Fiona Joy Hawkins is an Australian composer in the classical music genre. Her album, Blue Dream
(her fourth), was released last October and seems have a majority of
classical piano with minimal lyrics. Even going back to her debut
album, Portrait of a Waterfall, which, incidentally won the New Age Reporter World Charts in 2005 for Best Instrumental Album,
it would seem she's been doing the instrumental piano thing for a while
now. I don't know about her other albums, but I suspect Blue Dream might be her poppiest/easily accessible album, simply because of her amazing guest vocalists.
Blue Dream, as described by the album title, to have a dream-like quality to them and makes for a nice stressless evening laying around on the couch and daydream. There are occasionally violins, mandolins, and cellos, on the songs, but it's background to her piano-driven songs.
Some songs on the album I was drawn to:
"Somewhere": it sounds a bit dramatic - with each consecutive note going louder then lower, and inbetween are frantic "flight of the bumblebee" fingers.
"Samite's Interlude": This sounds very Afrikan-ish, but then I had my doubts to be Aboriginal in origin. Turns out the song is in Luganda (Uganda), sung by Samit Mulondo. They were kind enough to include an English translation on the liner notes, so I know this song is about the yearning of going back home.
"Contemplating": Luka Bloom makes a surprising guest appearance on this song. I first heard of Luka though his wonderful rendition of the Prince classic, "When Doves Cry". His trademark Irish accents can't be found on this song, but that's okay, he mostly does harmonies with Noah Wilding.
"The Midnight Interlude": With Enya-like vocals by Heather Rankin, this song is easily my favorite. The song is sung in Gaelic and is about a love of a mother. The song seems to just flow right into "Moving On" (also sung by Rankin) .
If you're in the mood for a light and relaxing pop classical music, Blue Dream is for you. You can find this and other Hawkins' albums on Amazon and emusic, as well as the usual places. You can also sign up for her mailing list to get the latest news.
Blue Dream, as described by the album title, to have a dream-like quality to them and makes for a nice stressless evening laying around on the couch and daydream. There are occasionally violins, mandolins, and cellos, on the songs, but it's background to her piano-driven songs.
Some songs on the album I was drawn to:
"Somewhere": it sounds a bit dramatic - with each consecutive note going louder then lower, and inbetween are frantic "flight of the bumblebee" fingers.
"Samite's Interlude": This sounds very Afrikan-ish, but then I had my doubts to be Aboriginal in origin. Turns out the song is in Luganda (Uganda), sung by Samit Mulondo. They were kind enough to include an English translation on the liner notes, so I know this song is about the yearning of going back home.
"Contemplating": Luka Bloom makes a surprising guest appearance on this song. I first heard of Luka though his wonderful rendition of the Prince classic, "When Doves Cry". His trademark Irish accents can't be found on this song, but that's okay, he mostly does harmonies with Noah Wilding.
"The Midnight Interlude": With Enya-like vocals by Heather Rankin, this song is easily my favorite. The song is sung in Gaelic and is about a love of a mother. The song seems to just flow right into "Moving On" (also sung by Rankin) .
If you're in the mood for a light and relaxing pop classical music, Blue Dream is for you. You can find this and other Hawkins' albums on Amazon and emusic, as well as the usual places. You can also sign up for her mailing list to get the latest news.
02/10/2009 00:11:24 ♥ vu (
)
♥ fionajoyhawkins.com ♥ myspace.com/fionajoyhawkins
