|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
review by Dene Bebbington Self-taught musician Gandalf has an impressive discography of nearly thirty albums since the early 1980s. Colors of a New Dawn is his second to be released on the Real Music label, like its predecessor, Between Earth and Sky, it contains a mixture of acoustic and electronic instruments but this time the mood is a little more mellow and reflective. To help the listener know what Gandalf had in mind when he made the music there's a brief description of each track in the liner notes. Gandalf is one of those artists who suffuses his music with romantic sensibilities, listening to it is like luxuriating in a picturesque world where goodness rules. He's got a seemingly limitless ability to create heart and soul felt melodies which avoid lapsing into tweeness. Colors of a New Dawn is a very consistent album which contains no bad tracks, and somehow Gandalf has used his magic on the various instruments to get them sounding as though they always belonged together. My favourite track, "In the Presence of Angels", is the most upbeat one and contains the voice of Julia Martins singing a line about angels - she delivers some gorgeous "Ooooh" and "Aaaah" wordless vocals. On this piece we also hear an oboe- like sound starting the melody, once that gets going a percussive beat keeps things moving as flutey and guitar melodies take their turn. The title track is another one worth special mention, inspired by sunrise over the sea it begins with the sound of waves lapping on the shore accompanied by a rolling piano melody. The lightening of the scenery and mood is expressed in rhythm and melody that build up in intensity to a clamour before easing down to a peaceful finish. This is only the second Gandalf album that I've heard so far and I can report that it's been enough to make me a fan. His music is always a joy to listen to, I'm not exaggerating in saying that it's some of the most melodious instrumental music I've heard. Put simply, new age music doesn't get much better than this. |
|