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member reviews |
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Ghostlines by Sora |
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- posted by John Iverson - CKUW on 5/22/2021 |
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A Well-Crafted Musical Masterpiece |
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Ghostlines is the latest album from Calgary singer, musician and songwriter Sora. This album includes ten new songs penned by Sora, and in addition to lead vocals and backup vocals, Sora also performs on keyboards, violin and harp. The album was produced by Vanessa Cardui, and she also contributes to the musical content of this album with backup vocals, banjo, lute, recorder, glockenspiel and various percussion instruments. Additional musicians contributing to this album are Dorothy Bishop on cello, Aaron Young on electric guitar, and Brent van Dusen on drums.
Sora delineates her new album by stating "Ghostlines is an album of hauntings; the lingering memories, stories and experiences that hold us captive, good or bad. It is the echoing reverberations of decisions made by us for us."
As I listened to this album what really grabbed my attention were the stunning vocal harmonies beautifully crafted by Sora and Vanessa. The songs on this album cover a wide range of emotions, each with their own unique character. The accompanying music is a well-crafted palette of timbres and colours, beautifully and emotionally performed by all of the artists involved. I particularly enjoyed Ghostlines, Paris, Clay, Selkie and Away, but all ten songs are great. The song lyrics are cogent and well thought-out, and the instruments chosen for each song are tastefully utilized and do not overshadow the vocals. Some unique instrumentation is utilized throughout this recording, including glockenspiel, ocean drum, udu, and wood block. On her previous albums Sora primarily utilized a guest violinist, but on this album she performed the violin parts herself, and she adeptly demonstrates that she can handle this part beautifully. Sora is a great songwriter, and this album showcases her growth as a musical artist. This truly is an album of hauntings as Sora herself expressed.
With the album's top-notch production and sound quality also considered, Sora has created a well-crafted musical masterpiece.
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Rating: Excellent |
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Shunia by Shunia |
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- posted by Robin James on 4/27/2021 |
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Shunia's Self-titled Chant Album Has Global Appeal |
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SHUNIA, by Shunia, features the fusion of classical instruments from different countries, multiple styles of vocals, and the focusing energy of ancient chants to bring feelings of joy, hope, and awareness to Western culture at a crucial moment in time. Shunia is a duo comprised of Lisa Reagan and Suzanne Jackson, the word “shunia” (shoon-ya) means a stillness of power -- quiet, unmoving, and totally focused. The core of the music is the synergy of these two voices in combination with various instruments, and on this, their second album, there is the amazing voice of Hassan Hakmoun on several tracks and the contributions of the legendary Jamshied Sharifi and flutist Jay Ghandi. The sound is a blend of chant, mantra and opera, always positive and uplifting. The music emanates empathic confidence, creating a sound that succeeds at reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and improving emotional health.
You can listen here: https://lnk.to/shunia
Fantastic videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVvsZECVFyfF5OFCS5VWJCw
About: Moroccan artist Hassan Hakmoun and producer Jamshied Sharifi join Lisa Reagan and Suzanne Jackson, aka Shunia, for a new album that blends Sanskrit chants, Latin prayer, ancient poetry, and exquisite orchestration into a sound that feels both new and timeless. https://shuniasound.com/
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Rating: Excellent |
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A Gift of Moments by Louis Anthony deLise |
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- posted by R J Lannan on 4/19/2021 |
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A Gift of Moments |
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Louis Anthony deLise
A Gift of Moments
Without a doubt it is all a bit anachronistic, but the latest work from pianist and composer Louis Anthony deLise, called A Gift of Moments was discovered deep in a lover’s heart. These memories are from long ago. Sometimes we learn the hard way that the greatest gift of all, may not be love, but time. Time to share that love and time to cherish it. Because when the time is over, cut short, or taken away, it is a destroyer of worlds. DeLise’s poignant music suggests we hold onto that time with two hands and dear life and treasure it. Those words are made simple and understandable by his ten passion-infused tracks of contemporary music. There are some hidden classical elements in the mix as well as are a welcomed cinematic feel. The piano and light orchestra are featured in most tracks, but some demonstrative solo piano makes it to the forefront.
The first cut is the title track A Gift of Moments. This lingering melody is a slow swirl of notes like a lazy waltz. It is the kind of music that doesn’t care if you can dance or not. Just hold on. The spotlight on the two of you. The cello comes in like a shadow across the floor. DeLise’s composition is a loop of that cherished moment, not exactly frozen in time, but playing endlessly in your heart.
Always in My Heart has a dramatic Henry Mancini-like theme of a love that never ends. This retrospective tune is from what they used to call the “salad days”. It was time of innocence, a time of carefree experiences that only lovers know. Whether they be young or old, for them romance is the engine of love. Louis’s tender music is an enduring rhapsody for the soul.
Heart of an Angel is deeply romantic. It is tribute to one with a giving nature. The music has a heartbeat tempo, measured, relaxed, strong and steady. It is a story song of gifts given, not festooned with a bow and ribbons, but with an open heart. Gifts of love, compassion and forgiveness. Things that really matter.
The past is remembered as a new start, a trial and error of emotions that ended up as a special love. In the Before Times is a recounting of the little falters, the silly mistakes, and the misunderstandings that made the heart grow fonder. This one, a sensitive solo piano leitmotif, is sort of a look back on all that happened to be where you are now. It wasn’t so bad, was it?
Louis offers the deeply emotional subliminally jazz-flavored tune Song for My Children. This is Louis’ sentimental journey song. A big swatch of your life is taken up by your children and you give it up unselfishly. And you’d do it all again for the times when those little fingers wrapped around one of yours and saying goodbye to training wheels day and here’s the keys to the car, be careful kind of moments. All that and so much more is nuanced in this pensive tune.
At the End of the Tunnel is a dream-like sequence with full orchestra and a lush piano score. The flute darts about as the journey forward takes you through landscape after landscape of colors and patterns. The finale proves that the light you see is created by the flame of passion. You might want to take your time with this one.
DeLise’s music is like a book you can’t put down. It flows like ink out of an old world pen, indelible on the mind, etched in the heart. These finely crafted songs are just what we need to remind us that life is beautiful despite these tumultuous times. We can use this music to remember the wonderful times in our lives and hope for them once again. Life will never be normal. Forget that word. But remember the word hopeful instead. Now hit the repeat button. Highly recommended. - R J Lannan, Artisan Music Reviews
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Rating: Excellent |
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