Search - Steven Halpern, Paul McCandless :: Perfect Alignment

Quiet Moments With Two Reeds

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 05/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Paul McCandless, who can play every woodwind from the pennywhistle to the English horn and make it sound effortless, has been a noted contributor to the Jazz scene for some 30 years. He is also possessed of a faultless background in classical oboe - a student of Robert Bloom, as well as a past member of the Paul Winter Consort. In other words, he is very, very good.



While I'm not a great fan of 'healing' music, which tends to be a little to soothing and formless for my tastes, McCandless's discipline and style make something else of the genre entirely. Partnered with Stephen Halpern on this album they create a musical experience which really is music and not simply background for a Reiki studio. It works as Jazz, and that is more important to me than the genre itself.



McCandless's tone is more colorful than the classic 'French' oboe style that has become popular in the U.S. But there is no harshness or nasality to it. McCandless is velvet smooth, but not glassy. In Blue Nile, for example, he takes you for an amazing tour of his instrument, working and embellishing his melody without ever settling into a false, Egyptian sound. Then, in Celtic Comfort, he switches to the flute, capturing the styling of Irish melody without every slavishly following it.



Steve Halpren is Steve Halpren as usual, backing the soloist up with his characteristic keyboard work. This is probably just as well, since McCandless's delicate lines are what you really want to be hearing. Halpren is probably the best at this genre, but I find that all to often his playing lacks personality. Of course, that's probably exactly the way he wants it to be.



In any case, whether you are interested in healing music or McCandless's polished music making this is an album to put on your list."

Perfect alignment indeed...

grego | Enumclaw, Wa USA | 12/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Looking for some new sounds and a unique approach to healing music? This 2002 collaboration between Stephen Halpern and Paul McCandless is a refreshing change of pace for both artists and leads in some interesting and unexpected directions.

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This quote from the liner notes describes the music well: "...showcases their almost telepathic communication that bridges New Age, classical, smooth jazz, neo-soul and world music. It features an ethereal combination of atmospheric textures and traditional healing rhythms from Ghana and ancient Persia."

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And listen to what Stephen Halpern has to say about collaborating with Paul McCandless: "As I pre-produced the arrangements in preparation for Paul's arrival, in my mind's ear I heard melodic ideas that would complete the musical vision. From the first moments of the recording session, it was clear that Paul had tuned into a similar vision. There was a level of unspoken communication that was mind-blowing. On many songs, Paul played exactly what I was hearing inside my head. On other songs, his long, elegiac melodies sprang effortlessly from the wellspring of his own soaring creativity, and took the music to new heights."

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Depending on where I had the volume set, I found these soothing sounds worked equally well as foreground or background music. Playing quietly in the background, it will support and even enhance conversation. Crank the volume and prepare to be captivated and focused 100% on the music.

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Although the CD is a generous 74 minutes long, it's not long enough, and I like to put the CD player on "repeat" and listen to it over and over. Somehow, all that repetition never sounds repetitious. Repeated listenings just carry me deeper and deeper inside to a place of "perfect alignment." Recommended."

Paul McCandless Shines

Charles Calvert | Bellevue, WA United States | 02/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This a wonderful album that is easy to listen to, yet contains challenging and interesting performances. I generally like Steve Halperns music, but I will confess that I understand why some people find him a bit bland. Adding Paul McCandless to the mix, however, changes everything. This album has the easy listening strengths of a Steve Halpern album, but it is dominated by the first rate playing of the excellent Paul McCandless. The music on these tracks works in the background, but it has real depth if you decide to listen closely. McCandless is a first rate musician. He has excellent technique, and is both creative and very expressive. The songs are soothing and warm, and yet McCandless plays so well, and with such an adventuresome spirit, that one can sit down and appreciate this as great music, as fine jazz. The compositions on this album are all quite strong, and some tracks have interesting performances by a drummer and bassist."