| CD REVIEWS |
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| This is yet another excellent independent recording (produced at The Centre for Creative Research in Dundas, Ontario), and a completely instrumental one at that, which needs to be saved from obscurity! Apart from his even more progressive, heavily spiritual musical incarnation where he excels in totally spontaneous improvisation in acoustic guitar tunings, this prodigiously talented multi-instrumentalist is credited with inventing a hybrid instrument/process known as a piantar, in 1994, which amalgamates the playing of a piano and guitar simultaneously. The musical invention was documented by the Discovery Channel at that time, and is featured here on �Russian Dolls�, a song that would appeal to anyone who is drawn to the orchestral sounds of Yes and Genesis. His other numerous accomplishments include being interviewed by Keyboard Magazine, being asked to produce sound demos for popular keyboarding company Roland Music (Canada), representing software company PG Music and Comdex back in the early 1990s, producing demos for Computer Chronicles and CNN, performing live on CBC and recording with comedy troupe Corky and the Juice Pigs. The Light of Day, his follow-up to 1994's Piantarist, incorporates enchanting acoustic guitar melodies with psychedelic harmonics that resemble, without duplicating, the styles of early Bruce Cockburn and the jazz-oriented meanderings of Michael Hedges and Pat Metheny, best demonstrated in �Orgasmic Ice Tea�, a concerto in itself. The compositions have a constant light-hearted placidity about them, but with enough variation not to be distracting or tedious � very inspiring, actually! Mark cites Bach and Stravinsky as major classical influences, while his rock heroes include Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and the Police. Like those famous innovators, though, he stresses individuality as a guiding life-force; he might follow the same path, but he walks in solitude, interpreting his unique musical observations on his surroundings. The overall essence of the CD, especially anthemic songs like �Everyday�, �J�Arrive� and �Rebecca�, provided this listener with an intimate sense of familiarity in a wholesome and therapeutic manner, leading to reminiscing about my fondest memories. While the music presented is predominantly guitar-oriented, �Leaves� is a mysterious but interesting little Shostakovich-like piano interlude lasting less than a minute. The richly-deserved title track, �The Light of Day�, is a swirling electronic opus of oceanic dimensions, which may have been a tribute to Alan White (of Yes) or Scott Page (of Pink Floyd), both of whom are apparently already fans of Mr. Daum. Like �Leaves�, it was a �teaser� in that it lacked a climactic d�nouement, but, like all dawns, it shows a lot of promise for the remainder of the day to enfold. Not leaving us feeling disappointed, though, Mark Daum�s final track, �Sprint�, is a delightful little guitar romp that will set your heart racing. The Light of Day is one of those rare CDs that you can listen to over and over again and still discover another musical passage that strikes your fancy. Whether he's performing under his own name or using any of a myriad other mystical aliases gleaned from ancient folklore, Mark Daum is a true "creator", in every sense of the word. To make your own discoveries of the vast talent pool that Southern Ontario has to offer, visit www.room8artists.com or, better yet, attend the SOFGA concerts at the Pheasant Plucker (Augusta & James Street South) in Hamilton! |
| THE LIGHT OF DAY - MARK DAUM |
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