Peter Phippen's Shadows of Dawn: A CD Review
Kathleen Joyce-Grendahl | 09/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"by Dr. Kathleen Joyce-Grendhal, Executive Director
International Native American Flute Association [..]
In Shadows of Dawn, Peter Phippen once again reveals his mastery of world flutes, gently bringing forth every nuance and color bend from each instrument. He skillfully maps the heart and soul with every subtle, emotional musical gesture. Every phrase lifts the spirit and entices the ear to listen more closely in search of the aural journey that Phippen is so skilled at gifting, quenching the musical thirst of the being in quest for soulful, musical saturation.
With every performance, it never ceases to amaze me at Phippen's skill and mastery of every type of world flute. The sounds he pulls forth from every instrument is both astounding and natural. Many world flute players are masters of their instruments, but Phippen instills an aura of worldly mysticism and elemental knowledge in each breath, making the music delicate and achingly beautiful. His music on Shadows of Dawn is the aural manifestation of yearning and desire, sadness and loss. Every human emotion runs rampant in the soaring melodic explorations of Phippen's music; he is an old soul with prismatic stories and many profound musical gifts to share.
Shadows of Dawn emphasizes world flutes, yet there are other instruments present such as synthesizer, Nigerian drums, chimes, crystal singing bowls, conga, and African drums. However, the accompanying instruments subtly enhance the masterful musical shadings of Phippen's flute lines. The textures are always clean and pure, allowing the the flute to reach out and gently caress the ear of the listener with rich flute sounds laden with serenity. The presence of percussion truly complements and feels like the heartbeat within each of us; feel it in your being as Phippen floats his warm flutes phrases through the air and into your inner being.
The flutes with which Phippen expresses himself on Shadows of Dawn are an Edo period shakuhachi, a transverse bamboo flute, an Anasazi flute, Native American flutes, a contemporary shakuhachi, and a bone whistle. Each aerophone has its own story and voice, and Phippen coaxes the beauty from each instrument as his artistry unfolds with each musical selection.
It is my opinion that Peter Phippen is the most overlooked flutist in the industry. He is not only a gifted world flutist, but he is a true artist. Each musical note is a color on the palette and each phrase a soulful brush stroke, creating a musical work of art to be cherished and taken into the soul like a warm drink of musical sustenance. Phippen's music comes from his heart, and he has much to say to the world and many gifts to reveal. There are many people in the world who play world flutes, but there are few who are soulful, truly ambient artists like Peter Phippen."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1