WINTER MORNINGS - What a great recording this is! So few artists record music that attempts to evoke the moods of winter
(except for holiday carols). However, keyboard player Shirley Cason has done just that - composed an entire
album of serene, peaceful, evocative electronic keyboard and piano instrumentals, tinted with a superb
combination of somberness and gentility. As a result, these eight musical soundscapes properly reflect
winter's emotional resonance on the land and on people. Being from Minnesota, the land where winter
lasts from November through March, I know what I'm talkin' about, Willis!
Winter Mornings is full of lovely music. Throughout the album, Cason shows her ability to mix her assorted
keyboards and synths (strings, bells, textures, piano) in songs that are accessible yet (at times) free-flowing
enough to be quasi-ambient. This is especially true on the eight-minute "Winter Skies," which mixes softly
swelling strings, twinkling bell tones, gentle plucked guitar, and subtle background spacy synthesizer textures.
For comparison's sake, imagine a blend of Jon Mark's melancholy beauty with Kevin Kendle's wonderful melodic
sensibility. I hold Messrs Mark and Kendle in the highest regard so this comparison is rare praise indeed.
And, while Cason is not quite at their level, she is getting close with this recording. Besides the beautiful
"Winter Skies," there are also the shiny bright bell tones, hushed synth chorales and gentle electronica rhythms
of "Icicle Melt," the somber and darker "10 Degrees" (sounding a little like Tim Story, with repeating piano
refrains and shadowy synthesizer shadings, and then moving slowly into a warmer romantic sound, a la Ciani or
Yanni at their best). In addition, there is the plaintive minimal piano and synth title track and the
light-as-a-feather bells and chimes of "Snow Dance" (Cason plays this one smart by opening with the chimes
and bells played arrhythmically, thereby creating a musical illusion of randomly falling snowflakes).
This last piece also features well-executed flute samples and slowly building momentum over a bed of
what sounds like sampled kalimba (African thumb piano).
The opening track, "Beauty of the Earth," features delicate synth strings and gently strummed/picked guitar
(sampled) while "Children and Snowmen," yet another peaceful mixture of assorted keyboards, once again
reminded me of Kevin Kendle, but this time with a dash of playfulness and innocence added to the other elements.
Finally, for a touch of whimsy and humor, the artist closes with "Gulf of Florida," a short piano and minimal
synth number which features parts of the refrain from the traditional folk song "Oh Susanna," leaving the
listener with the notion that, while winter has its charms and its beauty, one does need a little warmth
and sunshine too (again, as a Minnesotan,
I heartily agree!).
When I reviewed A Summer Dream (2002) a few years ago, I knew Shirley Cason was talented,
but I admit to being surprised at how fully realized a musical statement "Winter Mornings" is.
While there are no tracks that will remind you of blizzards, these beautiful, somewhat minimal,
relatively subdued songs are evocative of that season which is normally
ignored by artists.
Fans of warm melodic electronic keyboard music (mostly without overt rhythms, though) will almost
certainly enjoy this CD, and if you miss the days of classic new age music (lots of bell tones and
twinkling chimes), then you're in for a big treat as Cason has plenty of them throughout the album.
Highly recommended, especially for romantics (like me).
Bill Binkelman
New Age Reporter.com
WINTER MORNINGS
CD review by Kathy Parson
Mainly Piano.com
All of the music for “Winter Mornings” came to Shirley Cason during the early hours of winter days,
hence the title. Played on various keyboards, several of the selections have a cool, ambient feel
while others are more melodic and structured.
“Beauty of the Earth” opens the CD with a gentle song
about God and Earth’s marriage, and all of us being the children of their universe. “Winter Skies”
is a bit more orchestrated, depicting an icy coolness and the stillness of early morning. Ambient
and floating, this is a very effective piece. “Icicle Melt” comes from the dripping sounds of icicles
melting off the house. Electronic and elegant, this piece is much more ambient than melodic,
and has a very shimmering beauty. “10 Degrees” is my favorite track. Darkly beautiful, it is
like the light dancing and sparkling off of early morning snow. There is also a sense of mystery
and of a vastness that works really well. “Snow Dance” is almost a musical Christmas card. Gentle
bell-like sounds create the feeling of snowflakes swirling and of morning light bouncing off of the
surface of the snow. Very serene and peaceful with a gentle rhythm for the dance. “Children and Snowmen”
is a bit lighter although it is far from bright and carefree. The piece becomes more orchestrated as it
develops, and would be lovely as the soundtrack to a scene of winter activities. The CD closes with
“Gulf of Florida,” a musical admission of needing to flee the snow for a week each year to warm up.
It’s a very charming way to end this chilly and evocative collection.
“Winter Mornings” is a wonderful CD for relaxing or cozying up to a winter fire. Very enjoyable!
It is available from amazon.com & shirleycason.com.
Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com
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