Customer Reviews

Sky of Mind

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What Ray Lynch creates in his debut recording is a unique blend of rhythm, harmony and melody. The ringing of Tibetan bells ushers in the opening "Quandra", a soothing movement of flute, cello and keyboard. There is a wondrous joy expressed in both "Good News" and "Green is Here", and a deeply meditative presence in "Temple" and "Pavane". The beautiful middle score, "Too Wounded", evokes the image of an angel whispering in the night; there is serenity in the piano notes lingering in the quiet.

Lynch's music is deeply emotional in the vein of Mozart's "Requiem", Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony", and Rachmaninov's "Prelude in G Minor". The music becomes an invitation to look inside yourself and find that which is better than you thought possible.

Accept the invitation to explore his music, and witness the accomplishments of an extraordinary talent.

I bought this CD after running across some of the tracks on the Hearts of Space website. I'm not familiar with Lynch's later work - people say it's much different. The six tracks here, which range over the territory between Western classical and New Age music, are framed/separated by interludes of bells, sort of analogously to "Pictures at an Exhibition". But these "pictures" are of diverse mental states.

I am surprised that anyone would consider these pieces to be flat or non-thematic or lump them together under the heading of "meditation music". "Temple" is meditative; "Green is Here" sort of. "Good News" is cheerful and comforting. The other three tracks are highly thematic and emotional; in the case of "Pavane" I would even use words like "passionate" or "anguished". "Pavane" is very much in the tradition of pieces like Barber's "Adagio for Strings" or some of Vaughan Williams' works. I think it's a real gem.

"Quendra" is not quite so emotionally charged, but is very engaging, with a melodic line that is questing, anxious, and compassionate (if that makes any sense). The sixth track, "Too Wounded", affected me deeply. It features a very simple melody, played on the piano as if by a single hand, over a background of strings. But the very human phrasing of the keystrokes, lagging behind the beat and seeming uneven, even faltering to me, imparted to me a very emotional message. For me it was like listening to someone who has actually been badly damaged, physically struggling to pick out a tune on the keyboard, fighting to retain hope. Maybe this is just a statement about my own mood at the time, and who knows if Lynch intended anything like this, but that's what I got from it.

Together with the more meditative pieces - and I'm not at all dismissing "Temple" by calling it that, I think it's quite lovely - and tied together by the bell interludes, I think it all makes a very beautiful, creatively assembled, and satisfying collection.

The four albums by Ray Lynch convey a wide range of musical personalities and all are excellent. The songs on Sky Of Mind can be classified as low energy and introspective. These tracks may not generate the instant affinity of Lynch's lively pop "Celestial Soda Pop" and so may take a few listens to appreciate. However, they are astounding, complex melodies and beautiful renditions.

You can really hear Ray Lynch's classical music training in this album. His pieces are beautifully structured, atmospheric, and somehow both tranquil and dramatic at the same time. It reminded me somewhat of Ralph Vaughan Williams. I believe this is his best effort.

I have been a Ray Lynch fan for many years; his soothing, unique music is unlike anything I have ever heard. Although I have no favourite album by him (I like them all), I must recomend The Sky of Mind. It takes to emotional extremes: from the morose and depressed meolody of Too Wounded to the joyful Good News. Anyone who enjoys good music should give Ray Lynch a chance.

I have used this album with over 100 groups, as background to my spoken guided relaxation exercise. Now retired from my college job where I taught among other things, a unit on stress management, I recently ordered a CD to replace my old tape. It is not only incredibly relaxing, but the music is so sublimely beautiful, it never fails to transport me into a place of peace and goodwill. While I seldom listen to anything other than classical music, this album is utterly precious to me! I checked into Ray Lynch's website & was fascinated with his bio. Learning his background made me realize why his music so profoundly affects me.

One of the most beautiful collections of peaceful music I have ever heard. Ideal for relaxing or for background during massage, Reiki, reflexology, etc. I only wish Ray Lynch was a bit more prolific. I hope he continues to produce music of this type for a long time.

This is a beautiful album and is great for meditation, yoga, or anything bodily. You can relax and trust the music to carry you away. I heard "The Temple" from "Ray Lynch Best Of" album and bought the this album because of it. It's one of my favorites.

People who encounter Lynch's compositions are most familiar with his two 'middle' albums - No Blue Thing and Deep Breakfast. While these are also no longer representative of what Lynch is trying to do, this first album - The Sky of Mind' is an unexpected starting point.

Lynch was a successful guitarist and lutenist who, after enjoying some success found the pressures too great and retired from the public scene for many years on a personal, spiritual quest. The Sky of Mind is an expression of that period - what we now would label mainstream 'meditation' music. He makes use of both electronic and acoustic components to build something like a combination of Hohvaness's big melodies with Indian Kirtan stylings (repetitive with a mid-point crescendo in tempo and dynamics). Likeable, but not particularily original.

One either likes this kind of music or one doesn't. The lack of thematic development may be great for meditation, but the interest needed to set it apart musically is usually not present. Had Lynch continued to write this was he would have faded into obscurity with many of his fellow artists when New Age music stopped being the rage.

Over the next few albums Lynch complete changed what he was doing. He started using his inner state to generate work instead of using his work to generate an inner state. In doing so he achieved a well-deserved popularity. I'm glad I have this slim CD, but I wouldn't seek it out as a must-have.

I believe I was 11 when I first encountered the Tibetan bells, soothing synths and gentle plucking that evoked within me a sense of misty valleys and mountain tops covered in clouds at sunset. I had no interest at the time in the background of the album, Lynch's spiritual quest and whatnot, but it certainly is no surprise upon reflection. This is soothing music at its best and you will feel the sound of stillness. I can't say I am fan of most of his music, but this stands out in my mind as one of the best ambient albums of the 80s.


You may also find Explosions in the Sky to be of similar mood, with the exception being that most of their tunes have a midpoint crescendo that can, in my opinion, ruin what I find most moving about their music. But you should at least give them a try, such as Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place.