Seven Falls is Marshall Styler's seventh release, but is a first for me. The music was inspired by the special people and places in Styler's life, and the title comes from the Finger Lakes region (in New York) where his wife was from.
Styler performs his music on seven different keyboards, some of which are older and provide a warmer sound than some of the newer synths. Most of the melodies are played as piano, but they sound electronic to me, too - not a negative, just a little different sound from an acoustic piano. It's interesting because the newer keyboards are getting better at emulating other instruments, but some of the earlier keyboards had sounds that weren't supposed to be anything but interesting sounds. Styler's use of those sounds makes the music seem a little more vintage, but that isn't a negative point, either. Styler's "music is designed to relax, heal, and uplift the body, mind, and soul," so there are no sudden dynamic or tempo changes, making it also a good choice for reading, studying, and quiet background music.
"Flight of the Great Blue (South Padre Island)" begins the album with a quiet serenity and gentle sparkle. Flowing strings, a relaxed but free piano melody, and various ethereal sounds give an inviting indication of what's to come.
"All I Had to Hear You Say" is unabashedly romantic and tender. Warm string washes behind the piano and keyboards give the piece a contented glow. Greg Walker appears on guitars on "Camden to Monhegan," providing a nice contrast to the keyboards. "Welcome Back to Dreamland" is one of my favorites. A bit more melancholy than some of the other eight pieces, I like the dreamy, reflective feel of the piece. "Mandala (Mary's Waltz)" was inspired by the circular nature of the mandalas Styler's mother made from her own pressed and dried flowers - again very serene, tender, and contented.
The title track is a deeply emotional love song that floats on air. "One Day In One Heart" offers hope and reassurance as the angelic background voices soothe and calm. The closing piece, "Adirondack," is my favorite track. Somewhat more improvisational, the simplicity of the piece is very effective. The piano seems to meander at will while the background strings and ambient sounds keep it somewhat grounded. It's a beautiful way to close!
Kathy Parsons
DREAMAKER DVD
Over one hour of great images by renowned photographer James Innes featuring selected pieces from Marshall's CDs.
Watch A Face in the Clouds excerpt from the DVD
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A message from
the artist I
began my three-CD trilogy in 1995 with the recording
of Bluefields, followed in 1996 with Mockingbird Station,
and rounding out the project with Red River Crossing
in 1998.These
compositions reflect my impressions of the people
and places in Texas I have come to know and love
since crossing the Red River for the first time
in 1986. The trilogy is dedicated to my wife, Kate,
who had the gift of making anything possible!
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