Throughout the Autumn Light

Zone Music Reporter

June 3, 2011

When an artist releases an album as good as Robert Linton's previous recording, Whisperings at Nightfall, I wonder what will happen with the next CD. Will it equal its predecessor or disappoint? Will it underscore the promise of the earlier artistry or betray it? I was only a few minutes into my first playing of Throughout the Autumn Light when I realized that Linton had not only trumped the success of Whisperings at Nightfall but had recorded and released an album that is going to land on any self-respecting critic's "Best of 2011" list come January of 2012. I know it will be on mine.

Retaining the services of ace engineer Corin Nelsen, who worked on Whisperings.., but taking over the reins of production (along with Nelsen) from the highly esteemed Will Ackerman (who helmed Whisperings..), Linton proves that he is as accomplished at riding herd over an album as well as writing and performing on it. Bringing along some of the same stellar accompanists who sometimes grace Imaginary Road Studios recorded efforts, such as Jeff Oster on flugelhorn, Jill Haley on English horn, and Tracy Silverman on violin, and adding one of my favorites, Jeff Pearce on E-bow guitar, Linton fleshes out the ten tracks on the CD with a deft touch, applying just the right amount of "extras" to further enrich his exquisite acoustic guitar playing.

Throughout the Autumn Light is ideal "autumnal" music, overflowing with a gentle somberness, tinged with warmth and friendliness but also carrying a mood of reflection and, sometimes, melancholy. Linton plays with a nuance and delicacy that is both intimate and inviting, as if he was playing for you, the listener, alone in a room. His guitar is expertly recorded - every note and chord is crystal clear, as are the contributions from the accompanists. The music seams to wend its way into your soul, carrying you to a place of restfulness but also of remembrance and, at times, subtle regret. Each track reinforces the overall soft plaintive mood of the CD with nary a disruption in tempo or style. However, with the presence of the guest artists, monotony doesn't creep into the songs at all - a cohesive artistic vision is self-evident to the attentive listener.

The title track opens the CD with Linton's evocative guitar matched by Stephen Katz's cello - one can almost imagine the music being a soundtrack for a walk through the woods in the golden light of an autumn afternoon. Drifting Reflections conveys a more somber mood with Haley's English horn counterpointing Linton's guitar perfectly. Pearce appears on the haunting Glistening after the Mist, coloring Linton's acoustic guitar notes with subtle shadings from his textural E-bow. Moments of Reverie is brushed lightly by a neo-classical influence and a hint of Spanish flavor - but just a whisper, really. Oster joins Linton on the closing Evening Sunset and it's a sublime, soothing conclusion to one of the most relaxing and beautiful albums I've heard in the last year.

It would seem that Robert Linton learned (or absorbed) a lot from working with Will Ackerman on his previous CD, as Throughout the Autumn Light matches any of Ackerman's releases that I have heard. Bold words to be sure, but that is how good this CD is as far as I'm concerned. If you are a fan of soft, introspective acoustic guitar instrumentals, this should positively be your next purchase, bar none. Likewise, if you favor music that speaks to the quieter emotions and the subtler moods, Throughout the Autumn Light will likely hold you spellbound by its relative simplicity (which belies its rich emotional texture and sincere evocations) and its sepia-toned soundscapes which are imagistic of all that makes the autumn season a favorite of so many people. I recommend the CD with no reservations whatsoever for all fans of acoustic instrumental music.

Rating: Excellent

- Bill Binkelman 

Zone Music Reporter

July 15, 2011

 

Falling For the Music

It is almost summer as I write these words, but after hearing Robert Linton's new album Throughout the Autumn Light I am awaiting fall with baited breath. His album offers ten intricate acoustic guitar pieces dappled with muted sounds of English horn, cello, violin, ebow guitar and flugelhorn. These contemporary tunes are guaranteed to add color to your spirit after only one listen. I have to admit I played this one longer than I needed to, but not nearly as much as I wanted to. The music is that good.

I started reading Robert Linton's biography and when I came across the part that said he played piano, I scratched my head. I was listening to some extraordinary guitar tunes and not a piano note among them, but everyone has to start somewhere. He came from a family of musicians who played jazz and rock, and in 1993 settled down with a six string to make his magic. And magic it was. His latest CD, under the brilliant auspices of music legend and producer Will Ackerman, suspended time so that I could savor the fading warmth, the waning light and multi-colored season that we call fall, but what the poets referred to as autumn.

