Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: Tank

  • Connections

    Connections

    When acclaimed flautist Sherry Finzer heads off to record at The Tank in Rangely, CO something truly magical happens; not just because of the incredible acoustics at The Tank, but of what could be considered as Divine guidance, an integral component of each of her works recorded there.

    Connections is such an album with an added poignancy as, many if not all, of the songs have been created with special people in mind: people who have been touched by her music which has helped them through times of pain, dark nights of the soul, lead them into meditation, healing, and comfort after the all-encompassing loss of a beloved one.

    Reaching out with her music during the COVID epidemic through the live stream Insight Timer App, she met some of the many people who related to her music. She began to compose pieces to help those on a healing journey or using the music to seek solace on the loss of a loved one.

    The Tank simply adds the purity of the soundwaves to allow healing to begin, to offer a gentle pathway to relax into the soft, gentle, serene magic wafting gently on the ether. Such is the magic created in there that each note forms the desired shape once it has been set free, creating perfection of its own accord.

    Each of the sixteen songs charms, floats and reaches out with a delicacy that marks Finzer’s music when she is moving into the divinely guided aspect of her work, allowing the singular notes to simply float until they find their perfect placement.

    The liner notes set out the journey of some of the many people who have been blessed with the music: their stories are there to share the healing power of music, a beautiful and powerful force.

    Connection is sublime, ethereal, divine and as always with her work, created with deep and spiritual resonance that reaches out, washing the soul, gentling the heart and softening the spirit, to allow blessed healing though the wonder of music.

  • Renewal

    Renewal

    Sensual sound drifts endlessly outward; a sound created then captured in elemental form by Sherry Finzer in Renewal, a limited release, is another compilation in her Naked Flute series. Renewal is a collection born of the desperation, despair and sense of hopelessness felt by many during the year of 2020, when the news was almost always dire. Renewal offers a sense of renewal, a sense of hope and sense that all things do pass and a new day dawning isn’t too far away.

    Working with the unique reverberation of The Tank, her singular playing is transported into the ethereal, born of emotion straight from the heart, note after perfect note flowing gently into the circular confines to develop a sound unique to the moment, not to be repeated.

    Her soft, gentle, almost tranquil playing is enhanced by an innate and deep sense of spirituality, which in in many ways appears to be far more prevalent in this series of flute pieces. Perhaps this is due to the immense stress of the year passed, or simply deep, soul-based music that is required in such unsettled times; music guided by angelic sources to heal, sooth and nurture.

    Eleven pieces, none overly long, are a fusion of beauty and intelligence, a delight to enjoy, to relax into, to meditate with or simply enjoy as a singular moment is enjoyed.

    As with all music deeply grounded in spirituality, Renewal with the hauntingly beautiful images conjured up by the flute, will offer what you seek, will form the concept in your mind of hope, renewal with brighter, happier times soon to be discovered.

    Ethereal perfection has been encapsulated within Renewal which could more than very easily be considered as Finzer’s finest work to date, as captured in the magic there is simplicity, the essence of the soul, and when it is woven throughout the music, is something very rare.

  • Transcendence

    Transcendence

    Hauntingly beautiful, this solo flute album from Sherry Finzer is simply put, a journey that is timeless, absorbing and infinitely soothing. Recorded at The Tank in Colorado, the single voice of the flute is transformed into a melodic and ethereal language of absolute peace and tranquillity.

    Transcendence moves beyond the everyday world of ‘new age’ music to create a sea of tranquillity with an otherworldly ambiance; pure, simple which because of this simplicity, has an aura of delicacy that moves well beyond the physical plane.

    The Tank is a venue much coveted by musicians for the unique reverberation created as notes are formed, a reverberation that allows the note to be drawn out, to linger, offering a unique sound unable to be created or formed in any other manner.

    A rare addition to the music formed within The Tank is the sound of nature, the breath of the musician, the sound of the keys being depressed which are all captured in the recording process, adding to the absolute charm of the music.

    Finzer has harnessed these distinct characteristics to create an album woven with a delicate touch, an improve collection which is dreamy, relaxing and inspirational.

    Originally constructed as a water tank for the Steam Trains in 1940 but never used as such, The Tank was moved to Rangely, Colorado, in the 1960’s, where it was once again never used, as the location proved unsuitable for the weight of the tank, once filled with water.

    Abandoned, it became the haunt of locals who were familiar with the wonderful acoustics. A group of musicians heading home stopped off at The Tank, realising the potential of the acoustics. They eventually purchased it and in doing so created a unique recording studio which was carefully kept secret for some years. Now invited musicians can use the wonderful venue to create some of the most unique music recorded with instruments, rather than electronically.

    Sherry Finzer hopes this gloriously peaceful collection brings with it a sense hope, peace and tranquillity, which I can say after listening to this work a number of times, it certainly does, offering a moment of peace, Transcendence, in a world so recently very changed.