The Washington Post (published October 15, 2004)
L. Kolota | 02/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It took composer and keyboardist Jennifer Cutting seven years and several Atlantic crossings to complete her "Ocean" journey, to meld sea and soul, myth and music into a thoroughly absorbing listening experience. It may take the rest of us nearly as long to fully appreciate the achievement.
No mere folksy, salt-water song cycle, "Ocean: Songs for the Night Sea Journey" is an album-length enchantment, orchestrated with great care, imagination and color. Cutting, well known in folk-rock circles for her tenure with the New St. George, wrote or arranged all of the music, drawing from sources as diverse as J.S. Bach, Gustav Holst and fusion guitarist Steve Morse. Among her own compositions is "Forgiveness," a splendid showcase for special guest Maddy Prior's soulful soprano. But the Steeleye Span vet isn't the only singer who leaves a deep impression.. Grace Griffith brings an angelic voice and yearning emotions to several ballads, beginning with the welcome unearthing of an ancient Irish song, "The Gladdest Breeze." Singers Polly Bolton and Lisa Moscatiello also contribute to the album's haunting charms, while Bulgarian vocalist Tatiana Sarbinska and the Washington-based women's ensemble Slaveya create a spellbinding weave all their own on "Neptune Reel / Woman of the House." Surrounding Cutting is a stellar cast of instrumentalists, many of them based in the Washington area, who share her talent for gracefully incorporating traditional and contemporary influences.
In the liner notes to "Ocean," Cutting writes: "May you lose yourself in its changing waters, only to find yourself again, renewed and restored." It's a wish fulfilled.
Mike Joyce"
A compelling mystical musical journey
J. Callahan | Phoenix, AZ | 04/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This composition is a truly magical mystical hero's journey into haunting and healing melodies and lyrics! From the cover art, the liner notes, quotations, and without question the music one is immediately taken with the first sounds of the waves and the siren's voice calling you to discover what is next on this wonderful composition. I love it and am telling everyone I know to buy this CD immediately! Hurrah for you Jennifer for staying the course with your vision. May you have much success and continue to compose such visionary music. The world needs this kind of healing now more than ever! Bravo!"
Beautiful Journey
Cynthia M. Garland | MD. USA | 07/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just saw Jennifer Cutting perform with the equally incredible Grace Griffith (who does vocals on the album) and the Ocean Orchestra at a store in Hagerstown, MD outside Washington D.C. Jennifer richly deserves all the awards she has won! I, like all in the audience, was blown away! This is truly a transcendent body of work that transports the listener to a magical place in one's soul. I purchased four copies of this CD as Christmas presents for friends.
I also recommend the groups Connemara and The New St. George, and the solo projects of Grace Griffith who, despite the young onset of Parkinson's Disease, has an otherworldly angelic voice and an inspiringly wonderful spirit. In short, listening to this cd will make you feel so good in so many ways. My love, best wishes and gratitude to all involved in this project."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
