Search - Mannheim Steamroller :: Fresh Aire II

Opens the door to music straight from the heart...Mr. Davis

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 09/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chip Davis once again takes us through that magical door with lasting impressions of his genius...not only do we experience the different moods on this musical journey, but the trance you find yourself in...is exhilarating. Excellent theme work is present on every track...but the stand out is PURE TALENT, The Mannheim Steamroller Gang...a fine example is ~ "INTERLUDE V", "VELVET TEAR", "A SHADE TREE" (one of my favorites), "TOOTA LUTE" and finally "GOING TO ANOTHER PLACE", as we listen to Jackson Berkey (piano/harpsichord), Eric Hansen (classical guitar/lute/bass) and of course our composer (drums/recorders/dulcimer/percussion), the extraordinary author of this enchanting release ~ CHIP DAVIS!You might try other Mannheim Steamroller releases, all worthy of a good listen ~ "Fresh Aire 8" (AG-888-2)..."25 Year Celebration of Mannheim Steamroller" (AG25-2)..."Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse" (1023897)..."Fresh Aire VI" (AG-5006-2)...please check out my reviews on amazon.com/music.Total Time: 35:45 on 14 Tracks ~ American Gramaphone AG-5002-2 ~ (1977)(2000-remastered in HDCD)"

"Free Flight of Fancy"

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 03/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The central piece on the album is a Fantasia composed of a instrumental chorale in Renaissance style, which serves as the inspiration for a series of seven 'doors' which are sometimes variations of the chorale's them and sometimes true flights of fancy. The style of the doors ranges from Baroque to modern pop rock with plenty of variety in between. Each of the doors is intended to express an emotion, or so the liner notes explain. I found it a very enjoyable essay, but the emotional content is more intellectual in nature than visceral.The remaining five pieces stand very well on their own. A combination of acoustic and electronic that can't help but appeal to the ear. This a a more introspective set, starting out with Interlude V, which is a ostensible a melody over arpeggios with some interesting effects in the bass line.Velvet Tear is piano over strings. A lush and romantic performance that suits its title. There's a bit of a touch of music to it, but one doesn't mind. It brings up all those classic romantic images of Victorian parlours and staring at the rain.I found shade Tree interesting because of the use of a heavily plucked steel guitar to strike a contrast with what is otherwise a very contemplative and melodic piece.Toota Lute is a return to the rhythmic dance music of the Renaissance. It used the interplay between two very distinct instruments (I suspect lute and classic guitar), strings, and recorder.Going to another place is a classic finale, starting out on dulcimer and then setting up a groove and wandering all over in a style that's hard to describe, other than eclectic, toe-tapping and good.I think this is probably my favorite of the various efforts by Mannheim Steamroller - a perfect expression of their crossover styling of ancient and modern music. Don Sears, Jackson Berkey, Eric Hansen, Chip Davis (and a vast cast of supporting musicians) manage the kind of creativity that makes the album both easy to listen to and memorable at the same time. The kind of album you keep near the CD player."

Still one of the best

David | 02/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After eight albums of "Fresh Aire," and several albums in various other series, this second album remains among my favorites. It introduces the "Going To Another Place" theme, which has become something of a signature piece for Mannheim (used in various forms on many of their albums), and for that track alone, it's worth a listen. The concept may be too "new agey" for some. The first half of the album is presented as though you are standing in an arena of sorts, and various doors surrounding you are opening and revealing different emotions. For example, when Door #4 (track 4) opens, you're supposed to feel relaxed, hence the quiet nature of that piece. When Door #5 opens, there's a sense of "frenetic energy," and the music is appropriately upbeat. Yes, it's a corny ploy, and I'm not sure how it fits the concept of Fall that this album is supposedly built around, but the music is good regardless.
Much of the music makes use of Baroque instruments-- harpsichords, recorders, trumpets, etc... but quite often arranged in a modern style. This has been a hallmark of Chip Davis' composition in the early part of the Fresh Aire series, and it works particularly well here."