Despite the presence of a pair of ballads – one of them ("New Horizons") by Justin Hayward the latter's most romantic number since "Nights in White Satin" – Seventh Sojourn was notable at the time of its release for showing the hardest-rocking sound this band had ever produced on record…
Despite the presence of a pair of ballads – one of them ("New Horizons") by Justin Hayward the latter's most romantic number since "Nights in White Satin" – Seventh Sojourn was notable at the time of its release for showing the hardest-rocking sound this band had ever produced on record. It's all relative, of course, compared to their prior work…
On A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Brian O'Donovan, the host of the Celtic Sojourn radio show, compiles a collection of songs that mixes the contemplative with more raucous fare, ancient melodies with modern, and the earthy with the ethereal. The musicians come from all corners of the Celtic world, and include the Breton choir Ensemble Choral du Bout du Monde, who blend medieval vocal harmonies with modern instruments such as the tin whistle and the guitar; Dordan, the masters of Irish baroque music; and the pan-Celtic band the Boys of the Lough. Also included are English performers Maddy Prior (the lead singer of Steeleye Span) and the family group Waterson:Carthy, who deliver a hearty version of the "The Ditchling Carol." The majority of the tracks feature vocals, but the instrumental selections–particularly fiddler Bonnie Rideout's haunting "Gloomy Winter" and the lovely "Midwinter Waltz" from the Boys of the Lough–do a beautiful job of wordlessly evoking the season. By passing over too-familiar Christmas songs in favor of less-well-known melodies, O'Donovan has come up with that rarest of all holiday treats–a gift that that both surprises and delights.
I’ve always wanted to record a solo guitar album and many fans have requested it over the years. Well, it is finally here. When you listen to the Sojourn album, you will hear what sounds like orchestra, piano, sitar, and electronic elements. But each song is played completely live with only one guitar, no other instruments are used. The songs were recorded live in my California studio with no overdubs. I write songs on guitar first, composing the melody and chords at the same time. I love to hear the purity and originality of each new song as it emerges, played alone - just me and my guitar.
Freedom At Midnight is a classic late 80's contemporary jazz session, the kind that in fact helped make pianist David Benoit one of the genres biggest stars. The combination of hummable acoustic piano melodies with synthesizer shadings and groove oriented rhythm section work, make for a pleasant listening throughout. The title tune, "The Man With The Panama Hat", and "Tropical Breeze" conjure feelings that will transport the listener to a memorable space in time. Drummer Jeff Porcaro (Toto), bassist Abraham Laboriel, and guitarist Russ Freeman all make significant contributions.
Trumpeter David Weiss incorporates a heavy-duty guitar assault into this exhilarating program designed with a diverse track-list, comprised of originals by jazz luminaries Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, John McLaughlin and Tony Williams among others. The trumpeter's Point of Departure ensemble generates a neo-jazz fusion panorama, coupled with an emphatic integration of progressive jazz amid references to bop and a few excursions into the outside realm. Besides the triad of outstanding guitarists, Weiss yields a big payout from all-star saxophonists Myron Walden and J.D. Allen also appearing on select tracks.