Customer Reviews

Time of Tranquility (Trios and such, with Pacific Northwest nature sounds)

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Brad Powell, better known among music collectors as The Candlelight Guitarist', has produced yet another CD of music for guitar and for songs that are inspired by peace and tranquility. This album is particularly fine, released as it is in a time when tranquility seems almost completely out of reach with the world situation as chaotic as it is. But for those in sensory overload, buy this CD!

Powell has engaged the assistance of six musicians - Bobbye Hall and her broad spectrum of percussion, Melissa Hasin on cello, Jim Sitterly on violin/mandolin/concertina, Gilberto Hildavio on allto flute/English horn/recorder, Paul Seaforth on flugelhorn, and Ernie Nunez on string bass, fine musicians all - and with these companions he has composed and arranged `trios and such' that range from `Bells of Eventide' that opens the concert, to `The Chef's Sonata' in four courses, to `Light in the Night'. Not only is his music creative and inventive as music alone, but Powell also adds background sounds to enhance the overall effect - sounds of the ocean advancing and retreating, bells from the towers of missions, wild life, etc.

One of the pleasures of Brad Powell's many CDs is his lack of pushing the recording to be a `hit' - it simply is music to soothe and calm and enrich the psyche. Would that there were more Brad Powells out there to help us all through these times. The world would be a saner place! Grady Harp, March 10

I must have listened to this cd 50 times over the last few days. I don't know what it is, but I seem to hear new things each time. It has to be my favourite out of all his cds (and I have them all). I don't wish to sound overly gushing in praise...(I'd hate to make you sick in your coffee), but this is truly beautiful and magical music. I honestly can't recommend this cd enough. :)

"Time of Tanquility" is just that,peacfull,calm, nature sounds,with Brad Powell composing all of the music and playing guitar,along with Melissa Hasin on cello,Ernie Nunez on string bass,Paul Seaforth on Flugelhorm,Ms.Bobbye Hall on percussion,Jim Sitterly on Violin,mandolin and Concertiana,and Gilberto Hildavio on alto flute,English horn and recorder.I have to include all of these great musicians.Together they have recorded a wonderfull CD.My favorite track is"Celestial Concertina,"along with "Twilight Tango," but I enjoyed all of the cuts.Each number starts with peacefull Ocean sounds,or soft rain.I have all of Brad's records,and I play them most of the time,even when I have company over while there talking.The music is relaxing.Its a nice change from the other types of music we usually listen to.

Imagine a 104-foot bell tower by the ocean and you will have an idea of how this album starts. The bells don't last too long and the rest of the album is filled with nature sounds that enhance the guitar music. Together with an impressive list of musicians, Bradley Powell's compilations evoke romantic feelings or can take you to a place of peace. After listening to two other albums by this musician I can say this is his finest work. This puts you in a very mellow mood. This music is also very emotionally cleansing. If you have any negative feelings they will dissolve away leaving only a warm loving mood. My advice is to light some candles, turn off the lights and experience the deep serenity of this album. I think you would also enjoy:

Sunflower Serenity ...Watercolor Odyssey (solos with nature sounds)

Soul Mates & Kindred Spirits

~The Rebecca Review

Candlelight Guitarist, Bradley Powell, exemplifies
through his music and composing, the unpretentious, thoughtful,
creative authenticity he brings to all his endeavors.

Soothing, life-affirming and restorative, his meticulous artistry on guitar
always carries a richly calming effect. His soundscapes are ever gentle
and mood-enhancing. His music a refuge the weary soul can take shelter in,
listen-by-attentive-listen.

This CD, as title states, is a tranquil reprieve from garish modern artifice
and the plethora of auditory assaults. Like a sunset walk on the Pacific coast
with someone able to translate that beauty of earth and sky, light and water,
into pure melody. That friend who reminds you to slow down, breathe, savor
the luminous simplicities worthy of cherishment.

"Luz En La Noche" and "The Chef's Sonata" ~ all four courses ~
are my personal favorites. Best enjoyed when I hush my over-busy mind
and remember to notice and appreciate the abundant feast that is
this life.

NOTE: I received a free review copy of this CD directly from the musician.

Musician Bradley Powell, aka "The Candlelight Guitarist," has released several previous music CDs featuring a combination of his guitar-playing with soothing nature sounds. This latest album is a bit different. Subtitled "Trios and such, with Pacific Northwest nature sounds," there are a host of other artists joining Powell here, adding percussion, alto flute, bass, cello, and even flugelhorn and concertina (a type of squeeze box) to the mix. At the same time, the sounds incorporated from the natural world are much less prominent, generally appearing briefly towards the beginning or ends of the pieces only.

Powell's web site provides detailed profiles on each of the guest musicians as well as notes on a few of the compositions. I found a great deal of variation amongst the tracks. There were few that I thought were truly reminiscent of Powell's prior work; the brief "Mariner's Grace" is the only song that seemed to include nature sounds (ocean waves) throughout its entirety. Other pieces, such as "Coloratura," seemed more jazzy to me, perhaps due to the addition of the percussive sounds. Tracks 9-12, which make up "The Chef's Sonata" (Courses 1 through 4), are quite different yet again, with almost a mini-orchestral feel to them at times; the last of these is definitely more "playful" as the title suggests. The final three pieces on the CD have a quieter, softer feel to them, although there is a bit of a flourish to conclude the last track. With the exception of the closing seagull calls, I could detect barely any nature sounds in these last songs.

Those hoping for another CD of basic guitar and nature sounds from The Candlelight Guitarist might be a bit disappointed in this more complex CD. Personally, I preferred the quiet simplicity of Powell's prior releases to this one, but this is still an enjoyable album that is likely to find its own fan base.

Brad Powell creates a scene and a backdrop for smooth and well arranged music that is pure and very relaxing from start to finish. very melodic and very well produced. he takes you on a journey and the music feels and sounds so enriching. i enjoy his tone and overall vibe. very good and very chill.it captures the atmosphere.