Album Review: Portraits by Brian Hagen

Review by Marilyn Torres

The newest work by Brian Hagen, his album Portraits, is a collection of all original piano pieces which in one word can be summed up as pretty! That may seem like a plain description, however it is much deeper. The individual pieces are full of beautiful moments that reach out and connect the listener to senses and memories long overlooked.

Beginning with “Iridescence”, a light and airy piece, the mood invites us to exhale and enjoy the moment. “A Time For Love” displays a Manilow-esque sensibility and a feeling of familiarity. “You Are My Everything” and “Forever Love” are beautiful love songs that made me wish I had the gift of lyricism! 

“Regrets” and “The Love We Had, The Love We Lost”, takes the listener into the past, as in looking through a photo album full of life events and snapshots of times shared. In “The Unforgiven”, the journey into the past seems to bring us face to face with the raw and stark realization of failure.

In contrast to the pieces mentioned above, the rest of the album offers comfort and acceptance; for who we are, our flaws, and the beauty of life. Coming full circle with “The Peace Within”, we are again in a light and calm place ready to enjoy the pretty moments of life. 

~Marilyn Torres for Aural Awakenings

For more information please visit Brian Hagen's website.

Album Review: Return of the Star Elders by Lia Scallon

Review by Candice Michelle

Born in Ireland and currently residing in Australia, Lia Scallon is an award-winning composer, producer and singer who’s released several albums through her Sounds of Sirius music label. Additionally, she leads “sacred travels” group tours and workshops that have taken her to enthralling locations around the world including the deserts of the American Southwest, jungles of Mexico, rainforests of Australia, and landscapes of Ireland.

Comprised of 9 compositions spanning just under an hour and 20 minutes, Return of the Star Elders, much like its predecessors, is inspired by Lia's mystical pursuits with an overarching theme of Pleiades and Sirius star-lore.

The album’s line-up of contributing musicians includes Nigel Pegrum (flute, keyboard, percussion and ambient sound sculpture), David Hudson (digeridoo, aboriginal vocals), Kirk Steel (keyboards), Simon McMenamin (violin and viola), Nerace (keyboards), and Ben Hakalitz (drums).

However, the most distinguishable feature throughout is Lia’s soprano vocals which variably conjure images of a fairy godmother singing in the woodlands, to that of an ancient temple Oracle incanting from high on a mountaintop.

Inside the liner notes are references to ancestral legends of diverse cultures and civilizations from antiquity (including those of Greek, Irish, Egyptian, Maya, Polynesian, Native American and Australian Aboriginal peoples), albeit related through the modern lens of theosophical doctrines and ancient astronaut theory, rather than from a scholarly standpoint of these various civilizations’ own mytho-historical origins. Nevertheless, from an aesthetic perspective, Lia’s artful compositions are rich with dazzlingly enchantment that effectively carry the listener away on a peacefully poetic and magical journey to sacred sites and mysterious places of natural wonder across the globe.

Subtle shamanic percussion underlies pieces like “Arrival of the Star Elders” and “Ancient Kachina Wisdom”, on which Lia’s primal-like chants seemingly echo throughout a nocturnal valley beneath a brilliant canopy of stars.

Compositions like “Isle of the Druids” and “Return to Lemuria” weave ethereal invocations and soothing ocean waves into a mist-filled soundscape that perfectly paint an idyllic environment tended to by nymphs, fairies and unicorns.

Listeners are also transported to the Himalayas on “Tibetan Skygods”, the Australian Outback on “Uluru Galactic Portal”, and the jungles of Central America on “Temple of the Maya”.

A mesmerizing audio-visual experience that can be described perhaps as “Constance Demby meets Medwyn Goodall”, Return of the Star Elders is quintessential earth-centered music well-suited for stargazing, spa therapy and communing with nature.

~Candice Michelle for Aural Awakenings

For more information please visit the the Sounds of Sirius website. Return of the Star Elders is also available at Amazon, iTunes and more.

