William Ackerman - Sound of Wind Driven Rain (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

Simple beauty

A. D. Lewis | Blackwood, S. Wales | 02/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The unique talent of Will Ackerman lies not in technique, or elaborate creativity. He produces works that are based on the simplest of themes with no attempt at any real development.It is what he does with these simple tools that marks him out as a gifted and exceptional artist. Rarely will you hear such beauty, such contemplative joy, such soothing suspension of time. Aided in all of his works by perfect recording and production, Ackerman infuses this simple raw material with a sensitivity and expressiveness that is quite remarkable. Those who know his earlier recordings will remember the beauty of works like THE BRICKLAYERS BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, and THE IMPENDING DEATH OF THE VIRGIN SPIRIT . SOUND OF WIND DRIVEN RAIN is a successful continuation. SHELLA'S PICTURES is gorgeous,drifting, quintessential Ackerman (playing solo, which I like best!). LION'S IN THE SKY has an opening which is breathtakingly lovely, and UNCONDITIONAL, I KNOW THIS RIVER, and MR. JACKSON'S HAT are further examples of Ackerman's ability to create a memorable aesthetic experience out of the simplest material. The addition,on some tracks, of Samite (vocal), violins, piano and English horn provides variety without breaking up the satisfying unity of the album, and the guitar parts are always deservedly prominent. Will Ackerman has his critics. 'Nothing happens in his music', they say.'It is pretty enough, but vacuous'. They label it (pejoratively) 'New Age', whatever that means. I can only give a personal response to this.....I think there are weak numbers in the Ackerman discography; rather bland pieces that won't get played that often. And all of his music operates within clear parameters. That said, I have listened, all my life, to many types of music, and can think of special, precious moments: Segovia on nylon strings,Rubinstein playing Chopin, Gieseking playing Debussy, the voice of Kathleen Ferrier, the sitar of Nikhil Banerjee, the piano of Bill Evans, the saxophone of Stan Getz, guitar pieces by John Fahey and David Qualey.To these I must add William Ackerman for those precious moments of uncluttered, simple beauty that occur often in his music, and are so spellbinding that all criticism is redundant. Music to help you journey through life....new age.....old age...any age!!"

Beautiful.

A. D. Lewis | 06/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've rocked my baby to sleep everynight with CD, the music is beautiful and moves me to tears--there is something very poignant about it, it makes me believe in the gentle rightness of the world, just before drifting into the nightime hours, when doubt and fear can crop up, this music fills me with peace."

Supernatural

peter | pasadena | 06/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was taken by Mr. Ackerman's playing in a Windham Hill Christmas CD. This CD carries Mr. Ackerman's style and sound with minimal accompaniment - very full and natural one can hear the overtones of his guitar. I play this album during Fall and winter seasons as it has that melancholy flavor a fitting backdrop of Seattle. This recording is very clean, clear, natural,full,and melodious. WHEN IS THE FOLLOW UP SCHEDULED TO COME OUT !!!!"

Another fine work from Mr. Ackerman

peter | 12/24/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On this work, Ackerman's latest, he continues his practice of mixing some solo guitar efforts with duets and ensemble arrangements as well as a first -- three songs with vocals ("A Child's Song" / "Hawk Circle" / "Sound of Wind Driven Rain"). Musically it pretty much falls into the same vein as his previous few releases such as "Imaginary Roads" and "The Opening of Doors."Particular highlights on this CD include "Driving Fast" (the most upbeat of the songs on the CD, with some interesting accompaniment by Charles Bisharat on violin, and Michael Manring on bass), the title track, and an extended re-working (clocking in at over 9 minutes) of "Hawk Circle", this time featuring additional guitar-work, drums and rainstick, with vocals (the original "Hawk Circle" arrangement on his "Passage" release featured the piano of George Winston).My only criticism of the CD is that it needs at least a couple more faster or more aggressive tempo songs than just the aforementioned "Driving Fast" -- granted, William Ackerman has pretty much left the folk-music style in which he worked early in his musical career, but the mostly slow, quieter arrangements on this CD could use a little spicing up.Although I hate the term "New Age Music" as a style categorization, as most people define it the music here falls into the category -- relatively soft, predominantly instrumental music."

One of his best

peter | 08/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The time William Ackerman spent making this new album was well worth it. "Sound of Wind Driven Rain" is a moving and haunting album. It comes across not so much as a collection of unrelated songs but as a cohesive musical portrait. Ackerman's composition style is gentle and inviting, and solo guitar tracks are interspersed with numerous collaborations with other musicians, all of them excellent. From Charlie Bisharat's lyrical and flowing violins on "Driving" (one of the best songs on the album) to Paul McCandless's welcome english horn on "Pontchartrain" to Samite's vocals on the lullaby "A Child's Song" (and others), the musical colors on this disc are varied and exciting. Ackerman's solo tracks show just what an expressive and insightful guitarist and composer he is. Give a good listen to the title track, which somehow manages to perfectly capture the essence of the words "Sound of Wind Driven Rain." Ackerman just keeps getting better over the years, and this album is a perfect introduction to his body of work as well as an important listen for dedicated fans."

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	William Ackerman Sound of Wind Driven Rain Genres: Jazz, New Age, Pop Track Listings (11) - Disc #1 Sheila's Pictures A Child's Song Driving Lion's in the Sky Unconditional Sound of Wind Driven Rain Wings on the Water Pontchartrain I Know This River Hawk Circle Mr. Jackson's Hat
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