From Wind and Wire, Issue 6
Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 01/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This debut recording by Ken Elkinson is quiet, intimate, and deeply personal. His gentle, graceful touch never becomes cloying or cliched, and his use of changing rhythms within a piece keeps the songs fresh and interesting with repeated listenings. Although the mood of the CD stays soothing and restful all the way through, most of the pieces are distinctive and individual. All have a smooth easy flow, but there are darker passages and minor chord changes to give the album a broader musical palette of colors. I really like the lightness and elegance of "Waves", "Hope", and "Waiting", and then the contrasting darker chords of "Dancing Eyes". "Midnight Conversation" has a sweet poignance as well as a gentle urgency. The more solid, blocked chords in "Words Never Spoken" and the closing cut, "A New Day" give them a very classical feel wrapped around the tender "I Watch Her Sleep". I look forward to hearing more from Ken Elkinson in the future!"