Search - Eric McCarl :: Seeking The Light

A refreshing change

06/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've never thought of myself as a New Age music fan. Although I have nothing against Gregorian chants, the sound of whales, rain in the forest, Celtic music, etc., I was born and raised listening to Rock `N Roll. I spend most of my music time listening to Classic Rock. So, it was with more than a slight amount of hesitation that I clicked on the "Add to Shopping Cart" button beside Eric McCarl's Seeking The Light Within. This CD had come highly recommended from a friend whose music judgment I trust. Well, from the opening notes of "All this Wonder" to the final fade of "Hello Aja", I experienced a journey not unlike the first time I put the headphones on to listen to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" from start to finish. What a trip! The liner notes of the CD speak of an internal journey and of secrets once heard but long since forgotten. On the inside cover of the CD booklet is what can only be referred to as a poem about Light. Now, the closest I ever got to poetry was reading the lyrics to Bob Dylan, yet there was something very captivating in this story. I re-read it several times. As far as solo piano is concerned, Eric seems to allow the listeners mind to be the background orchestration to the music. I've since discussed this CD with the friend who referred me, and even though we both highly enjoy the music, we disagree as to which instruments we could imagine supporting the CD in various places. For instance, in the song "Alone", I hear the perfect accompaniment to be a nylon string guitar, where she swears that the French Horn would be the only way to go. In the song "Take Me Home", I would love to hear a String Quartet accompanying, while she hears, of all instruments, an Accordion (She says it's an Italian thing)! I find it interesting that Eric's music can evoke such different reactions between 2 individuals with such similar taste in music. Although one CD doth not a New Age fan make, Eric McCarl's Seeking The Light Within seems to transcend Musical Genres, and does what every truly great CD (or Album) seems to do: It holds a unique message for each listener. And, as his bio states that his influences include Elton John (especially, in my opinion, early Elton), I can, without guilt, listen to this CD and still feel a connection to my Rock and Roll roots. This is a wonderful listening experience!"

The Perfect Vehicle for a Journey Within

T. J. Hoida | Huntington Beach, CA USA | 06/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Seeking The Light Within, the first release by Eric McCarl and Weaving Libra Records, is sure to put both names on the New Age map. In his debut CD, Eric McCarl writes of life, lessons and looking back. This CD contains 15 songs of solo piano and nearly 65 minutes of music. I was fortunate to receive one of his first Artist Profiles, and here's what Eric wrote as a description of the song "To be a Man":"I wrote this song at a very interesting time in my life, where I had just decided to give up fighting upstream, and let the river of life carry me where I was supposed to go. This concept of letting go has been a part of many religious and spiritual teachings, even used in 12-step programs - "Let go and let God." If memory serves me correctly, I was standing in a musical instrument repair shop on a Tuesday afternoon, unemployed, with no idea where my next paycheck (much less the rent check) was going to come from, listening to a used instrument salesman pitching a piece of gear -- "only used for two hours in a very famous Recording Studio in Hollywood . . ." when I wandered away toward an electric piano that was being repaired by a kid who obviously didn't want any attention. When he finally, sheepishly looked up from his work, he told me that he had reworked the manufacturer's sound on the piano, and asked if I would like to hear how it sounded. I said yes, and put the headphones on and touched the keys. The resulting sound possessed a beauty that was unlike anything I'd ever heard, and my hands wrote this song. This song is about trusting in a higher power than ourselves, and maybe more so, realizing that sometimes immense beauty exists in those that are the most afraid to show it."With this kind of insight, it is no surprise that each song takes the listener on their own internal journey. I've listened to this CD several times, and each time I hear something new or experience different thoughts. At a point in our history when it is most important to search inside ourselves for answers, this CD couldn't have come along at a better time.I highly recommend "Seeking The Light Within!" I look forward to the next two installments of this trilogy."

Peaceful and Expansive

MDM | Orange County, CA | 07/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this CD! It creates a peaceful and expansive mood whenever I play it. Eric's music is uncluttered, upbeat and inspiring."