Album Review: Full Bloom by Nancy Shoop-Wu

Review by Lissette Cascante 

In her second full-length album poignantly titled Full Bloom, classically trained, symphony musician, and award nominated violinist Nancy Shoop-Wu showcases her many talents and versatility as composer, singer-songwriter, arranger, and violinist extraordinaire. Nancy not only embraces her classical background but also her affinity for contemporary melodicism inspired by the beautiful surroundings of her home in the Hawaiian Islands. “Full Bloom came out of a time of personal expansion and growth for me. The songs are a reflection of my inner journey over these past few years, and they are songs of beauty, freedom, dreams and hope” shares Nancy. The result is a beautiful symphonia of ethereal, dreamy melodies that convey serenity and contentment throughout. The title track opens the album with a nice, laid-back blend of vocals, violin, percussion, piano and violin.

Other tracks such as "Night Rainbow", "Flying Away", "Olinda Winds" and "Golden Leaves" feature uplifting and playful, flowing piano and violin tunes that beckon the listener to explore the sense of wonder, gratitude and anticipation of new days, seasons, and possibilities.

More serene, evocative melodies evolve in tracks such as "Dreams" and "Serenade" as a gentle piano and violin engage in peaceful, musical dialogue.

In "Beautiful", Nancy offers up a deeply moving expression of love for her mother who passed away in April 2021 with a gorgeous, melodiously tender composition for piano and violin.

"Angel Above Me" features Nancy’s beautiful voice expressing the lyrics she penned as her violin artfully conveys a faith and hope beyond the physical realm.

All songs on the album were composed and arranged by Nancy Shoop-Wu and feature not only herself as a violin and vocal soloist, but she also shares the stage with Derek Nakamoto on piano and Cello (Qiele) Guo on Cello, while Aidan Carroll contributes on Bass; Mitchell Long on Guitars, and Peter Korpela adds Congas and Percussion. 

Full Bloom is a beautiful symphonia of ethereal, dreamy melodies that convey serenity and contentment.

~Lissette Cascante for Aural Awakenings 

For more information, please visit Nancy Shoop-Wu's website. Full Bloom is also available at Amazon, Apple Music and more.

Aural Awakenings: Episode 49 – A Peaceful Soundscape for Autumn

A refreshing 2-hour blend of new age, world & contemporary instrumental music!

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM TITLE
0:00:20 / Carl Lord / Castle Pathways / Stillness
0:03:03 / Nancy Shoop-Wu / Golden Leaves / Full Bloom
0:06:18 / Pam Asberry / Wind / Twelvemonth
0:09:25 / Kristen Miller / October / Cello Journeys
0:14:56 / 2002 / Wind Dancer / Hummingbird
0:20:23 / Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy / Mosaic 2 / Ravenna
0:27:20 / Wouter Kellerman & David Arkenstone / First Rain / Pangaea
0:30:30 / Opium Moon / Messengers / Night + Day
0:37:40 / Jeff Pearce / Not Even the Sky / In Autumn
0:40:50 / MK Sol / Fire on the Mountain / Night’s Edge
0:45:00 / Dallas David Ochoa / Moonlit Passage / If These Walls
0:48:40 / Raphael Groten / Great Spirit / Potential
0:54:28 / Dave Eggar / Fallen Leaves / Awakening
0:57:46 / Todd Mosby / Into Starlight / Aerial Views
1:03:40 / Paul Avgerinos / The Ethereal Light / Peace
1:09:34 / Album Spotlight: The Winding Way by Peter Sterling
1:10:49 / Peter Sterling / Clouds in the Sky / The Winding Way
0:17:01 / Ann Sweeten / One Last October / Change is in the Wind
1:22:10 / Holland Phillips / Wolf Moon Rising / Eleven After Midnight
1:25:39 / City of Dawn & Sherry Finzer / They Turned into Starry Skies / Solace
1:29:10 / Deuter / Blue Horizon / Song of the Last Tree
1:37:30 / Will Ackerman, Jeff Oster & Tom Eaton / Three Trees / Brothers
1:42:38 / Pam Asberry / October in Paris / Focus Zone
1:46:40 / Rick Sparks / Autumn Rain / Bella
1:51:03 / Lynn Tredeau / Meadowlark / A Quiet Path
1:54:30 / Sarah Jane Hargis & Matt Hubbard / Wood / Elements

