Album Notes

Thank you for visiting my cdbaby home page.


Instead of writing about myself and the full details as to why I recorded the album, I'll simply state that I am truly greatful to have had the time to address my feelings through the music.

It was an "almost" totally improvised experience. I believe that the best stories are told without any interruptions. Telling a personal story through music has to be felt from the heart and unrehearsed. No dots and lines are needed for expression (reading music is foreign to me).

Lastly, I grew up an orphan and "Tears Of The Forest" is a reflection of this in terms of the emotional elements. Five of the tracks is an "improvisational" mix of west (Ireland) meets East (India). The Hip-Hop Slow groove on 13 (11 min BONUS Track) is really quite cool. A bit long but builds quite nicely :)). The rest of the arrangements are quite simple with few complications. The idea was to allow the emotional elements of the Low Whistling (in 6 various keys from alto to bass) to come through. It's Overall simplicity.

Note: I refuse take full credit from the recording. Billy Miller assisted with 6 tracks providing the overall East Indian backdrop as well as other instruments. His input and talent as a multi-instrumentalist was very inspirational! Dave Dvorak a wonderful synthesizer player played on 2 tracks providing that dreamy and sereal sound that blended quite well. Davy Spillane kept me encouraged throughout the project with his untimely advice. He wanted to play the pipes for me on the album but Sony music refused that idea. Again, thanks to all three.


Thank you kindly to the many folks that have supported my music the past 8 years.


P.S. I am taking a long break from music and I will return at a future date.


Sincerely,

Talbert St. Claire


CD Reviews:

Reviewer: Michael Woodhead of Wind and Wire Fame. This on line music site is one of the most respected sites worldwide. I am honored to present you the review below.


"Without doubt, low whistles and flutes have become some of the most popular and recognized instruments in New Age music, particularly in the Celtic and World Genres. It has a distinct sound, and blends well with many other instruments.

On Tears Of The Forest, Talbert St. Claire plays Overton and Chieftain low whistles fully on a variety of pieces with a minimum of background accompaniment. As he says, "It's an album that blends together slow-airs along with the instrumentations of Eastern Indian, Native American, environmental sounds, various synthesizers, acoustic guitar and various other effects". On this album, he presents his own unique style and creativity.

You'll find that many of the tunes are slower than most low whistle pieces, usually heard on jigs and reels, because Talbert wanted to catch the emotional impact of many Celtic songs. "Many musicians tend to concentrate on the jigs and reels and avoid the slow-airs, which is the heart and soul of Irish music".

Although there are thirteen well-performed pieces presented on the album, I found that I couldn't listen to more than three or four at a time & emdash; not beacuse I don't like the music or the instrument, but because of the rather melancholic nature and sound of it. The soulful, emotional, almost sorrowful aspect of the music certainly touches the inner man.

"The May Morning Dew" is an improvisational piece based on a traditional song that Talbert plays with Dave Dvorak. I am always fascinated by improve music, the different nuances that result from such works, and this piece is a delightful rendition. It's interesting that when I heard "The Parting" - track 5, I thought that it to be a very sad-sounding song. Imagine my surprise when I read later that Talbert thought the same thing. Another rather mournful piece is "The Fire In The Hearth" (complete with a real crackling fire in the background). Here, I got the feeling that someone is sitting in front of the fire place, staring into the flames, and thinking of a lost loved one. Talbert performed "Victoria's Air". It has a very Japanese feel to it.

All in all, Tears Of The Forest is a very passionate, simple, but well-executed album".

My Favourite: "Moon Of Enchantment"

CD Length: 75 minutes