| Although I have a love for virtually all musical styles I have developed a particular appreciation for what is currently called Ambient music; but not the bland form which proliferates music stores and which John Lennon would have called muzak. I'm talking about Ambient music which stirs the heart and soul through thoughtful, inventive and creative use of space and sound. Musicians and bands like Brian Eno, Vangelis, Soft Machine, Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd and King Crimson blazed the way in the '60s and '70s for great Ambient artists of today. Not Drowning Waving, music composed by David Bridie (new album 'Succumb' out now), and Windham Hill artists such as Mark Isham are among my favourites. The soundtracks for the Australian film Lantana and Jindabyne by Paul Kelly are phenomenal. I'm also into music with Celtic roots written and played by artists and bands such as Clannad and Alan Stivell. Contemporary exponents of Celtic and Folk music (courtesy of the Port Fairy Folk Festival) such as Cecile Corbel, Rachel Unthank & the Winterset and in particular Martha Tilston have impressed me in a huge way. I am also a particular fan of Aussie David Ross Macdonald. I currently present a program called 'Underexposed' on our local community radio station 3WAY FM during which I play non-commercial, unusual and 'underexposed' music by many of the artists Iisted above. Oh, by the way, I've just discovered Kaki King; amazing beautiful music and Preston Reed, a better guitarist you will never see or hear. |
