After many months, I am excited to announce the release of my new EP, Solace, November 5th! A collection of six original compositions for solo guitar, it will be for sale on my website, iTunes, and Bandcamp, as well as available on all major streaming services.
These pieces were a real step forward for me, as I feel very connected to each composition. As with all of us, the COVID pandemic changed the way we live our daily lives, and musicians were no exception. After retiring from my University position, and taking three years off performing, I just started to play live shows again, when everything stopped. Relegated to teaching online, no performing, the wind was really taken out of my sails. But, as I came to realize, there was a silver lining in all this. Life slowed down, and spending so much time away from others caused me to reflect, and actually spurred my creativity. The solace of the farm I live on gave me peace. So much so, I gave the album this title.
Here is a little info on all tracks:
Round and Round We Go - this was a direct result of the COVID pandemic. Each day seemed like the previous, with no end in sight. The piece reflects this feeling in the constant chord progression Am - G - F - G, never changing throughout the piece. Round and round we go!
Wednesday Morning Rain - Just as the title says, watching the rain one Wednesday morning fall over the beautiful landscape of the farm on which I live. Inspired, I picked up the guitar and wrote this piece. Just like the rain, very serene.
Crystal Blue - I composed this piece for one of my students after she asked me to teach her how to play harmonics. When I play this piece, I envision ice crystals after a snowy winter day.
Bagatelle - A harken back to my days as a classical guitarist. A Bagatelle is defined as a short, light piece of music. This is the only piece not composed in the last year, but over ten years ago. It is also the most difficult to play!
Missing You - I composed this piece when my wife was away for the weekend. After 33 years of marriage, it’s strange being away from each other, even for a few days.
When The Leaves Turn - A piece I wrote for my mother, who passed away in October 2021. When I began writing this piece, I had in mind the turning of the leaves during our colorful Fall season here in Central Virginia. But, when my mother went into Hospice care, the piece quickly turned to her. The short 16th note hammer-ons, which were originally supposed to represent the falling and dancing of the leaves, now represented the leaping of my mother in heaven, free from her earthly body that confined her in her last years. The piece takes a somber turn toward the end, fading out with harmonics that never resolve, much the same way one feels losing a loved one.
I hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as I enjoyed making it.
Keith