Visionary new age music for nourishing and rejuvenating body, mind and spirit
Visionary new age music for nourishing and rejuvenating body, mind and spirit
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Island of Anywhere by Mike Howe CDs and digital downloads available for purchase at:
My desire with my compositions is to create soothing, melodic and catchy tunes that are presented simply, as an antidote to an oft-chaotic world filled with complexity. The guitar gives the melodies an acoustic clarity, allowing listeners to imagine themselves wherever they want to go, to their own personal Island of Anywhere. — Mike Howe
| 1. Beyond the Mountains 4:22 |
| 2. Flowers of Penberi 3:30 |
| 3. Big Sky 3:06 |
| 4. Branches and Stars 3:29 |
| 5. In That Moment 3:15 |
| 6. Waves on the Shore 3:16 |
| 7. Never Far from You 3:56 |
| 8. Top of the World 0:00 |
| 9. Stray Birds 3:03 |
| 10. Island of Anywhere 3:34 |
| 11. Summer's Here 3:17 |
| 12. Kayak Trip 2:47 |
| 13. This Life 4:00 |
| 14. Sorry for What I Said 2:54 |
| 15. Sunset 3:36 |
| 16. Pale Blue Dot 3:04 |
| 17. Days Gone By 4:04 |
I find soft guitar work to be both soothing and calming. Mike Howe presents us with 17 tracks of excellent, smooth guitar compositions that will enhance your workspace and your home. This English born musician was nominated for best new artist for his debut album Time Stands Still back in 2009, as well as Best Instrumental Acoustic album for his second release. This CD continues in the same vein of exceptional guitar. This is classic acoustic guitar work; melodic, harmonized and offered up, simply, for the listener's enjoyment. The music stands on its own with very little accompaniment. Mr. Howe does play all the bass, keyboards and percussion that accompany some of the work. There is variety in the tempo which makes sure that the CD never becomes boring. Sometimes contemplative, sometimes upbeat, the variations are easy on the ears and never intruding. Mr. Howe's guitar work is quite polished; he has a style that is uniquely his own, which lends an emotional feel to the compositions. My picks from this CD are Top of the World; an almost James Tayloresque sounding piece, but much more developed for acoustic guitar, it's bright, cheery and warm. Summer's Here has a very jazzy feel to it, smooth and gliding. I am reminded of some old Motown releases with brass and featuring guitar. My favorite has to be the opening track, Beyond the Mountains. I love the guitar work here, simple but melodious. The chord harmonies are outstanding and the piece is very contemplative. Mike Howe's guitar work on Island of Anywhere is an enjoyable journey in a picking style that is both tranquil and pleasing. The listener is able to submerge themselves in this soothing environment letting the ebb and flow of the guitar act as a rudder to guide them through the undercurrents that he has skillfully woven into his music. Mike is a highly talented individual but the listener is not subjected to pyrotechnic displays of his guitar playing prowess just to show he can do it but rather the guitar playing is subtle so as to focus the music on the mood that is being created rather than on the player himself. Island of Anywhere is an exceptional album which presents Mike Howe in all of his brilliance creating music that is filled with passion and that will tug on the strings of your heart resonating with your spirit.
Apparently it is becoming an annual event to expect a new creative release from the Welsh guitarist who has somehow managed to release three releases in the same amount of years. How he manages to write his beautiful music at his current rate is amazing. And while this is once again another splendid creation, there is this underlying feeling of diminished returns as Howe continues to play it safe with his unobtrusive pastoral instrumental mix found on Island of Anywhere. Though be ready for a few surprises. The pleasantries begin immediately with the opening track “Beyond the Mountains” which is reminiscent of Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” Needless to say comparisons with such a gorgeous song mean nothing but the ultimate compliment, but it is not without Howe caressing the strings to create his own beautiful yet unassuming composition. The follow up track “Flowers of Penberi” is somewhat more flirtatious while “In That Moment” has a more mid-tempo melancholy feel to it. The above pattern repeats itself for the most part but there are a few exceptions. First there is the more driven “Waves On the Shore” where Mike stretches himself a little but not at the expense of ruining the pastoral theme. Further musical exploration occurs on “Summer’s Here” that is as optimistic as the season of its namesake. There is even horn like instrumentation courtesy of Howe’s keyboards. While the risk is appreciated, this song could have been much more successful with an outside musician assist on the drums and horns. Kudos to Howe, for his willingness to step aside of his musical boundaries. Though Howe gets it completely right on the embellishments found on “Sunset” with Howe placing the electric guitar up front and center. This may bring Howe to somewhat of a musical crossroad who has once again produced another solid recording but may have exhausted the successful formula that has resulted in these three very fine recordings. Howe deserves a significant rest to recharge his creative batteries and judging by his already impressive recording portfolio, who knows what musical island is next. Meanwhile enjoy Howe’s Island of Anywhere from gorgeous sunrise to sweet sunset.
