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After a lengthy
absence of nine years, Michael Jones is back with a
new recording entitled 'Deep Song'. Nature has been
a tremendous source of inspiration to the Canadian
composer, and capturing the wonder of our planet was
first and foremost in Michael's mind with his latest
album.
Each of the six
pieces on this seventy-six minute recording take
the listener on their own magical journey. Michael's music
meanders and drifts in
creating glorious compositions. The back cover states,
"Deep Song is the natural music of the forests,
woods, lakes and hills. It is the music of the earth
rising up. Music that will make us rich and makes us
feel full." As I listen, I see the composer's
hands caressing the Bösendorfer 225 Grand Piano on which this
album was recorded.
Opening with
the fourteen minute long 'Stirrings of the Morning',
nature awakens. The piece is in three main sections.
To this listener's ear, the opening five minutes or
so capture the fluttering wings of birds and insects
exploring the offerings of the new morning. The
second section is more playful and expressive- the
day has commenced in full. The land is alive with
the sights, sounds and smells of nature. The earth
is rejuvenated with the fresh injection of light,
and is nodding its approval accordingly. Melodic and
uplifting, this is music to savour. In the final
part, the world is united in celebration of
our wondrous planet.
The title track
is actually the shortest piece on the album. It
captures the beauty of planet Earth. Gentle and
understated at the start, stirring and uplifting
elsewhere. The section around 5:25 is one of my
favourite parts of the entire CD. The plethora of
notes is rousing. It is as if everything that is
special about nature comes together as one. The
tempo slows down as the piece concludes with
high-pitched notes- I am reminded of the twinkling,
heavenly
stars arranged in the midnight sky.
Just as a
carnival is a joyous occasion, the same can be said
of the third piece on the album. 'Carnival' is a
happy, upbeat track, and in parallels to the long,
meandering procession through the city streets,
Michael's piano takes us into the countryside on a near twenty minute
journey that celebrates all that is good about our
unique planet. Vivid colours burst into life. There
is zest in the music. All is
well with the world, and this track captures this
contentment. There are quieter, more subdued
moments, but even nature needs a short rest once in
a while!
A poignant
opening for 'Born on the Wind'. As the piece
develops, the mood changes. Michael's playing is
free-spirited. I am particularly fond of the section
after the 6:00 mark. I think it's these crescendo
moments I love the most about this composer's music.
Track five is
entitled 'The Earth Sings', and although it starts
off quietly, the music becomes more joyous after the
2:50 mark. Around 7:00, the plethora of high-pitched
notes represents to this listener's ear the jubilant
birds as they dart, swoop, hover and fly merrily
over the lush land and crystal-clear waters.
Finishing quietly and with the tempo slowing right
down, nature is now at rest.
The first part
to the final track on the album, 'Belonging to the
World', reminds me of another piece from this
composer. However, the listener might happily go on
a favourite walk, and each day the sights, sounds,
tastes and smells will never quite be the same: the
summer flowers' petals will flutter as the gentle
breeze dictates, the busy birds will chirp a
catalogue of majestic tunes, and the freshly picked
berries will satisfy the taste-buds with their
varying degrees of sweetness. When the experience is
this magical, why not revisit? The piece then takes
its own original shape, and concludes the album with
a majestic melody oh so befitting of this lovely
album.
In 'Deep Song',
Michael Jones captures the wonder and beauty of
Mother Earth. As pure as nature's first rain drop,
the composer's music is perfect for relaxation.
Soporific one moment, exhilarating in the next, let
'Deep Song' transport you to a world where the
senses are stimulated beyond recognition, and
Earth's natural wonders soar freely.
S.C. |
