Decca
2004
American River
About This Album
Acoustic pianist Jonathan Ellis has created a striking vista of American horizons, sunset skyscapes, pathways, waterways, and shimmering colors within instrumental, new age style music. Invited guests occasionally read prose or add different acoustic instruments within classical, country, and various ethnic elements. The combination of these concepts lives and breathes in a unified whole, idiosyncratic within its scope, but never removed from the realm of sheer beauty. Ellis has conceived music that sports a distinct organic feel while avoiding pretentiousness or noodling. Danceable qualities close to an Irish jig crop up on two pieces -- "At the Edge," and the familiar "Ave Maria" like traipse "Toward Home." At the core of the group's sound, "Crossing Rivers" and "Southern Delta" feature the soaring violin of Charlie Bisharat and cellist Cameron Stone alongside the bright tonal piano of Ellis. Classical sounds are attained during "The Great Divide" and "Move," the former theme displaying a snippet that was used on a television commercial for Valspar paints. Busy 5/4 rhythms on "Wild Colorado" are an essential basis for a jam featuring guitarist Tony Rice and mandolinist Ronnie McCoury, while "Ice on the St.
Track List (try tracks 1,3,6,10 and 12)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

 
report abuse