Acoustic Ocean - Reflections on Still Water (2010)

Acoustic Ocean – Reflections on Still Water (2010)

1. Night Flight – (4:18)
2. Moon Over Mauna Kea – (4:46)
3. Rainbow Falls – (4:20)
4. Dancers Of The Deep – (4:40)
5. Motherless Child – (4:16)
6. Devas In The Garden – (3:54)
7. Place Of Refuge – (5:22)
8. Voyager – (5:27)
9. Reflections on Still Water - (5:07)
10. Safe Journey Home – (5:00)

Playlist length: 47 minutes 10 seconds

Summary: Beautiful harmonies of Celtic Harp and acoustic guitar form the basis of 10 mostly relaxing and enchanting new age style songs, with a celtic flavor.  All of the tracks are supported with Fretless bass, and other supporting sounds include cello, cedar flute, piano, Mandolin, Uillean Pipes, Pennywhistle, and Hammered Dulcimer (See instrumentation by track below), plus vocalise on track #3 “Rainbow Falls.”

The compositions are beautiful and the performances superb.

This is the second CD release by Acoustic Ocean (who are Peggy Morgan, harp, and Bette Phelan, all other stinged instruments and keyboards).  For those familiar with their first effort, titled “Light Returning” (2008), “Reflections on Still Water” is very similar in musical style, with the exception that it has less vocalise, and does not employ the enviromental sounds of ocean waves, water, birds & gulls, and forest sounds that were embeded in most tracks on the previous “Light Returning”.

Those familiar with the group Magical Strings will find the music on “Reflections On Still Water” similar to their work, particularly the album “Islands Calling” (1996), but others as well.  “Reflections On Still Water” is also reminiscent of many of Wind Machine’s albums of the 1980s – 1990s.

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Genres (& sub genres): Instrumental, New Age music, Celtic Harp Music, Celtic New Age music, World Rhythms, Acoustic Music, Acoustic Guitar, Relaxing Music, Celtic Music, World Rhythms

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Listening Impressions: Acoustic, tranquil, peaceful, tropical, magical, enchanting, relaxing, haunting;
vocalise (on #3 Rainbow Falls);

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Similar to: Magical Strings, Wind Machine, Lisa Lynne & Aryeh Frankfurter, Aine Minogue

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Instrumentation by track:
1. Night Flight – (4:18) – Celtic Harp, Guitar, Cedar Flute, Fretless Bass
2. Moon Over Mauna Kea – (4:46) – Celtic Harp, Piano, Cello, Fretless Bass
3. Rainbow Falls – (4:20) – Celtic Harp, Guitar, Mandolin, Hammered Dulcimer, Fretless Bass
4. Dancers Of The Deep – (4:40) – Celtic Harp, Guitar, Flute, Fretless Bass
5. Motherless Child – (4:16) – Celtic Harp, Cello, Fretless Bass
6. Devas In The Garden – (3:54) – Celtic Harp, Guitar, Mountain Dulcimer, Uillean Pipes, Fretless Bass
7. Place Of Refuge – (5:22) – Celtic Harp, Guitar, Mountain Dulcimer, Electric Guitar, Pennywhistle, Fretless Bass
8. Voyager – (5:27) – Celtic Harp, Guitar, Cello, Fretless Bass
9. Reflections On Still Water – (5:07) – Celtic Harp, Guitar, Fretless Bass
10. Safe Journey Home – (5:00) – Celtic Harp, Guitar, Pennywhistle, Uillean Pipes, Fretless Bass

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Great Segues (with songs from this album, Reflections On Still Water):

1. Acoustic Ocean (2010) – Rainbow Falls – Reflections On Still Water (4:20) +
Magical Strings (1996) – Warm Island – Islands Calling (4:52)

2. Acoustic Ocean (2010) – Dancers Of The Deep – Reflections On Still Water (4:40) +
Magical Strings (1996) – Ferry to Islesboro – Islands Calling (3:54)

