Release Date: June
1, 2019
Label: Indie
Star
Lullaby on disc 1 is all original solo guitar music produced at
Imaginary Road Studios with Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton. Disc 2 includes the
same songs but with featured musicians Michael Manring, Eugene Friesen, Ron
Korb, Charlie Bisharat, Jeff Haynes, Noah Wilding, and Will Ackerman. This will provide each individual listener the
opportunity to hear all tracks as they were meant to be heard with the guitar
and then another opportunity to hear it all with instruments added. You will
have the chance to compare and contrast each song, but most of all come to
appreciate what a true artisan Raphael is with his six-string.
The picking and plucking of the acoustic guitar can create
many soundscapes, textures, colors, and images. This is where the artist
succeeds in seemingly effortless fashion. Certainly, it sounds very smooth as
he transitions from one song to the next but surely this is not an easy thing
to accomplish. Making your guitar the only instrument, then filling in all the
spaces with the right tones and rhythms, must be a task. And then thinking of
adding many other instruments and where to put them properly in a composition
is another challenge. What you never have is a window into the process and
obstacles one can run into on such an ambitious undertaking. That must have
been more of a challenge from a production point than cutting the first disc
with just guitar.
On the
second disc, Raphael was very smart and made sure his guitar remained the main
instrument. This does not take away from the added instrumentation. The artist
commented: To be clear, the tracklist is the same for both discs, except Disc 2
which has a 15th track: “Star Lullaby” (vocals).
(Which by the way, is very good).
Truly,
my inspiration for the double CD came early on in production. As I began to
overdub the featured musicians (which was thrilling!), I realized that while I
expanded the sound for my fans, I also wanted to maintain their capacity to be
able to listen to just the solo guitar.
I think that puts it
all into proper perspective for the artist and for the listeners.
With that said, I found the additional instruments a
benefit to the tracks, particularly with Michael Manring's distinctive bass
style and tone. The natural partnership
of bass and six-string guitars are very evident when listening to these tracks.
I also think because the guitar is acoustic, it allows the other instruments to
shine and accompany Raphael in the most complimentary way possible. The beauty
and simplicity of the first disc are very enjoyable and will be appreciated by
guitar fans and those of easy listening or relaxation music. The same applies
to the second disc but what you get is more layers of sound without any
compromise from any one instrument, it all blends together beautifully.
There is just so much to enjoy on Star Lullaby that it would seem unfair to site any one track as a
standout because they all are, it’s as simple as that. This is quite a treat
for the ears and senses and the contrasts and variety are superb.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
June 1, 2019
Founder of:
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
Tracks:
Disc 1: Solo Guitar
1. dawn
2. waking
3. mindfulness
4. guidance
5. levity
6. star lullaby
7. gratitude
8. meditation
9. compassion
10. opening
11. fledgling
12. eclipse
13. trust
14. prayer
Disc 2: Featured Musicians
1. dawn
2. waking
3. mindfulness
4. guidance
5. levity
6. star lullaby
7. gratitude
8. meditation
9. compassion
10. opening
11. fledgling
12. eclipse
13. trust
14. prayer
15. star lullaby (vocals)
Tracks:
Disc 1: Solo Guitar
1. dawn
2. waking
3. mindfulness
4. guidance
5. levity
6. star lullaby
7. gratitude
8. meditation
9. compassion
10. opening
11. fledgling
12. eclipse
13. trust
14. prayer
Disc 2: Featured Musicians
1. dawn
2. waking
3. mindfulness
4. guidance
5. levity
6. star lullaby
7. gratitude
8. meditation
9. compassion
10. opening
11. fledgling
12. eclipse
13. trust
14. prayer
15. star lullaby (vocals)