An A-Z of New Age artists

[Ruby]

From Wiki – “New-age music is broadly defined as relaxing, even "meditative", music that is primarily instrumental. Unlike relaxing forms of classical music, new-age music makes greater use of electronica and non-Western instrumentation. There is some debate on what can be considered "new-age music"; for example several musicians in Celtic music or Smooth jazz have expressed annoyance at being labeled "new-age musicians". For more on that debate, see the article on new-age music. In addition, several musicians object to the label because they fear it implies a connection to the New Age movement.”  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ne...ic_artists

I have been listening to Kitaro because I’m in a so-called ‘New Age’ mood – everything else is making me feel out of sorts right now. I have listened to some other stuff but it’s just not working - must be the flu! I realise that while I do know a good few of the artists Wiki lists as New Age (some very obviously), there are many that I don’t.

This is a good time to do some exploring, methinks, so here goes. I’ll work through the list of artists from A – Z (as per Wiki) and choose an album (or more than one) to listen to that has a good rating although I won’t read the reviews. I think random album picks would be illogical and might put me off unnecessarily – besides, life’s too damn short! I’m wanting great, imaginative sounds with a bit of substance and look forward to some cool discoveries …

Philip Aaberg is up first – the album, Out of the Frame from 1988 (listening to it now). It’s his second release and is on the Windham Hill label. AMG gives the album four stars and if I like it, I’ll try his Live from Montana which also seems to be well regarded. (His Wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Aaberg)



Out of the Frame – very listenable – he’s a classically trained pianist and you tell right from the start that this is a highly accomplished and versatile keys man. There are a few other instruments that chime in now and then along with a little vocalese so it’s not altogether solo piano – percussion, violin, and oooohhh – Michael Hedges’ guitar on one track. A little, and sometimes more than a little jazzy, and not just pretty, which is a good thing IMHO – not too noodly either with the odd sonic surprise (as on “Call and Response”). Music that opens up inner worlds – it must paint a picture. All written by himself with the exception of the last track which is Abdullah Ibrahim’s “The Wedding”.

I quite like the bright optimism here, and the breadth that he seems to have infused these pieces with - not to mention the mastery (when the piano sounds like a band) so I will take the time to listen to Live from Montana which was recorded many years later – will be interesting to hear what happened next! It’s an auspicious start.  

That track with the incredible and sadly gone far too soon Mr Hedges – it’s the opener “Walking Through Walls” … ( not able to insert the links, sorry) ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-esyyM8S1c

and “Call and Response”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t03SmBOOlM