Reflections on Still Water is the second release from Acoustic Ocean. Their debut release, Light Returning, was on the Zone Music Reporter's Top 100 Chart for 7 months in 2009 reaching a top position of #8.
In August of 2010, Reflections on Still Water entered the ZMR Top 100 Chart at #4 and in September moved to #3.
Acoustic Ocean was born from the collaboration of two veteran musicians and recording artists, Peggy Morgan and Bette Phelan. The duo began performing together in 1976 and toured extensively from Brisbane to Boston for 20-years. During that time they produced 4 recordings of original singer/songwriter acoustic music. After a hiatus to pursue work in the healing arts they formed Acoustic Ocean in 2008.
Reflections on Still Water contains 9 original compositions and one traditional/spiritual. Many of the pieces are named for specific locations on the Big Island of Hawaii. The music celebrates the beauty of the islands and the renewing effect of quiet time spent in nature.
While the recording features Celtic harp, acoustic guitar and fretless bass other instruments are added on some cuts. Kay Aldrich plays cello on 3 cuts and Anne Berliner adds flute on one piece. Both Kay and Anne are classically trained musicians who have played with Morgan & Phelan for many years. Other instruments include, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, electric guitar, penny whistle and Uillean pipes.
For additional information, photos and video, visit www.AcousticOceanMusic.com
REVIEW
Acoustic Ocean Provides Vibrant Reflections on Still Water
Reflections on Still Water, Acoustic Ocean
On their second CD as Acoustic Ocean, the former folk duo of Peggy Morgan and Bette Phelan provide lyrical, instrumental musings that sound like what the title of their new album suggests – “reflections on still water.” Acoustic Ocean is an apt name for the duo as well, as their music feels like an ocean of acoustic beauty that washes over you.
Morgan’s Celtic harp and Phelan’s acoustic guitar come together to create some of the most beautiful, exquisite music ever recorded. The harp and acoustic guitar are embellished by Morgan and Phelan’s harmonious vocal accents, as well as fretless bass, keyboards, electric guitar, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, pennywhistle, and Uillean pipes played by Phelan. The duo are also joined on various tracks by Kay Aldrich on cello and Anne Berliner on flute.
The compositions are very melodic, owing to Morgan and Phelan’s twenty years of experience as recording and touring folk singer-songwriters. The songs also have a very dreamy, fairytale-like feel to them, perhaps inspired by the composer-performers’ Hawaiian environs. While listening to the music, I couldn’t help thinking of elves and dwarves and Hobbits and the like. The music has that transcendent and transformative power to transport you to Middle Earth and other mystical dimensions that conjure the beauty and majesty of the air, land, and sea.
As someone who is not a harp aficionado or enthusiast, I was impressed with Morgan’s harp playing. Hers is not the typical plucking of rapturous, angelic harp chords typically associated with the instrument. Rather, she plays with such note-specific lead virtuosity that I could not think of any musical genre which the harp could not be applied to. Morgan’s unique harp style is well complemented by the fluidity of Phelan’s fine, solid six-string dexterity. In fact, Morgan’s harp and Phelan’s guitar blend together so seamlessly on several tracks that it almost became impossible for me to discern one from the other, until I realized that this is not the point of the music. This is evidence of the duo’s strong and inseparable musical bond. They truly are a tight unit with genuine musical chemistry.
Reflections on Still Water by Acoustic Ocean is one of the best New Age CDs available and one of the best albums regardless of genre. This is highly recommended not just for fans of New Age and harp and guitar, but also for anyone who likes brilliant, beautiful music.
--Raj Manoharan
REVIEW
Reflections On Still Water is the second release of Acoustic Ocean, a duo consisting of the multi-instrumentalist Bette Phelan (guitars, fretless bass, dulcimer, mandolin, piano, vocals and keyboards) and the harpist Peggy Morgan. More than 20 years performing together in the U.S. and in hundreds of places have forged incredible union and understanding between the two, and from its debut album "Light Returning" in 2009, Acoustic Ocean has ascended an increasingly successful trajectory.
This second CD, Reflections On Still Water, is the purest celtic style, where deliberate and carefree melodies created for a harp, a whistle or uilleann pipes predominate, resulting in an atmosphere fresh, affecting and at times magical. For this latest work, cellist Kay Aldrich and flautist Anne Berliner collaborate with Acoustic Ocean.
The track that opens the album is "Night Flight", an intimate piece featuring native flute, acoustic guitar and, as the predominant instrument, a brilliant harp. The chords maintain a delicate melody that opens a serene, clear night, allowing passage to moments of peace and sweet dreams.
"Moon Over Mauna Kea" is placid and tender. Again the chords act together, but in this case the harp is accompanied by the deep and moving sound of the cello. The inspiration is a beautiful night, where one sees a radiant full moon perched above one of the five volcanos on the island of Hawaii, the Mauna Kea. This piece shows the majesty of this powerful dreamer that sleeps over one of the most beautiful islands in the world and whose appearance is simply captivating. What fragility!
With delicate jubilation, "Rainbow Falls" is one of the most poignant compositions on the entire CD. Upbeat and playful, this track mixes the artists' voices with their stringed instruments, giving life to an exciting and artful piece that elicits a slight smile from the listener. I like it!
"Dancers Of The Deep" is more profound and intimate, a piece with a melody that invites reflection, and where the guitar and harp accompany Anne's passionate flute.
"Motherless Child" is possibly the saddest track on the whole album. Bitter notes torn from the harp and a cello convey a sharp lament, bringing to life a mournful but extremely beautiful composition that references the impossibility of consoling a child who has lost its mother. What dark beauty!