Island of Anywhere is the third solo acoustic guitar release from Welsh composer and ecologist Mike Howe. Howe’s first two albums with the Real Music label, Time Stands Still (2009) and Round River (2010), provide listeners with a peaceful respite from the hectic pace and harsh realities of everyday life, and Island of Anywhere picks up the thread where the other two albums left off. Most of the seventeen tracks are solo acoustic guitar and a few feature Howe on bass, keyboards, and percussion as well. For me, Howe’s music suggests images of walking in the country and happening by someone sitting against a tree playing his or her guitar, completely lost in the music. There is nothing fancy or showy about Howe’s music - it is gentle, honest, and from the heart, and those qualities can be breathtaking in their own right. Nothing will jump out at you and demand attention — this is more like an inviting patch of sunshine beckoning you to come and relax for a while. With all of the forces demanding our attention, this quiet approach is both much needed and welcome. Island of Anywhere opens with “Beyond the Mountains,” a gorgeous ballad that reminds me a bit of Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” Warm and flowing like a happy daydream, it’s a stellar beginning. “Flowers of Penberi” evokes images of wildflowers gently moving to the rhythm of a breeze. “Waves on the Shore” picks up the tempo a bit and changes to more of a folk song mode. Constantly moving but never in a rush, this is a favorite. “Stray Birds” has a melancholy feeling that is not without hope. Light percussion in the background adds a bit of emphasis to the beat — a nice contrast to the flowing quality of the guitar. The title track is pure musical sunshine — blissful and serene. The reflective “This Life” is wordlessly philosophical about simplicity and contentment. “Sorry For What I Said” conveys humility, sincerity, and regret — a heartfelt beauty. “Pale Blue Dot” is another stand-out. More ambient than melodic, washes of keyboard color add an ethereal feeling while the guitar plays a simple, uncomplicated melody that conveys a sense of wonder and openness. “Days Gone By” ends this lovely collection with peaceful, dreamy nostalgia that accepts the past rather than longing for it. With three incredible albums to his credit, Mike Howe has created a musical niche for himself that will be hard to top for peaceful solo guitar that evokes a sense of well-being and calm. Island of Anywhere will be released on October 25, 2011 and will be available wherever Real Music albums are sold. It is available for pre-release orders from Amazon and iTunes. Very highly recommended!
Mike Howe is a veteran in the music business, but I feel that he has continually kept his ear to the ground. This means that there is vibrancy to each of the tracks on Island of Anywhere that simply is not present on a release at another musician’s similar part of career. After the strains of “Beyond the Mountains” wrap up, listeners are provided with an emotionally affecting track that straddles the barrier between environment and civilization. Cutting off at the three and a half minute mark, “Flowers of Penberi’ represents the perfect microcosm of elements that are touched upon during Island of Anywhere’s run time. “Branches and Stars” is another peak for Howe; there is a substantially different feel for this effort than is heard on the remainder of the album. While the song is still tremendously emotive, I feel that there is a certain openness that really hammers home the environmental marker of the track’s title. “Never Far from You” is slightly slower in tempo than a “Big Sky,” but I believe that the tracks act well in establishing a foundation for the rest of Island of Anywhere’s tracks. By showcasing smart arrangements with talented playing, listeners will be firmly affixed to their chairs through the rest of the album. “Kayak Trip” touches upon the element of water on an album where a number of the tracks (“Top of the World,” “Branches and Stars,” “Sunset”) touch upon air; this keeps the album fresh while creating a better interpretation of the earth as well as the titular Island. By the time that “Days Gone By” closes up, listeners should know this already – Island of Anywhere is a must-buy album. Pick this up from the link above or from any number of online or brick and mortar stores. Top Tracks: Beyond the Mountains, Waves on the Shore. Rating: 8.4 out of 10
Bass, guitar and percussion in their simple acoustic form give the melodies prominence on this lovely new recording from Mike Howe. Island of Anywhere follows in the tradition of his previous two recordings on the Real Music label. The tunes are deeply relaxing, soothing and even catchy, though never overridingly so. Howe aims for an organic beauty, and his music is uniquely inspired by the fact that he resides in a National Forest. Listening to his recordings brings that environment home, even in the midst of a bustling city.