Release Date: August
2014
Label: Imaginary
Road Studios
Will Ackerman has made his mark in music several times
over and he continues to do so with his Imaginary
Road Studios in Windham County, Vermont. The
Gathering, released in 2012, received a lot of praise and won the
Zone Music Reporter album of the year with the highest rating in their charts
history.
The
Gathering II is a similar collection of tracks featuring
artists that recorded albums at Ackerman’s studios. I am proud to say that our
affiliation is strong with most of these artists having covered their albums in
reviews from last year to date. Also our affiliation with ZMR is a joy to have and
a privilege to help promote these fantastic artists.
This collection of 21 select tracks sheds the light and
illumination on each and every artist beautifully. Without a word the music
delivers a sense of warmth and spirituality that every sentient being desires.
A break from everyday pressures and stress may be the just the tonic your soul
desires. The Gathering II is the
right prescription. The instrumentals are led by the piano in many instances
however many other instruments become factors as well and create the same
pleasant desired effects.
Lawrence Blatt’s “Where The Pines Once Stood” and Matteo
Palmer’s “Ex Nihilo” are fine examples of where the compilation steps away from
the ivory keys and lets the six-string do all the talking. Blatt’s guitar
whispers sweet nothings in your ear from where the strong and tall trees once
stood and Palmer’s sweet and graceful picking showcase the sheer beauty one
guitar can make if played properly. Those are but two examples of the
transitions all of this music can offer within one singular track.
These tracks are artists taking a once empty canvas and
painting their broad musical strokes to create their own individual
masterpieces into one collective of amazing new age instrumentals. As one
entity they are representative of the genre and serve as an introduction to not
only their world but to the Imaginary Road Studios where it all begins. The
recording process is impeccable and the studio resonates with the full bodied
sound provided by each individual artist. It all seamlessly falls into sync with
the awesome surroundings of rolling hills, majestic green mountains and fresh
air.
I would not be surprised to see this second edition of The Gathering to make its mark once
again on an audience eager to absorb and fully enjoy each track. This is a
taste of heaven my music loving friends and it comes highly recommended from
this listener.
5/5
Stars
Key Tracks: ALL
Tracks:
01.Afterglow-Ann Sweeten
02.Joy Comes Again-David Kydd
03.Starlight Melody-Denise Young
04.Early Falls The Christmas Snow-Dominic Silla
05.Naked Love-Fiona Joy
06.All Souls Lullaby-Heidi Bryer
07.Uncertainty-Isadar
08.Sojourn-Jim Gabriel
09.Midwinter Lullaby-Katherine Kay
10.Calligraphy-Lauren Sullivan
11.Where The Pines Once Stood-Lawrence Blatt
12.Sailing-Louis Colaiannia
13.Yew and I-Lynn Yew Evers
14.Lullaby For The Hills-Masako
15.Ex Nihilo-Matteo Palmer
16.Photograph-Rebecca Arnold
17.Pathway To Love-Ryan Michael Richards
18.Devodance-Shambu
19.Open Spaces-Stanton Lanier
20.All The Days of My Life-Vincent Avella
21.Dark Blue Wind-Vin Downes
Tracks:
01.Afterglow-Ann Sweeten
02.Joy Comes Again-David Kydd
03.Starlight Melody-Denise Young
04.Early Falls The Christmas Snow-Dominic Silla
05.Naked Love-Fiona Joy
06.All Souls Lullaby-Heidi Bryer
07.Uncertainty-Isadar
08.Sojourn-Jim Gabriel
09.Midwinter Lullaby-Katherine Kay
10.Calligraphy-Lauren Sullivan
11.Where The Pines Once Stood-Lawrence Blatt
12.Sailing-Louis Colaiannia
13.Yew and I-Lynn Yew Evers
14.Lullaby For The Hills-Masako
15.Ex Nihilo-Matteo Palmer
16.Photograph-Rebecca Arnold
17.Pathway To Love-Ryan Michael Richards
18.Devodance-Shambu
19.Open Spaces-Stanton Lanier
20.All The Days of My Life-Vincent Avella
21.Dark Blue Wind-Vin Downes
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
August 13, 2014
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews