Other Worlds
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley December 21, 2024
Artist – David Darling
Distributor: A Train Entertainment
Released: October 2024
Running Time: 40m 7secs
Website: https://curveblue.com/other-worlds
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Composer and musician David Darling (1941-2021) left behind a body of unfinished works, several of which have been gathered together to form the divinely dream laden Other Worlds, released in October with the assistance of Ty Burhoe, Jiebing Chen and Lili Hayden each of whom, with innate skill, add an almost surreal dimension to the various compositions.
With posthumous work it is always a point of consideration as to what was the original intent and is the final recording one which in this instance, David Darling would approve. Mickey Houlihan of Curve Blue, long time friend and manager for David Darling, oversaw the release of Ocean Dreaming Ocean with Hans Christian 2023 to wide acclaim and now Other Worlds, which again brings pieces into the light that may never have been enjoyed.
With the introduction Amelia, the seductive notes of piano immediately lead on to the intriguing question, who was Amelia, to have a piece of such intimate beauty created in her name.
Other Worlds, the song, is simply transcendental, containing many tempos; layers discovered almost by chance, once again drifting past gentle harmony before moving into the more specific Rendezvous with a delicate dance of piano and violin. Perfection.
The Pilgrimage, features the distinctive sound of the Erhu, coupled with a slight element of percussion, a delicate hint of vocals weaving in and out of the melody, to create a light and contemplative moment.
An enigmatic work which boarders on deeply felt emotion, tantalizingly light moments, offset with somber elements, is The Walk Home; prescient, maybe but intriguing in its singular sound, which draws a softly gentle moment in time to a thoughtful conclusion.