REVIEW: ONTARIO BLUE - SHINE

 

ONTARIO BLUE - SHINE (Fluttering Dragon Recs., 2000)

Produced by Stephen Pennick

Recorded at Enlightment House

Artwork by Stephen Pennick

Tracks: 1- New Beginnings, 2- Chant of the Forgiven, 3- Mara´s Daughter, 4- Lost City, 5- Change, 6- Shadows, 7- Don´t Weep for Me, 8- Memories of Tomorrow, 9- This Mortal Coil, 10- Kali in Mine Eyes, 11- Rise

Stephen Pennick, the man behind Ontario Blue (main composer, arranger and musician on this CD) is a great artist and here he delivers this album called "Shine". In fact, the music contained here is really atmospheric and full of keyboards (some parts reminded me of some new age artist, some Kitaro and others). The tracks here are small ompositions like small classical pieces done with heavy use of keyboards and electronics. There is also a dark celtic flavor in some of the tracks. Pennick´s vocals are similar to the ones that make Brendan Perry in Dead Can Dance and you will feel some shades of that band in Ontario Blue´s Music too. Those who like this style will surely enjoy this recording. . Favorite tracks: "Mara´s Daughters", "Don´t Weep for Me" and "This Mortal Coil".