IN THE RAIN SHADOW
Released on May 15, 2023, my third solo recording project (after Places in 2017 and Interconnected in 2020), In The Rain Shadow takes its inspiration mostly from moving to the high desert (California’s Owens Valley) in late 2020. I have always lived at sea level in or near a major city. Although the mountains – mostly California’s Sierra – have always been a respite and a home away from home, home was the city – the people, the air, the culture, the food, the thriving human energy. Covid changed everything. It deepened the joy I’ve always known as part of the experience of being in a beautiful place – a place with far fewer people, thinner, crisper air, and a different kind of energy born of being closer and more subservient to the natural environment. We live literally in the rain shadow, which is a meteorological term meaning on the sheltered side of a mountain range where there is less precipitation because of the wind patterns. Most of the titles on this recording are taken from geological or meteorological features we experience daily. They are intended to reflect this new appreciation for the opportunity to absorb the wonders of living in the rain shadow. It is humbling, awesome, peaceful, thrilling, tranquil and beautiful.
CD Cover
CREDITS
All pieces composed by Mark Vickness
Performed by MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected)
Matt Renzi – oboe, English horn, saxophone
Mads Tolling – violin
Joseph Hebert – cello
Dan Feiszli – upright and electric bass
Ty Burhoe – tabla
MB Gordy – percussion
Mark Vickness – guitar
Produced by Mark Vickness and Dan Feiszli
Recorded and mixed by Dan Feiszli at:
What’s For Lunch Recording, El Cerrito, CA and 25th Street Recording, Oakland, CA
Mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering, Portland, ME
Video produced by Mark Heim, Maximum Flavor Media, San Francisco, CA
Cover art by Brian Judd
CD design by Sara Glaser
NOTES ON THE PIECES
Rupak (for Ty)
Rupak is a seven beat rhythmic pattern used in classical Indian ragas. It is divided 3+2+2. My exposure to (and love for) the raga tradition dates back to college. That Indian musicians commonly improvised over complex rhythmic patterns consisting of 7, 10, or 13 beats and much more vastly expanded my musical horizons. In this piece, the melodic instruments play parts written to define the seven beat pattern. Ty compiled the tabla solo that begins about half way through (based on a composition by the legendary Alla Rakha).
On the Cliffs of Mohr
A piece inspired by a day hiking the Cliffs of Mohr on the west coast of Ireland with my family. I have always loved most everything Irish. We were lucky to spend a week in Ireland in 2019 before the pandemic. We soaked up a lot of traditional Irish music. The day we hiked the cliffs was a gorgeous, joyous day. We left all the tourists behind after walking about a mile and had this magical place all to ourselves for the rest of the day. The piece is divided into two sections. The first is a long classical trio (English Horn, Violin and Cello) followed by a fast Irish-infused 12/8 romp for the whole group.
Stillness (for Will)
My son is every bit the passionate music lover I was at his age. He loves a remarkably broad spectrum of music and I cherish our cross-generational sharing. One of the genres he discovered on his own is ambient music. It was his reminding me of music by composers such as Brian Eno and Harold Budd that rekindled my own love of this music. There is also a certain kind of stillness that is unique to the high desert when the weather is calm. Eyes closed, you can feel the vastness. These things combined to inspire this piece.
In The Rain Shadow
Many of my compositions begin with guitar improvisation. Throughout the pandemic I often played guitar to try to get some solace, some comfort from the isolation. One day I started playing the chord progression that begins this piece. The guitar is tuned very low and the chord voicings make use of a lot of unisons played between strings which produces a kind of hypnotic sound due to the sympathetic resonance generated (this is how Indian string instruments get that resonant sound). I recorded those first eight bars and then the violin melody which comes in second. Once I had those elements recorded, the rest of the piece was completed in a few hours (which is extremely rare for me). I think of this piece as a musical hug intended as a peaceful moment of quiet reflection, something we are lucky to experience living in the rain shadow.
PRAISE FOR IN THE RAIN SHADOW
From Artists:
Jon Gomm – British Fingerstyle phenom
It's a gorgeous collection which somehow feels rooted in the earth, as if bluegrass, indian classical music, african cross rhythms, new age acoustic ambiences, classical chamber music, jazz, once all blended, create some perfect special sauce which might feel like home to most of the population of the earth.
Michael Manring – Legendary bassist/composer
Mark is a visionary musician who creates a beautiful form of contemporary chamber music. For his new recording he has assembled a masterful, soulful ensemble who bring his tone paintings to life. It will take you on a journey!
Ian Ethan Case – Acoustic Double-Neck master
Beautifully played, recorded, and mixed. There's enough instrumentation for interesting orchestrational shifts to occur, and the music doesn't overreach, allowing for flawless, graceful delivery and total clarity of intent. I know these songs will bring joy and inspiration to many people out there!
Trevor Gordon Hall – Fingerstyle pioneer
It is so nice to listen to the new MVI record. Really expansive and yet inviting, a whole sonic world to explore! You have to check it out!
From Critics:
Rubin Mathias/Sinusoidal Music (11/9/23)
This instrumental masterpiece transcends conventional boundaries, immersing listeners in a fluid and organic universe of music. The collaborative spirit of the ensemble echoes Vickness’ vision of an interconnected world, where musical boundaries dissolve, and cultures intertwine to create a vibrant and dynamic musical tapestry. ‘In the Rain Shadow’ sonically depicts musical innovation and collaboration, celebrating the beauty of diversity and the profound harmony that emerges when gifted musicians come together as one. Through its masterful composition and evocative melodies, ‘In the Rain Shadow’ invites listeners on a transformative journey. Mark Vickness Interconnected has crafted an album that not only captivates the senses but also speaks to the soul, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who embark on this mesmerizing musical odyssey.
