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review by Bill Binkelman I am often asked in emails, "Whatever happened to NorthSound?" NorthSound was a label (based in my birth state of Wisconsin) that released many of the "nature plus music" CDs you see for sale in kiosks at airports, malls, and little souvenir shops. Some of these albums were excellent (I own a few) and some were, well, less excellent. However, production values were always high and the nature sounds were perfectly integrated with the music. Fans of those old NorthSound recordings have reason to be happy. The Candlelight Guitarist (actually, Bradley Powell) is here and his CD, Music for Rest and Renewal, will fulfill that craving you have for melodic, accessible, new age/adult contemporary music wedded to an assortment of nature sounds. The album will probably surpass your expectations, as it did for me. Seldom do I hear music so perfectly balanced with nature sounds where the music is of such high quality - soft yet not syrupy, melodic but not shallow or sing-songy, sincere without being overblown or pretentious. Powell's acoustic guitar dominates the musical surroundings here, but there are also subtle synthesizer shadings (strings, mostly) as well as some wonderful accompaniment from Gilberto Hildavio on flutes (soprano, alto and bass). "Waltz of the Clouds" is where Hildavio is first heard. It's a lovely piece, gentle and slow-paced, with the sounds of a waterfall (I think) and subtle birdsong in the background blended with softly strummed guitar and delicate notes from assorted flutes, as well as subtle keyboards. Singling out more tracks is tough because the whole album is excellent. The pace is never hurried, thankfully. The words "rest and renewal" are well-earned. However, I can't help but think that this album would also play well in a car during a leisurely drive through the woods or along the shores of a lake. "Good Friend Comfort" offers a pleasant solo guitar number set against the sound of waves rolling into shore. "Rainy Day Canon" adds the echoed sound of a lone jay (or blackbird) in the woods to a guitar duet (nicely mixed into left and right channels) and sprightly flute piece. "Stream Serenade" blends in some percussive elements (it's either hand drums or simply Powell tapping the guitar's body) and the resultant music has a slight Spanish texture to it. The Spanish feel resurfaces on "Celesta Moon" owing to how Powell plays his guitar (the cut is also graced by the sound of crickets, gentle shakers and synth bells). The only number that probably could be considered rousing is the closing track, "Tomorrow is a New Day" which reaches for dramatic heights via synth string crescendos as well as some more full-bodied flute work from Hildavio. If you're someone who enjoys acoustic guitar music (with flute added on some cuts) mixed with the sounds of birds, rain, water, and other staple environmental elements, you can't go wrong with The Candlelight Guitarist's Music for Rest and Renewal. Album engineering is excellent. Powell's playing is gently dextrous and soulful (carefully balancing finger pyrotechnics with heart and sincerity). While not as good as trip to the shore or a walk in the woods, when you can't do either one of those, place this in your CD player and close your eyes. It should do the trick for you - it does for me. |
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