Customer Reviews

Trillium

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

 

 

"Kori Linae Carothers has released quite a gem in the music of "Trillium". I took "Trillium" along with me on a recent "road trip", and the uplifting quality and variety of the tracks on this CD chased away all tedium and replaced it with wonder.
The song "Crystal Fields" has a reflective and "colours/ scenery" unfolding tone, like a meadow in early morning.
"A Rose's Tale" is simply lovely, and reminds me of the yearning quality I've heard in my favourite pieces by Erik Satie.
"Nez Perce" starts out pretty and peaceful, and then shapes up to a dramatic phrasing which makes me feel as though I'm viewing canyonlands and mountainscapes--open sky that is breathtaking.
"Nantucket" begins with a sweet waltzing rythym , and the song has a very sentimental feel.
Finally, there is "Carpe Diem" --my absolute FAVOURITE (and it is HARD to pick a favourite on "Trillium!") with its
incredible positive will to soar and take the listener with it. Aeone's vocal on this tune is angelic and perfect.
I am so happy to come to know Kori's musical talent, and I am looking forward to being amazed by her next endeavor and being able to share it!
Bravo!"

The music of the album "Trillium" is like a light stream which carries its pure waters to the unknown. It stirs the soul from the first moments and sinks you into the endless exciting world of deepest and sincere emotional experiences. This is the music for awakening your heart and empathy.

It is hard to understand what peculiarities make "Trillium" so unusual and captivating. Maybe it is the expressive Piano, Synthesizer, Native American Flute and Vocals of Kori Linae Carothers, or the exquisite production work of famous Will Ackerman or rich instrumentation of numerous perfect musicians amongst which such remarkable names as Jeff Oster (Flugel Horn, Production, Synthesizer), Jeff Silverman (Drum programming, Bass, Engineering, etc), Eugene Friesen (Cello), David Cullen (Guitar) and many other true virtuoso artists. And all answers will be definitely yes! I'd like to add to the aforesaid that the lush sounding of the whole album "Trillium" is the merit of renowned engineer Corin Nelsen which did the mixing and mastering of this project. In general it is impossible to single a particular characteristic out because "Trillium" sounds like a comprehensive whole.

What else can be noted about this truly outstanding release? Of course, in the first place this is the elegance of the Kori Linae Carothers music. But this is far from all. The music of "Trillium" possesses incredible clarity and easiness. Kori Linae Carothers skillfully combines electronic and acoustic sounds and creates a very modern project. Her music undoubtedly will touch you to the very roots of your being. Listen to the "Trillium" and find your own, deep personal truth.

Serge Kozlovsky
[...]

"Trillium" is multi-instrumentalist/composer Kori Linae Carothers' third album to date. Produced by the legendary Will Ackerman, the album presents a vibrant mix of acoustic and electronic instrumentals ranging from delicate piano pieces to sweeping Native American-inspired soundscapes. Recorded at Ackerman's Imaginary Road Studios, the album features an impressive list of supporting artists from all over the US. Carothers performs on piano, synthesizer, Native American flute, and vocals, as well as programming and production. The package contains a beautiful booklet with stunning photography and liner notes explaining the origins of the music as well as who played what on the recording.

