{"id":1473,"date":"2019-11-06T08:18:53","date_gmt":"2019-11-06T08:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.symbiosis-music.com\/?page_id=1473"},"modified":"2020-10-13T07:38:08","modified_gmt":"2020-10-13T07:38:08","slug":"reviews","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.symbiosis-music.com\/index.php\/reviews\/","title":{"rendered":"Reviews of Relaxing Music by Symbiosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Reviews of Symbiosis<\/h1><\/div>

Bill Martin reviews the \u2018Therapist\u2019s Edition\u2019 of\u00a0TOUCHING THE CLOUDS<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Touching the Clouds<\/span><\/a> is the latest recording from the talented trio of Richard Bolton<\/span><\/a> (guitars \/ guitar synth), John Hackett<\/span><\/a> (flutes) and Clive Williamson<\/span><\/a> (keyboards, flutes, wind synth, marimba, percussion, voices and whistling. Intended as \u2018music for deep relaxation and holistic therapy\u2019, the band’s style is impressionistic and contemplative.<\/p>\n

My attention was drawn first to the mellifluous flute playing, which tends to improvise around pentatonic scales, and then to the sensitive, crystal-clear solo guitar of Richard Bolton\u2019s Dawn Clouds, Dusk Rain<\/em> which opens Side 1, and fades into Nimbus<\/em>, a relaxing flute improvisation over a slow, rhythmic keyboard figure. Clive Williamson\u2019s ability to evoke a whole range of emotional effects is the band\u2019s foundation. His title track has a timeless, dreamlike quality which links many of his pieces on this album, and here, long sustained sounds fade in and out of each other, punctuated by delicate metallic sounds; it is as though we are in a small boat, drifting slowly in a strange place and watching things appear and then recede into the mist.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"The<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Reviews of Symbiosis<\/h1><\/div>

Bill Martin reviews the \u2018Therapist\u2019s Edition\u2019 of\u00a0TOUCHING THE CLOUDS<\/h2><\/div>

Touching the Clouds<\/span><\/a> is the latest recording from the talented trio of Richard Bolton<\/span><\/a> (guitars \/ guitar synth), John Hackett<\/span><\/a> (flutes) and Clive Williamson<\/span><\/a> (keyboards, flutes, wind synth, marimba, percussion, voices and whistling. Intended as \u2018music for deep relaxation and holistic therapy\u2019, the band’s style is impressionistic and contemplative.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

My attention was drawn first to the mellifluous flute playing, which tends to improvise around pentatonic scales, and then to the sensitive, crystal-clear solo guitar of Richard Bolton\u2019s Dawn Clouds, Dusk Rain<\/em> which opens Side 1, and fades into Nimbus<\/em>, a relaxing flute improvisation over a slow, rhythmic keyboard figure.<\/p>\n

Clive Williamson\u2019s ability to evoke a whole range of emotional effects is the band\u2019s foundation. His title track has a timeless, dreamlike quality which links many of his pieces on this album, and here, long sustained sounds fade in and out of each other, punctuated by delicate metallic sounds; it is as though we are in a small boat, drifting slowly in a strange place and watching things appear and then recede into the mist.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"The<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

We are taken to The Crystal Cav<\/em>e, an enchanting place with tinkling wind chimes, drones and swirling chordal sounds to comfort and reassure us. Once again there is this sense of all kinds of images which remain just out of view, but which we glimpse fleetingly before they disappear again. A treat for the head, heart and ears!<\/p>\n

Lawrence Ball makes a guest appearance (on the extended \u2018Therapist\u2019s Edition<\/span><\/a>\u2019 of the album only) in his Spring Light<\/em>, a thoughtful piano piece with some subtle, minimalist synthesiser embellishments. His careful use of dissonance and silence draws us into this piece, which fits perfectly into the album\u2019s style. Further delights are Richard Bolton’s Pale Clouded Yellow<\/em>, an effortless electric guitar solo, and Dreamtime (After the Storm)<\/em>, which includes Ashley Drees on cittern.<\/p>\n

I love this album and concur whole-heartedly with the description on the insert, \u201890 minutes of music to calm the mind and soothe the spirit\u2019.<\/p>\n

(Reprinted with Bill Martin’s permission from Catalist magazine)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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“I was absolutely enthralled by the beautiful music”<\/em>\u00a0Customer, Kent… about Touching the Clouds<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Of all I’ve heard, Touching the Clouds is still my\u00a0(and my clients’) favourite CD”<\/em>\u00a0Holistic Practitioner, Glasgow<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Touching the Clouds\u00a0(Editor’s pick) – from Heartsong Review (U.S.A.)<\/em><\/h2><\/div>

Here is truly perfect music for deep relaxation and holistic therapies. Compositions that hold the attention with their superb instrumentation yet soothe and calm make this recording truly magical.<\/p>\n

This enchanting spirit-captivating, freeing music begins with Dawn Clouds, Dusk Rain<\/em> and acoustic guitar: The flute enters soon. With a touch of reverb now and then, the deep soothing flute tone weaves a tapestry for Saint Grace herself, while evenly strummed guitar chords provide the woof. Nicely reminiscent of Paul Horn’s flute in the Taj Mahal, a simple chime plays in concert as duo. As the recording proceeds, human voices punctuate a rhythm assisted by high fluttering chimes for a brief harmonic divergence fades out as the flute returns to hint at two well known melodies masterfully combined. Then finger cymbals, synthesized string, vibes and glass chimes. It drifts lazily and peacefully along for quite a time then quieting to one central tone, then adds a fifth and expands slowly. Some marimba notes conjure drops of water off a roof in the quiet after a rain.<\/p>\n

