Review of Elephant Revival's New CD 'These Changing Skies
This writer goes way back with the musician/songwriters of Elephant Revival.
Long before the band was even a concept - I was there.
Even though we are not the same age, in our origins in Southeastern
New England and in our travels across the country, lead
guitarist/vocalist Daniel Rodriguez and this writer have grown up
together.
And it is with amazement and delight that this writer listens to
Elephant Revival's new album 'These Changing Skies'. There is no
doubt, this album is a huge milestone in the on-going magical-reality
saga, in this great adventure in music, which this band is embarked
upon.
The album, which was released on Tuesday, September 3, is their fourth
full-length album. It was recorded last winter at the musical mecca,
Bear Creek Studio, not far from Seattle, Wash.
And it is a stunningly beautiful masterpiece.
As I non-stop listen to this album, I can't help but to think back to
the humble origins of the band. And I can't help but to note how far
everyone has come as musicians/song writers/Human Beings.
The first song of the 12-song album is Rodriguez's and is entitled
'Birds and Stars' and it is truly wonderful.
The song's lush, beautifully layered harmonies, and brilliant lyrics
is about wonder - going into wonder. And as such it is a great example
of the new genre of music created by the band - Transcendental Folk.
As is his second song on the album 'Spinning' which is one of the most
popular songs in the bands repertoire, as is Rodriguez's third song,
'Grace of A Woman'.
The second song is vocalist, wash-boarder-percussionist and musical
saw-er, Bonnie May Paine's, and is entitled 'Remembering a Beginning'.
This song features Paine's eerily amazing, haunting voice and refers
to "these changing skies". The song speaks of finding the resilience
and fluidity that allows one to find your way in ever-changing
circumstances and understanding the beginnings of ever-changing
circumstances.
Paine's other songs on the album 'Satisfied', 'Willing and Able", and
'Rogue River' all illustrate her genius as a song writer, a
percussionist, and as a very distinctive singer.
'Remembering A Beginning' is followed by vocalist, banjoist Sage
Cook's 'The Obvious' which speaks of witnessing/participating
in/having visions at an Occupy Wall Street demonstration in New York,
two years ago.
Cook's other songs, 'Down to the Sea', 'Over Over And' are
contemplative, and emotionally complex songs that are at the same time
very popular, emotionally engaging songs.
Bridget Law's remarkable musicianship, and arranging is featured in
'The Rakers' a song by David Wesler.
What Law brings to the band is a vital and pure strain of Celtic,
Blood, Music, that brings irrepressible dancing. She channels the soul
of this music.
This has always been a very durable, central strand of the band's
music. 'The Rakers' clearly demonstrates this.
And then there's Dango Rose's instrumental 'The Pasture'.
What this writer hears in this song is an amazingly gifted songwriter
just coming into his greater and further powers. Rose is writing the
popular orchestra pieces of this time.
The music speaks of the complex web of nature contained and yet
transcending the pasture.
What I particularly hear in Rose's song is someone fulfilling the
intent with which they started a long, musical journey. He has reached
the place where he has acquired the powers to compose and perform the
music he has always wanted to compose and perform. And this is what
he's doing.
And this is true of all the other musician/songwriters of Elephant Revival.
Long before the band was even a concept - I was there.
Even though we are not the same age, in our origins in Southeastern
New England and in our travels across the country, lead
guitarist/vocalist Daniel Rodriguez and this writer have grown up
together.
And it is with amazement and delight that this writer listens to
Elephant Revival's new album 'These Changing Skies'. There is no
doubt, this album is a huge milestone in the on-going magical-reality
saga, in this great adventure in music, which this band is embarked
upon.
The album, which was released on Tuesday, September 3, is their fourth
full-length album. It was recorded last winter at the musical mecca,
Bear Creek Studio, not far from Seattle, Wash.
And it is a stunningly beautiful masterpiece.
As I non-stop listen to this album, I can't help but to think back to
the humble origins of the band. And I can't help but to note how far
everyone has come as musicians/song writers/Human Beings.
The first song of the 12-song album is Rodriguez's and is entitled
'Birds and Stars' and it is truly wonderful.
The song's lush, beautifully layered harmonies, and brilliant lyrics
is about wonder - going into wonder. And as such it is a great example
of the new genre of music created by the band - Transcendental Folk.
As is his second song on the album 'Spinning' which is one of the most
popular songs in the bands repertoire, as is Rodriguez's third song,
'Grace of A Woman'.
The second song is vocalist, wash-boarder-percussionist and musical
saw-er, Bonnie May Paine's, and is entitled 'Remembering a Beginning'.
This song features Paine's eerily amazing, haunting voice and refers
to "these changing skies". The song speaks of finding the resilience
and fluidity that allows one to find your way in ever-changing
circumstances and understanding the beginnings of ever-changing
circumstances.
Paine's other songs on the album 'Satisfied', 'Willing and Able", and
'Rogue River' all illustrate her genius as a song writer, a
percussionist, and as a very distinctive singer.
'Remembering A Beginning' is followed by vocalist, banjoist Sage
Cook's 'The Obvious' which speaks of witnessing/participating
in/having visions at an Occupy Wall Street demonstration in New York,
two years ago.
Cook's other songs, 'Down to the Sea', 'Over Over And' are
contemplative, and emotionally complex songs that are at the same time
very popular, emotionally engaging songs.
Bridget Law's remarkable musicianship, and arranging is featured in
'The Rakers' a song by David Wesler.
What Law brings to the band is a vital and pure strain of Celtic,
Blood, Music, that brings irrepressible dancing. She channels the soul
of this music.
This has always been a very durable, central strand of the band's
music. 'The Rakers' clearly demonstrates this.
And then there's Dango Rose's instrumental 'The Pasture'.
What this writer hears in this song is an amazingly gifted songwriter
just coming into his greater and further powers. Rose is writing the
popular orchestra pieces of this time.
The music speaks of the complex web of nature contained and yet
transcending the pasture.
What I particularly hear in Rose's song is someone fulfilling the
intent with which they started a long, musical journey. He has reached
the place where he has acquired the powers to compose and perform the
music he has always wanted to compose and perform. And this is what
he's doing.
And this is true of all the other musician/songwriters of Elephant Revival.