"Crystal Fields" is the opening track and draws you in from the first notes. Passionate, elegantly flowing piano accompanied by Eugene Friesen on cello and Jeff Oster on flugel horn clues you in that this is a special CD! "Blue Ice" picks up the rhythm a bit and paints a chilly portrait of the arctic. Carothers provides synth and programming while Tom Shinness, Jeff Silverman, and Corin Nelsen support on an assortment of instruments. I love this piece! Carothers returns to the piano for "A Roses Tale," a gorgeous telling of her garden's roses lamenting their plight at being cut back. This delicate piece includes Malcom Dalglish on hammered dulcimer - a treat for the ears! "Midnight" begins with Jeff Oster creating a mood of dark vast space. Piano and cello enter with a moving tribute to Carothers' muse - another beauty! "Nez Perce" was inspired by watching "I Will Fight No More Forever" and is dedicated to the Nez Perce Nation and Chief Joseph. This cinematic piece features a wide range of synth sounds, Native American flute, and vocals, and runs almost seven minutes - impressive! "Tangled Up" is another favorite and features Scarlet Rivera on violin, Jeff Haynes on percussion, T Bone Wolk on bass, and David Cullen and Will Ackerman on guitar. Graceful and evocative, the catchy rhythms keep it moving forward. I also really like "The Long View," which features Carothers on piano and wordless vocals, and Ackerman on guitar. Very spare and melodic, the simplicity of the piece conveys deep emotion. "Carpe Diem" is stunning with layered wordless vocals by Aeone, synth, guitar, a wide variety of percussion instruments (including water bottles!!!), and bass and a sweeping sound. More ambient than some of the other tracks, it evokes passion and longing. "3 Degrees" closes the album with piano, guitar, and tam tam bidding a warm, affectionate adieu.

"Trillium" and Kori Linae Carothers are an exceptional discovery! See what the buzz is all about. Recommended!

Starting from early childhood, this New Age artist from Southern California has always had the ambition to pursue music as a career. Beginning piano at age 14 she first began composing music on her own after discovering music greats like the Beatles, Herb Alpert, and John Williams. By having these three great artist influences with such a varied range in sound, you are probably starting to wonder just who this person is and what her music sounds like when integrating these three great music influences into one hybrid entity.

Let me introduce Kori Linae Carothers to everyone. Those familiar with Kori know her early compositions began without formal music lessons. After doing quite well, she continued on with Classical music at the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music where her future as a concert pianist looked promising and the rest of her story is history as they say. Taking time off to first raise a family, her desire to produce music returned while attending a Yanni concert, and after helpful encouragement from her husband, her first album The Road Less Traveled and second album The Journey became a reality.

Trillium is the third and latest release in this music trilogy. The entire album holds a wide array of New Age, Contemporary piano, Acoustic Instrumental, and Ambient touches in a well thought out arrangement, giving a multiple angle approach that fits together remarkably well.

Kori Linae Carothers performs much of the melody by playing classic piano, Native American flute, light vocals and synthesizer on this project, along with some beautiful orchestration throughout, giving the complete project a classical embrace. There is also a number of gifted musicians playing guitar, cello, violin, dulcimer, and flugel horn, along with the percussion enhancements, creating a great amount of depth and beauty by the talented professionals playing beside her. The album production was also placed in the skillful hands of Grammy Award winning Will Ackerman at his Imaginary Road Studios, giving the final product that extra touch for which he is famous.

Trillium is also one genus of around 50 species of flowering plant in the Lily family. This flowering plant is another example of the great gifts that come in threes since this species has a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, all with a 3 leaf distinction. Crystal Fields is just one of the eleven colorful song varieties among the full bouquet from the Trillium album. Once you discover the many beautiful choices available, I really wouldn't be surprised if you pick the whole bouquet as your personal favorites.

Crystal Fields is one particular song that starts out in a well defined melancholy tone, beginning the mid tempo piece with a deep flowing piano movement that boldly takes the initiative by planting the first seeds of hope, setting a full range of emotion from each carefully considered note. The soft and delicate melody of lighter piano notes are a result from pressing the instrument's three foot pedals based at ground level, dampening both the piano tone and your eyes at the same time.

The distant flugal horn melody soon grows and is then generously dispersed by applying extended brass notes having a light vibrato, enhancing the tonal warmth and harmony purely by implementing the three valves of this brass instrument known for warm tonal sounds.

The bass cello is the third instrument to tug at your heart strings by rising to the surface in a characteristic movement of feeling. This final considerate thought for depth, richness, and ambiance connects the trio of orchestra instruments together in a classic moment of splendor and clarity, arriving at our fruitful conclusion of one picturesque song variety from the many in full bloom. From the 11 colorful songs on the Trillium album, I picked only the white one.

There are about four tunes on this CD that make it worthwhile, even one of them, absolutely. She's a great talent in this genre of music.