OREGON

OREGON has been a band that i've had a hard time getting into. I guess it's because it's all- acoustic. Anyway I though i'd take a chance on this one mainly because of a review by R.Hutchinson. He talks about how he wore out two cassettes of this recording back in the day.The band hadn't recorded a studio album for a few years and then signed with ECM. So this album is fresh, it's like the band has been rejuvinated.They would use synths as well for the first time and I like the way they're used in the background to create atmosphere.That alone might be why this one clicked with me immediately. Check out the album cover of the artist using the sky as his canvas. He's about to throw a disc of orange paint at it. Cool.

"Rapids" opens with sax and piano leading the way as it builds to a full sound then settles back. I like the percussion before 4 minutes as the sax solos. It settles again after 5 minutes then rebuilds after 6 1/2 minutes. "Beacon" opens with viola and aboe. Some percussion joins in as these sparse sounds continue. Cool tune. "Taos" opens with percussion that comes and goes. Bass 2 1/2 minutes in with synths as it builds.Tin flute too. Amazing sound here. Some classical guitar then it turns spacey late. "Beside A Brook" opens with piano and eventually we also get English horn and aboe helping out.

"Arianna" is interesting with the sounds that come and go together. Sitar, English horn and aboe on this one all create some great sounds.The tempo picks up 2 1/2 minutes in. "There Was No Moon That Night" opens with classical guitar followed by clarinet before a minute. It becomes intense briefly 2 1/2 minutes in. I like the clarinet 5 minutes in as the guitar and percussion help out. "Skyline" is a short piece with synths, bass and percussion. "Impending Bloom" is different. We get these vocal expressions that I like with a catchy rhythm. Piano after 1 1/2 minutes with english horn to follow. Musette (horn) takes over 5 minutes in.

A classy recording reminding me of Chamber Music. Intricate and beautifully done.