Prelude For A Peak Experience (Brown Bag Baroque Suite)
Apple Pie Allemande
Blackberry Courante
The Sage (Sarabande)
Hummingbird Minuet
Ladybug Gavotte
Caterpillar Chaconne Into Butterfly
Teddy Bear's Joyful Jig (Gigue)
Today's The Day
Like his two previous efforts [The Candlelight Guitarist, aka Bradley Powell] once again effortlessly spins out relaxing instrumental music which is easy to embrace from the first listen. ...as gentle soothing backgroun... more »d music (especially since it's enhanced with assorted nature sounds from the Pacific northwest and Laguna Beach, California), this is a near perfect listening experience. ...gentle melodicism, flowing with just enough energy but still infused with peace and a feeling of calm.
...
Powell can also inject a little liveliness (yet still subdued so as to not disturb the overall tone of the album), as he does on "Seven Sunflowers" which has a lilting playfulness to it. "Robin's Aria" is wistful and romantic, tinted with the glow from a setting sun perhaps, while the whimsically titled "My Imaginary Hammock" oozes a feeling of relaxing and even luxuriating in a pleasant state of laziness.
...
"Blackberry Courante" is one of my faves on the CD, with a fanciful air to it, as Powell's fingers dance lightly over the fretboard expressing such unbridled joy that it's hard to resist smiling. And one can only kick up one's heels at the aptly titled lucky "Teddy Bear's Joyful Jig (Gigue)." However, despite the recognizable classical flavor, acoustic guitar lovers who normally shy away from that type of music should not be dissuaded because, in Powell's sure hands, you may not even realize you're listening to music influenced from a long time ago.
...
His music is almost always positive in nature, even when there is a tint of melancholy or reflection. It's simply music that makes you feel good, period. ...when searching for the soundtrack to a relaxing afternoon...I don't think you could do much better than this wonderful album. Solidly recommended. Bill Binkelman
Like his two previous efforts [The Candlelight Guitarist, aka Bradley Powell] once again effortlessly spins out relaxing instrumental music which is easy to embrace from the first listen. ...as gentle soothing background music (especially since it's enhanced with assorted nature sounds from the Pacific northwest and Laguna Beach, California), this is a near perfect listening experience. ...gentle melodicism, flowing with just enough energy but still infused with peace and a feeling of calm.
...
Powell can also inject a little liveliness (yet still subdued so as to not disturb the overall tone of the album), as he does on "Seven Sunflowers" which has a lilting playfulness to it. "Robin's Aria" is wistful and romantic, tinted with the glow from a setting sun perhaps, while the whimsically titled "My Imaginary Hammock" oozes a feeling of relaxing and even luxuriating in a pleasant state of laziness.
...
"Blackberry Courante" is one of my faves on the CD, with a fanciful air to it, as Powell's fingers dance lightly over the fretboard expressing such unbridled joy that it's hard to resist smiling. And one can only kick up one's heels at the aptly titled lucky "Teddy Bear's Joyful Jig (Gigue)." However, despite the recognizable classical flavor, acoustic guitar lovers who normally shy away from that type of music should not be dissuaded because, in Powell's sure hands, you may not even realize you're listening to music influenced from a long time ago.
...
His music is almost always positive in nature, even when there is a tint of melancholy or reflection. It's simply music that makes you feel good, period. ...when searching for the soundtrack to a relaxing afternoon...I don't think you could do much better than this wonderful album. Solidly recommended. Bill Binkelman
New Age Reporter
1/26/07
CD Reviews
Uplifting & Relaxing Guitar Instrumentals
Cynthia Sue Larson | San Francisco bay area, CA USA | 12/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"SUNFLOWER SERENITY has sixteen songs totalling over an hour of beautiful instrumental guitar melodies which are interspersed with soothing sounds from nature. The Candlelight Guitarist's guitar solos perfectly complement birdsongs, ocean waves, babbling brooks, and wind through trees. Listening to this album is immensely soothing and uplifting at the same time... the perfect music for getting or giving a massage, for a romantic dinner for two, for meditation, or for music to read by. Each song has its own fresh sound, yet all go together smoothly. The song titles are remniscent of spending a day in the garden, with themes revolving around flowers, birds, the hammock, hummingbirds, ladybugs and caterpillars, as the music transports us to a beautiful spring day in a sunny garden by the sea."
Dreamy
G. Sawaged | Canada | 11/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 3rd cd by Brad Powell does not disappoint. From beginning to end this cd is an absolute treasure. If you are looking for an artist who can transport you to a place of peace and relaxation then this is it. In fact, the cover artwork says it all. Beautiful...beautiful...beautiful...!
"
An Artist's Heart
Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 04/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." ~Louisa May Alcott
Guitar solos invite you into a place of deep relaxation where you can renew your spirit. Bradley Powell's "Sunflower Serenity" is the first in a series called Watercolor Odysey that explores life's journey.
This healing and warm melodious experience is filled with heart healing energy. Dreamy guitar takes center stage as a rich landscape of sounds creates a moment of reflection. The tracks melt beautifully together to create an escape into serenity.
Bradley Powell's flawless playing allows you to completely relax into sleep or relax into an evening of candlelight and romance. I've fallen into a peaceful sleep while listening to this music and have also spent relaxing afternoons reading while The Candlelight Guitarist wove an intricate tapestry of sounds to nurture my heart.
Bradley Powell's music soothes the soul and leads you into a tranquil space of musical paradise.
~The Rebecca Review
"
Very serene and relaxing
Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 12/08/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the 3rd CD from "The Candlelight Guitarist," AKA Bradley Powell. Brad has a knack for putting together gentle, soothing guitar medleys which provide the perfect background or relaxation soundtrack. As with his other CDs, he combines his guitar solos with nature sounds, but I found latter to be less distinct here than in his previous offerings (especially the his first release, Music for Rest & Renewal, where the nature sounds are more prominent). I also found less of an individual character to each of the songs on this album. For example, although tracks 8-15 are labeled "Brown Bag Baroque Suite," to my ear, these songs were not particularly distinct from the other 8 tracks on the CD. One aspect that was unique to this CD (and the reason behind the "Watercolor Odyssey" name) was that Brad incorporates watercolor art created by his 85 year old mother into the design; the beautiful sunflower images lend a distinctly personal aspect to this album. Overall, this is another solid offering from The Candlelight Guitarist and one that is likely to be enjoyed by fans of his previous work."
Very Good Album
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 12/03/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Bradley Powell creates another Acoustic Relaxing Guitar based album with natural sounds that are a Pure reflection of Atmosphere&very comforting.very pure tradtional sounds&very re-freshing to the Ears. a Nice collection of Songs."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1