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Released: September 1, 2010

1. Walking Rufus 3:38
2. Smitten 2:40
3. Chreagain 4:28
4. Lauren Marie 3:41
5. Cascade Johnny 3:14
6. Holy Smile 3:01
7. Intimate 2:41
8. Calum Sgaire 2:50
9. Way Down South 3:02
10. River Angel 3:41
11. Maid of Coolmore 4:11
12. Glade Valley 4:34
13. Watauga Wind 3:18
14. Coinleach Glas an Fhomhair 6:54

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Released: April 19, 2009

1. Heartwood 4:23
2. Drift 3:21
3. Eurydice 4:42
4. Winter 3:08
5. Hurricane 6:53
6. Light 2:53
7. Twilight 5:07
8. Children of Lir 4:35
9. The Juniper 2:46
10. The Birch’s Lament 4:07
11. Madron Well 3:53

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Bruce Mitchell - Celtic Compilation

Bruce Mitchell – Celtic Compilation:

Released: January, 2010:

1. Border Country [4:12]
2. Realm [5:36]
3. Gaelic Morn [3:14]
4. Lady of the Unicorn [4:20]
5. Mystic Summer [4:21]
6. Ancient Runes [5:43]
7. Crossroads [5:12]
8. Remembrance [3:29]
9. The Book Of Days [4:26]
10. Dream of a Warrior [5:04]
11. Distant Drummers [4:52]
12. Stone of Destiny [3:51]
13. The Book of Wishes [5:26]
14. The Offering [5:23]
15. Sanctity [4:42]
16. Beyond The Horizon [3:20]
17. Worldview [5:01]

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Coolstreams Adds: See Original Albums:

===================================================

From The Artist:
Composer Pianist Bruce Mitchell began his recording career in 1987 with the release of ‘Hidden Pathways’ on Narada. Following up soon after was ‘Dancing on The Edge’. Moving on to more creative projects he formed a long term association with Oasis Records of Canada and released ‘The Gathering’, ‘Celtic Destiny’ and ‘Celtic Sanctity’. Recently Bruce started his own label for the release of ‘New Earth Goddess’ a mystical journey into the Heart of The Goddess.

Mitchell writes with a wide symphonic palette featuring unusual ethnic instruments played by world class performers such as Ron Korb.  His sound ranges from a delicate pianissimo to thundering harmonics. Evocative, uplifting and just plain WOW are some of the words used to describe his unique compositional visions. Bruce has also written the soundtracks to Television shows as ‘Nature Watch’ and ‘The Global Family’ by NHK Japan which had a very successful European prime time run. His music has been enjoyed by millions around the world.

Scott’s Notes:
From his initial release “Hidden Pathways” (December, 1987) Bruce Mitchell has always delighted with masterful instrumental performances.  While “Hidden Pathways” was primarliy Electronic Synthesizer based, he did touch on some Celtic moods and themes even back then.  On later albums, Bruce features acoustic instramentation, primarily composing for Piano with orchestration.  The majority of Mitchell’s celtic tracks are melodic & lush, many orchestrated in complement to traditional celtic instrumentation.  Fans of Phil Coulter’s Scottish Tranquility will find many of these songs a perfect complement.
Celtic Compilation is an anthology of songs from 3 prior albums:
The Gathering (Millennia) (1994)
Celtic Destiny (Oasis) (1997)
Celtic Sanctity (Oasis) (2001)

(Tracks With Original Albums noted *)
1. Border Country [4:12] * from: Celtic Destiny (1997)
2. Realm [5:36] * from: Celtic Sanctity (2001)
3. Gaelic Morn [3:14] * from: Celtic Destiny (1997)
4. Lady of the Unicorn [4:20] * from: Celtic Destiny (1997)
5. Mystic Summer [4:21] * from: Celtic Sanctity (2001)
6. Ancient Runes [5:43] * from: Celtic Destiny (1997)
7. Crossroads [5:12] * from: Celtic Sanctity (2001)
8. Remembrance [3:29] * from: Celtic Sanctity (2001)
9. The Book Of Days [4:26] * from: Celtic Sanctity (2001)
10. Dream of a Warrior [5:04] * from: Celtic Destiny (1997)
11. Distant Drummers [4:52] * from: Celtic Destiny (1997)
12. Stone of Destiny [3:51] * from: Celtic Destiny (1997)
13. The Book of Wishes [5:26] * from: Celtic Sanctity (2001)
14. The Offering [5:23] * from: Celtic Sanctity (2001)
15. Sanctity [4:42] * from: Celtic Sanctity (2001)
16. Beyond The Horizon [3:20] * from: The Gathering  (1994)
17. Worldview [5:01] * from: The Gathering  (1994)