Album Review: The Winding Way by Peter Sterling

Review by Lissette Cascante 

The unique and calming sounds of the harp are again masterfully presented in acclaimed harpist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, visual artist, author, and producer Peter Sterling’s latest album The Winding Way. Peter began playing the piano at age 6. Life took Peter in many directions, distracting him from his authentic purpose, but eventually as he listened more closely to the yearnings of his heart, he was drawn to the Celtic harp and the healing arts. Peter embraced his true calling and in 1994, he released his first album Harp Magic with instant success. Since then, his music has garnered many accolades and awards, and spanned both the global plain as well as the “heavenly realms” through airplay on international platforms such as Pandora, SiriusXM and Soundscapes, and on major airlines. 

Composed & produced by Peter Sterling for Harp Magic Music (BMI), The Winding Way is the product of a year’s worth of work; isolated from the world during the lockdowns, Peter reached deep into his heart and soul to bring forth a loving and beautiful compilation of divinely inspired compositions designed to help bring peace and healing to a hurting world.

As we listen to his songs and learn about Peter’s amazing life journey, we can definitively conclude that the title of the album was consciously selected. For as Peter states, “life… is a meandering journey down the Winding Way with many unexpected twists and turns along the path to the destination of our hopes and dreams.”

The poignant titles and songs such as “Deep Dive”, “Calling Angels”, “Along the Way”, “Every Which Way”, “Hope for Tomorrow”, and “A Love That Lasts” seem to diffuse a sense of tranquility and a knowing for our life’s journey; evoking the calm assurance that no matter the outer circumstances, our innermost being can stand strong in the face of adversity on the foundations of love, hope and peace; the essence of who we are as spiritual beings having a human experience.

Ornamented with wordless, Enya-style vocals throughout, pieces like “Beauty Abounds”, “Clouds and Sky”, “Rose Petal Tea”, “The Noble Night”, and “The Elven Queen” take the listener through a rhapsody of the senses to a world of natural wonders and Celtic fantasia. 

Peter Plays a custom-made Lyon and Healy electric Troubadour Harp. Additionally, he plays keyboards, percussion, free-note chimes, and contributes vocals on the album, while G. Dov Gertzweig supports with violin, Richard Hardy on silver and bamboo flutes, and Hans Christian on the Cello. The album was mastered by Eric Boulanger at The Bakery Sony studios in Culver City.

If you like the ethereal timelessness of the late, great Hillary Stagg, as I do, you will find Peter’s angelic harp artistry similarly enthralling, transporting, and elevating. Plug it in to study by, or to meditate, sleep or just anytime to set the right ambience to recharge your reserves and refocus your energy. Empty your mind of all the clutter and let The Winding Way help guide you to that beautiful place of calm assurance.

~Lissette Cascante for Aural Awakenings 

For more information, please visit Peter Sterling's website. The Winding Way is also available at Amazon, Apple Music and more.

Aural Awakenings: Episode 48

A refreshing 2-hour blend of new age, world & contemporary instrumental music! (Photo credit: Tim Kuret Photography.)

