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The music on Reaching 12, the debut album by young Faith Angelina, is about betrayal. Betrayal of the worse kind. It is the treachery of mind and body against the spirit. The result was an encounter of despair so deep and so sad that it almost led to a life lost. But in this case the stars did align and the spirit prevailed. Faith is an accomplished piano player with a good sense of timing and a remarkable sense of melody for one so young. On Reaching 12, she offers twelve contemporary piano tunes and twelve years of life experience that equals, well …a small miracle.
The opening tune Run With The Wind is the sound that freedom makes. It is the freedom that one has when chasing butterflies, or swimming along in the creek. It is the freedom to watch the clouds go by on a sunny day. This is Faith’s anthem of freedom.
Finding Hope is a slower, more methodical tune. The music is lighter, perhaps even more carefree. But then finding answers to your deepest problems is much more positive than the reverse. The song flows, gently, thoughtfully along. In this case, it is the calm after the storm.
I don’t know if there is anything more frightening than to hear only the sound of your own voice, even if you are standing in a crowd. It is that fear, then confusion that is the motivation for the song, Lost. The words in your head nip at you like an angry animal and you feel defenseless. Faith’s music is somber, serious and fearful. Perhaps this is the noise of chaos.
In the tune, Seasons, Faith admits that she is in the second season of her life. It cannot possible mean for a child what it means for an adult, but I get the drift. I think that Faith measures her young life based on changes, therefore, seasons. One would hope that she is now in the summer of her life, all sunshine, blue skies and a clear road ahead and, with positive changes as her companions. The tune is gently sweet, full of warmth, and quite memorable. It was one of my favorites on the album.
Eye of the Storm is another song full of fear and confusion, but it is right on the mark as far as musicality goes. It sounds just like it is supposed to. There is the sensation of thunder and lightning, of crashing of the waves, and the howling of the wind all blended into a fearful experience. But then a bit of calm issues forth and things begin to right themselves, just enough to achieve a balance.
Saying Goodbye is a bit quieter than the others. Saying the word goodbye sometimes breaks at least one heart, but often there are two at stake. When the puzzle that is your life has just started to make sense with all the pieces are in the right places, then a piece comes up missing, well, that’s a sadness that takes time to understand. Faith’s song is about waiting for that time to pass.
Twelve, the final tune on the recording takes in all that has happened, puts it in order and gives it substance. It is a song about a milestone, an unattained goal achieved and therefore, a celebration. No eleven year old should ever have to worry about getting to twelve. Sometimes, life’s path is a straight line. At other times, it is a twelve pointed star and all roads lead to the unknown.
There is nothing more heartbreaking than a troubled child whose voice cannot be heard. On Reaching 12 I could hear Faith’s voice. Sometimes, it was no sound at all. Sometimes it was a whisper, but in the end the strength of her voice, albeit the inner one, was as strong as a lion’s roar. I look forward to hearing more from this young talent. Twenty-one is going to be something beautiful.
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