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Other Bruce Mitchell Albums:

Hidden Pathways (1987)
Dancing On The Edge (1989)
The Gathering  (1994)
Celtic Destiny (1997)
Celtic Sanctity (2001)
New Earth Goddess (2009)
Celtic Compilation (2010)

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Bruce Mitchell’s Web Site >>>

Barleyjuice - Bonny Prince Barley

Barleyjuice – Bonny Prince Barley:

Released: March, 2008:

1. Drunkard’s Ambassadors 1:53
2. Swig 2:51
3. Songs for Sinners 4:55
4. Hard Life of Ivan MacRae 3:10
5. Weekend Irish 3:35
6. Nancy Whiskey 3:42
7. Jo’rneyman’s Song 3:19
8. London Calling 3:55
9. My Bonnie Lassie and Me 3:35
10. Bleary-Eyed Beauty 4:18

Coolstreams Adds: (Pending Further Listening):

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Bruce Mitchell - Celtic Destiny

Bruce Mitchell – Celtic Destiny:

Released: 1997:

1. Border Country
2. Raglan Road
3. Rights of Man
4. Gaelic Morn
5. Celtic Lore
6. Wind on the Shore
7. Stone of Destiny
8. Foggy Dew
9. Lady of the Unicorn
10. Dream of a Warrior
11. Carrickfergus
12. Ancient Runes
13. Distant Drummers

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Coolstreams Adds:

*****************
Cool Celtic:
1. Border Country
2. Raglan Road
3. Rights of Man
4. Gaelic Morn
5. Celtic Lore
6. Wind on the Shore
7. Stone of Destiny
8. Foggy Dew
9. Lady of the Unicorn
10. Dream of a Warrior
11. Carrickfergus
12. Ancient Runes
13. Distant Drummers

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Timeless Canyons Stream:

1. Border Country
2. Raglan Road
3. Rights of Man
4. Gaelic Morn
6. Wind on the Shore
8. Foggy Dew
9. Lady of the Unicorn
10. Dream of a Warrior
12. Ancient Runes
13. Distant Drummers

===================================================

From The Artist:
Composer Pianist Bruce Mitchell began his recording career in 1987 with the release of ‘Hidden Pathways’ on Narada. Following up soon after was ‘Dancing on The Edge’. Moving on to more creative projects he formed a long term association with Oasis Records of Canada and released ‘The Gathering’, ‘Celtic Destiny’ and ‘Celtic Sanctity’. Recently Bruce started his own label for the release of ‘New Earth Goddess’ a mystical journey into the Heart of The Goddess.

Mitchell writes with a wide symphonic palette featuring unusual ethnic instruments played by world class performers such as Ron Korb.  His sound ranges from a delicate pianissimo to thundering harmonics. Evocative, uplifting and just plain WOW are some of the words used to describe his unique compositional visions. Bruce has also written the soundtracks to Television shows as ‘Nature Watch’ and ‘The Global Family’ by NHK Japan which had a very successful European prime time run. His music has been enjoyed by millions around the world.

Scott’s Notes:
From his initial release “Hidden Pathways” (December, 1987) Bruce Mitchell has always delighted with masterful instrumental performances.  While “Hidden Pathways” was primarliy Electronic Synthesizer based, he did touch on some Celtic moods and themes even back then.  On later albums, Bruce features acoustic instramentation, primarily composing for Piano with orchestration.  The majority of Mitchell’s celtic tracks are melodic & lush, many orchestrated in complement to traditional celtic instrumentation.  Fans of Phil Coulter’s Scottish Tranquility will find many of these songs a perfect complement.

==================================================

Other Bruce Mitchell Albums:

Hidden Pathways (1987)
Dancing On The Edge (1989)
The Gathering  (1994)
Celtic Destiny (1997)
Celtic Sanctity (2001)
New Earth Goddess (2009)
Celtic Compilation (2010)

=====================================================

Bruce Mitchell’s Web Site >>>

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