Yesterday I spent time reviewing the latest Zone Music Reporter Radio Play Top 100. It’s a chart for New Age Music. The title of the album at number 48 was Sonoran Odyssey by Paul Speer. The title was interesting for a couple of reasons first my wind raced from Sonoran Odyssey to Sonora‘s Death Row by Robert Earl Kean. Then the name Paul Speer sounded familiar and I thought I may have listened to his music previously.
However, when I went to Spotify to find the album, I didn’t see the album I was thinking of listened among his releases. I realized I was mistaken. This morning I remembered the name of the artist I confused with Paul was actually Nathan Speir. His release that I was familiar with was Part of a Kindly Plan
Ok so with that straightened out let’s get back to Sonoran Odyssey from Paul Speer. I really, really like this album and it has already been a soundtrack for a morning meditation!
However, I still don’t know anything about Paul Speer. For that I headed first to Wikipedia…..
Paul Speer (born 1952 in Lewiston, Idaho) is a Grammy nominated guitarist, composer, and record producer. He has released several solo albums, music video albums, and collaborations with other artists such as pianist David Lanz, drummer Scott Rockenfield of Queensrÿche, Paul Lawler, and vocalist Satine Orient.
About Sonoran Odyssey
Paul Speer says the following about the music on Sonoran Odyssey….
I like to describe this record as New Age Music with Teeth. Guests include flutist Sherry Finzer and the actual sounds of Neptune and Jupiter recorded by NASA. Bonus tracks include a new version of the Lanz/Speer hit “Behind the Waterfall.”
I think I’ll need to go back and listen more closely for those sounds of Jupiter and Neptune.
Here‘s a list of the players who create the musical sounds on Sonoran Odyssey…
Sherry Finzer: Flute on Venus Rising.
Ron Krasinski: Drums on Behind the Waterfall.
Max Saidi: Drums on Monsoon.
Paul Speer: Guitar, bass, keyboards, engineering, production.
At Paul‘s website unfounded this quote which I agree with whole-heartedly
Blue Wolf Reviews (Janet Mawdesley – Australia)
Recently his latest solo effort ‘Sonoran Odyssey’ landed in my inbox, as Paul himself describes it as “New Age music with teeth” and yes that absolutely hits the nail on its head. Paul has his own unique guitar playing style, a clear but full guitar sound and a certain play with notes, which I always find a pleasure to listen to.”
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is this sonic odyssey will be in my music rotation for a long time. I can see it being the soundtrack for many more meditations as well as yoga routines.
So check it out! As for me I have been and will be in the future checking out Paul‘s back catalog.
Links for the Further Explorations of the Music of Paul Speer
Artist‘sWebsite
Facebook
YouTube
Amazon
Oh and because Paul‘s music is readily available at streaming sites he has made his music available for download here at his website – enjoy!!
Here is „Sunrise“ the opening track of Sonoran Sunrise
