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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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| When Evening Falls |
| By Tom Salvatori and Iris Litchfield w/ John Catchings |
| Label: Salvatori Productions, Inc. |
| Released 5/25/2007 |
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| When Evening Falls tracks |
1. Autumn Colours 
2. Sleepy Eyes Lullaby
3. Breath of Spring
4. Guitar Lament
5. Nature's Serenade
6. Reflecting Absence
7. Song of Hope
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8. Majestic Interlude
9. Gentle Breeze
10. Church Song
11. Carousel
12. Labyrinth 2
13. Come Stay a While
14. Quiet Reflections
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When Evening Falls |
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Take three talented artists, mix and match them in various combinations and who knows what will result. In the case of When Evening Falls, you end up with a beautiful collection of soothing and introspective instrumental pieces. Featuring the considerable talents of acoustic guitarist Tom Salvatori, pianist Iris Litchfield and cellist John Catchings (with some violin and viola assistance on one track and bass on another one), the fourteen selections on this album are divided up into solo numbers by Salvatori and Litchfield or assorted permutations of one or the other or both with Catchings. Surprisingly, despite this disparity in instrumentation between cuts, the album is cohesive with a consistent mood maintained throughout. The two composers (Salvatori and Litchfield) were obviously simpatico when it came to the aim of When Evening Falls, the title of which aptly portrays the mood evoked by the music. Peaceful, somber, warm, nostalgic and reflective, the CD is emblematic of what I refer to as "autumn afternoon music," meaning it's suited for grey skies, falling leaves, and a crisp bite to the air. Whether one bathes in this music while seated before a fire, or perhaps driving through rolling hillsides and small rural towns dressed in gold and red for the season, When Evening Falls weaves a comforting web of warm yet often sad or reflective music.
The first track, Autumn Colors, is a pensive and somber solo piano piece, with Litchfield exercising restraint to allow the notes to soak in and call forth remembrances of years past. Next up is a duet by Salvatori and Catchings, Sleepy Eyes Lullaby, on which the guitar hints faintly of Spain (barely a whisper, perhaps, but palpable) while the cello deftly winds its way around the slow-tempo lead. Breath of Spring brings together Catchings and Litchfield for their first pairing and, as one might guess from the title, the piece has a light airy almost pastoral feel to it, with a slight classical influence as well. Litchfield plays with delicacy and grace and Catchings provides perfect shading to the mood. Showcasing yet another pairing, this time of Litchfield and Salvatori, Nature's Serenade offers up gentle refrains on both instruments with some soloing by the piano. Reflecting Absence contains more energetic playing by Salvatori, although it's cast in a darkened tone through minor keys and chords so that while the tempo speeds things up, the mood stays consistent with the rest of the album (there are also slower and more mournful passages in the song, too). Litchfield likewise flirts with a slightly faster stretch of music on parts of Gentle Breeze, allowing her fingers to flit across the ivories with equal measures of dexterity and subtlety. Come Stay a While allows Litchfield to play with the full accompaniment of cello, violin (Pamela Sixfin) and viola (Monisa Angell), and the track carries some chamber music influence, intermixed with romantic undertones. Quiet Reflections is an ideal album closing guitar and cello duet, concluding the proceedings with a serene sense of beauty and repose.
Considering that all three artists recorded their separate parts in different locales, I can't imagine how producer Michael Salvatori pulled off such a seamless and fluid end product. One would think these folks were in the same studio, not in different conntries (Litchfield was in England while Catchings and Salvatori were here in the US). As if the music itself wasn't enough, the CD's artfully-designed digipack is a veritable work of art as well. Hell, even the font choices are spot on (you'd be surprised how rare that is). From every perspective, When Evening Falls is a splendid recording and a must have for lovers of gentle "nighttime" acoustic instrumental music. Highly recommended.
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Rating: Excellent  |
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- reviewed by Bill Binkelman on 8/10/2007 |
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