and new age. The songs range from mid tempo to a faster paced soft rock that immediately sets you at ease and forces you to listen to the introspective lyrics. Suereth has an inviting vocal style that keeps it all real throughout this enjoyable release.

The fact is, if you happen to be Going Down the Highway this album may be your best friend particularly if you are stuck in after work traffic on the freeway. The opening track bears the album title and it is a great way to kick off the album. It gives you a sense of freedom and joy and instantly gets you in the right frame of mind to take in what is to come in the following tracks.

Suereth is rock solid on this release providing all the vocals, instrumentation and production. Certainly this must be a difficult task to go it alone without another set of ears to provide feedback and insight during the recording process. Regardless of those against all odds factors this man has produced a fine recording. The balance of his vocals and the instrumentation are perfectly placed through the entire run of this 10 track journey. What I heard was crystal clear vocals and suitable musical accompaniment consistently. I think that about covers it for the ears and when you start getting into the overall lyrical concepts I think the titles are clever and the words follow suit.

“So Different” was the most enjoyable track. Musically it stands tall as the artist pulls out all the stops musically and adds layers of instrumentation without sacrificing the level of his vocals. That can be a tricky thing but Suereth pulls it all off and ultimately has success. In fact this is done on most of the tracks however this was the one that really rose above the rest.

“Mister Dumpty (Dinosaur)” is a quirky number and it sounds a bit cynical but I suppose it could hold a lot of different meanings depending on who you are and how your life has unfolded. Some lyrics come with a message that is certain and straight forward, for example this passage nails it on the head:

You sit there on your faded laurels
So highbrow
The paper and esteem it spells
Must reek by now

That is some pretty heavy stuff for this type of music and it sounds like it may fit the profile of some stuffed shirt on Capitol Hill but who knows, take it for what it’s worth and see how it fits your life. That is what music is for right?

If you happen to be interested in exploring more of Russell’s lyrics you can on his website here http://www.russellsuereth.com/original-lyrics/.

I am the type of listener that is attracted to all sorts of genres and to be perfectly honest this is not the kind of music that would be my first choice while rolling down the highway but Suereth exposed me to another thought process and listening experience that I would be eager to hear again. To take someone that is not normally interested in hearing this type of music and to make them pay attention and actually enjoy the experience is quite an accomplishment in my estimation.

Going Down the Highway is a good album worth more than just one listen. There is a lot more here besides the music that will get your interest. Have a listen for yourself with the provided media player.

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Going Down the Highway, So Different, Mister Dumpty (Dinosaur)

Tracks:
01. Going Down the Highway
02. Now It's Time
03. I Can See You
04. So Different
05. Bottlenose
06. Portraits from Living
07. Mister Dumpty (Dinosaur)
08. Spread Your Wings
09. I Wonder
10. Talking to You

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder

June 11, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music

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