Aural Awakenings: Episode 19 (An All Hallows Eve Special)

TIME / ARTIST NAME / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM TITLE
00:18 / Blackmore’s Night / Ghost of John / To the Moon and Back
03:52 / Joseph Akins / Ghost of Mill Wee Hollow / Into the Flow
08:50 / Omar Akram / Gypsy Spirit / Secret Journey
13:17 / Enaid / Merlin’s Secret / Avalon: A Celtic Legend
17:26 / Erik Scott / Ghosts of Storyville / A Trick of the Wind
22:59 / Aine Minogue / Ghostly Love / Eve
27:07 / Fiona Joy / Story of Ghosts / Story of Ghosts
30:29 / Jesse Cook / Witching Hour / The Blue Guitar Sessions
33:29 / Timothy Wenzel / Incantations / What We Hold Dear
38:00 / Nouveau Papillon / Enchantment Blooms / Enchantment Blooms
44:30 / Robin Spielberg / Spellbound / On the Edge of a Dream
48:58 / Kevin Kendle / The Magician / Music for Tarot
54:09 / Laura Powers / Samhain Madrigal / Legends of the Goddess

Aural Awakenings: Episode 18 (An Autumn Special)

TIME / ARTIST NAME / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM TITLE
00:18 / Jon Richards / Song of the Seasons / The Sacred Tree
08:50 / Erik Scott / A Trick of the Wind / A Trick of the Wind
13:10 / Heidi Breyer / Autumn in Bruges / Moonlight in Empty Rooms
17:19 / Ryan Judd / Autumn Light / An Open Sky
20:34 / Clara Ponty / Autumn Bells / Mirror of Truth
24:40 / Terra Guitarra / Autumns Breath / Spirit Wheel
29:36 / Lisa Swerdlow / Autumn Speaks to Me / Voyager
33:38 / Nathan Speir / Good Seasons / Part of a Kindly Plan
38:10 / Jon Mark / Evening, Pine Logs On An Open Fire / A Sunday in Autumn
44:48 / Marcia Watson Bendo / Fallen Leaves Moon / Woodland Moons
50:07 / Monica Logani / Autumn Tale / Secret Garden
53:02 / Aidia / A Beautiful Fall / A Beautiful Fall

Spotlight: In the Company of Clouds by Erik Scott

Erik Scott debuted with his first album in 1969, later working with a number of pop and rock artists, including having toured and recorded with Alice Cooper in the 1980’s. He has since co-written for and collaborated with a number of other recording artists, as well as embarked on an instrumental solo career. On his latest album, In the Company of Clouds, the intriguing and hypnotic lure of melodic fretless bass is Erik’s key instrument, accompanied throughout by keyboards, percussion and mandolin, as well as other innovative sound effects. Comprised of nine tracks total, In the Company of Clouds additionally features an amazing lineup of guest musicians and vocalists, including John Pirruccello who lends steel guitar to all of the compositions.

“Nine Lives” immediately lifts the spirits with its beautiful sound collage of melodic bass, tribal percussion and soulful wordless vocals. They collectively lend the piece a notable African flavor, effectively bringing to mind that of sailing down the Congo River on a breezy sunny day. The equally mesmerizing “Seven Veils” continues in this mode, as it’s similarly guided along by exotic percussion, dreamy synthesizers and sitar scattered throughout. Soulful wordless vocals intoning soothing “ooohs” return for “Women of Avalon”, another lovely piece that features Steve Hunter on guitar, as John Mader lends congas and cymbals. Warm and enveloping throughout, this piece seems to convey a celebration of the distant past. Another notable highlight, “Breathing Room”, features Jeff Pearce on ambient electric guitar. Here, Erik perfectly injects plenty of ‘breathing space’ between the notes, as Jeff’s guitars ethereally float across a seemingly liquid and nocturnal soundscape. “Victory”, featuring Kevin Haynes on drums, is perhaps the brightest piece on the album and characterized by a comforting, peaceful elation. It’s followed by “Open Door”, which likewise welcomes all of the now familiar instrumental elements – sans the percussion – along with a touch of piano courtesy of Chris Cameron. Closing out the album is the notably warm and leisurely “The Long View”, which additionally features Rick Barnes on acoustic guitar.

Seemingly taking its listener on a magical sailing journey, notes and chords often bend and sway in suspension throughout these melodically structured yet often liquid-like compositions. Exuding an overall mood and atmosphere that reminds me at times of works by Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd and James Hood’s Moodswings project, In the Company of Clouds is an enthusiastically recommended album of impeccably beautiful ambient instrumental fusion! ~Candice Michelle

For more information please visit the artist's website. This album is also available at Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

This review was originally published on Journeyscapes Radio on 11/16/16.