NICHOLAS GUNN
Return To Grand Canyon
(c) (p) 1999 Earthtone Records
11tks/50mins

Nicholas Gunn is back! Wonderful artist invites us again to make a fascinating journey to the Grand Canyon - this unique creation of the Nature itself.

I was waiting for this album very much. Moreover that this is a continuation of a very strong and bright project "The Music Of The Grand Canyon" , released in 1995, which has won a broad recognition and was issued by more than three thousand copies. To the word, that album was in the Billboard charts for more than 32(!) weeks.

It was very interesting, what will Nicholas prepare for the listeners this time. And the result was quite unexpectable. Nicholas did not take the very way, which he took, creating his first project. "Return To Grand Canyon" is not a continuation of the "serial". It does not repeat its brilliant predecessor. This is quite independent, completed project.

The album is quite traditional for Gunn, and at the same time it is quite different. In everything, which, as it may seem, it could be the same -- in the powerful rhythms of the drums, in the tender singing of Gunn's flute, in the noble decoration of the keyboards, in the soft passages of the acoustic guitar - a new quality appeared. The feminine nature appeared in the music by Gunn, it became more tender and delicate. This feminine origin is clearly felt here. While listening to the first project with its broadness and large scale, presenting in its sounding, you felt yourself as if you are floating over the Canyon. Now you feel yourself immersing into the most hidden depths, coming in the most unknown places. And the connection of perfect music with nature sounds, recorded directly in the Canyon with addition of the American Indians voices creates an unique atmosphere, opens the windows, breaks the walls. You are tete-a-tete with this ancient world, with this pristine beauty, with this blossoming garden, created for Love and Joy. And you feel yourself filled with the power of this great Nature, filled with the Life itself...

But let us return to the music. Here many pleasant surprises are awaiting the listener. Here is one of them: Govi, the perfect guitar master, took part in the new project of Nicholas. Govi's guitar with soft nylon strings, in which unconditional joy and silence are woven as a whole, one can hear in "Horseshoe Mesa". The piercing violin of Karen Briggs sounds in "Flight Of The Condor".

And if one could compare the music of Nicholas Gunn with anything, then it can be compared with blowing of fresh wind, tearing flame of a strong bonfire and with a free element. This music is simply beyond any conditions.

It helps to wake from the sleep and understand, that the time of awakening has come. The time of awakening from the slavery of the ordinary world. The awakening of the Creator... The awakening of the Spirit... Whose name is Eternity.

Serge Kozlovsky