With "Devas In The Garden" we return to happiness and optimism. Without being hurried, this dancing piece, full of good feelings, rejuvenates the soul with its powerful melody. For the first time we can reap the benefit of the uilleann pipe on this CD, an incredible sound that presents a magic unique to works in the celtic genre. One of my favorites!
"Place Of Refuge" invites us to escape, to look for an impregnable refuge where, for a brief time, body and soul live together. In this instance, the acoustic guitar dominates the rest of the instruments, strumming subtle and hypnotic chords with astonishing purity.
Undoubtedly, the remarkable piece on this CD is "Voyager", a work that fleetingly recalls the success of "Willie's Old Trousers" by the folk band The Poozies. This track radiates sadness, temperament and courage, feelings that offer a fascinating beauty. It enchants me!
The song that gives the album its title, "Reflections On Still Water", is full of calm, an affectionate and delicate piece that invokes well-being, a stupendous sensation that surrounds and isolates the listener from all concerns. Really happy!
"Safe Journey Home" is synonymous with hope, happiness and passion, the representation of the contentment that rises up upon being close to home. Each of the instruments on this fantastic CD joyfully springs up to act as soloist, constituting a more than perfect conclusion for Reflections On Still Water. Another favorite of mine!
With Reflections On Still Water Acoustic Ocean revives the magical music that arose in the so-called celtic nations, a music that still continues gathering a great number of followers, thanks to its immortal and expressive sound. Reflections On Still Water is an artful and optimistic work, dominated by carefree melodies and fragile beauty that will make our ears vibrate. Very Highly Recommended!
Alejandro Clavijo, www.ReviewsNewAge.com
REVIEW
Me ka aloha pumehana
I can tell you from a listener's knowledge that it is something that cannot be easily done; balancing your environment with your experiences to make an album that pleases so much on so many levels. Acoustic Ocean blending Celtic elements with the spirit of Aloha of the Hawaiian Islands is not an easy feat and yet I am listening to Reflections On Still Water. And it all works very well. This is not harp and hula music. This is music with a deep respect for place and time, for tradition and family. Every acoustic track reflects the spiritual peace one might find on an extended visit to the islands, only these tracks are Celtic and contemporary melodies that never fail to surprise and delight. After living nearly nine years on the island of Hawaii, the music reminds me of my first hand experiences visiting all the miraculous places and meeting all the extraordinary people there.
Acoustic Ocean is the talented duo of Peggy Morgan & Bette Phelan just late from the east coast. It appears that these two Yankees have settled in nicely to the warmth and spirit that the islands have to offer and they have already figured out how to return it manifold to their listeners. Both multi-instrumentalists have extensive knowledge into the healing abilities of music. Their New England experiences have allowed them to learn and create music that applies on many levels, physical and metaphysical. They both have a multitude of degrees and they have released many albums before they were Acoustic Ocean and a previous one under their band name called Light Returning. It is worth a spin as well.
The opening track Night Flight is a cosmic sortie into a starry night that is awesome to behold. I mean awesome as in the original sense of the word. The warm winds, sweet smells and the endless rushing of ocean waves are all friends of the night. Soundlessly however is the rare sighting of Pueo, the Protector Owl that guards the islands. Represented by the power of the cedar flute, its quiet strength and beauty has been a mainstay in Hawaiian myth and legend for centuries.
The island of Hawaii has always been defended by two beautiful mountains. From the coast of Kona you look to the mauka side (a direction literally meaning "to the mountain") and there they are. Mauna Loa, the long mountain, a sleeping basaltic colossus slightly lower than its neighbor, but ever vigilant. And in the distance Mauna Kea, towering and often snow-capped, it is a inactive giant of a volcano and an eye to the sky for star struck scientists. I have walked to the top of this mountain on a March morning and discovered the beauty of snow covered hillsides that are the icing for green frosted valleys. Acoustic Ocean has captured the majesty and beauty of this sleeping giant in the tune Moon Over Mauna Kea. The voices of their sweet harp and the serious cello (courtesy of guest artist Kay Aldrich) combine in a tune that is free spirited, yet has the strength of roots that descend to over fourteen thousand feet.
Rainbow Falls, named after a famous tourist stop, is a joyous and playful tune. As soon as you enter the lush, verdant park where it lives, you are surrounded by towering African tulip trees and miles of clinging vines that are a host to hundreds of wild orchids. Step back from the falls and as if by magic, the rainbow emerges like a smile in the eyes of God. Every color is a promise of good fortune and every droplet a prayer for serenity. Piano, dulcimer and whispery vocals make this a light hearted tune.
Dancers of the Deep brought back an especial fond memory for me. One time my friend Tom Lodge and I took up his Piper Cub and flew along the Hamakua coastline. We flew pretty low and suddenly, down in the beryl-colored waters we saw great black and gray shapes literally flying under water. Flying lower and closer we were graced by the miraculous beauty of a troupe of huge manta rays traveling in the shallow water. The music of Dancers of the Deep seemed just perfect for that memory. Fretless bass, guitar, harp and dulcet flute (by Anne Berliner) transformed the flight of my memories into a exquisite reality.
I could write of all ten tracks, but I only have so much room. Suffice it to say that I heartily recommend this album if you are searching for a musical sanctuary. In Reflections On Still Water, you have found it.
Rating: Excellent
- reviewed by RJ Lannan on 12/10/2010 | Sounding Board, www.ZoneMusicReporter.com
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