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The Sounding Board by R J Lannan |
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RJ Lannan is the reviewer for The Sounding Board. |
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| The Landing (Special Edition) |
| By David Clavijo |
| Label: Self Released |
| Released 7/20/2010 |
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| The Landing (Special Edition) tracks |
1. Dancing on the Moon
2. Distant Love
3. Es Vedra
4. Las Dunas
5. Nowhere
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6. Sailing in my Dreams
7. African Spirit
8. East Winds
9. Uttara Kanda
10. Promises
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From Here to There |
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Spain's favorite son, David Clavijo, has released a fascinating album called The Landing that combines New Age and ambient genres with a little soundtrack feel thrown in. It is a winning combination that is entertaining as well as expressive. David is a multi-instrumentalist and becomes a guide on a round the world and beyond adventure. I say beyond because the music starts somewhere on the surface moon and travels earthward and around the planet to propose the magic of some great tunes.
Dancing on the Moon is an ambient tune with voice, piano, a strong percussion track and a rare enthusiasm that celebrates the discovery of serene beauty. On the moon there is shadow and light. The wonderful texture of the moonscapes sculpts a joy in the heart. David captures that silver beauty in each and every note.
The inspiration for the song Es Vedra comes from a tiny wonderland off the coast of Ibiza. It is just a small hill of limestone in the sunny Mediterranean, but is an islet steeped in mystery and myth, both ancient and modern. Not only is it the suggested site of the kingdom of Atlantis, but a landing zone for extra-terrestrial visitors. Why not? Anything can be a landmark from space. Es Vedra is the home of butterflies and dragonflies, and David's choice of a mixture of electric guitar and Gregorian chant are perfect partners for the song.
The song Nowhere is definitely somewhere. The electric guitar and pan flute meld to offer a dreamy place where the spirit glides from one cloud to another, freely without care. The song decrees open spaces, vast quiet deserts and calm seas where daydreams hover for a time and drift away.
The ancient tusk horn calls the people back into the village and to safety as a storm appears on the horizon. African Spirit has a jazzy piano lead with tribal voices echoing in the background. This turned out to be a favorite for its exuberance. It is a celebration of life somewhere on the open plain. I could almost hear the smiles of the people in this one.
There are many great stories in the Sanskrit chronicles and the Journey of Rama is one of them. One of the books is called Utarra Kanda and it is the fascinating story of Rama and Sita and their life together after Sita is declared pure. She is banished and gives birth to two sons. They are taught by the wise man Valmiki to sing of their mother's destiny and she is accepted into the earth. David uses traditional sitar, flute, zither and percussion to tell the lively tale.
I have to admit when I first heard Promises I thought of Loreena McKennitt and how she combines ethnic rhythms into her music. The sweet violin and smooth piano blend extremely well with the female voice and Middle Eastern percussion to close out the journey. It is the promise of more to come and the pledge that the next adventure will be even more exciting. I can hear why David Clavijo calls this the Special Edition because it is great music that would please many different listeners. |
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Rating: Very Good  |
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- reviewed by RJ Lannan on 5/28/2012 |
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