Progressive acoustic guitar virtuoso Mark Vickness recently released his new instrumental concept album, In The Rain Shadow, with his musical collective MVI – Mark Vickiness Interconnected.
Vickness shares, “Most of the music on ‘In The Rain Shadow’ takes its inspiration from moving to the high desert (California’s Owens Valley) in late 2020. We live literally in the rain shadow, which is a meteorological term meaning on the sheltered side of a mountain range where there is less precipitation because of the wind patterns. Most of the titles on this recording are taken from geological or meteorological features we experience daily. These compositions are intended to reflect a new appreciation for the opportunity to absorb the wonders of living in the rain shadow. It is humbling, awesome, peaceful, thrilling, tranquil and beautiful.”
The collective is made up of Mark Vickness (guitar), Mads Tolling (violin), Matt Renz (winds), Joseph Hebert (cello), Dan Feiszli (bass, Ty Burhoe (table), and MB Gordy (percussion).
Encompassing nine tracks, entry points on In The Rain Shadow include “High Desert,” a folk-flavored tune featuring a gleaming acoustic guitar and violins riding a delicious, syncopated rhythm. For some reason, the song conjures up suggestions of Dan Fogelberg because of its gentle, intertwining sonic filaments.
The gossamer, drifting feel of “Alluvial Fans,” provides listeners with delightful, smooth, harmonic surfaces that mousse up a bit, enhancing the tune with a bubbling sensation. A personal favorite because of its tender, translucent flow, “Stillness (For Will),” takes the idea of stillness and infuses it with a palette of soft, vibrant colors.
Drenched in jazz flavors, highlighted by a finessed, braying saxophone, “Roadrunner” hits the sweet spot. Whereas “On the Cliffs of Mohr,” with its Celtic textures, rolls out on elegiac tones, and then perks up to more buoyant Irish aromas.
The title track ties the album off with mellow flair, starting off with tranquil washes that slowly merge into gorgeously lush strings atop a low-slung tapping rhythm, all capped by an exquisite oboe.
Wow! In The Rain Shadow is a glorious work of sonic art, beautifully composed and arranged. It’s definitely one of the year’s best instrumental albums.
