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“Living Temples” is an incredible collaboration from filmmaker Jan
Nickman and composer David Lanz. The first in a series of such
projects, this film features breathtaking footage of the American
Southwest that includes sacred grounds, oceans of sand, the cliff
dwellings of Mesa Verde, time-lapse photography of the sky during
the day and at night, and stunning natural land formations. “Living
Temples” works seamlessly because of the way it was created. Rather
than doing all of the filming and then setting it to music or
composing all of the music and making the visuals fit, the artists
exchanged rough cuts of their respective work as it progressed,
developing the project together rather than independently of each
other. The film concludes with an original dance choreographed and
performed by Caroline Richardson, former First Soloist with the
National Ballet of Canada, and includes optional (the vocal track
can be turned on or off) spoken words by Academy Award winning
actress Linda Hunt.
It is very interesting to note that David Lanz and Jan Nickman
worked together at the Seattle-based record and video company,
Miramar, in the 1980’s. Two of their landmark music videos were the
enormously popular “Natural States” and “Desert Vision” (with Paul
Speer), which launched their careers in film and music. Some twenty
years later, Lanz and Nickman reunited as experienced masters of
their arts, equipped with a whole new set of “toys.”
The music of “Living Temples” is some of David Lanz’s most beautiful
work yet. His distinctive piano and keyboard stylings run throughout
the soundtrack and provide the soul and heartbeat of the film.
Flutist Gary Stroutsos plays a variety of Native American flutes and
light percussion and composed additional music. His flutes are
haunting and provide a reminder of which culture was first to
explore and inhabit The Southwest. (The soundtrack is available
separately and is magnificent with or without the visuals.) The
spoken words by Linda Hunt are interesting, but perhaps a bit
distracting. I turned them off the second time I watched the film,
and found it much easier to be enveloped by the sounds and sights
without the words. The dance segment was shot over several months in
various locations. Caroline Richardson danced to the music played at
twice its actual speed, and then the film was slowed back down to
normal, giving a slightly altered, dreamy effect.
Plans are in the works for “Living Temples” to be shown on various
PBS stations. “Living Temples” is truly awesome, and I give it my
highest recommendation.
Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com
2/28/08
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Living Temples
CD
This project represents a merging of old school David Lanz with the
new style and sophistication that he has found via his prior
collaboration with Gary Stroutsos on Spirit Romance. Continuing what
would appear to be the complicated task of merging classical, Native
Indian, musky jazz and mysticism, Lanz and Stroutsos effortlessly
continue to express their new and very unique musical voice.
The album is actually a soundtrack of the recent visual delight
created by Jan Nickman, a name who should be very familiar to the
established David Lanz fan. Nickman previously worked with Lanz back
in the eighties when they crafted the video music albums Natural
States and Desert Vision. Those of you that may be put off by the
word soundtrack thinking that the music is disjointed and ambient
will do yourself a disservice should you walk away from exploring
this musical adventure. With the exception of “Ancient Voice” that
flirts with such effects, the remaining tracks are well structured
and extend the themes previously presented on Spirit Romance.
Lanz and Stroutsos bring in the usual suspects with Keith Lowe on
bass, Glen Velez on percussion with Jonn Serrie and Gary Lanz on the
technical side. New additions and appearances come from Walter Gray
on cello and even a string arrangement from Kurt Bestor on “Temple
Dance”. It is here where you will hear the elements of both the old
and new school as Lanz gracefully explores the entire range of his
piano as he flirts with the violin and cello embellishments. Equally
as inspiring is the soft dance of Lanz’ piano with Stroutsos’
charming flute work on the title track. Some of you may find this
song very familiar and rightfully so as it was initially entitled
“Ambient Plains” and first appeared on his serene solo album A Cup
Of Moonlight.
Otherwise, the album is composed of all new material such as the
optimistic opening track “Sun Chasers” that will bring back memories
of Narada days. The difference here is the wistful “voice” of Gary
as he floats like a butterfly with Lanz’ elegant piano work. “Rio
San Rafael” and the majestic “Rain Dancer” continue this bountiful
trend. At this point, you will realize this partnership has created
another musical landscape that is more than capable of expressing
the visual delight that Nickman encapsulates on the DVD counterpart.
In both forms, their tribute to America’s magical Southwest is
utterly breathtaking.
After playing musical hopscotch over the last few years with the
jazzy pizzazz of The Good Life and the contrasting stripped down A
Cup Of Moonlight, it appears that Lanz and has found a new voice
courtesy of his musical “marriage” with Gary Stroutsos. While the
recording industry continues to struggle, Lanz and Stroutsos have
created another sophisticated stunning success that is also
effervescent, vibrant and alive.
Michael Debbage -
Solo Piano Productions
May, 2008
It’s fascinating how life sometimes takes us full circle, bringing
us back to a place where we began a journey a long time ago, and how
this place is familiar and comfortable yet so different - or perhaps
it is we ourselves who have changed. Such is the case with “Living
Temples,” a music and video collaboration with David Lanz and Jan
Nickman that began in the 1980’s with “Natural States” and “Desert
Vision.” On that landmark series, David Lanz’s musical collaborator
was guitarist/producer Paul Speer, and this time it is flutist Gary
Stroutsos, who also worked with Lanz on 2005’s “Spirit Romance.” All
three artists have gone through many changes over the past twenty
years, professionally and personally, and have brought an evolved
artistry to this project, which is a masterpiece in no uncertain
terms. Rather than shooting all of the footage of the Southwest and
then composing the music to go with it, or composing all of the
music and then fitting the film to the soundtrack, Nickman and Lanz
went back and forth, working on both aspects of the project
simultaneously. One might think that the music could be weakened
without the visuals, but that is not the case with “Living Temples.”
The music and visuals are a perfect fit, but the music stands alone
as one of Lanz’s best albums yet. With his own record label, Lanz is
free to let his artistry take him where he wants, and the results
are spectacular. Gary Lanz, David’s brother, acted as producer and
engineer, and Keith Lowe added electric and acoustic bass, Walter
Gray added cello, and Glen Velez played various percussion
instruments.
The CD opens with “Sun Chasers,” a piece that is both dramatic and
very mysterious, setting the tone for the album. Mostly piano and
flute, the additional instruments add color and atmosphere. “Rio San
Rafael” is a bonus track that paints a picture of the peace as well
as the power of rapidly moving water. “Rain Dancer” is a piano and
cello duet that is both playful and flowing - a real beauty! “Sea of
Mescalero” is another favorite, conveying the wide open spaces of
the desert as well as its sparseness and majesty - haunting and
aloof as profound beauty so often is. “Temple Dance” is in constant
motion, carried on the wind, both strong and delicate. Cello, piano,
and flute make this piece soar. “Ancient Voices” depicts vast
openness as well as mystery and ritual that go back through time.
“Walk In Beauty” is stunning, asking “what is a sacred place?”
Darkness is pierced by light in caverns carved into the earth over
time, and a sense of reverence prevails. The title track ends this
magnificent journey. This piece also appeared as a piano solo called
“Ambient Plains” on the Sound Traveler release of Lanz’s “A Cup of
Moonlight.”
A one-word summary of “Living Temples” is “WOW!” Fans who felt David
Lanz was perhaps becoming too commercial with his smooth-jazz albums
will delight in the artistry of his newest work. This is an
incredible album, so check it out!!
Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com
2/27/08 |
