The
last thing I ever thought I’d be recommending would
be still another recorded version of Pachelbel’s
Canon with nature sounds. But then, I never figured
that the two best composers of music for relaxation
would team up for a CD, either.
Kevin Kendle and Llewellyn are, in my opinion, the very
best in the industry at creating soundscapes that seamlessly
combine ambient sensibility with strong melodic appeal.
The results, in both artists’ cases, are recordings
that I never tire of, whether played in the background
as I work or write, or listened to as I sit and reflect.
Despite my feelings, though, I’ll admit that upon
first hearing from Kevin and Llewellyn that they were
working on the joint project (titled Pure Peace), I
was afraid that, finally, I would give a mediocre review
to a CD from these artists.
I
should have known better! Kevin told me numerous times
not to expect the usual “Canon.” And he
was right. While the time-worn refrain is undeniably
still there (of course) and easily recognizable, both
of the artists’ take on the piece is refreshingly
unique. To my amazement (and relief), I enjoyed Pure
Peace immediately on first hearing it.
The
CD itself is made up of two halves (each segment being
approximately twenty-minutes long), the first part
being Kevin’s “Source to Sea” and the
second being Llewellyn’s “By The Shore.”
Kevin’s version uses countryside nature sounds
discretely (they are not always present, but even
when they are, the sounds are pure Kendle, i.e. spot-on)
as background for an ambient version of the Canon
which uses floating synths, flute, and piano. Fans
of his other works will be surprised, I think, at
the more classical elements in the music, as the song
has a less structured feel than some of Kevin’s
other CDS; this is owing to the source material, I
would guess.
Llewellyn’s selection, “By The Shore,”
(as the title indicates) features nature sounds from
that environment. The music here is comprised of wood
flute, strings, and plucked-string synths. As a result,
the music has even more of a classical texture than
Kevin’s version. The pace is luxuriantly slow,
as the Canon refrain melds with the waves in a seamless
fashion. As the CD’s liner notes state, the music
and sounds do remind me of walking along the beach.
In addition to the instrumentation, the beautiful
voice of Juliana (Llewellyn’s wife) is also occasionally
heard, weaving its way throughout the gentle melodies.
So, it appears that I’m left in the unenviable
position of recommending what is probably the umpteenth
version of Pachelbel’s timeless Canon (if only
he were alive to collect the royalties on all these
CDS!). I’m not going to tell you that this album
is groundbreakingly original or avant garde in its
approach. Instead, I think it’s Kevin’s
and Llewellyn’s immense talent and artistry that
make Pure Peace work so well. Sure, this is not for
everyone. It is quite “new agey,” but there’s
nothing wrong with that in my book. Pure Peace is,
as the back of the CD states, “...soothing music
for quiet relaxation.” With that in mind, Kevin
and Llewellyn have surely delivered the goods!
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