Album Notes

GREAT NEWS!

March 9, 2008

We are very pleased to report that our new CD release, When Evening Falls, has today been named Best Neo-Classical Album of the year as part of the prestigious 2007 NAR Lifestyle Music Awards. Broadcasters of contemporary instrumental music programs worldwide are responsible for the voting, so we offer a big THANK YOU to the Program Hosts for this special honor and for introducing our new music to their listeners.

Special thanks also to the folks at NewAgeReporter.com for creating a home for contemporary instrumental music! It is unbelievable that the NAR site received 2,950 new titles in 2007...obviously contemporary instrumental/new age music is alive, well and thriving - in large part due to artists from the independent music community. Someone should tell Billboard what they're missing. Better yet...don't. Let's continue enjoying our own independent journey.

THANK YOU!

Tom and Iris

RECENT REVIEWS

"Take three talented artists, mix and match them in various combinations and who knows what will result. In the case of When Evening Falls, you end up with a beautiful collection of soothing and introspective instrumental pieces. Featuring the considerable talents of acoustic guitarist Tom Salvatori, pianist Iris Litchfield and cellist John Catchings (with some violin and viola assistance on one track and bass on another one), the fourteen selections on this album are divided up into solo numbers by Salvatori and Litchfield or assorted permutations of one or the other or both with Catchings.

The album is cohesive with a consistent mood maintained throughout. The two composers (Salvatori and Litchfield) were obviously simpatico when it came to the aim of When Evening Falls, the title of which aptly portrays the mood evoked by the music. Peaceful, somber, warm, nostalgic and reflective, the CD is emblematic of what I refer to as "autumn afternoon music," meaning it’s suited for grey skies, falling leaves, and a crisp bite to the air. Whether one bathes in this music while seated before a fire, or perhaps driving through rolling hillsides and small rural towns dressed in gold and red for the season, When Evening Falls weaves a comforting web of warm yet often sad or reflective music.

As if the music itself wasn’t enough, the CD’s artfully-designed Digipak [by Stephen Ravenscraft] is a veritable work of art as well. Hell, even the font choices are spot on (you’d be surprised how rare that is). From every perspective, When Evening Falls is a splendid recording and a must have for lovers of gentle "nighttime" acoustic instrumental music." Highly recommended. Rating: Excellent

- reviewed by Bill Binkelman, Binkelman's Corner, as featured on NAR


"When Evening Falls...is a wonderful, dusky dream-filled album with fourteen tracks of pastoral and contemporary tunes that will inspire, relax and alleviate stress.

Tom Salvatori and Iris Litchfield, both classical trained composers, have united on this contemporary album in the spirit of harmony in a figurative and literal sense. Tom is from Illinois and Iris is from Kent, England, but the miles could not separate the kindred spirits of these two gifted performers. Additionally, the music is far more mellifluous for the talents of cellist John Catchings who joins them on several cuts.

When Evening Falls is pensive, relaxing music that is enjoyable at any hour. The mating of guitar and piano with an infrequent visit by the cello makes for several agreeable duos, while the solos are as welcome as are old friends. For a soothing interlude of warm, peaceful music, you cannot do much better than Tom Salvatori and Iris Litchfield.

- reviewed by RJ Lannan, The Sounding Board, as featured on NAR


"He’s known as a guitarist’s guitarist, an expert at both classical guitar and the combination of classical with any number of musical genres. Tom Salvatori enchanted listeners with his last album from 2002, Late Night Guitar, which was a children’s album disguised as an excellent, meditative study in the healing power of the nylon string guitar.

In 2007 Tom joins forces with pianist Iris Litchfield for a gorgeous duet album of timeless instrumental music – supplemented by the cello arrangements of John Catchings. A seamless blend of vintage classical music and the curative vibes of the New Age meditation genre that was so popular in the mid-90’s. When Evening Falls is the most appealing outing yet from the versatile guitar imagination of Tom Salvatori."

- Robert Silverstein
20th Century Guitar Magazine


ABOUT WHEN EVENING FALLS:

While history itself brings us the give and take, the rise and fall, and the ebb and flow...the history of music can chime in anytime with a comparable contrast of its own...namely the Piano and Classical Guitar. Although both instruments have been celebrated over time for their powerful delivery of multi-voiced composition, each is nestled comfortably and deeply in its own musical circle, championing and then tending to its own unique audience.

'When Evening Falls' is a collaborative music project that provides a friendly nudge to these two circles. It represents a give and take between Piano and Guitar as communicated by two kindred-spirited composers each adept in the art of conveying their music through their instrument of choice. Iris has never touched a Guitar and Tom has never played a Piano, yet both breathe life into their art through the delightful music that is produced on their respective instruments. As composers, they share a unique quality and style that not only renders a compelling theme, but then ensures it is soothingly nurtured through its rise and fall.

The Piano and Guitar...when Iris and Tom bring these circles together, a synergy occurs, a 'sweet spot' for lack of elevated patter...resulting in a calming ebb and flow of timeless and beautiful music chronicled in this CD release for our listening enjoyment.

*Mr. Catchings appears courtesy of Chapter & Verse Media, Inc., Nashville, TN, USA.