The album opens with "Dolphin Morning," a beautiful piece with a cheerful, welcoming beginning. There is also a peaceful vibe to this music, a reminder of the glorious possibilities of life, of this planet. Perhaps we could step from this morning into a world that follows it, a better world. Paul Winter composed this track with Paul Halley, who plays piano and organ on it. Then we are in a different part of nature at the beginning of "The Well-Tempered Wood Thrush," and we hear the sounds of birds. The world is busy with life, and yet the sounds put us immediately at ease. Paul Winter soon adds his own voice to that of the birds; that is, the voice of his soprano saxophone. And it sounds just as natural, reminding us that we are a natural part of this planet, rather than apart from it, or presiding over it in some manner. This track also features some gorgeous work by Eugene Friesen on cello, the cello part inspired by Bach's "The Well-Tempered Clavier." Henrique Eisenmann is on fortepiano, Peter Slavov is on bass, and Rogerio Boccato is on drums. This track is so beautiful and warm, with a sense of joy. I think basically everyone in this country, probably the world, needs this now.
"Grand Canyon Sunrise" begins with some work on percussion. That's Glen Velez playing a bendir, a type of frame drum. Glen also co-wrote this piece with Paul Winter and Paul Halley. Paul Halley plays organ on this track. There is something spiritual about this music, in the sense that it touches upon something greater that is both within us and around us, and the music seems to communicate with it. And even in those moments of darkness, the steady work on the drum helps to pull us through. Soon the light grows, suddenly breaking across the landscape. A soothing sensation immediately follows, the soprano saxophone seeming to both speak for us and to us. Then Mickey Hart, of the Grateful Dead, joins Paul Winter on "Caravan At Dawn," playing the RAMU, which stands for Random Access Musical Universe, something Mickey had been building for a while. Mickey Hart released an album titled RAMU in 2017. Mickey also co-wrote this piece with Paul Winter, Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Jordan Rudess. Arto provides the vocals and plays percussion. Jordan is on keyboards. Also performing on this track is Vardan Grigoryan on zurna. As the track begins, there is a somewhat lonesome sense, or, rather, a solitary sense, in the morning, when voice meets light and the rest of the world has not yet risen. It is interesting how many of these early tracks take place at morning, a time of promise and hope and joy. Then the song takes on a beat, and it feels that all of the universe is now joining in a celebration, in a movement, perhaps matching that of the stars. This is fantastic. And what a vocal performance, which seems to speak on behalf of all of humanity. Life is fleeting, but this music touches upon something eternal as well.
We return to the ocean then for "Blues Cathedral," a piece written by Paul Winter and Paul Halley. This track uses a recording of a blue whale, sped up. There is a wonderfully meditative vibe to this one, and it feels like we're engaging in a great, slow dance with the world's largest animal. There is some gorgeous work by Paul Winter on soprano saxophone. That's followed by the album's first cover, a wonderful rendition of "Primavera," written by Carlos Lyra and Vinicius de Moraes. It begins with some sweet, tender guitar work by Oscar Castro-Neves. Paul's saxophone work here is incredibly pretty and gentle. Paul Halley adds some nice work on organ, helping to create the gorgeous atmosphere of this track.
Paul Winter goes in a different direction with "Land Of The Pipers," presenting some traditional Irish music. I suppose I have a natural affinity for this music, but it never fails to move me. Jerry O' Sullivan plays Uilleann pipes on this one, delivering some excellent work. Eugene Friesen is on cello, Zan McLeod is on guitar, Jim Beard is on keyboards, Dorothy Papadakos is on pipe organ, Eliot Wadopian is on bass, and Arto Tuncboyaciyan is on percussion. I love this music, particularly those uplifting and joyous moments, and Paul Winter adds his own special touches, taking the music in some glorious directions. That's followed by "Song To Roger." The Roger of the song's title is Dr. Roger Payne, the biologist and environmentalist who was responsible for documenting and recording humpback whale songs. Dr. Roger Payne died in 2023, and this piece is an elegy in his honor. It was composed by Henrique Eisenmann, who plays piano on it. Eugene Friesen is on cello. This is a moving and beautiful track. There is a moment when I imagine letting go, drifting away into the darkest depths of the ocean. But then the light finds us again. It always finds us again, doesn't it?
"Wolf Eyes" begins with the sound of a wolf in the night, offering its own sort of lonesome song. And Paul Winter's saxophone responds. This song too reminds us of our place within the natural realm. We do not hold dominion over the animals, over the planet. We haven't even been here all that long. There is something sad and pensive heard here, a sort of longing. Paul is joined by Eugene Friesen on cello, Warren Bernhardt on piano, Jeff Holmes on piano, Oscar Castro-Neves on guitar and synthesizer, and Dave Carpenter on bass. The wolf speaks again at the end. That's followed by "Garden Of The Earth," a traditional Russian song, and on it Paul Winter is joined by The Dmitri Pokrovsky Singers, whose great work is at the fore here. This track also features Eugene Friesen on cello, Paul Halley on piano, Russ Landau on bass, and Ted Moore on drums. Partway through, the vocalists drop out, and Paul Winter delivers a gorgeous lead on saxophone. When the singers return, they sing in English: "There's a garden of the earth/There's a home beneath the sun/In the beauty of this garden/We will hear a thousand songs."
"Triumph" is another beautiful and moving piece, this one composed by Paul Winter, Paul Halley and Davy Spillane. Paul Winter is on soprano saxophone, Paul Halley is on pipe organ, and Davy Spillane plays Uilleann pipes. I love how this music causes all distractions to fade away. All the noise, the busy aspects of whatever it is we normally call life, they seem rather pointless when faced with such beauty. This is what we should be focused on, this is what we should be coming together to do. As this piece grows, it encourages us, says it is possible. And then it soothes us. Davy Spillane also plays Uilleann pipes on "Harvest Faire," which has a very different vibe. There is a light, playful feel to this track, like a group dance outdoors in daylight. Eugene Friesen is on cello, Damish Draghici is on pan flute, Zan McLeod is on guitar, Paul Halley is on piano, Jordan Rudess is on keyboards, Eliot Wadopian is on bass, and Arto Tuncboyaciyan is on percussion. I love the cheer of this piece. And Davy Spillane's work on pipes is particularly wonderful. The album concludes with "Icarus," a song that's been in Paul Winter's repertoire now for several decades. It was written by Ralph Towner, and was the title track to a 1972 album by Paul Winter/Winter Consort. It was also included on Paul's 1978 album Common Ground. This version features Paul Winter on soprano saxophone, Jeff Boratko on bassoon, Eugene Friesen on cello, and Henrique Eisenmann on piano, with vocal work by Theresa Thomason. It is an uplifting and thoughtful piece, a perfect song to wrap things up.
CD Track List
- Dolphin Morning
- The Well-Tempered Wood Thrush
- Grand Canyon Sunrise
- Caravan At Dawn
- Blues Cathedral
- Primavera (Spring)
- Land Of The Pipers
- Song To Roger
- Wolf Eyes
- Garden Of The Earth
- Triumph
- Harvest Faire
- Icarus
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