Wind Songs [Spring Hill]

by Michael Hoppe

Overview

In 1994, keyboardist Michael Hoppe and flutist Tim Wheater won accolades for their album The Yearning, which garnered CD Review's CD of the Year honors. For Wind Songs, the duo set the musical key to suit Wheater's many ethnic flutes, then improvised with "no previous rehearsing or mindset." The album opens with "Between Cave and Cloud"; mountains quake and skies shudder in extended Oms, a gently mournful lament for the Earth. Wheater switches from Native American to silver flute for "Silence of the Stars," as sleepy-eyed and seductive as Scheherazade; sparkling chimes signal outbursts of shooting stars, then a melody strokes with infinite tenderness. "Stray Bird" moves up in tone with its greener feeling, like the bursting of an Irish spring. Most cuts include songs from animals -- eagle cries, chattering squirrels -- while "On Wings of Sleep" lulls with a gentle brook. The tone throughout is like a nocturne: steady heartbeat, unfettered breathing, alert to reverence. Here, a troubled soul can find peace in the night. Richard Burmer added subtle synthesizer magic to the final mix. ~ Carol Wright

Product Details

Release Date:	05/22/2001
Label:	SPRING HILL
UPC:	0718795602827

Tracks

1. Between Cave and Cloud
2. Silence of Stars
3. Calling You (Once More)
4. Stray Bird
5. The Lovely Land
6. On Wings of Sleep
7. Tears of the Earth
8. The Lark's Return

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Michael Hoppe   Primary Artist,Keyboards
Tim Wheater   Primary Artist,Flute (Alto),Flute (Wood),Indian Flute,Penny Whistle
Richard Burmer   Primary Artist,Sound Effects

Technical Credits

Richard Burmer   Assembly,Engineer,Producer,Performer
Michael Hoppe   Composer,Producer,Liner Notes
Tim Wheater   Composer,Performer
Frosty Horton   Engineer
Joe Anderson   Artwork,Cover Design,Executive Producer
Mark Berger   Design,Layout Design
Neil Ricklen   Photography
Brian Hanscomb   Art Direction
Marco Ugolini   Artwork,Cover Design
Bill Horwedel   Art Direction,Executive Producer