Search - Lydia McCauley :: Sabbath Day's Journey

Fresh breeze outside, warm fire in.

10/23/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First, check out the eclectic folk instrumentation: not just viola, guitar and sitar, but also the doumbek, bouzouki and the Garden Weasel (it makes a nice percussive sound not found elsewhere). Then, listen to the clear vocals of Lydia McCauley. Lydia and her band sweep in with a debut album from Brimstone Music that deserves to be heard. Lydia has written or adapted songs that call from the heart to the heart, like a fresh breeze outside, warm fire in. Drawing from her Appalachian background, she sings an achingly lovely, simple rendition of the folk song "Black is the Color." Her own songs of the Pacific Northwest, such as "Grace Day," call out for deeper intimacy: "Forgiveness is a healing of a wound between us both." Drawing inspiration from spiritual soulmates Francis of Assisi and Julian of Norwich, she creates songs around ancient words, such as these from Julian: "All shall be well, all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well." Around that one sentence she and the band have made a swirling temple of song to end the album. The music is similar to that of Loreena McKennitt, but Lydia has more in her collection than Loreena's signature Celtic harp and high notes. Lydia's music stretches the concepts of journeys. Her journeys in this album dance between spiritual and secular lyrics, European and American music, and the inward and outward self. An excellent first CD, Sabbath Day's Journey is finding its way to an audience of thoughtful music lovers around the country."

Gently uplifting compositions by a sweet-voiced singer/songw

Brianna Neal | USA | 10/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Weaving elements of folk, Celtic and world music into a rich, comforting tapestry of sound, vocalist and keyboardist Lydia McCauley offers an intimate musical journey through life, love and spirituality. Her voice is lovely - pure, honest and flushed with the soft warmth of a mother's lullaby--and her soothing vocals are featured in all but one of the songs on this album. There's a warm wistfulness and sense of down-to-earth, motherly love about McCauley's lushly arranged music that is very appealing--great to relax to at the end of a hard day and to remind one of the important things in life. This debut album, with it's varied harmonies and mix of musical influences, is my favorite of her releases. Standout tracks on "Sabbath Day's Journey" include the moving and beautifully mournful "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair," the jaunty "Asissi," the Celtic-like "Buon Giorno, Buena Gente" with its changing tempos, and the contemplative "Brimstone," a song about the natural cycles of life, creativity and hope. In addition to accompanying herself expertly on piano and synthesizer, McCauley fleshes out the sound of her songs with the help of a sizeable number of acoustic instrumentalists: Phil Heaven on bowed strings and doumbek, David J. MacVittie on bouzouki, guitar, sitar and doumbek, Frank Olsen on bass and bass guitar, Larry Knechtel on piano, Paul Englesbert on concertina and penny whistle, Frank Jackson on recorders, Jud Sherwood on drums, and co-producer Kurt Scherer on bells and (?) Garden Weasel. (I'm sure there's a story behind that, but it doesn't appear in the liner notes!). Lydia McCauley's next release is the hypnotic "Entrances," followed by "The Beauty of the Earth." If you enjoy her gentle, sonorous compositions, you will also like the work of harpist Lisa Lynne, harpist Thomas Loefke, singer Susan McKeown, guitarist Richard Searles, and the acoustic Celtic groups Orion and Orison.

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Lydia's Music is Evocative

Mary Miroslavichwicker | KSER 90.7 FM Everett, Washington | 11/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sabbath Day's Journey is indeed a journey. One of spirit and grace and feeling, which are reflections of Lydia herself and her band. The first selection, Mother's Heart is a touching, lyrical piece. Her Celtic and Appalachian roots blend beautifully to produce the music of her soul and the ability to express feeling. Black is the Color is a haunting piece. Lydia's music displays the spectrum of spiritual to playful. It gets regular airplay on KSER. I have given this CD as gifts and will do so again. Lydia's music is reminiscent of Loreen McKennitt's. It is music to be enjoyed over and over. The many layers of its sound and meaning come through more with each listen!"