Search - Shadowfax :: Shadow Dance

No, NOT a compilation -- their 3rd real album.

R. Josef | New Haven, CT United States | 02/25/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Sorry, the first thing I must do is correct Mr. Jerome Scott. "Shadowdance", the second Shadowfax release on Windham Hill and their third overall, consists of all new 1983 recordings. Where the confusion lies is that Chuck Greenberg, disatisfied with the sound quality of the band's debut album, "Watercourse Way", had the group redo two of its songs for this release.



Now that that's out of the way, I will say that the band was really hitting its stride here. On signing to Windham Hill, the band wisely decided to cut down on the electric sounds of "WW" and go more acoustic for its second album. While they still retained much of that sound for "Shadowdance", they begin to sneak more electricity back in.



The songwriting is more or less split evenly between Greenberg and guitarist G.E. Stinson. The band adds a keyboardist and violinist to the sessions, broadining the reach of the group. Stinson likes the power of his electric, obvious on the opener, "New Electric India" and the one cover tune, Don Cherry's "Brown Rice". Also featuring a scat vocal from G.E., this would prove to be a barn-burner in concert. Another popular track would be the Greenberg's title track. "Distant Voices" and the remake of "Watercourse Way" show off the quieter, more "New Ageish" sound which brought may new fans in. The two remakes do have a fuller, richer production, but I don't quite enjoy the remake of "Song of My Brother" as much. I prefer the orchestration by the Chamberlain on the original as opposed to the solo violin here. But that's just a nitpick on my part. It's a sweeping, soaring composition with a killer guitar part.



The band was moving through is peak period here and getting more popular, too -- the album even made the Billboard pop charts. Possibly the best starting point for new fans, and great for anybody."

A Compilation

Jerome N. Scott | Ft. Wright, KY United States | 02/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I too remember the first time I heard Watercourse Way. I was a teenager working in a record store and my boss through it on the turntable. I was already into the progressive rock sound and this just seemed an extension of that. I've been delighted with their music ever since. What I also remember is that that vinyl release was not on Windham Hill, but ABC/Passport. Now, what happened when the band went with WH I don't really know, but I do know that this release contains songs from that album. Also from Watercourse Way, the song Petite Aubade appears on A Winter's Solstice. Not that it makes any difference, but I think it is interesting to note that this is a collection made up in part of previously recorded material versus a traditionally concieved project. What's cool about it is that it serves as a primer to their music. So if you've never heard Shadowfax and are wondering where to start this is a great place."

A long time ago...

derrotista | Cadiz, Spain | 01/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Shadowfax were the pioneers of New Age music. In 1983 they released this album which I come to think it was one of the first compact discs to be issued.



It's more than 20 years they did this marvellous album. An album which is the peak of this group and was reference to many artists who liked to explore in new ways of making music.



Shadowfax was the first new age group, as soloists were mostly common like Ackermann, Winston, and all the people at Windham Hill (oh, what would have been music without this label?). They were even more remembered a few years after the releasing of their first recordings as their style was becoming too eclectic.



Nowadays, it is very pleasant to listen to Shadowdance, but it has been losing some charm. It sounds a little bit old, but it has freshness. It sounds a little bit naïve, but it has strength. It's a recording to take in mind and to discover. But you can feel somewhat disappointed if you don't put it into the time it was made."