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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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| A Delicate Joy |
| By David Nevue |
| Label: Midnight Rain Productions |
| Released 11/2/2011 |
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| A Delicate Joy tracks |
1. A Delicate Joy
2. Traveling Light
3. Down by the Sally Gardens [Traditional Irish Melody inspired by a poem by William Butler Yeats]
4. The Garden Swing
5. Days Gone By
6. A Vision in White
7. My Happy Dance
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8. A Tiny Heartbeat
9. Just Because I Love You
10. Happily Ever After
11. Hand in Hand
12. Under the Setting Sun
13. Goodnight Sweet Angel
14. Jesu Joy Canon in D [mish-mash of Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" + Pachelbel's "Canon in D"]
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No Better Kind |
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I have known David Nevue for nearly a decade and I can tell you without equivocation that he is dedicated to three things in his live. He makes no secret of them. They are his love of family, his faith and gratitude in God and his successful attempts to join the two together in every note he plays, for his third love is truly, his music.
His latest album, A Delicate Joy, fourteen tracks of glorious solo piano music, is his first solo album in five years. His latest works have been hymns, prayers and adaptations, but this one is different. His theme is the communion of family, God and life and his faith shines through as it usually does on his recordings. Okay, maybe it is not exactly different, but to me there is no better inspiration.
In the title tune, A Delicate Joy, there is obvious elation. It plays like a series of vignettes of the family life, the little everyday miracles. The first steps of a child, that first flake of snow on your tongue, or the little snail in the garden. There is also the celebration of pride of being a participant in the miracles. That is the joy.
Traveling Light is the radiance that came from the sun just about eight minutes ago. It is a nourishing light that starts the busy day, makes green things grow, and causes little eyes to squint and make scrunchy faces. The song is a light, carefree tune that is a perfect background for the all-day beach trip, the walk in the park or the backyard adventure. Don't forget a snack!
The old Irish tune Down By The Sally Gardens the only song on the album that David did not pen, is a popular ditty recorded by many great artists including James Galway and Tangerine Dream. Based on a poem by W B Yeats, the story is about two unrequited lovers that woo among the willow trees. David's rendition is soft and sweet and could be used on any night as a loving lullaby.
I chose to review Happily Ever After on the title alone. I love happy endings and these days they are a rare thing indeed. I took heart as I listened to the tune that promised that a storybook ending is not a thing of the past. Sometimes a happy ending is not the hero riding off into the sunset or the fairytale union. Sometimes it is a healthy child or a graduation to second grade. For others it might be the removal of training wheels or the sinking of the last nail in a tree house. We have to celebrate these little victories when we can.
David begins the final tune with a delightful rift to present his arrangement of Jesu Joy Canon in D. It is a blending of Bach's and Pachelbel's more famous works and there is no loss of irony that they are two of my favorite classical pieces. What they have in common is the celebration of the power and glory of God. The tune is gift wrapped with a strong melody and a strong sense of...you guessed it, joy.
My new grandson, Michael Joseph came into our lives on a blustery fall day last October. His voice started out strong and his spirit shone brightly. The next day he faltered a bit, but then he rallied into a delicate joy for all of us. It was rather ironic that the same day David Nevue’s new album A Delicate Joy arrived at my door. After listening to David's music. I know what joy sounds like. |
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Rating: Very Good  |
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- reviewed by RJ Lannan on 6/22/2012 |
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