Throughout the Autumn Light takes in the mottled sunlight just before the fall...of the leaves that is. Autumn is an odd season, sometimes providing warmth in the late afternoon or a cool wind in the mornings. Like some enormous chameleon, Mother Nature changes her cloak and before you know it, her sister, winter is here. All she asks is that you enjoy the time in between. Linton captures that diminishing warmth with the help of Stephen Katz' friendly cello.

The cover of the album shows Robert standing with his guitar case under the shade of a tree, one of many in a row. Alongside the Silhouettes seems to be the perfect song for that image. The song is one of cooling shade and the promise of protection from the ravages of late summer's lingering heat and the coming winds, and yet you are still among a feast of color. Dig in.

Seasons of Years Past is a lazy song. Not one of lesser effort, but of languid intentions. I often have those times when I sit on the front steps and count the yellow hickory leaves as they fall to the ground. The tall tree itself reminds me of one thing, the scaly bark another. And each tree has its own story to tell, does it not? The one thing I do know is that I count my life in seasons, not in months anymore. This music is perfect for reflection.

I live on a hill so I am friends with the wind. Winds Swaying in Trees reminded me of Joaquin Rodrigo for some strange reason. Whenever I hear the wind in the trees, it sounds like the earth taking a breath. Everything moves in sequence. The leaves flutter and wave, the branches sway and then return to their origins. Then it happens all over again. Breathing. Once you have captured Robert's tempo, your heart seems to beat along with the music.

Moments of Reverie is the stuff that dreams are made of. The guitar and the violin of Tracy Silverman provide a pastoral quietus. The music allows for daydreams of the passing seasons and accountability of the years they took to accumulate. The melody is so beautiful, I could imagine the leaves changing colors before my eyes. I am an autumn person. I look forward to it like gardeners look forward to spring. I long for the cool mornings, warm afternoons and even cooler nights.

As it should be, Evening Sunset is the final tune on the album. The echoing purity of Jeff Oster's flugelhorn compliments Robert's gentle interpretation of sunset. It starts out with a sky full of copper and gold. A meandering breeze, the last chirrup of the crickets and a platinum crescent in the darkening sky tell us that it is the end of the day. Soon the stars will blink on and the night will be full of dark and beckoning me to sleep.

Robert Linton's Throughout the Autumn Light is one of those rare albums that I will never tire of listening. I will keep it on the rack and on the IPod and play it whenever I need a bit of escape to a world of relaxation and dreams. Forget three hundred bucks an hour for therapy. Listen to this instead.

Rating: Excellent

RJ Lannan

 

One World Music

Writing this review now is perfect for one good reason, autumn has just got started here in the UK and after listening to Throughout the Autumn Light by Robert Linton, it has left a feeling far better inside me, of a season that holds many fears for those of us who suffer from a lack of sunlight. In fact this album is a step into a world of embracing the beauty that will soon be all around us all, Linton has composed and performed on an album that blows away the leaves and were left feeling a lot better for this work of great magnificence.

Throughout the Autumn Light, which is of course the title track, is played with such a deft hand and reverence that Linton has created not only the perfect opening title song piece but performed with the skills of Stephen Kats on Cello and clear and definite masterpiece that resonates so deeply with the time of year and with my eager listening ears.

I was hoping when I saw this album it would hold much to entrance me and now here I am in the autumn light writing to you my constant reader about what I would class as an exceptional release and the opening title works so well we are now firmly in the mindset of one of the most beautiful autumns ever.

We move with respect to Drifting Reflections, as a guitarist myself I really respect the talent that Linton most defiantly has, but when I heard the addition of Jill Haley on horn, I was like the leaves of Autumn, blown away. Linton has created something really special here and one can with ease imagine this season of mists, we can feel the slight coldness in the air and smell the decay of life all around. This is also the longest composition on the album and it works so beautifully, in fact it works so well I have no played it twice whilst looking at the autumnal scene from my studio window.

Alongside the Silhouettes is a track I felt deep within, the notes and chord changes were perfect, I have now allowed this stunning album to take me over completely. I love the progression of this piece, it whispers of a dark sullen night, but offers a warm musical fireside to comfort oneself with. This is a composition that you can immerse yourself totally in and allow your gaze to wander out and roam in the failing autumn evening, you can become part of the process and enjoy the music that is our panacea.

