Album Notes

"Quite a new world for instrumental guitar subtlety," says aid Dr. Martin Jack Rosenblum, writing for the Shepherd Express. "Standout moments (include) the spare rasp of 'Above The Clouds,' the sonic narrative 'Rememory,' the dance through dust of 'Amarilla' and, especially, the dirge that refuses sorrow of 'Sophie & Boscho'"

ABOUT THE RECORDING: A 52-minute suite of six-string ensemble pieces composed and performed by Mike Starling. Though this CD focuses on Mike's collection of guitars, dobros and basses, many of the exotic instruments found on his travels add additional colors and textures to the songs. A recent trip to his family roots in Ireland, for instance, brings Celtic influences to "Kinvarra (Trip Begins)," "Pot O'Gold" and "Twelve Mile Beach," while a simmering Mississippi River Delta blues permeates "Bayou Fog" and "Great River Road."

The sounds of a Brazilian friction drum known as the "cuica" accent the rootsy chord progressions of "The Floating World" and aboriginal Australian didgeridoos add a primordial earthiness to the gypsy blues of "Jinni." A trip to the Dominican Republic inspired the sultry Latin groove of "Yo Soy Su Chica," while "Above The Clouds" captures the feel of flying in an airplane miles above the urban sprawl.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Composer/musician Mike Starling blends an affinity for American roots and jazz with his love of travel and world beat rhythms. Street musicians in Sydney, Australia, for instance, gave Mike his first exposure to the didgeridoo, and he immediately sought to incorporate this ancient Aboriginal wind instrument into his music. The resulting 2003 recording, DIDJERIBLUE, VOL. 1, has won placement in numerous soundtracks for its chilled-out blend of deep bass grooves and funky drum loops with bluesy guitars and primal didgeridoos.

Mike lists Ry Cooder, Herbie Hancock, Leon Parker, Bill Frisell and the Wild Kingdom TV theme as some of his main influences. He got his musical start in the Mississippi River college town of La Crosse, Wisconsin, playing bass in groups like Buzz Butler, the Mall Weirdos and the Joe Price Blues Band. As he turned more attention to writing songs, Starling switched to guitar to front his own bands including Bean Hoy and The Sons of Distortion (both have albums on CD Baby). Photos from his travels have been published in two books (Live Without Dead Time, Blue & White) and he's currently at work on a new music-photography project called LAST TRAIN TO AZTALAN.

Keep up with his journeys in sight and sound at mikestarling.com.

Cover painting: "Musician" by Shelly Rosenquist
Official artist site: mikestarling.com
Record label/music publishing site: beanhoy.com