Last week, my wife and I took a trip to Boulder, Garfield County. We took in the sites and trails at Capitol Reef National Park and the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. At night, we stayed at a friend's house and kicked back to the peaceful, easy feeling of that ultra-rural town.
While we were writing in our journals, I pulled out an old favorite CD of mine — "Thanksgiving: a Windham Hill Collection."
This little collection of songs, released in 1998, features such traditional works as "Simple Gifts," performed by violinist Tracy Silverman; "Amazing Grace," covered by harp-guitarist John Doan; and "We Gather Together," by pianist Philip Aaberg, hornist Paul McCandless and bassist Michael Manring.
The serene Americana arrangements were the perfect soundtrack against Boulder's lack of noise, the perfect background for relaxing and writing.
As the CD ended, I reached into my CD case and tried to pull out a new Windham Hill Collection called "Prayer," only to discover that I had left it on my desk at work. When I got back to the Salt Lake, I picked it up so I could take in the notes.
While "Prayer" isn't tied so much to a holiday as "Thanksgiving," it still fits with the whole spirit of the upcoming holiday season. This album features a collection of classical, traditional and original works that center on faith and meditation:
— Gabriel Faure's "Sanctus from 'Requiem,' " Bach and Gounod's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's "Ave Vernum Corpus" are soulfully covered by pianist Tim Story, guitarist Steve Erquiaga and pianist Aaberg, respectively.
— Pianist Jim Brickman touches off the traditional lyricism of "Holy, Holy, Holy."
— Harpist Deborah Henson-Conant performs "Alisa's Prayer," a work she wrote for her sister Alisa.
— Albert Hay Malotte's "The Lord's Prayer" is reverently covered by horn master McCandless.
— Erquiaga, in the vein of biblical references, fingers out Condit Atkinson's "The 23rd Psalm."
— Pianist Suzanne Ciani revisits "Go Gently," a work she wrote for her late father in 1992.
— Vocalist Rosalba Bentivoglio, accompanied by McCandless, sings the accompanist's own "Spanish Stars."
— The keyboard/flute/violin trio of Jeff Johnson, Brian Dunning and John Fitzpatrick creates a heartfelt rendition of the Irish hymn "Be Thou My Vision."
— Flutist Thea Suits not only covers her own "Meditation" but teams with violinist Tracy Silverman on the string master's "Offering."
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the good things that have happened in life. And "Prayer" is a good way to get those thoughts flowing.
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com