As the natural light in my studio begins to fade, I watch the autumn rain fall and the gusts of wind blow the trees back and forth and listen to Seasons of Years Past through, and through my head phones I hear a track that is so redolent of the subject matter I find my thoughts drifting back to the past and one memory of a walk at my local country park comes to mind, I was so relieved to be back in my own country after some unsavoury events in another and the gentle walk eased my mind, if this track had been on my iPod, it may have worked even better!.

In Glistening after the Mist we are treated to more of Jeff Pearce’s sublime E bow and this combined with Linton’s magical finger work on this almost ambient piece, has me transfixed upon its natural beauty, the e bow in this piece really sold the track by creating a mist laden soundscape for Linton to excel on guitar. Please take your time on this one; there are some very wonderful chord arrangements on this track.

Shades of a Spanish style guitar came upon me now; this switch of style was a wonderful choice and the guitar of Linton was now on fire in the smoothest of ways on the composition Shifting to the Fall. This has to be said one of my favourites off the album. The care and attention within this composition is stunning. Linton even has me believing that at some stage he may break into Stairway to Heaven. This I would urge you to all listen to many times over, if you wish to hear good music and excellent guitar playing, then this track you can use as a benchmark.

Night is drawing in here at the office of One World Music and outside the rain streams down, like tears from a jester’s eye’s, the wicked wind whispers and moans and tugs and pulls the branches around with such ease, as this sombre repose in nature fills us with a picturesque vision of Winds Swaying with Tree. With Kats once again joining the team, Linton weaves his seasonal magician’s wand and creates something deeply moving for us all to enjoy.

I note now as the hands of time move past seven o’clock, that a strange orange tinged skyline begins to crawl over this damp and dank horizon, its effect is to give a slightly false visual effect of light. In reality the sun setting is responsible for this, perhaps this is one of the elements that Linton is referring to upon this wonderful piece entitled Moments Of Reverie?

At 3:49, one of the shortest tracks from this sublime album, but its length has nothing to do with its powerful message, that beauty can be found in virtually everything and especially in nature if one looks hard enough we may each have our own moment of reverie, a superbly performed composition that really calms the soul.

Sweet Dreams, this comes at a perfect time as my attention is drawn by how the Autumn glow of the evening shades perfectly over my beautiful wife’s face and gives her a colour which enhances her looks even more. After that brief but rather pleasant reverie, I continue to listen to a master of the art of emotional guitar and now that night is almost upon us, I feel real warmth in this composition. If you wish your spirits to be lifted then this track will do the business, Sweet Dreams is a gentle and tenderly played composition that at times almost has an old English feel to it, but it is a warm cuddling under the blankets tune.

Now dear constant reader, it has been wonderful to have you on this journey throughout the autumn light with me, but that is now what we have at last lost, the light has gone from my autumn day and we have very timely come to the end of this really heartfelt release by Robert Linton, so we finish with an appropriate track called Evening Sunset, from my view we have just that and as the night comes down, this last striking track takes the album to a whole new level with the inclusion of mister Jeff Oster on the horn.

I must say that whoever made the decision to include Oster on this album needs to take a bow, I have a real soft spot for this instrument anyway and have heard it used to wonderful effect on a seasonal album before, but here Oster and Linton create the perfect end to a perfect album.

Robert Linton has taken the New Age genre and given it an album it will be grateful for. I truly feel that Throughout the Autumn Light is one of those rare landmark albums that will one day used to define all that is good in the genre and if you like this style of music, you would really not want to miss out on this one and if you have either a love or hate relationship with this season, then this album will be the panacea which will cure all ills. A superb release for all the right reasons, well done Robert Linton this is truly a classic.

- Steve Sheppard

September 17, 2013

 

Music and Media Focus

Falling softly like leaves from a tree, the first gentle notes glide effortlessly from Robert Linton's guitar creating an ambience that is perfectly described in the title of his latest CD. This atmosphere continues throughout the album and is captured in song names like "Glistening after the Mist", "Shifting to the Fall", "Seasons of Years Past", and "Evening Sunset".

Robert's instrument of choice is the nylon string acoustic guitar, which he tends to pluck fingerstyle, rather than strum, providing a harp-like sonority, which I found quite heavenly and relaxing. In fact, if you are looking for the perfect soundtrack for a mellow Sunday morning, you couldn't do much better than this.