In the Hawaiian culture, clouds were observed by cloud kahunas who read them for instruction and guidance. We can look to Touching the Clouds<\/span><\/a> to relax mind and body. Highly recommended.<\/p>\n

Lina Goodyear & Jennifer Derby Washburn, Heartsong Review, U.S.A. (Spring\/Summer 1995)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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“An ideal tape for healing, yoga and relaxation. This innovative and evocative music reaches deep within the soul of the listener to soothe and relax. I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed with this tape as it is probably some of the best ambient\/new age music around at the moment.”<\/em> (Dave Bird, New Age Trader)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Touching the Clouds on CD – from Kindred Spirit<\/em><\/h2><\/div>

Touching the Clouds by Symbiosis (72 mins)
\nThis album was nothing like I expected from the CD inlay card. Symbiosis have created beautiful music; delicate and sparse arrangements of flutes, keyboards and acoustic guitar over a fine soundscape backdrop combined with space and atmosphere which both become instruments in themselves. Touching the Clouds<\/em>, the title track, is a fine example of the 23 tracks. Richard Bolton, John Hackett and Clive Williamson, along with a few guests, have created something special and original with a stunning display of subtlety and creativity; an intriguing, original release.<\/p>\n

Music Reviews by Michael Madden and friends, Kindred Spirit Magazine, Issue 47 (Summer 1999)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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“I loved the simplicity, the naturalness of it. I found it very flowing; soothing very gentle. If I was trying to make up my mind what a New Age track would sound like, this would be the type of track.”<\/em> (Kolinka Zinovieff ITEC, MTI. – Holistic Massage & Cranial Osteopathy)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Symbiosis in Concert<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The New Age Music Association\u2028 Benefit Concert (Cecil Sharp House, London\u2028) –\u00a0Reviewed by musician Nigel Shaw<\/em><\/p><\/h3><\/div>

After the interval came Symbiosis. Musically, this was the highlight of the evening. Clive Williamson (flute, vocals etc.), John Hackett (flute) and Richard Bolton (guitar) made up the group. The space and textures of the music were breathtaking. Even a version of Jimi Hendrix’s The Wind Cries Mary<\/em> was stamped with their style. The final piece, by John Hackett (‘Freefall’), was the best. It featured Clive playing keyboards to a beautiful melody from the flute with acoustic guitar notes weaving in between. Every piece of music came over clearly and simply, showing Symbiosis’ mastery of \u2018the spaces in between\u2019: Excellent.<\/p>\n

(by Nigel Shaw for SOUNDWAVES Incorporating the New Age Music Association newsletter)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Symbiosis<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Symbiosis at Rudolph Steiner House –\u00a0Reviewed by John Saxby<\/em><\/h3><\/div>

Hay-fever and a cold combined did not put me in the ideal state of mind to enjoy a concert, but it says much for Symbiosis that I left Rudolph Steiner House feeling a great deal better than I did when I arrived. Their performance has a relaxed professionalism and a variety that so many New Age concerts lack \u2013 no doubt due to the fact that Symbiosis extend their musical range far beyond what is usually understood by the term \u201cNew Age\u201d. Jazz standards rub shoulders with Hendrix songs and the group\u2019s original compositions \u2013 of which Dreamtime<\/em> and Crossing the Silver Sea<\/em> from their new album Touching the Clouds<\/span><\/a> were particularly evocative.<\/p>\n

Between them, the four\u00a0members of Symbiosis play electric, acoustic and Spanish guitars, flutes (including ethnic flutes), cittern, mandolin, African pot – and other percussion, wind synthesizer, keyboards and voice, and all are exploited to the full to give colour and variety to the music. Nor are they afraid of rhythm, moving easily from the tranquil Wrapped in Evening Mists<\/em> to the Latin American rhythms of Layers of Shade<\/em>, and ending with a kind of eastern funk (entitled Sesamum Seed and Rice<\/em>) which had the audience shouting for more \u2013 and this after two hours of music! How many New Age groups can you think of which can sustain an audience\u2019s interest and enthusiasm for even half that time?<\/p>\n

Symbiosis are calming, uplifting and exhilarating by turns and, above all, musical: John Hackett is a classically trained flautist; Richard Bolton (guitars) is also classically trained (on cello!) and Ashley Drees is an accomplished folk musician, playing cittern, mandolin and percussion. Clive Williamson, the group\u2019s leader, is aptly summed up in the words of the Todd Rundgren song that he sang superbly: \u201cI was born to synthesize\u201d. Somehow he takes all this diversity and weaves it all together.<\/p>\n

On this occasion, extra colour was added \u2013 both musically and visually \u2013 by the striking figure of Maloviere<\/span><\/a>, performing a short set of his own on recorders, violin and tsimbala to great effect, and joining the group on violin for the finale. Spread the word; and see them if you can. Symbiosis are exceptional.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1473","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nReviews of Relaxing Music by Symbiosis - Symbiosis<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover what people like about the relaxing music of Symbiosis in these reviews of albums such as Touching the Clouds and the group's concerts.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.symbiosis-music.com\/index.php\/reviews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Reviews of Relaxing Music by Symbiosis - 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