Do art house films appeal to you? How about experimental movies? Would you rather watch Blow Up, The Last Tango in Paris, and Eraserhead or do your tastes run more towards Jurassic Park, Three Weddings and a Funeral, and Toy Story? Arthur Nasson has written, performed and produced an album that has elements of several genres and treats them in both traditional and non-traditional manners. With the exception of several tracks where his sons join him on several instruments, Nasson does it all himself.
Echo Garden is Nasson’s use of artistry and experimentation to create a listening experience in which as Nasson says, listeners “could get lost in a world of sound and imagination. For years I have been trying to figure out how to present an album that hinted at these broader, disparate musical interests, that was still cohesive and fulfilling to listen to.” He has divided his project into three parts, or “Suites” that take the listener on a trip not unlike the one astronauts took in 2001: A Space Odyssey sans the visuals. While you may not become a child of the universe as in the movie, you can definitely get “back to the garden”.
I tried listening to this CD on the way to work and it didn’t work. It was better for me at home, relaxing in my recliner, volume high enough where the sound is just there — no need to strain to hear it. Let the music surround you and transport you. An excellent communicator can make you feel the same way they felt when they created what you are hearing, whether it’s a joke, an emotional story, or a unique musical journey. Nasson succeeds with a raw, gritty low-fi production that has the edge to keep you hooked. Listen to what this man is telling you.
Article comments