MUSIC REVIEWS

By Michael Diamond

Audrey Hope
The High Voltage Hope System
audreyhope.com

Awareness Magazine readers may recognize Audrey’s name from her “Voices Of Hope” column, which appears regularly in the publication, offering uplifting passages and transformational poetry. She may also be familiar to some for her work in the entertainment industry as an actress, producer, and talk show host. Her award-winning internationally-syndicated cable TV show “Real Women,” featured interviews with some of the best-known luminaries in the field of women’s issues and spirituality.

Audrey’s latest production is a CD entitled “The High Voltage Hope System” which draws upon many years as an intuitive spiritual healer and addiction specialist at a prestigious celebrity rehab center in Malibu, and shares ancient wisdom along with the modern techniques for healing, manifesting, activating higher awareness, working with energy fields, and achieving inner peace in our daily lives.

Although this is not a “music review” per se, there is a lovely keyboard soundtrack by Paul Armitage that plays in the background behind her narration and guided meditations. Audrey has a wonderful speaking voice that is a pleasure to listen to, and is a natural talent for explaining metaphysical concepts in understandable terms that can be translated into easy-to-follow action steps.

Subtitled, “Crack the Code of Your Life,” the secret of change as she sees it, is to go deep and heal at the “root of the root.” Drawing from her own experience and supplemented with quotes from well-known authors such as Joseph Campbell, Dr. Judith Orloff, Victor Frankel, and others, Audrey offers a powerful tool for self empowerment and alchemical transformation.



Candice Night
Reflections
www.candicenight.com

As the “Night” in the Renaissance-influenced band Blackmore’s Night, lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Candice Night shares the spotlight with her husband Richie Blackmore, the former guitarist of Deep Purple and Rainbow. On “Reflections,” her first solo album, she ventures forth to explore diverse new musical territory that showcases her remarkable voice and stylistic range.

While the music does exhibit the aforementioned diversity with elements of folk, rock, pop, country, Celtic, and more, there are some common threads to be found on a thematic level. Relationships, love, or loss of love are subjects that Candice waxes poetically and soulfully about on a number of the songs.

When asked to define this album in three words, the words she chose were: “haunted, romantic, and escape.” These words do indeed go a long way in describing the overall feel of the music.

Although written descriptions about a recording can only provide a rough sketch of the artistry contained within, they can hopefully share a glimpse at the incredible talent and scope of this gifted songstress. Being a fan of Blackmore’s Night, as well as having reviewed their excellent “Autumn Sky” CD, it is gratifying to see Candice Night step out and create a solo project that is truly a “reflection” of her impressive abilities.

This album is lavishly produced and takes the listener on a journey where what’s around the next corner is sure to be as unexpected as it is delightful.



Deva Premal
Password
www.DevaPremalMiten.com

The latest CD from Deva Premal, “Password,” opens a door to a fresh perspective on an ancient art form of devotional singing. Accompanying her soul-stirring voice, Deva’s long-time musical and life partner Miten makes an appearance on guitar and vocals, as does frequent collaborator Manose, who plays Nepalese bansuri flute.

Adding to the mix and helping to provide a somewhat new direction to the music is a long list of talented jazz musicians from Copenhagen. This direction integrates her Indian mantra chanting into a context that has more pop and smooth jazz influences than many of her previous and more traditional recordings.

While Deva Premal and Miten’s classical chant albums have sold over one million units, they are always open to expanding their healing music and message to a wider audience, and “Password” provides a more accessible entry to those who may not be attuned to the more exotic flavors of Indian music and mantras. In Deva’s words: “Mantras are passwords that transform the mundane into the sacred.”

While the album is indeed a blending of East and West, she describes it as “a fusion of sound and silence” as well. The music, which is noted as having “a lyrical spacious atmosphere,“ also features an interesting variety of percussive and rhythmic elements. The combination is often entrancing and hypnotic. Although mantra chanting can be traced back through the midsts of time, contemporary artists like Deva Premal are bringing its much-needed soothing influence to today’s fast-paced world.



Sherry Finzer
Sanctuary ll: Earth
www.sherryfinzer.com

“Sanctuary ll: Earth” marks the second in Sherry Finzer’s series of new age relaxation music. I had the pleasure of reviewing the first release, “Sanctuary,” and I’m happy to spread the word about her latest offering. Sherry, who is based in Phoenix, Arizona, is well known for her talent and versatility on the flute and she plays a variety of them, both in her live performances with a number of different ensembles, as well as on her recordings.

However on “Sanctuary ll” it is the alto flute in particular that is heard on all the tracks. Throughout the album I was aware of how delicated and supportive the accompanying nature sounds, acoustic guitar or keyboards were, never drawing your attention away from the flute’s sweet song.



Catherine Marie Charlton
Red Leaf, Grey Sky
www.catherinemariecharlton.com

Catherine is a very talented recording artist, composer, and improviser who has performed in Europe, South America, and
throughout the U.S., and even received an accolade from the Grammy-winning pianist George Winston who said of her: “Charlton has a unique and beautiful dedication to composing for the piano.”

I think the concept of “quality over quantity” is appropriate to mention in that, while the six songs on this recording clock in at just under 25 minutes, it is so rich in content that it doesn’t feel like an abbreviated work by the time you are finished listening to it. Perhaps it would be best classified as an EP (extended play).

Catherine has an interesting style on the piano that draws equally from new age, jazz, and classical. Not surprising since her influences include: George Winston, Liz Story, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Cecil Taylor, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Debussy. But the way in which she integrates these influences is what makes her special.

Overall, her compositions are quite sensitive and lovely, however, once in a while you hear something in them that makes you aware that she is not afraid to tread closer to the edge musically and let her more left-of-center jazz inclinations show.

Some solo piano recordings can work well as background music to set a mood, while others like this one inspire more active listening and ask more of the listener. Those looking for an evocative and eclectic musical journey, will certainly find it in the piano portraits of “Red Leaf, Grey Sky.”

Michael Diamond is a music producer, recording artist, and music journalist in the San Francisco Bay area with over 30 years of experience writing for nationally-published magazines and more recently worldwide on the internet. He currently has five CD’s including two with new age music pioneer Steven Halpern. For additional reviews of CD’s, DVD’s, and more, please visit: www.michaeldiamondmusic.com