A Beautiful CD
Janet Boyer | Pennsylvania | 06/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Observations in the Woods is a heartfelt musical journey through the beauty, the sadness, the magic, and the majesty that exists within the depths and the boundaries of the forest." -Wayne Kelling
Musician Wayne Kelling has never been so inspired to the point of "hearing" the music before it was written. The process of creating his recently released debut album Observations in the Woods had a profound affect on him, especially since he composed, played, recorded, and mixed the music himself.
Wayne's background includes 45 years playing piano, 34 years playing acoustic guitar, and 8 years playing drums. Growing up with a piano in the house, everyone in his family got involved I making music "happen". His first experience with the acoustic guitar was in 1970 where he bought one for $5 in South Vietnam and fell in love with its sound.
With a run-time of 39:14, Observations in the Woods is an instrumental CD which features 15 compositions:
At the Edge of the Forest
2. Dance of the Dewdrops
Sunrise on North Face
A Leaf on the Wind
Morning Flowers
Faces in the Pond - Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
An Eagle Soars By
The Last Flight of the Butterfly
From Here To There (The Ascension of Christ)
As the Sun Falls
I must Say Goodbye
Movin' On
At the Edge of the Forest begins the CD with anticipatory and reverent synthesizers, while Dance of the Dewdrops evokes the sound, feel and sight of gently falling drops of water. Sunrise on the North Face continues with synthesizers picking up where song 1 left off. A Leaf on the Wind beckons with gentle piano, and songs 6-9 features a quiet mixture of piano and synthesizer.
The Last Flight of the Butterfly combines piano and acoustic guitar, with background synthesizers. On From Here To There (The Ascension of Christ) gently swelling synthesizers hint of something magnificent taking place-ascension-then the ethereal sounds fade into quietude. As the Sun Falls is subdued-almost somber-suggesting a sense of wistfulness. I Must Say Goodbye starts with notes of farewell, then flows into acoustic guitar reminiscent of a harpsichord-taking time to say what needs to be said with calm finality. This relaxing CD ends with the hopeful Movin' On, where acoustic guitar and soaring synthesizers travel to yet another appointed place on the journey-a journey full of hope, wonderment, and stillness.
Observations in the Woods is a joy to listen to. Each composition can stand alone, but together, there is superb thematic continuity both technically and aesthetically. This instrumental CD so soothing, the first time I put it in the CD player for my husband to listen to, he fell asleep! The relaxing compositions are wonderfully appropriate for prayer, spiritual reading, meditation, massage, or other contemplative, healing practice.
Wayne relates this poignant moment when his father first heard this CD: "How humbling it has been to see tears in my father's eyes, knowing it was not from the pride of a father for his son, but from the depth of emotion that this music stirred in him. Somehow, for me, it makes all the years of work worthwhile.""
From MainlyPiano.com
Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 06/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Observations in the Woods" is a gorgeous collection of fifteen original pieces by multi-instrumentalist Wayne Kelling. The liner notes describe it as "a heartfelt, musical journey through the beauty, the sadness, the magic, and the majesty that exist within the depths and boundaries of the forest.... this music unfolds the wonder of the innermost intimacy between nature and one's soul that will surely stir feelings deep within you." The music is more ambient than melodic, creating a musical place to retreat to for peace and renewal. This is a keyboard album more than a piano album, and Kelling also plays acoustic guitar on several tracks to lovely effect. Many of the pieces are ethereal and elegant while some have a more expansive "soundtrack" feeling. The mood stays mostly consistent, but never repetitive or boring. Along with the music, the CD liner notes contain poetic vignettes describing the inspiration for the music and lovely reproductions of Kelling's aunt's paintings that beautifully illustrate the musical scenes. It's a really nice package!
The CD opens with "At the Edge of the Forest," a piece that evokes the mystery and majesty of entering a forest and the pull one feels from within the self as well as the forest to become a small part of it. "Dance of the Dewdrops" is a magical piece that sparkles like reflected light dancing off the morning dew. The use of bells and angelic voices make this piece a delight. "Sunrise on North Face" is cinematic, allowing you to really sense the changing light and colors as they move up the mountain at dawn - still and yet profound. "Morning Flowers" is an orchestrated piano and guitar piece that soothes with its delicate beauty. String washes and wordless vocals enhance the gentle mood. "Faces On the Pond I-IV" is a group of short pieces that show how the "face" of a forest pond changes depending on what or who it is reflecting. I especially like #2, which has the feeling of a gentle breeze blowing through it. "An Eagle Soars By" also has the sweep of a film soundtrack, conveying the awe of seeing one of these magnificent birds in the air and the freedom the eagle itself must feel as it glides through the air. "Last Flight of the Butterfly" is one of the only truly sad songs on the album, and Kelling keeps it simple and compelling with minimal accompaniment to his guitar. Composed in memory of a close friend, this piece is deeply touching, as is "I Must Say Goodbye," the other sad one. "Movin' On" closes out the set with a bittersweet guitar piece that is both soothing and poignant. What a satisfying musical journey!
"Observations In the Woods" is like a gentle massage for the mind. Seven years in the making, it has obviously been a labor of love for Wayne Kelling. Very highly recommended!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1