Some
of these albums have a very
explicit message and/or ambience whilst others inspire
me probably
more due to my personal associations, memories, fantasies,
musicianship, what-have-you... all
these albums contain beautiful music that stirs and nourishes
my soul in some way. Music
is a very subjective thing, yet it trancends our differences - our culture, our language, our beliefs.
Jamie
Click here to listen to a
selection of these tracks
Tom Rossi - Salma Har
The songs have a such
simple structure, but the many layers and
influences from various cultures keeps it interesting and fresh. A
lesson to musicans everywhere to keep it simple and play it from the
heart.
Dan Gibson - Yoga
I find a lot of ambient
/ meditative music to be somewhat cheesy, but
this is a beautiful album that uses space and atmosphere to great
effect. Truely wonderful music for relaxing or meditating.
Robbie Robertson
- Robbie
Robertson
Robbie has always been a
great influence. A great guitarist, a great
storyteller, and someone with a great ear for something slightly
different. He paints evocative pictures with his music.
Robbie
Robertson - Storyville
Whilst his previous self
titled album is predominantly rock orientated, he
softens up beautifully with his second solo venture. One of the few
people I've heard who can still get away with voice overs. For genuine
romantics everywhere.
Robbie
Robertson - Music for Native Americans
Robbie leaves the
security of his popular music roots and returns to
the sounds and textures of his maternal homeland. Simply
wonderful
atmospheric music. A truely great homage to a great people.
Robbie
Robertson - Contact from the Underworld of
Redboy
The overall theme still
Native American, obviously an issue close to Robbie's heart, but
this time mixed with contempory dance music. Once again Robbie
demonstrates how he moves with the times and can convey his
message and his unique style irrespective of the medium used.
Sting - The
Soul Cages
This album was recorded
just after the death of Sting's father -
an event which obviously affected him deeply. In
this very
dark, sombre
work, every song is a very personal catharsis, yet
the
underlying architypal themes offer something of value to us all.
Rachmaninov
- The Isle of the Dead
Like most of Rachmaninov's work,
this is very moving and romantic piece. Inspired by Arnold
Böcklin's
haunting painting, it narrates the story of a soul
journeying to it's final resting
place on the Isle of the Dead. This voyage evokes a wide range
of powerful emotions, both light and dark - beauty and melancholy
intertwined.
Rachmaninov - Rhapsody
on a Theme by Paganni
Rachmaninov once said "... when
writing down my music, [I try] to make it say simply and directly that
which is in my heart . . ." He has a very difficult life and
undoubtedly this is reflected in his profound compositions, yet there
is also joy and beauty. The Rhapsody is pure bliss, enough to bring
tears to my eyes. Every time I listen to it, a
tension slowly
builds within me from the first bar until finally the whole thing
flips on it's head for the famous 20th variation,
at which
point I'm held motionless in a state of total calm and serenity.
John Barry
- Somewhere In Time
I've always been a
sucker for a good love story. This soundtrack was also my
introduction to the Rhapsody (by Rachmaninov). The rest of the music
complements it perfectly.
Vangelis -
Bladerunner (Orchestral Adaptation), Bladerunner (Original Soundtrack)
A great film, and two
great (and distinctly different) soundtracks. Night music that takes
you straight back to that
desolate and beautiful world in 2019.
Andy
Summers - Mysterious Barricades, The Golden Wire
Another atmospheric
album that conjures up such vivid memories and
emotions for me. It's also a great album to fall asleep to.
Soul II Soul - Just
Right Vol. 3
Perhaps a little dated
now, but the message is still fresh. Jazzy B
knows how to write and produce a song and get the best out of the
contributors. Respect...
John Martyn
- Solid Air, One World
This hippy album is
still a classic. Every song is a masterpiece.
John Martyn
- Solid Air, One World
It seemed impossible to
think that John could follow up Solid Air with
another classic, but he did.
The Police - Ghost in the Machine
I've been a Police
fanatic since my youth. In many ways this was my
favorite album because it was the least pretentious. They just went in
to the studio and did their thing, despite the increasing commerical
pressures to produce a stream of hits. Probably the darkest album the
band produced, but also the punchiest and the most profound. Possibly
one of the best drum sounds ever captured!
Jack Johnson - In
Between Dreams
An enlightened man.
Listen to the lyrics.
Peter Gabriel - So
Peter Gabriel is a
master at conveying emotions and the mechanics of
life without resorting to complex or pretentious music. I've never
heard such an honest bearing of one's own soul through lyrical music.
Peter
Gabriel - Up
I hope Peter is ok
wherever he is in his life - this album is very
dark, even for him. There is little relief. Still, there are lessons
and truths in here that we can all learn from if we are prepared to
open our hearts and minds.