Complimenting the guitar with Zen-like brush strokes of sound are some wonderfully talented instrumentalists with impressive recording credentials in their own right. Among them are Jill Haley (English Horn), Stephen Katz (Cello), Tracy Silverman (Violin), Jeff Oster (Flugelhorn), and Jeff Pearce (E-Bow Guitar). This last instrument, which may not be as familiar, involves playing the guitar with a hand-held device that creates an electro-magnetic field around the string which gives it infinite sustain and provides a violin-like quality. I found the yin yang combination of this along with the acoustic guitar particularly pleasing. Although Robert is accompanied by some top-notch recording artists, their sonic colors are applied sparingly, allowing the guitar to be the primary pigment in the musical palate.

Another noteworthy name on this project is Grammy Award winning producer and engineer Corin Nelson, a close associate and frequent collaborator with Windham Hill Records founder and guitarist Will Ackerman. Interestingly, despite his relatively remote Maine location, Corin seems to be one of the most in-demand producers in this genre of music and whose name has been appearing on a significant number of new releases I have been receiving for review recently. Not surprisingly, "Throughout the Autumn Light" has that pastel, acoustic quality that so many have found appealing about Windham Hill releases over the years.

Listeners lulled by Robert's mellow musings on this CD, might be surprised to know that his early six string explorations were as much influenced by the electric energy of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix as by the folk leanings of Cat Stevens and Simon & Garfunkel. However, none of that swirling psychedelia is evident here. Robert has truly found his niche and there is a comforting continuity from one song to the next on the recording.

This album definitely captures the feeling of Autumn in that it's melodies are more introspective and reflective, like a world preparing for the calm of Winter, rather than portraying the bright buzzing energy of Spring or Summer. In this music, one can almost hear the sound of fallen leaves crunching underfoot while strolling along a forest path on an October morn. Robert Linton has the artistic acuity to convey a particular mood in a way that envelops the listener and draws them into his space for the duration of the recording. His guitar playing is sensitive, deft, and evocative, providing a gentle journey you'll want to embark upon often.

- Michael Diamond

March 10, 2011

 

Mainly Piano 

As a reviewer a lot of music can pass through your mailbox and onto your desk. Unfortunately, there is not enough time in the day to review everything and at times good music gets passed over not because it is poor but because in this world of immediate gratification you move on to the next piece of ear candy. Guitarist Robert Linton was almost one of those victims because on first blush there is nothing instantaneous about Robert Linton’s music. However, upon careful investigation Throughout The Autumn Light has that delicate and pastoral musical theme that will place you in a very reflective mood that will gently renew your spirit.

Apparently Linton has been flying under the radar for quite a while as Throughout The Autumn Light represents his fourth recording (sort of). After recording a demo back in 2001, three years later Linton recorded his debut Pale Shades and one year after that he released Within The Outline. Around this time Linton met guitarist/producer extraordinaire Will Ackerman who essentially took many of his earlier creations and revamped and revitalized Robert’s material courtesy of Whisperings At Nightfall.

While his latest conception features many of Will Ackerman’s A Team it does not feature Ackerman himself, either as a performer or a producer. Instead Linton co produces with Ackerman’s more than capable sideman Corin Nelsen who is fast becoming an exceptional producer in his own right. The production is concise and unassuming which matches perfectly with Linton’s very inconspicuous musical style.

The album is composed of ten tracks, three which feature Linton going it alone. The first is “Alongside The Silhouettes” which has a very gentle and slow sway to it as Linton caresses his unpretentious melody. Similar results can be found on the soft lullaby of “Sweet Dreams”. As for the collaborations the cello work of Stephen Katz on the title track and “Winds Swaying The Trees” are magical. Equally as impressive is “Glistening After The Mist” featuring Jeff Pearce’s mystifying Ebow effects.

For those of you that enjoyed the unassuming music of guitarist William Ellwood from the heady days of Narada Records, it would prove very beneficial for you to seek out the music of Robert Linton. While there is no pinnacle masterpiece there is also no filler to be found. Unassuming and understated, the music of Throughout The Autumn Light will quietly and slowly envelop your inner soul leaving you refreshed, renewed and ready to face another day.

