Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Monday, 5 January 2015
Two Ravens: Volume I - Samuel Gray Edmondson
Two Ravens: Volume I - Samuel Gray Edmondson
First I have to say I really love this album! (probably why I'm posting about it). I find one man and a guitar really is a pure, naked form of music. In the same way the acoustic guitar is the truest representation of it's players personality. Samuel really knows how to make his guitar sound like it is really is being played, as if it is screaming out "I'm Alive!"
One of the key features I enjoy about the album is it's constant shift of dynamics and speed. It doesn't just blurt out 9 cloned tracks of predictable fingerpicking, it is a weave of textures that changes with every song.
The first track 'Her Ribs Became Wings' is one of the more slower paced and shorter tunes on the album yet, to me, it bares the most melodic richness. Long cascades of notes that resonate in folk-like harmonies. Though it is only 50 odd seconds long it still paints a detailed picture.
There is then quite a noticable jump to the second track 'Hopalong'. The tempo, tonality and playing technique juxtapose the previous track brilliantly and when I listen to it I definitely see two birds hopping and lolloping along side by side. There is a glut of life and adventure in this piece and, for me, the highlight of the album.
From there on through tracks 3 and 4 Samuels playing style does not get tiresome, instead it develops into a whole new spectrum of tonality. On track 4 'To William' the sounds changes completely to a darker sound, soaked in reverb. The change is very effective in providing a change in the album. Almost like a half time for the listener. After this 'half time' vocals are introduced to the idea.
On track 5 'Muirne' he two supporting vocalists Melodie Kauff and Ida Rotto pair with the guitarist Samuel to create a gilded flowing harmony that soothes the ears like honey. However the simplistic timbre of vocals and guitar do not affect the complex composition of the song.
From there, there's three more lavish tunes until the album comes to an end with 'Rivers and Roads' another brilliant vocal tune. The chordal melodies in this song closes up 'Volume 1 of Two Ravens' beautifully.
As a listener the two vocal tracks in the album pop up out of no where and surprise me, and that is... really quite nice. They jut out in a wonderful way that really compliments the other tracks.
Thanks to Samuel Gray Edmondson for creating such a wonderful album, I really enjoyed it and is well worth buying.
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