Distant Thunder

Checkfield | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 29, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: American Gramaphone
• ASIN: B000008E63
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,346 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Our Pleasure, February 26, 2004

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Distant Thunder (Audio CD)

Noted for both tight composition and lush instrumentation, the team of S. John Archer and Ron Satterfield have been nominated for the Grammy award four times. For the most part they have an exuberant rhythmic style that lays down a groove and then hauls the listener down the road with them. While they are not the only musicians to approach contemporary instrumental music in this fashion, they are one of the most talented pairings in the business.

Distant Thunder, dated 1987, was their big break into popularity. The works vary in style from the celebratory vibrations of Spring Dance to the quieter, more contemplative After the Rain and Woodland Cathedral. But rarely does Checkfield's work come anywhere close to somnolent dreaminess. There is a certain purposefulness to the compositions - a clear sense of development and direction.

Another thing that sets Checkfield apart is their willingness to include scat and other vocal instrumentation in their work. When they do it is rarely center stage, but arises so easily that one second, you don't hear it, and the next you are riding along side. And then, just as easily, it disappears. Satterfield has a natural voice for this (listen to Spring Dance) and I with there was more of it. Close listening reveals even more unexpected depth.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inviting and Colorful Soundscape; Their Best!, December 29, 2009

By 

D. Mitchell (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Distant Thunder (Audio CD)

This is really Checkfield's best CD. I have 'Water Wind and Stone', 'Through the Lens' and have sampled others; 'Distant Thunder' is the most inviting, colorful and imaginary of all their works. I have peacefully slumbered, dreamed, worked-out, partied and dinned to this delightful CD. I would roughly rate it this way (out of 5 stars): Tracks 1,2,5,7 and 8 Five Stars; Tracks 3,4,6, and 9 Four Stars. This is not a jazz oriented CD but inviting lively and colorfully themed soundscapes.

Sound quality is superb as the American Gramophone catalog has largely been digitally recorded.

You will not be disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of THE Best Talents in Mannheim Steamroller, August 13, 2007

By 

Yellowstone - See all my reviews

This review is from: Distant Thunder (Audio CD)

Only talents of compostion, arrangement and playing an instrument like this come from God; and boy does it show in Checkfield's works. My husband and I own all of what he and Steamroller have given to the world to enjoy. We thank him!!!!