Kristin Amarie - Notes from a Journey (2013)

Kristin Amarie Notes from a Journey Kristin Amarie hails from the shores of Norway. An artist with an international background, she has spent more than half her life traveling abroad studying and working. The world is indeed her theater and as this compelling musician shares her inner voice with us on her new album Notes from a Journey, we see the varied musical styles in her background. From bossa nova to Scandinavian folk songs, this album has classical flair with elements of world music. Contributing artists include Tony Aiello, Joe Deninzon and Grammy nominated and piano extraordinaire David Lanz. First Light was produced by Grammy nominated producer Alex Salzman. The piece begins with the haunting strains of Amarie s vocals, drifting in and out like cloud formations. Against a backdrop of the darkest night, the first light of dawn begins to warm the sky. A pensive orchestration of multiple instruments thrums to life, spiraling outward like the golden rays of the sun. Illuminating the shadows of the night into the bright and glorious day, Amarie s voice is akin to angels singing. Without You was co-written with David Lanz. Strings craft a rhythm that morphs into an ambient twist. Vocals, piano and a steady blend of multi-instrumentation left me breathless. I had to just close my eyes and listen to the blissful harmonies and just feel the weight of the world leave me. This song reaches artful heights and heady climbs, leaving us mere mortals happily basking in the glow. Beloved is a song that reaches down into the hidden recesses of the senses. The lyrics were written by David Lanz and performed by Amarie. Haunting and ethereal, the song begins with ambient sound. Piano filters through the gauzy clouds and distinct vocals tell of a search for heaven. Bright lights surround the darkness that shadows the soul and drives it back. Love, pure and unrestrained is captured and the moment brought to life. Heaven is real. Cascading musical elements transform the simplicity of the earlier part of the piece into an elegant tapestry of song that is unforgettable and simply beautiful. Kristin Amarie is a skilled musician and her voice will leave you wondering if an angel might be missing from heaven after all. Filled with love and light, her music left me breathless. I often listen as I write and with this magnificent album I found myself hitting replay constantly because I didn t want it to end. Vanilla cupcakes, hot cocoa and the smell of lavender...these are some of my favorite things and this album has just made the list as well. I think we will be seeing much more of this inspiring new artist. She is indeed a force of nature rising up to starry skies. Key Tracks- First Light, Without You, Beloved August 26, 2013 --Dana Wright, Muzikreviews.com