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.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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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Cruel Seamus - The Irish Wake Of Cruel Seamus

Cruel Seamus – The Irish Wake Of Cruel Seamus:

Released:  July, 2009:

1. Queen of the IRA – 4:30
2. Beauty of Your Creation – 4:43
3. Neil Gow’s Lament – Maid – Capt Fraser – 5:25
4. Last Breath – 4:27
5. Auld Triangle – 3:29
6. Here I Am – 3:58
7. 3000 Miles – 3:51
8. Jigs- Morrison’s, Swallowtail, Apples – 2:59
9. Irish Pride – 4:04
10. Song of the Chanter – 2:41
11. Garden Rose – 5:53

Coolstreams Adds:

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Celtic Rock ‘N Reel:

1. Queen of the IRA – 4:30
2. Beauty of Your Creation – 4:43
3. Neil Gow’s Lament – Maid – Capt Fraser – 5:25
4. Last Breath – 4:27
5. Auld Triangle – 3:29
6. Here I Am – 3:58
7. 3000 Miles – 3:51
9. Irish Pride – 4:04
11. Garden Rose – 5:53

**********************

Celtic Traditions:

8. Jigs- Morrison’s, Swallowtail, Apples – 2:59
10. Song of the Chanter – 2:41

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Alt Aspects:

1. Queen of the IRA – 4:30
6. Here I Am – 3:58
7. 3000 Miles – 3:51
9. Irish Pride – 4:04

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]]> http://musicsojourn.com/PubWP/irish-wake-of-cruel-seamus/feed 0 http://musicsojourn.com/PubWP/irish-tenors-ireland http://musicsojourn.com/PubWP/irish-tenors-ireland#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:18:33 +0000 Scott Ericson http://musicsojourn.com/PubWP/?p=221 Continue reading →]]>

The Irish Tenors - Ireland

The Irish Tenors – Ireland:

Released: February, 2010:

1. Dublin Medley – 4:16
2. Galway Bay – 3:23
3. Beautiful Dreamer – 3:06
4. Lift the wings – 3:00
5. The Irish Rover – 2:56
6. Knocknashee – 4:33
7. Sweet Sixteen – 3:05
8. Whiskey In The Jar – 2:32
9. The Water Is Wide – 3:15
10. Toora Loora & Irish Eyes – 5:30
11. Glocca Morra – 3:30
12. Danny Boy – 3:06
13. Galway Girl – 2:25

From The Label:

The Irish Tenors powerful vocal line-up of Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and Karl Scully is unquestionably the leading brand of this genre in the market. All classically trained singers, each having performed in leading concert halls across the world, together they combine to produce a sound and concert experience which touches hearts and stirs the emotions. Happy songs of celebration and humour, mixed with touching melodies and songs that warm the heart.

Just in time for St Patrick’s Day, Razor & Tie will release their latest album, Ireland, featuring thirteen of the most beloved Irish standards including, “Whiskey In The Jar” and of course “Danny Boy” as only the Tenors can deliver!

Scott’s Notes:

For the Classically oriented, superb, inspiring vocal renditions of Irish staples and a few more adventurous tunes, including that “Whiskey In The Jar” obligation for March 17th!

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]]> http://musicsojourn.com/PubWP/irish-tenors-ireland/feed 0 http://musicsojourn.com/PubWP/various-artists-whiskey-in-the-jar http://musicsojourn.com/PubWP/various-artists-whiskey-in-the-jar#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:10:51 +0000 Scott Ericson http://musicsojourn.com/PubWP/?p=128 Continue reading →]]>

Various Artists - Whiskey In The Jar:

Various Artists – Whiskey In The Jar:

Released: February, 2006:

With: The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, Frank Patterson, The Young Dubliners, The Dropkick Murphys, Joe Hurley & Rogue’s March, The Pogues, and The Dropkick Murphys

Disc # 1:
1. Whiskey In The Jar – The Dubliners 3:01
2. Irish Rover – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – 2:12
3. South Australia – The Clancy Brothers;Tommy Makem – 2:00
4. The Galway Races – The Dubliners – 3:19
5. I’m A Free Born Man – The Dubliners – 3:53
6. I’m A Rover – The Dubliners – 4:51
7. Drink It Up Men – The Dubliners – 2:03
8. Weila Waile – The Dubliners – 3:27
9. The Jug Of Punch (Live) – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – 4:19
10. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling – Frank Patterson – 2:48
11. Danny Boy – Frank Patterson – 4:36
12. Kelly, The Boy From Killan – Dubliners – 2:30
13. Mountain Dew – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – 2:10
14. The Pub With No Beer – The Dubliners – 2:26
15. The Rocky Road To Dublin – The Young Dubliners – 4:04
16. Fields Of Athenry – The Dropkick Murphys – 4:26

Disc #2:
1. Holy Ground (Live) – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – 2:11
2. Maloney Wants A Drink – The Dubliners – 2:15
3. The Leaving Of Liverpool – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – 2:47
4. The Rising Of The Moon – Dubliners – 2:38
5. Fare Thee Well Enniskillen – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – 2:40
6. Muirsheen Durkin’ – Dubliners – 2:33
7. All For Me Grog – The Clancy Brothers – 2:03
8. Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – 3:45
9. A Nation Once Again – The Dubliners – 2:43
10. The Rose of Tralee – Frank Patterson – 3:37
11. Seven Drunken Nights – The Dubliners – 3:45
12. Black Velvet Band – The Dubliners – 4:28
13. Amsterdam Mistress – Joe Hurley & Rogue’s March – 6:29
14. Sally MacLennane (Live) – The Pogues – 2:51
15. The Dirty Glass – The Dropkick Murphys – 3:39
16. Whiskey, You’re The Devil (Live) – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – 2:12
17. Dirty Old Town (Live) – The Pogues – 4:03

Scott’s Notes:
All good songs and first rate artists here, but quite a disparate range from very traditional to celtic rock. We used this CD as the basis for a great St. Patrick’s day songs playlist for Cool Celtic (Music Sojourn) with similarly eclectic additions. The Pogues, the Young Dubliners, and The Drop Kick Murphys make up most of the more mod sounds on here – too bad that the Pogues version of “Whiskey In The Jar” didn’t make it on this CD (it would have provided the same kind of contrast with the Dubliners’ version as the rest of the cd does with the mix of artists & songs). At least it progresses through the tunes on each disc from more traditional to more punk – if you’re drinking along with the tunes as they play, that ought to work out just about right by the end. This collection may be too eclectic for some. Those looking for the Traditional songs get more for their money here and can ignore the few rockers at the end of each disc. Those into the Pogues and Drop Kick Murphys more rockus sounds may not find enough of that to keep it playing except for around St. Patrick’s day each year. However, for that purpose, it does satisfy!

Note that a number of songs are “Live” recordings: Disc 1: Tracks 9, 10 & 11; on Disc 2: tracks 10, 14, 16 & 17 (the two Pogues songs on the disc are Live).

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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

**************************
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)

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Bruce Mitchell’s Web Site >>>

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