But one of the best medicines available within the world at the moment, is the medicine of Music, something that is a fantastic communication method as well as a language that is perhaps more universal than Esperanto was thought to be. It goes without saying that Music itself has healing properties, it can also relax and ease our minds of worry and provides escapism from the world. Just listening to Albatross by Fleetwood Mac, has the properties to relax us and calm us. Okay they might have been slightly high when the recorded the track, but it is purely instrumental and simple within the style that it has been recorded. Whenever I listen to it, I am transferred in thought to a more peaceful place away from worry, away from the fractured world and society that we live in, to a place of peace and tranquillity, to a place where sandy beaches and the shore gently laps with waves. And it remains even today one of the most unique pieces of music ever recorded.
That is what is great about music, it is also a work of art and an art form within its own rights. Despite Albatross taking my mind to a place of Escapism, an Albatross is quite a large sea bird, and from a shoreline with lapping waves, it also makes you think that you are flying, again flight is escapism, and looking down on the world as we soar above it, is an ideal that a lot of us at the moment probably wish we could be doing. Ah, how we can continue to dream on.
I for quite a while now, have become quite accustomed to listening to an Artist, from America, called "Mary Chapin Carpenter" And I have a guess that a lot of readers of this blog, have possibly never heard of Mary Chapin Carpenter, I for one had not heard of her, until I stumbled across a track by her, called "What does it mean to travel" and since then I have kind of become hooked on her unique musical style and voice. Whilst she hails from America, her music has a mixture, no a multitude of different styles, which all come together to make something different, something that is escapism and best of all pure sounding.
Now whilst the American singer and songwriter world gave us the likes of James Taylor, who broke through to international recognition, Mary Chapin Carpenter, remained silent, definitely within Europe to some degree. Only recently have people within Europe discovered her music, much like me.
With a New Jersey background her style of music is one that borders both Americana and Folk, plus Singer Songwriter, all into one whole swoop and places it nicely under an umbrella, it really is perhaps one of the nicest sounds that I have come across in a long time. The track that originally got me into her music, is the song "What does it mean to travel" which I shall post, for you to listen to.
Stunning, Haunting almost isn't it? And it is one with questions, questions about being alone, but taking the time to explore and seek out new places. Something that a lot of people will be keen to do, when Lockdown is ended.
The way the track is produced is simple, a guitar and some light drum patterns make it mellow and ideal for relaxation, ideal for long summer days and light nights. Yes it really is music to pass the time with during Lockdown.
Having listened to her music for quite some time, it is perfect and a blend of styles and instrumental patterns develop to shape the songs, songs that reflect the personal life and somewhat turbulent life that Mary Chapin Carpenter, has lived through, including her battles with depression. Something that a lot of musicians are sadly not capable of doing due to the media hounding them, something that the media even today carry on doing.
Just remember the hashtag #BeKind, something that was long forgotten after the sad death of Caroline Flack.
Reserved, is Mary Chapin Carpenter, with the way she sings, but she also wants us the listener to experience what she has experienced, a strange way of looking at things, but reviewing music can be a strange thing to do as well.
"Sometimes Just The Sky" was the first album of hers that I listened to, and whilst it is the most recent album, it flows, it flows with aspects of self help, self isolation, and personal experiences that can help us in the long run become better throughout life.
All of her discography echoes self help and how to be better at all parts of life that we are in, and no matter what part of life we are in, her singing just helps with that. A unique self help book, in song form, being communicated through song instead of by pure reading that we would normally do. Relationships, Travel, Social Isolation (before it became a coined phrase) along with physical distancing, all of the songs on each of her albums deal with life, including some of life's questions that are answered in a unique song form.
But amazingly, the songs about relationships involve songs about break-ups and love, all be it sung with a unique style, but the songs about love are sung within a platonic way, something that these days, should be discussed. Platonic relationships are something that we should all have, and are the best kinds of relationships no matter what.
A piece of Carol King, also shines through, so if you like Carol King, Bruce Springsteen and James Taylor, I dare say as well, but Leonard Cohen, then you are in for a treat with Mary Chapin Carpenter, add her to your music collection, you really will not be disappointed.
But it is this style of music that I really do like, the obscure, and yes I do like a whole plethora of music, but Chapin Carpenter, really is a diamond gleaming and is a pleasure to listen to.
And within these strange times, we really need music like this to listen to, music for pure relaxation and music that is ideal for anyone working from home, who wants to switch off, and get work done.
I must also point out, that Mary Chapin Carpenter, has a fantastic YouTube Channel where she has been uploading music to, guitar sessions, and this is fantastic, so give her a listen to, for escapism and transporting to somewhere that holds good memories, positive energies surely is the best place to be, and the style of her music helps to take us there.
Please, Please do give her a listen.....
A voice of calm, a voice that can teach us all something about life, our own life and others in life, a voice of peace and harmony.
A full 10/10 and a musician and artist who is yet to become, more discovered over here in the UK.
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