Lillian
New member
Matt Venuti is not easily categorized. If you like soft new age vocalists, you will probably like him, but the music also could be construed as modern folk music, especially because he plays extremely modern instruments. The Hang was invented at the beginning of the 2000s (when the 21st Century kicked off) and the Gubal (the more expanded and refined of the two) just came out a couple of years ago (and Venuti was chosen by the Swiss inventors to introduce the instrument to American audiences). These two metal double-saucer discs are designed to work like a drum and, at the same time (!), to be played something like a vibraphone (rhythm and melody combined). The player taps the metal with his hands and he can play notes and carry the melody! Maybe the next version will also make coffee for you in the morning. Seriously, this is serious music stuff. There have not been that many interesting modern instruments invented (although it was pretty cool when the saxophone came along in 1840 and tried to join the orchestra, but had to wait for big bands and rock’n’roll to really make a name for itself). Venuti also plays the Electronic Valve Instrument (EVI) which is sort of like a clarinet crossed with a synthesizer that you put your lips on and blow. And the recording also has some very soft and spacey pedal steel guitar and slide guitar, even though this is not country music whatsoever. These are just the unusual sounds that Venuti hears in his head and then brings together in the studio.
Then there are Venuti’s lyrics. He sings of love (post-argument) on “Door of the Heart,” of finding “The Rhythm of Life” because “we are all in this together,” and how “everything will be alright” if you “open your heart” (on “Rise”). He lets us know it is okay to be “Afraid” (because we all are at one time or another). If you wonder about the title of “The All,” the lyrics explain that “the heart is all.” The meaning of “Loosen the Grip” is a bit obtuse, but may be about loving someone so strongly who has passed away or left that you wish that the love you feel would loosen a bit. Society overload seems to be the message behind the album opener in which he sings: “I just want to close my eyes and find a place to breathe” (the tune reprises instrumentally at the end of the CD). The most unusual tune is “Desert Dreams,” a spoke-word, poetic, travelogue through the Southwest U.S.A. with a sparse arrangement that includes some male and female wordless vocalizing, a little wood flute, some Hang and a few other instruments very subtle in the background. This is followed by an excellent version of the terrific tune, “Lean On Me,” originally a hit by its composer, Bill Withers, but done here as a male-female duet with just a single Hang as the instrumentation.
Excellent music, thought-provoking sentiments and instrumentation you do not hear that often. A nice combination. Find some samples online and take a listen. Very worthwhile.
Then there are Venuti’s lyrics. He sings of love (post-argument) on “Door of the Heart,” of finding “The Rhythm of Life” because “we are all in this together,” and how “everything will be alright” if you “open your heart” (on “Rise”). He lets us know it is okay to be “Afraid” (because we all are at one time or another). If you wonder about the title of “The All,” the lyrics explain that “the heart is all.” The meaning of “Loosen the Grip” is a bit obtuse, but may be about loving someone so strongly who has passed away or left that you wish that the love you feel would loosen a bit. Society overload seems to be the message behind the album opener in which he sings: “I just want to close my eyes and find a place to breathe” (the tune reprises instrumentally at the end of the CD). The most unusual tune is “Desert Dreams,” a spoke-word, poetic, travelogue through the Southwest U.S.A. with a sparse arrangement that includes some male and female wordless vocalizing, a little wood flute, some Hang and a few other instruments very subtle in the background. This is followed by an excellent version of the terrific tune, “Lean On Me,” originally a hit by its composer, Bill Withers, but done here as a male-female duet with just a single Hang as the instrumentation.
Excellent music, thought-provoking sentiments and instrumentation you do not hear that often. A nice combination. Find some samples online and take a listen. Very worthwhile.