Customer Reviews

Seeking The Light

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I've never thought of myself as a New Age music fan. Although I have nothing against Gregorian chants, the sound of whales, rain in the forest, Celtic music, etc., I was born and raised listening to Rock `N Roll. I spend most of my music time listening to Classic Rock. So, it was with more than a slight amount of hesitation that I clicked on the "Add to Shopping Cart" button beside Eric McCarl's Seeking The Light Within. This CD had come highly recommended from a friend whose music judgment I trust. Well, from the opening notes of "All this Wonder" to the final fade of "Hello Aja", I experienced a journey not unlike the first time I put the headphones on to listen to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" from start to finish. What a trip!

The liner notes of the CD speak of an internal journey and of secrets once heard but long since forgotten. On the inside cover of the CD booklet is what can only be referred to as a poem about Light. Now, the closest I ever got to poetry was reading the lyrics to Bob Dylan, yet there was something very captivating in this story. I re-read it several times.

As far as solo piano is concerned, Eric seems to allow the listeners mind to be the background orchestration to the music. I've since discussed this CD with the friend who referred me, and even though we both highly enjoy the music, we disagree as to which instruments we could imagine supporting the CD in various places. For instance, in the song "Alone", I hear the perfect accompaniment to be a nylon string guitar, where she swears that the French Horn would be the only way to go. In the song "Take Me Home", I would love to hear a String Quartet accompanying, while she hears, of all instruments, an Accordion (She says it's an Italian thing)! I find it interesting that Eric's music can evoke such different reactions between 2 individuals with such similar taste in music.

Although one CD doth not a New Age fan make, Eric McCarl's Seeking The Light Within seems to transcend Musical Genres, and does what every truly great CD (or Album) seems to do: It holds a unique message for each listener. And, as his bio states that his influences include Elton John (especially, in my opinion, early Elton), I can, without guilt, listen to this CD and still feel a connection to my Rock and Roll roots.

This is a wonderful listening experience!

Seeking The Light Within, the first release by Eric McCarl and Weaving Libra Records, is sure to put both names on the New Age map. In his debut CD, Eric McCarl writes of life, lessons and looking back. This CD contains 15 songs of solo piano and nearly 65 minutes of music. I was fortunate to receive one of his first Artist Profiles, and here's what Eric wrote as a description of the song "To be a Man":

"I wrote this song at a very interesting time in my life, where I had just decided to give up fighting upstream, and let the river of life carry me where I was supposed to go. This concept of letting go has been a part of many religious and spiritual teachings, even used in 12-step programs - "Let go and let God." If memory serves me correctly, I was standing in a musical instrument repair shop on a Tuesday afternoon, unemployed, with no idea where my next paycheck (much less the rent check) was going to come from, listening to a used instrument salesman pitching a piece of gear -- "only used for two hours in a very famous Recording Studio in Hollywood . . ." when I wandered away toward an electric piano that was being repaired by a kid who obviously didn't want any attention. When he finally, sheepishly looked up from his work, he told me that he had reworked the manufacturer's sound on the piano, and asked if I would like to hear how it sounded. I said yes, and put the headphones on and touched the keys. The resulting sound possessed a beauty that was unlike anything I'd ever heard, and my hands wrote this song. This song is about trusting in a higher power than ourselves, and maybe more so, realizing that sometimes immense beauty exists in those that are the most afraid to show it."

With this kind of insight, it is no surprise that each song takes the listener on their own internal journey. I've listened to this CD several times, and each time I hear something new or experience different thoughts. At a point in our history when it is most important to search inside ourselves for answers, this CD couldn't have come along at a better time.

I highly recommend "Seeking The Light Within!" I look forward to the next two installments of this trilogy.

I love this CD! It creates a peaceful and expansive mood whenever I play it. Eric's music is uncluttered, upbeat and inspiring.

Simple review: Wonderful!!! We listen to this a lot! Mr. McCarl is a master of relaxing / contemplative piano music.

I find Tony's music very relaxing after a stressful day. Great guitar work to sooth frazzled nerves. I'm seriously looking forward to receiving the next one.

"Seeking the Light" is the first in a series of solo piano albums titled "The Trilogy of Light." To quote composer Eric McCarl from his website, "'Seeking the Light' is about the realization that each of us has a unique gift which is meant to be used toward the greater good. Each of us are part of a master plan. We are all of one, and one of all. There are great and bountiful blessings to be found by focusing our attention from the external to the internal. There has never been a time in the life of our Universe that this realization has been more essential. This is a message to the few and to the many: It is not too late to look for the answers that that can only be found within. May this music be the perfect vehicle for that internal journey..." Quiet and contemplative, this is indeed, wonderful music for soul-searching, relaxing, daydreaming, or simply a calming and uplifting musical experience. With themes like childlike innocence and wonder, family, close friends, and looking within, the music tends to be spare and open, allowing listeners to kind of fall into the music. There are no fireworks, but the music is passionate and deeply emotional.

"All This Wonder" was the first piece McCarl played on his new (after many used) grand piano. The song is very minimalist, and represents the infinite possibilities at the begining of our lives. It is quiet, inquisitive, and full of hope. "Mind of a Child" is also very open and free, and McCarl uses the sustain pedal to "allow the rich, complex `bouquet' of the grand piano to come through. This sound, to me, is the mind of a child." The sound is simple and direct, but McCarl's harmonies and rubato rhythm make this a satisfying musical experience. I had to chuckle at his inclusion of "the knuckle song" (I don't know any other title for it!) at the end - the mind of a child, indeed! "Little Star" is a charming theme and variations on the children's song. "Ballet" is a darkly beautiful piece - slow and graceful, but deeply emotional. It's easy to imagine a young dancer alone in a large space, moving to the music of her soul. "Colours" is very fluid and peaceful - a daydream set to music. "Take Me Home" is my favorite in this collection. It is about that moment of clarity when we realize we are responsible for our own destinies and taking responsibility for that. There are feelings of questioning and searching, and also of hope and resolve. A journey in itself, this is a deeply personal and revealing piece, as well as a very beautiful one. "Beyond the Sea" conveys the perfect peace I feel at the ocean, and dreams of "a place of peace, community, and where everyone was free and life was easy."

"Seeking the Light" is a wonderful debut, and I'm really looking forward to parts two and three of the trilogy. A soothing musical journey for the mind and the soul.

I loved this cd... it's peaceful and refreshing. It's simplicity is appealing and beautiful. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. McCarl and he is as nice as his music. I highly recommend this cd!