Atmospheric persussion global journey.
This rich music weaves a global journey in the mind through
India, Africa, Celtic lands, The Carribean, Australia, Europe,
the Far East and Indonesia... Listen and relax or grab a
drum and join in.
background
The
label suggested the concept of The Healing Drum and paired
the 2 Chris's. Some material came out of CC adding to drumming
ideas, and sometimes CP added his drums to CC composed ideas.
In
the end it was a genuine collaboration with each Chris shining.
Quite a world music album in effect, though on a new age label.
influences
Oregon,
Paul Winter, Don Cherry, Bengt Berger, Stephan Micus, Donal
Lunny, Alan Stivell, Okay Temiz, Terry Riley, Arto Tuncboyaciyan
trivia
1,
2, 4, 7 by Chris Conway & Chris Puleston
3, 5 by Chris Puleston
6 by Chris Conway
total time - 49.00
CC's
fave track -Traveller
notes
1.
The Source 13.11
This piece goes through a 4 phases.
i. slow section as tin whistle plays over tabla
and subtle synthesizer
ii. faster section as didgeridu and old filtered
twin oscillator synthesizer play over tabla and temple
bells and zither.
iii. talking drum solo
iv. djembe and udu (big tuned tubes hit with sticks)
set up reggae-like rhythm with organ enters and low whistle
played though harmnizer solos over it all.
Chris P - tabla, talking drum, cymbals, gongs, pakhawaj,
didgeridoo, talking drum, djembe, udu
Chris C - synthesizers, tin whistle, temple bells, low
whistle, zither, low whistle with harmonizer, organ
Dave - cymbals, djembe
2. Traveller 5.00 Ghatam (clay pot) and bowl play over atmospheric synthesizers.
Zithers flow over the rhythm and play the repeated theme.
Chris P - ghatam
Chris C - zithers, synthesizers, temple bells
Dave - Balinese gong, singing bowl
3. The Healing Drum 1.12 Solo djembe interlude
Chris Puleston - djembe
4.
An Irishman in Africa 11.45 In 3/4 time. Djembe's are featured in the first half
especially. Marimba samples come in and state the theme
riff.
Acoustic 9string guitar solos. Things then take a Celtic
turn when the low whistle comes in. Repeated figures on
the marimba samples build up before the twin whistles
join in.
Chris P - shaker, djembe, cymbals, gongs
Chris C - synthesizer, marimba samples, bass drum, acoustic
9 string guitar, kalimba, low whistle, twin whistles
5. Cymbology 3.28 Cymbals and gongs underpinned by synthesizers which
play notes of the overtones of the gongs and cymbals
Chris P - cymbals, gongs
Chris C - synthesizer
6. The Seven Jewels 5.04 A piece in 7beat cycle, darabukas and subtly underpin
the vibraphone samples, kalimba, and mallet instumens
and acoustic 9 string guitar as they weave around eachother.
A low whistle solos overthe delicate carpet of sounds.
Chris P - darabukah, cymbals
Chris C - vibraphone sample, synthesizer, acoustic 9string
guitar, kalimba, low whistle, celeste, glockenspiel
7. Back To The River 9.02 A djembe is the backbone of the piece, over which
electric 9 string guitar, tin whistles and voice with
harmonizer and eventually theremin weave around eachother
before the waters rise around them
Chris P - djembe
Chris C - tin whistles with harmonizer & delay, voice
with hamonizer, electric 9string guitar, shaker, theremin,
THE HEALING DRUM is a tour-de-force of rhythm and percussive melodies from the duo of Chris Puleston and Chris Conway. Puleston is a drum aficionado, something obvious from viewing the list of drums appearing on the album: tabla, udu, talking drum, darbuka and djembe, to name a few. Conway's focus is melodic instrumentation, though on this album he learns toward melodic percussion instruments like the kalimba, bells and shakers, in addition to flute and guitar. THE HEALING DRUM certainly puts percussion in the spotlight, though Puleston and Conway opt for a multi-cultural fusion approach that interweaves rhythm with different layers of accent instrumentation.This is a nice, mid-tempo album for anyone who those who like tribal type music with a touch of new age flair.
The
Healing Drum's introductory selection The Source features
flute, the sound of water, rich layers of perussion and
a variety of instruments including the didgeridoo, setting
the tone for the magical journey musicians Chris Puleston,
Chris Conway and guest musician David Nash have created
for listeners of this album, which also includes instructions
for accompaniment should anyone want to drum along.
Listeners
can easily imagine following the Traveller on this musical
adventure, listen along to The Healing Drum, envision
An Irishman in Africa, experience Cymbology, imagine The
Seven Jewels and return, Back to the River.
Instruments
used throughout range from temple bells and glockenschpiel
to ones I've never heard of, like the ghatam and pakhawaj.
Most
of this exotic and relaxing collection is suitable for
meditation, easy listening, waiting rooms and for listening
during Reiki or massage. Take a listen first, though as
personal preference may dictate that a selection or two
may be a bit too exciting for those receiving healing
treatments.
by Beth Lowell, Managing Editor
webturtle
on Amie Street
(on
the track "An Irishman in Africa") - This
is not just a song, it's a journey. Beautifully composed,
if you like the fusion of Africa and Ireland, and New Age
music, this is the trip to take.
What
we thought: Fun-tastic This is so cool! I finally got to use my shamanic drum
for more than just space clearing, unfortunately this has
resulted in my being warned that I might have to move into
the shed if I don't stop! - Allyson
