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The Sounding Board by R J Lannan |
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RJ Lannan is the reviewer for The Sounding Board. |
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| Summer Reflections |
| By Anewday |
| Label: Self Released |
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| Summer Reflections tracks |
1. Summer Rush
2. Reverie
3. Solstice
4. Early Rising
5. Misty Mornings
6. Celtic Farewell
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7. Place of Solitude
8. Future Beginnings
9. Astronomical Convolutions
10. Solar Moons
11. Revival
12. Mystique
13. Whispering Streams
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Timing Is All |
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Talk about timing. Here in the Smokies, the trees have taken on their toasted, muted colors and the short days are on the cool side. The skies are still deep blue and in them the geese have made their annual appearance and it is the perfect time for Summer Reflections. Summer Reflections is the second album by Canadian duo Rob Miller and Ron Huestis. Miller is the composer and pianist and Huestis is the orchestrator. Together they make remarkable music. They might be compared to John Tesh or Tim Janis, but with their own inimitable style. On Summer Reflections and as in their previous album Autumn Musings, they use the seasons as their inspiration and transmute experience into music. Their results are a recording of flowing, pastoral music that is quite acceptable at any time of the year.
Summer Rush celebrates the power and energy of music and the anticipation of discovery. The song bursts forth like the first day of school vacation or the annual trip to the lake. There is a feeling of life and the exuberance it can conjure up in young as well as older hearts.
Reverie has an old, nostalgic sense to it and that is rightly so. The song was rediscovered after it had been tucked away in old cardboard box some thirty-five years ago. Some music can survive the test of time and this is exactly what the song does. It is a tune of daydreams full of what-ifs and why nots. The engaging melody is almost too short, but it is long on memories.
One of my favorites on the album is called Early Rising. At six minutes, it is the longest cut on the album and yet I still hit REPEAT whenever I play it. There is a magical time between night and day where just a hint of light teases the planet. Soon it will change the temperature and the light and the day will commence. It is time that provokes a sense of hope that the day will be good, that wounds will heal and we will literally.. see the light. This is my absolute favorite on the album. It segues nicely into the next cut, Misty Mornings. I can feel the reluctance of the sun as she hides behind the mountain, just waiting for the right moment to rise and light the planet. I can sense the mists rising from the valleys, layering the landscapes with clouds that at first hide the panorama, and then as if ignited by phosphorus, illuminate all there is to see.
Celtic Farewell has just a touch of the bittersweet, but with a very memorable piano tune. This is rather an epical tune that could lend itself to a whole other album. Laden with drama and sadness, it is the beginning of a journey, but the ending of a familiarity. It is the goodbye to a loved one, a family, a friend. Huestis and Miller got everything right in this one.
When I read the title Astronomical Convolutions it made me think of planets crashing, stars exploding and the end of everything. When I heard this sweet, gentle tune I understood that it is a life and a love come full circle. It is a new beginning, a gift of fate and a wish upon a star rewarded.
Whispering Streams turned out to be quite a production. It had the flow that I would expect, but the course was bumpy. There were twists, turns, and bumpy shores. There were rocky outcrops and fast moving waters. It reminded me that even when I think everything is smooth, there are hazards of many kinds in life. Luckily, there are many calming voices out there as well.
Summer Reflections is contemporary music and contemporary themes at their best. Once again the compositions of Miller and the instrumentations of Huestis come together in an album that is modern and memorable. I can’t wait to see what they come up with for the other two seasons.
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Rating: Very Good  |
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- reviewed by RJ Lannan on 12/27/2009 |
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