Album Review by Steve Sheppard at One World Music Steve N Chrissie Owm “Western Mystical Tradition by Earth Tree Healing in my view is the best work
so far by the artist, each and every composition, each and every work of art is
gratefully received by these ever eager ears; this must go down as one of the
most remarkable new age styled albums to have been released this year, one I
Western Mystical Tradition By Earth Tree Healing
Written by Steve Sheppard
There has never a better time to bring good healing music into this world than right now, when the very fabric of all that we once knew is being torn apart, by a lust for power, enabled by fear and negativity. Now with albums like this the gentle fight back of love and light will rise up, and this could well be the musical backdrop with which it happens.
Western Mystical Tradition is the latest release by Earth Tree Healing, who took us on a fine journey with Goddess earlier this year. This voyage of plenty starts with a lively short form musical introduction entitled Capodastro.
At this point we are delivered a composition which must be one of the best in this genre I have heard for years. The track is called Ethereal Sunset 432 Hz, the sound of the universe sweeps over our senses; this is the most beautiful piece of music that you’re ever likely to hear, the vibrational tone works for me, bringing chills to each and every hair on my arms, and the major minor chord structures, along with the build and progression here is utter quality, so much so I never wanted it to end.
Only twice have I see this actually occur, firstly the track is Murmuration and secondly for those who do not know, this refers to the phenomenon that results when hundreds, sometimes thousands, of starlings fly in swooping, intricately coordinated patterns through the sky. The swirling sounds and clever narrative on keyboards is absolutely perfect for this occurrence and one that is deeply fascinating to listen to.
On Mantra we are right in my ball park, to coin a phrase, or even an Americanism, the eastern values are strong here, but there is also an extremely cleverly crafted guitar, aiding what I think is a harmonium. When we gather the energies all together, a careful beat and percussive ethic joins this musical fray and completes a composition that almost takes me back to the late 60’s.
We are now nudging the middle of the album and some sumptuous acoustic guitar and a delicate keyboard greet our ever eager ears, as we herald the arrival of the track Sorrow of Souls, the further addition of strings here just creates a further lush dimension of sound to revel within.
Archipelago is our next docking port, and the gentle sea can be heard lapping up onto its shores. We have many stretches of water further west of us that have many small islands and a beautiful site it is as well. The multiinstrumental nature of this track alone is so well performed, and with such a mindful sense of balance as well, one can easily picture this scene through the music and be simply swept away by its overall chill out nature, a totally divine offering indeed.
The shortest track off the album is this one called Motion of the Moon, but even at only just over two and a half minutes long, it is one heck of an attractive offering, especially the performance on guitar in partnership the keyboards, one that manifested something quite graphic and addictive for us all.
We have three long form pieces now, so to our first spacious room of tone and vibration and it is called Orbital Ghosts, we now see a vast realm of musical brilliance open up before us, one so deep, yet bathed in a spectacular calmness of utter ambience. At just under ten minutes this breath-taking opus seems to drift over our senses like a late autumn mist, across a deep and dark lake, we are never quite sure what may or may not happen next, but the hovering anticipation of the keyboards and synths are just absolutely sublime.
Our longest track on the album is the following composition entitled Zodiacal Light. It partners the previous offering perfectly, but now also has that certain Kevin Kendle, super space music vibe about it as well. One could easily feel themselves floating up into the darkness of space to this one, perhaps even to watch the lights from the Orion nebula themselves. Synths and keyboards are the ship we now traverse the universe in, and the sublime sense of being able to just float within this composition is idyllic, if this track had lasted a whole hour I would not have minded.
Our penultimate piece is called Moonlight Arc, music akin to watching the moon rise on some distant world, a veritable soundtrack for this magical moment, the deep bass sound here was so incredible, the slowness was literally the arc of light gently rising to its zenith, this for me was one of my personal favourites on the album, and one that manifested something so very emotive and powerful as well.
Eulogy is our very last offering, a solo piano piece that takes us out of an album that has been incredibly impressive, a fine ending to a sublimely crafted and quite stunning release. Western Mystical Tradition by Earth Tree Healing in my view is the best work so far by the artist, each and every composition, each and every work of art is gratefully received by these ever eager ears; this must go down as one of the most remarkable new age styled albums to have been released this year, one I have absolutely no problem recommending.
Blessed, Grateful – Claudine October 2019.
Music Links
https://linktr.ee/earthtreehealing
Claudine West Music 