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Binkelman's Corner by Bill Binkelman |
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Bill Binkelman is a long-time icon in the industry. |
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| A Thin Silence |
| By Jeff Johnson |
| Label: Ark Records |
| Released 5/1/2006 |
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| A Thin Silence tracks |
1. A Thin Silence 
2. Gethsemane
3. Overcoming Lies
4. Angel Of The Dawn
5. Beatitude
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6. Bright Sadness
7. Failing Eyes
8. Heaven's Door
9. Awakening
10. Toward Calvary
11. Circle Me
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A Thin Silence |
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Drawing inspiration from the story of the prophet Elijah hearing the voice of God in a thin silence, Jeff Johnson has crafted an album of sublime and subtle beauty. Liner notes state that the album contains "music for stillness and quiet contemplation" and I couldn't agree more. Featuring piano and exquisitely applied synthesizer shadings and effects, Johnson's CD has earned the right to sit on the shelf with releases such as Tim Story's Beguiled, Kevin Keller's Gathering Leaves and Harold Budd's Avalon Sutra (to name just three) all of them perfect examples of introspective melancholic romantic minimalism. Putting Jeff Johnson in that company is high praise, but if you're a fan of Story, Keller and Budd, you will almost certainly be moved by Johnson's music, beginning with the opening title track, ushered in by subtle ambient textures before a forlorn minimal piano (deep sustain on the lower register notes) introduces the main theme of the piece. Just when you think you've got the song "type-cast", Johnson introduces skittering electronics and a semi-glitch (but very much subdued) beats, deftly counterpointing the piano refrain.
Singling out other tracks of distinction is difficult because nearly every song here is worthy, such as the next cut, Gethsemane, which evokes the pain and suffering that the hallowed place's name conveys. Overcoming Lies again begins with overt electronic effects, here drone-like in nature yet suffused with dark warmth, before piano takes over the main melodic duties. Johnson's playing here is both stark and sparse, yet by striking the ivories with drama and weight, the music conveys powerful emotions. Angel of the Dawn opens as a solo piano piece and then evolves into an optimistic, maybe even sprightly, slice of classic new age music, through the integration of midtempo synth beats, lush beautiful synth chorals and bell tones. I realize the irony in labeling an obviously Christian-inspired piece of music as "new age" since the term is anathema to less open-minded people. I make the statement not to incite controversy but merely to paint an accurate portrait of the musical characteristics of the piece. Sincere apologies if you are offended at the reference.
Not all the tracks feature piano in the main role. Bright Sadness morphs from its ivory-only intro into a dark ambient soundscape of skitchy beats, pealing electric guitar (expertly played by Tim Ellis) and abstract textural effects. However, I think the tracks which combine piano with electronics side-by-side are the highlights here, such as the powerful but incredibly sad Failing Eyes. Another smart move, to me at least, is concluding the album with the Celtic Lorica (a chant) Circle Me, a graceful and understated vocal cut which lends a note of hopefulness and finality to the album (and is well performed by Johnson, too, I might add).
In the past, whenever I have reviewed albums which had direct religious implications or influences, I agonized over how to distance myself enough to review the music but not the intent or "message" of the recording (or at least what I assume the artist is attempting to convey). With A Thin Silence, it matters not whether you are or aren't religious, whether you're Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or agnostic (or even atheist, for that matter). This is simply one of the most beautiful piano/keyboard albums I've heard this decade. If you make the mistake of bypassing it because of some erroneous associative reasoning, well, to say it's your loss is an understatement. I give A Thin Silence my highest recommendation, noting, in particular, it's probably one of the best albums available for playing during moments of grief, reflection, or prayer (unless you just loathe electronic keyboards intermixed with piano).
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Rating: Excellent  |
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- reviewed by Bill Binkelman on 8/30/2006 |
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