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM TITLE
0:00:00 / Shunia / Har Har Mukanday / Ascend
0:05:30 / Kelly Andrew / Humanity / Revelation
0:09:58 / Wouter Kellerman & David Arkenstone / A New World / Pangaea
0:14:07 / Peter Sterling / Beauty Abounds / The Winding Way
0:17:58 / Jill Haley / Vista at Valles Caldera / The Canyons and Mesas of Bandelier
0:23:32 / Carl Weingarten / What the Raindrop Saw / Ember Days
0:29:03 / Stephen Edwards / Midnight Fear “Jen’s Theme” / Piano Music from Movies You’ve Probably Never Seen
0:32:03 / Michael Whalen / Lights of Home / Future Shock
0:37:09 / AO Music / Little Watchers / Kutumba
0:47:33 / 2002 / Rainbow Cove / Hummingbird
0:47:05 / Bill Leslie / Golden Eagle / Celtic Peace
0:50:30 / Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy / Mosaic 1 / Ravenna
0:57:22 / Rick Sparks / Bella / Bella
1:01:29 / Darlene Koldenhoven / Delphi’s Dream / The Grand Piano Spa
1:05:36 / Album Spotlight: Heart Awakening by Shambhu
1:06:43 / Shambhu / Infinite Eyes / Heart Awakening
1:11:05 / Johannes Linstead / In the Stillness of Love / Bohemian Strings
1:15:15 / Mediaeval Baebes / Domine Lesu / Prayers of the Rosary
1:18:44 / Kristen Miller / Meeting God in Heavy Boots / Cello Journeys
1:22:08 / Josefine & Trine Opsahl / Picking Flowers / The Infinite Between Us
1:26:45 / Deuter / Evening Gratitude / Song of the Last Tree
1:34:27 / Dallas David Ochoa / Cliff House / If These Walls
1:37:34 / Ciro Hurtado / Camino / Luna
1:41:36 / Ann Sweeten / Turning the Page / Change is the Wind
1:45:50 / Holland Phillips / Lights Off / Eleven After Midnight
1:48:55 / Lia Scallon / Tibetan Skygods / Return of the Star Elders

Album Review: Heart Awakening by Shambhu

Review by Abdul Yamani 

Acclaimed jazz guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Shambhu (pronounced 'SHOHM-boo') has an impressive background in diverse styles and genres, and an extensive list of big-name collaborations. He worked with Grammy winning record producer Will Ackerman on his 2010 debut album, Sacred Love, which topped New Age music charts, and has recorded with the likes of Carlos Santana, Jeff Oster, Whitney Houston, Paul McCandless, Michael Manring, Frank Martin, Premik Russell Tubbs, and Todd Boston, just to name a few.

Shambhu’s 5th album Heart Awakening (Soothing Guitar for a Peaceful World) released on his birthday anniversary, May 31st, 2021, in the New Age, Jazz and Contemporary Instrumental genres once again demonstrates his high level of skill, precision, smoothness and mastery of the guitar. The album’s easy flow comes from his desire as he puts it “to uplift, center, and ground” the listener with music which conveys a peace much needed in these uncertain times. With a unique and powerful method of combining music and the meditation practice, Shambhu mindfully allows his intuition to guide his musical creations. In past interviews Shambhu has shared that he visualizes beautiful places which he’s visited that have inspired him. He explains that when he closes his eyes, he tries to feel the essence of the spirit allowing it to flow through him so that he can pass that feeling on to his listeners and they too can visualize what those places felt like for him.

The title track opens the album with Shambhu’s tranquil acoustic guitar illuminating our way to a serene place within. Refreshingly rustic, I felt the calmness of the piece speaks to the listening heart encouraging the soul to awaken to new possibilities.

The second track “Infinite Eyes” features talented musicians Geoffrey Menin on piano, and Matteo Palmer on electric guitar with Shambhu playing both acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and e-sitar. It’s a vibrant musical symphony with variations of audible and visual interest which seem to effectively harmonize the mind, body, and spirit.

“Preparing for flight” takes on a jazzier style and tempo encouraging movement, playfulness, and soulful adventure. This piece features a variety of fun instruments such as marimba, flute, alto sax, teamed up with piano, guitars, drums, and percussion.

“Little B’s Poem” with its capturing piano-led melody complemented with Shambhu’s electric guitar and bass in a lovely sequence has a jazz flair that I really like.

Sax and acoustic guitar are paired exquisitely on the album’s last track, “Song for You”. Tubbs’ saxophone shines on this cheery duet for guitar and sax, a special gift to every listener in a gesture of friendship. This ingenious album provides an uplifting listening experience lighting a path to renewed hope and joy.

~Abdul Yamani for Aural Awakenings 

For more information, please visit Shambhu's website. Heart Awakening is also available at Amazon, Apple Music and more.