|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review by Bill Binkelman Here's an easy to listen to collection of adult contemporary/new age instrumental tunes performed by an ensemble, fronted by guitarist Mark Gutierrez, ably assisted by Roy Scoutz (who did the arrangements and played guitar, keyboards, bass, mandolin, percussion, and lap steel). Being familiar with Scoutz's solo releases, I was not surprised by the quality of music on Heaven and Earth nor by the CD's variety, featuring smooth rocking tunes, such as the opening "The Way of the Fox," or the gentle haunting ballad "Celtic Prayer." However, I was caught somewhat unawares by the rural rave-ups like "Mountain Magic" which shakes the barn rafters thanks to spirited interplay between Gutierrez and Erin Zindle's violin. This is followed by an even more uptempo piece, "Barn Red Blue Grass," another cut that features the guitarist mixing it up with other accompanists. They really cut a rug on this toe-tapper. However, not everything on the CD is happy-go-lucky, as the next track demonstrates. "It's Lonely Here On The Moon Blues" is a languid bluesy ('natch) cut that unwinds at a leisurely pace but still offers up some tasty fretwork (unfortunately, it's difficult to tell if it's Gutierrez's or Scoutz's handiwork). As with his solo efforts, Scoutz's proficiency on electronic keyboard fills is amply displayed. This guy really knows his way around a mixing board so that those synths provide just enough texture without either submerging or overpowering the main instruments. A lot of the album has more of a countryside/rural feel to it, but the music is so professionally played and recorded that I hesitate to stress this too much, lest you think you'll be getting a Flatt and Scruggs record! Still, Heaven and Earth would play better as the soundtrack for motoring down a two-lane blacktop, past cornfields and hills speckled with dairy cattle than speeding through concrete canyons or neon-lit cityscapes. It's just that kind of "natural" sounding music. Bouncy tunes like "Train to Sanctuary" provide a nice musical "ticket" for relaxed cruising, while quieter fare, such as the gentle "Epoch Sunset" allow for a change of pace (maybe as the sky darkens and lights wink on in farmhouses in the distance). Heaven and Earth would please fans of any number of AC or new age music guitarists, provided they're not looking for a more introspective Will Ackerman affair, but instead something along the lines of Jamie Bonk, Ken Bonfield, Eric Tingstad, or similar artists. I enjoyed the album every time I played it (especially on headphones where the mix and production really shines) and recommend it, upping that to a "highly recommended" for those aforementioned drives through the country. |
|