- Michael Debbage

June 6, 2011

Included in Michael's 2011 Favorites

 

Mainly Piano

Throughout the Autumn Light is the fourth release from acoustic guitarist/composer Robert Linton. Mixed, mastered, and co-produced (with Linton) by Grammy winning producer Corin Nelsen, some of the ten tracks are solo guitar while some are backed by an impressive group of musicians (as duets), most of whom play on many of Will Ackerman's productions (Ackerman produced Linton's previous release Whisperings At Nightfall). The overall sound of the album is warm yet pristine and clear. Most of the pieces are paced at about the same tempo, which makes the album ideal for meditation, massage, or quiet background music. While the music is slow and relatively uncomplicated, the soulful melancholy is stirring and poignant.

Throughout the Autumn Light begins with the title track, a sweet and gentle guitar solo that evolves into a guitar/cello duet with Stephen Katz. Tinged with melancholy reflection, it gracefully anticipates the coming changes of season. "Drifting Reflections" is a gorgeous duet for guitar and English horn (Jill Haley). Flowing and effortless with occasional pauses (like true reflection!), this is a favorite. The nostalgic and dreamy "Seasons of Years Past" brings in Tracy Silverman on violin, adding soft color washes to the gentle guitar. "Glistening After The Mist" is a collaboration with Jeff Pearce on EBow guitar (The EBow is a hand-held electronic bow that replaces the pick, allowing the guitarist to mimic strings, horns, and woodwinds.). As always, Pearce is evocative and masterful. The guitar solo "Shifting to the Fall" has an almost tragic air that is achingly beautiful - another favorite! I also love "Winds Swaying the Trees" with Stephen Katz. The cello/guitar combo isn't very common, but this album makes me think it should be. The velvet tones of the cello are the perfect complement to the plucked guitar strings. "Sweet Dreams" is a tender solo guitar lullaby. The closing track is "Evening Sunset" with Jeff Oster on flugelhorn - another instrumental combo you don't hear very often but that works well. Soothing and relaxing, it's a lovely finish to an exceptional album.

Throughout the Autumn Light is a beauty from start to finish!

It is available from Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby. Recommended!

- Kathy Parsons

March 28, 2011

 

John M Peters

Using the term 'pastoral' for describing music seems to have become passé or passed its sell-by date, yet it is the one term that most encapsulates composer/guitarist Robert Linton's new album most succinctly. Throughout The Autumn Light is a collection of ten instrumentals, mainly solo guitar with just one other instrument in support on most tracks. Quasi-classical in style, with perhaps a little 'folk-lite' flavouring, this is an extremely gentle and restful album. Mr Linton has a lyrical way of playing the guitar, where the music just seems to flow out from those fingers. The track details are: Throughout The Autumn Light, Drifting Reflections, Alongside The Silhouettes, Seasons Of Years Past, Glistening After The Mist, Shifting To The Fall, Winds Swaying The Trees, Moments Of Reverie, Sweet Dreams, and Evening Sunset. Many of the titles contain strong and poetical imagery, which adds to the impact of the music. Guest musicians include: Jill Haley - English horn, Jeff Oster - flugelhorn, Jeff Pearce - E-bow guitar, Stephen Katz - cello, Tracy Silverman - violin. Throughout The Autumn Light is a wonderful album, full of quietly drifting melodies, slowly shifting moods and lyrical performances. Anyone seriously interested in the acoustic guitar and acoustic music in general should buy this album as I think it sets a new benchmark in quality.

March 24, 2011

 

RajMan Reviews 

Robert Linton is a man of deep thoughtfulness, and this sensitivity is evident on his latest recording of lyrical guitar instrumentals. Linton plays finger-style nylon-string guitar on the ten tracks, which exude such tranquil beauty and peaceful solace that they work their way into your soul without you even realizing it. They become part of your being without any conscious effort or mood-setting required, which is the essence of true musical artistry.

While the compositions and the guitar-playing stand on their own, they are beautifully accented on various tracks by Stephen Katz on cello, Tracy Silverman on violin, Jill Haley on English horn, Jeff Oster on flugelhorn, and Jeff Pearce on e-bow guitar. The most affecting of these collaborations for me is "Glistening in the Mist", with the gentle finger-picked strokes of Linton's classical guitar and the drawn-out siren-like sustain of Pearce's e-bow guitar creating a lingering, haunting eloquence. I hope that Linton and Pearce seriously consider recording an album of classical/e-bow guitar duets.

This is a fine guitar album and is highly recommended for guitar enthusiasts as well as anyone seeking a perfect soundtrack for relaxation and solitude.

