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This hypnotic, peaceful recording is made of selections and improvisations. During the past 7 years Dave has worked as a music therapist at Seattle Children's Hospital and the Bailey-Boushay house, two of Seattle's very worthy causes and nationally recognized medical facilities. Only one piece has a title (named after 'The Epitaph of Seikilos', a musical piece dated between 300 B.C. and 100 A.D.) and the rest are given alphanumeric markers meant to
avoid the predisposition to images. This is because these guitar miniatures are frequently used as part of generative imagery exercises in relaxation training. I found myself naming the pieces anyway. Dave lists a website for listeners to submit their own titles for these tracks at http://dreamstrung.blogspot.com. Dave made the classical guitar partially pictured on the cover and describes the impact of the sound of his guitar as he plays and listens. "The pulse and tactile sensations slow me down and induce a quiet restfulness." I like to listen to CD's I'm reviewing without preconceived notions of what I'm about to hear. I was immediately struck by the manner the guitar for this CD was recorded. I could feel it and not just hear the notes bounding out of the sound hole of the guitar. It's really three dimensional. Perhaps this is a great guitar and a great recording, and it certainly will touch you. This is deliberate, meditative music for "...individuals suffering from medically related stress, anxiety and pain." I'm sure Dave won't mind if you use if for that evening with a migraine, when the lathe at work broke or your Power Point crashed. But keep this in mind for those times you may face, when you are beyond the immediate help of medical knowledge or pharmacological effect. It's yoga for the ears and soul.
Dave's debut solo CD “Natura Naturans,” featuring his stringboard instruments, was released on Anomalous Records (1999). He is a founding member of animist orchestra – an ensemble that uses natural materials to create very quiet, subtly evolving soundscapes. For more information about Dave, his discography and music therapy see the website above or also www.sonocern.org. This is a beauty with many uses or an end unto itself. [J.W. McClure] - Victory Music
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
David Knott, MT-BC, NMT is a board-certified music therapist, fellow in the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy, instrument maker, improvisor and composer living and working in Seattle. He specializes in using improvisation to engage and facilitate therapeutic change with critically ill adults and children.
Since 1982, David has been playing and recording his own music solo and in collaboration with others. His interest in music and soundmaking comes from a personal, intuitive response to vibration gleaned from early years spent exploring his grandfather’s junkyard, the process of building his guitar at the Roberto-Venn School in 1994 and every improvised musical experience. With instrument building, performances, workshops and recorded works, he seeks to stimulate the listener to a point of resonance and discovery of their own musical being.
A debut solo CD “Natura Naturans,” featuring his stringboard instruments, was released on Anomalous Records (1999). He is a founding member of animist orchestra – an ensemble that uses natural materials to create very quiet, subtly evolving soundscapes. Along with the Climax Golden Twins and Sir Richard Bishop, he is a member of the Messenger Girls Trio, whose first record on Anomalous Records is currently sold out. [Another 12" "Excelsior Salon Trio" will be released by UZU Audio (Canada) in October 2009.]
Additionally, he has made interactive installations in public and private settings which seek to provide participants with opportunities to realize kinesthetic expressions in sound and promote deeper listening.
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