Prologue ::

I've had a special fondness for Native American Flute music ever-since being introduced to the music of R. Carlos Nakai while I was visiting my Grandparents in Arizona, spring '97.

Review / Comments ::

On July 13th, 2007 while listening to the Echoes radio program (program # 0718D), host John Diliberto introduced the second half hour with a special "Living Room Concert" featuring musician Jeff Ball. While Jeff may only claim to have a "few drops of Indian blood", he says it's "just enough to help me play wood-flute."

During this "Living Room Concert" for Echoes, Jeff performed a number of songs from his latest album, The Shape of Light...

Every time I listen to The Shape of Light I can't help but get lost in it's meditative beauty. Jeff is joined a number of other musicians on this spectacular album to create rich musical atmospheres, with other instruments such as the cello, violin, piano, acoustic guitar and the Hang.

Ball stands out from other Native American Flute players, in my opinion, because he features a group of other fine musicians that compliment his compositions. By mixing a traditional style of playing the flute with other instruments, The Shape of Light emanates a masterful soundscape for all to enjoy.

Hearing Jeff perform some of his music live on the Echoes radio program is what motivated me to get this and other albums from Ball. There was something about hearing it live that really resonated with me. I fully enjoy every track of this album and award The Shape of Light, 5 out of 5 stars.

Notes:

I find it interesting that The Shape of Light features a number of tracks from a previously released album from Jeff Ball: Touching Quiet.

A comparison of tracks:

TSOL = The Shape of Light
TQ = Touching Quiet

• 1. Finding Promise (TSOL) = 1. Finding Promise (TQ)
• 2. Metta Prayer (TSOL) = 2. The Shape of Light (TQ)
• 3. Escape of the Medicine Man (TSOL only)
• 4. The Shape of Light = 3. Struggle For What Never Was (TQ)
• 5. Tranquility (TSOL) = 4. Tranquility (TQ)
• 6. Getting There (TSOL) = 5. Getting There (TQ)
• 7. Ancestors In Daguerreotype (TSOL) = 6. Ancestors in Daguerreotype (TQ)
• 8. Never Alone (TSOL) = 7. Never Alone (TQ)
• 9. In Buffalo Skin (TSOL) = 8. In Buffalo Skin (TQ)
• 10. Drawing in Embers (TSOL) = 9. Drawing in Embers (TQ)

Ouch! Is The Shape of Light just a re-release of Touching Quiet with: one added song, and two track names being changed? Yup, I think it is. Further investigation shows that the track lengths are identical, the liner notes display the exact same quote by Ihab Hassan, and both liner notes include the same photos (with 2 extra photos added to TSOL).

I'm waiting to hear back from Ball, but the only thing I can guess is that by adding "Escape of the Medicine Man" and changing a few track names around allows Ball to release The Shape of Light under the © 2007 "Red Feather Music" label, since Touching Quiet is © 2005 by "Trailhead Flutes Inc."

You can find Touching Quiet for a lot less money, but I would suggest going with The Shape of Light; you get the music from Touching Quiet and a new song!

Rating ::

Related Web Links ::

Official Site:  www.jeffball.net

Available At ::

CD Baby US (MP3 Download, DRM-Free)
Audio Lunchbox US (MP3 Download, DRM-Free)
iTunes Music Store US (AAC Download w/ DRM)
CD Baby US (CD)
Amazon.com US (CD)

Album Copyright Information ::

© 2007 Red Feather Music

Review Date ::

Reviewed: October 2007
Last Updated: 01/01/2008
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