The first few inviting seconds of the opening track of Rick Devin’s “Arcadia - A Return to Distant Lands” trickle out like life-giving water from a deep, spiritual well. Devin – who made a career of singing Cowboy songs – begins his second excursion into instrumental ambient music with “Alpheus River”, a lovely and enticing preview of the CD’s eleven tracks. 

Devin’s recently acquired devotion for researching and documenting his ancestors seems to have inspired the former professional singing Cowboy and Grammy nominated recording artist to continue exploring his affinity for creating lovely, ethereal New Age music.

The lure of “Alpheus River” draws the listener further into the far-away lands of Arcadia, as “The Rose” delivers a very mellow background with Devin’s soaring electric guitar solo meandering very purposely throughout the majestic song. “Return to Eden” and “Gates of Eden” inhale the listener closer and deeper into Devin’s musical fantasy with their tribal rhythms, masterful guitar soloing and a bit of Spanish guitar acoustic flavoring. Mid way through the “Arcadia” journey, Devin steers the music into an aural heart of darkness on “Once Upon a Windswept Night”. Listen close, with your eyes closed and your mind full of imagination, and you can almost hear the nearby cry of a fair maiden calling to her lover, over the din of an epic Arcadian battle between good and evil.

Like a Biblical prophecy or some secret medieval code, “Karma” happens along at just the right time on the album to briefly pick up the pace of Devin’s fantastical story telling through music. “Crusader’s March” features a few perfectly placed sword sound effects accenting Devin’s dark and piercing electric guitar soloing. On “Dark Ages”, Devin seems to be gearing up for “Arcadia’s” dramatic third act and climactic ending. “Templar’s Vow”, with its somber but hopeful air, swirls around the listener with more of Devin’s stellar soloing and the song’s almost hymnal, spiritual overtones. “Arcadia - A Return to Distant Lands” enchanting story begins to tie up all the loose ends in the beautiful title track, “Arcadia”, while “Return to Distant Lands” serves as the tale’s ‘Happily Ever After’ ending where good triumphs over evil and love conquers all.

Rick Devin has come a long way from his crooning Cowboy and classic rock beginnings, but with the awe inspiring and fascinating music he’s making now, the journey is taking place not on tour buses, smoky concert stages or campfire sing-a-longs, but in a wonderful world created through his musical talents, compositions and recording studio techniques and expertise.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
“While listening to the music, it struck me how it could serve almost perfectly as the soundtrack for a movie like ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ or some similar fantasy tale...”
                            Read more...
                        

                            
Combining ambient, instrumental, lounge, and world music seems like a lot, but Rick Devin doesn’t seem to think so. His latest collection of alluring instrumentals on, “Arcadia – A Return To Distant Lands” is a wonderful compilation of mood setting music. There are a vast number of musical influences on this disc, ranging from African world to rock and roll. One highlight is the song “Alpheus River,” which sounds as if could have been penned by none other than Carlos Santana with is stinging guitar licks. Another great feature on this disc is the use of several types of instruments, just give “Karma” a few spins and you’ll hear an assortment of ethnic sounds. There is also a bit of Spanish flare in the title track “Arcadia,” featuring more exotic guitar work. “Arcadia– A Return To Distant Lands” is a great addition to the collection of any fan who enjoys ideal ambient instrumental music.
                            Read more...