- Raj Manoharan

March 27, 2011

 

Improvijazzation Nation

Robert and his players (Jeff Pearce on EBow/Guitar, Jeff Oster on Flugelhorn, Stephen Katz on Cello, Tracy Silverman on violin & Jill Haley doing English horn) will give your day a pleasant wake-up call, to be sure. Robert's own guitar work is solid, yet not rushed on all 10 tracks on the CD. I particularly enjoyed "Glistening After The Mist", featuring Jeff… could almost hear the dewdrops forming through the guitar strings. A shorter piece, "Moments of Reverie" featured Tracy"s penetrating violin… very pleasant & a playlist "keeper"! Even the most hardcore jazzer needs a set like this to keep musical perspective in balance, & "Throughout The Autumn Light" fills the bill without question. I give this one a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.96' well done, folks!

- Dick Metcalf

June 17, 2011

Circles of Light

The tranquil songs featured on new age music artist Robert Linton's latest album, Throughout the Autumn Light (October Moon Records) have the ability to dissipate whatever stress has been met in listeners' days.

Linton is a talented musician who skills have been demonstrated on three previous albums. His soulful healing music has been used by both mainstream and alternative healers for holistic sound therapy techniques. For any listener with a desire to escape into the dreamy waves of peace brought about by states of relaxation, Throughout the Autumn Light is the new age guitar album to do so.

Well suited for a meditation session, a spa treatment, or just to provide light ambient background music, Linton's Throughout the Autumn Light (produced by the esteemed Corin Nelson) is a beautiful and calming soundtrack for all music lovers. Linton's mellow guitar playing skills soothe even the weariest of souls, like with the title track "Throughout the Autumn Light," a calming and serene song. "Seasons of Years Past" is a melody designed to accompany listeners' moments of reflection, perhaps while looking out the window onto the world or sitting back in a favorite chair with a cup of tea. "Sweet Dreams" is aptly titled, and listeners will surely be embraced by it's soft and entrancing melody. Listeners will be enchanted by "Glistening After the Mist", a beautiful, meditative song featuring the soothing sounds of the violin. "Drifting Reflections" is the perfect meditative song, as it slows listeners' thoughts with it's calming melody.

Linton's family had a big influence on his early attraction to music: his grandfather was an esteemed pianist and his father played sax in a local band. Both Linton and his sister played piano as young children, before beginning guitar lessons. Although his albums are serene and instrumental, Linton was highly influenced by classic rock artists, including Led Zepplin, and popular folk musicians, such as Simon & Garfunkel and Cat Stevens. As a teenager, Linton began writing songs, a creative process that continued throughout his college years and beyond. After graduating from Utah State University with a BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Linton began recording his music. Linton released his first album, Pale Shades in 2004, and followed with Within the Outline in 2005. His third album, Whisperings at Nightfall, was produced by award winner Will Ackerman. Throughout the Autumn Light has earned a warm welcome from listeners who appreciate Linton’s powerful musical skills and soothing songwriting. To complement your next yoga session or Sunday afternoon tea, this classical acoustic album is the perfect music CD.

- Erin Legg

September 10, 2011

 

Muzik Reviews

 If you close your eyes while listening to Robert Linton's Throughout the Autumn Light, you might imagine yourself in a spa-like setting, or even in a Yoga studio meditating in the Child's Pose. Linton grew up surrounded by music of both his father and grandfather's influence, as well as that of various mainstream artists like Cat Stevens, Led Zeppelin, and Simon and Garfunkel. Starting out as a piano student, he later picked up the guitar where he had a knack for learning their signature songs by ear long before receiving formal lessons. Here you will find the combination of his classical acoustic guitar paired with that of the cello, violin, and English horn just to name a few, extremely soothing to both the ears and the mind. If you're waiting for something drastic to happen, you'll be waiting a rather long time. I found in this case, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes we all need to slow down and reflect on the important things in life, and with tracks such as "Drifting Reflections", I was able to do just that. If you're looking to curl up with a cozy throw and a hot cup of cocoa, watching the "Winds Swaying The Trees", then you've picked the perfect album. Although classical acoustic is a long way from Stevens or Hendrix, I'd say Robert Linton has found his niche with this, his preferred style. If I had to sum it up in two words it would be simplistic beauty; staying true to the ambiance created even by the track titles.

4/5 Star Rating

- Erica Durrett

March 8, 2011