Serenity

Created in Sedona, Arizona, this remarkably beautiful album has the all elements of this geographically stunning state woven throughout, creating a tapestry of sound that is as delicate as it is robust.  From the vibe that is Sedona, to the majesty of the mountains and the still, timeless beauty of the plains, Kollwitz has deliberately or otherwise, used these elements in this latest album, an album which is once again, different to the music he has, over many years created.

Inspired by Marshall Vian Summers book ‘Steps To Knowledge – The Book of Inner Knowing’ this virtuoso of the Chapman Stick or ‘Stick’, Michael Kollwitz has shown his undoubted skill, in this hour long collection of refreshingly intriguing pieces.

Using ‘The Book of all Knowledge’ as a metaphor, each of the tracks is or could be a different day, a new chapter, a divergence in the flow of inspiration. The exotic influence of the ‘Stick’ creates a difference, an harmony which allows the mind to wander, to change down a notch or two, to drift across the soundscape to places new, yet unseen, unchallenged.

Mellow and yet uplifting, each of the pieces takes you on a slightly different journey, perhaps significant to the landscape of the place in which he lives, as well as the 365 steps to be followed in ‘The Book’ as a spiritual learning is undertaken. As with all things each piece could be seen as one of the many steps along the way to a better, richer, more fulfilling, understanding of spirituality.

The introductory piece Mountain Sanctuary paints the picture of a peaceful, special place far from the daily influences; a place to simply be still and enjoy the moment. Simple Pleasure has a slightly more measured application, with threads binding it into the previously gentle flow of the music.

The simply delicious Quiet Full Moon encourages reminiscence of the many times spent watching the moon in its full glory; lighting up the night, washing the earth in its true, glorious, majesty. Higher Power dreamily follows, with a refreshing rhythm which allows the gentle nature of the music to remind one that there is a higher power, of which we should all be cognizant.

In a fitting finale, No Hurry, No Worry, sends us on our way, revitalised for spending a moment in reflection, in Serenity, at peace.

A unique and delicately beautiful album, guaranteed to refresh the body, mind and soul.

 Note: ‘The Chapman Stick is an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970s. A member of the guitar family, the Chapman Stick usually has ten or twelve individually tuned strings and has been used on music recordings to play bass lines, melody lines, chords, or textures’ (i)

(i)                  Ref: Wikipedia