A new day dawns with GRAMMY® nominated lutenist Ronn — McFarlane's new album One Morning. The follow-up release to his — wildly popular original music album Indigo Road, Ronn continues — to show the world that the lute i... more »s a living instrument suited for more
than just classical performances by past composers, but is ready
to introduce new music into the world. Joined by his new group
Ayreheart, this album further explores the world of the composer/
performer.
One of the most outstanding lutenists performing today, Ronn McFarlane is largely responsible for bringing the
transcendent charm and timeless quality of the lute into the musical mainstream and making it accessible to a larger audience. Ronn has recorded numerous albums with Dorian Sono Luminus, performing lute works of the master composers of the past including Dowland and Bach and now, this master performer continues to enrich the world with this new album, bringing his exciting blend of classical, renaissance, folk, and pop music to the masses.
Joined by an amazing new group, Ayreheart, this album includes flute, harp, bass, percussion, and vocals, as well as backing by string and choral ensembles. The songs with vocals truly harken to the days of Dowland, with Ronn functioning as the composer, lutenist, and lyricist. Having been nominated for a GRAMMY® award for Indigo Road in the category of Best Classical Crossover album, Ronn continues to blur the lines between genres, creating a musical experience for all music lovers to enjoy. The lyrics
to the title track describe it best: 'One morning, one morning in the sunshine you'll arise, realize it's a new day. Eyes
awaken, dawn is breaking. One morning, one morning in the sunlight breathe the air, everywhere, in the morning light. It's a new day.'« less
A new day dawns with GRAMMY® nominated lutenist Ronn
McFarlane's new album One Morning. The follow-up release to his
wildly popular original music album Indigo Road, Ronn continues
to show the world that the lute is a living instrument suited for more
than just classical performances by past composers, but is ready
to introduce new music into the world. Joined by his new group
Ayreheart, this album further explores the world of the composer/
performer.
One of the most outstanding lutenists performing today, Ronn McFarlane is largely responsible for bringing the
transcendent charm and timeless quality of the lute into the musical mainstream and making it accessible to a larger audience. Ronn has recorded numerous albums with Dorian Sono Luminus, performing lute works of the master composers of the past including Dowland and Bach and now, this master performer continues to enrich the world with this new album, bringing his exciting blend of classical, renaissance, folk, and pop music to the masses.
Joined by an amazing new group, Ayreheart, this album includes flute, harp, bass, percussion, and vocals, as well as backing by string and choral ensembles. The songs with vocals truly harken to the days of Dowland, with Ronn functioning as the composer, lutenist, and lyricist. Having been nominated for a GRAMMY® award for Indigo Road in the category of Best Classical Crossover album, Ronn continues to blur the lines between genres, creating a musical experience for all music lovers to enjoy. The lyrics
to the title track describe it best: 'One morning, one morning in the sunshine you'll arise, realize it's a new day. Eyes
awaken, dawn is breaking. One morning, one morning in the sunlight breathe the air, everywhere, in the morning light. It's a new day.'
CD Reviews
A fabulous followup to last years Grammy-nominated "Indigo R
Steven I. Ramm | Phila, PA USA | 06/05/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
Lutist McFarlane broke away from the early music ensemble The Baltimore Consort last year with his Grammy nominated crossover CD, Indigo Road, which is still the only album which remains year round on my MP3 player. I truly love that album.
I counted the days until his next project and it has finally been completed. Using some of the fellow musicians he used for Indigo Road, he has created a "band" named Ayreheart to accompany him on most of the tracks here. He has also added vocals for the first time. But these are "vocals" in the same category of vocals on Enya's CDs. There are words (they are listed in the enclosed booklet) but mostly they are there for atmosphere. (Listen to the final track - the "full band" performance of the title track - and see if you can decipher the words without the printed booklet. But this doesn't matter, or detract from the enjoyment of the album. Its all about the "sound".
Like its predecessor, One Morning contains a lot of acoustic "folk music". The opening track - the title song with just McFarlane on overdubbed lutes with some background percussion - reminds me of "Pinetops", my favorite track from Indigo Road. Later on comes "Union Bridge" which could be an updated Civil War tune. The real oddball track - which shows that McFarlane has a real sense of humor - id "Bad Hair Day" where his lute is accompanied by percussionist Danny Mallon on such "instruments" as a hair dryer, combs, rainstick, bodhram, hairspray and even a computer mouse! A real fun track to listen to.
If you liked Indigo Road, you'll love this follow-up. If you thought IR was a bit too "new-agey", you'll probably think the same of this one. Since I fall into the former camp, I'm so glad that the album is finally out. Now we only have to wait another year for the next one!
Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
"
Something Different
Oscar O. Veterano | 07/07/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"ONE MORNING-Ronn McFarlane & Ayreheart-Dorian
World-renowned lute virtuoso Ronn McFarlane has taken time out from the Renaissance and Baroque repertoire which has made him (justifiably) famous and, with his group Ayreheart, has recorded a collection of his own compositions.
Aided by vocalist, Jessyka Luzzi, percussionist, Mattias Rucht, and flautist/harpist, Mindy Rosenfeld, Mr. McFarlane's arrangements have a modern, new-age acoustic sound. Special mention must be made of the work of bassist, Willard Morris, whose fretless electric bass has an Eberhard Weber-ish tone which serves as a perfect harmonic foil to Mr. McFarlane's lute-a truly unique combination.
The compositions, a blend of folk, jazz, and classical elements, are always melodic and much easier to listen to and enjoy than to categorize.
Overall, this is a very entertaining collection of songs. People looking for the ruffled shirt, "prithee m'lady"-type nostalgia approach will probably not care for it, but if you're a fan of newer music which is, at a minimum, consistently interesting (and, sometimes, flat out gorgeous), played by people who've thoroughly mastered their instruments, then "One Morning" by Ronn McFarlane and Ayreheart ought to go on your check-it-out list.
Highly recommended.
Oscar O. Veterano
"
Another Incredible Recording!
Primrose | Austin, Texas | 06/05/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Such exciting and inventive new music for the lute and accompanying instruments! The performance and recording are scintillating and exquisite. I especially love the song "One Morning" which is pure happiness and joy encapsulated! The entire CD creates an array of emotions and experiences and is truly memorable!"
Another Stellar CD from McFarlane
Kidneykutter | Cleveland, OH USA | 06/03/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is McFarlane's second CD of his own compositions. He is one of the few lutenists who carries on the true Historically Informed Performance tradition of playing his own works. Given the success of Indigo Road, which added other instruments to his solo lute works, Ayreheart was formed, adding other musicians with serious early music credentials. This is NOT Dowland or Weiss. This is modern music exploring the possibilities of Renaissance and Baroque instruments in a contemporary idiom."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1