Growth Illustrated (10/3/23)
This diverse and dynamic ensemble’s brilliance permeates the album, promising a compelling expedition into an auditory utopia warranting a visit from all music aficionados. Together, they’ve successfully crafted an album that symbolizes unity, diversity, and a deep appreciation for our shared humanity. ‘In The Rain Shadow’ is not just an album—it’s a proclamation of the universal language of music, resonating with the hearts and souls of the listeners.
The Industry Times (10/3/23)
Society often brackets artists into genres. Of course, MVI defies this convention, allowing itself to breathe within the realms of global fusion, contemporary instrumental, and acoustic, while embracing the sophistication and complexity of jazz fusion, embracing the peace and nostalgia attached with classical music, all resulting in a unique blend of music that is hard to categorize but easy to fall in love with.
Disrupt Weekly (10/3/23)
“In The Rain Shadow,” an unparalleled mix of progressive acoustic, instrumental, world music, jazz fusion, and much more, is a perfect ensemble for those inclined towards an immersive musical narrative that goes beyond the conventional. The exceptional virtuosity and the inimitable vision of MVI resonate in “In The Rain Shadow.” This musical opus translates a profound appreciation for the wonders of nature into a harmoniously arranged acoustic web, inviting listeners on a transcendent journey of sublime melodies that echo with the rhythms of human interconnectedness.
Popular Hustle (10/3/23)
“In The Rain Shadow” isn’t just a collection of sounds and beats. It is an immersive journey into the hearts of artists who revel in the diverse beauty of our collective human experiences. Guided by Mark Vickness, this masterful ensemble of musicians manages to stitch together a stunning tapestry of rhythmic patterns and melodies with love, passion, and a deep-seated sense of interconnectedness.
Hustle Informer (10/3/23)
The album is an irresistible, immersive musical offering. Artists have hailed it as a gorgeously woven tapestry, a soothing journey, and a sonic landscape begging exploration. It stands as a testament to the conjuring of joy and inspiration that Mark Vickness evokes through his craft.
Bob Mulvey - The Progressive Aspect (7/1/23)
Bringing all the elements together and capturing the spirit of the album is the title track. Mark Vickness on guitar, closely followed by Mads Tolling on violin, opens the piece and sets the mood. As with the previous album, I am once again struck by the beauty of the arrangements – encapsulated here with each of the instrumentalists announcing their arrival with little more than a gentle hello. But that ‘hello’ is warm and greeting – Joseph Hebert on cello beckons in the gathered players with a brief rhythmic introduction and soon we are in full swing. Matt Renzi’s oboe sits perfectly, adding an almost pastoral flavour. With Dan Feiszli on upright bass, Ty Burhoe on tablas and MB Gordy on gentle percussion, the mood is well and truly set. I am reminded here of that wonderful blend of West meets East that was so fundamental to Interconnected. In the Rain Shadow brings together seven extraordinary instrumentalist who have created a fusion album in every sense. A global musical journey, seamlessly joining East and West in a unique and inspired fashion.
https://theprogressiveaspect.net/blog/2023/07/01/mvi-in-the-rain-shadow/
David Randall - Get Ready to Rock Me (6/22/23)
It is the skilful blending of instruments and insistent drone rhythms (Ty Burhoe and MB Gordy with Dan Fieszli, bass) that proves ultimately irresistible. Whilst the album again reveals Vickness’ classical and jazz background the tunes are always melodic and completely immersive.
Let It Rock
These artists’ palette is stunningly vast. The overall picture Mark and his friends present is one of rare, natural beauty.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR ALLUVIAL FANS
The first piece to be released from In The Rain Shadow, Alluvial Fans was released on YouTube on 4/14/22. Critics were quick to respond:
Setting the tone with intricately plucked guitar, and layered violin and oboe, as the composition expands with cello, bass and rippling tabla, we are totally hypnotized by Alluvial Fans.
The brain child of composer Mark Vickness. who also plays guitar on the dimensional track, Alluvial Fans is a transcendental piece that fuses cultures, rhythms and soundscapes from all over the planet.
The composition amps up a third of the way through, generating a playful energy, juxtaposed to the more immersive start. We love the return of the tabla as it ripples through the song bridging the production and adding cerebral dimensionality.
There is an epic bass solo riff from Dan Feiszli two-thirds of the way through the track that truly has us in awe. We can definitely see the composition as the score to a great cinematic movie, and have been exploring the imaginative mind of Mark Vickness further by listening to his album, Internconnected.
There are parts of Mark Vickness that will stay with acoustic guitarists everywhere. The jazz musician is a composer that is an instrument polymath and loves constantly creating. His album Places (2017) and Interconnected (2020) are on Spotify for you to listen, but I recommend watching the videos. Seldom do you get to see the musicians enjoy the composition and process. This is Alluvial Fans.
If Mark Vickness wants to show gratitude for his fans, he’s done it in too wholesome a way. Armed with his acoustic guitar, he creates this masterpiece of an instrumental, with highs lows and everything in between. As you can see in the video below, there is excitement in the musicians’ eyes when they contribute to what is flowing glass being formed. With a fingerstyle riff in between, Mark Vickness allows each instrument to shine, while still keeping the percussive ring of his guitar going. By the time the confluence of Indian and Western music happens with the tabla, he has a comprehensive piece that conjoins to create a dominating, layered enterprise in itself.
If you want to hear more of his true musicianship, head over to his Spotify or better yet, his YouTube channel. Loads of his fans wait patiently for his compositions, intriguing and brilliant. For a new tempo and beat, there is a different arrangement that steals the show. Mark Vickness is truly a great, cognizant composer of music-and this is testament to those who have supported him.
https://sinusoidalmusic.com/2022/04/27/mark-vickness-alluvial-fans/
“A real masterpiece of World music. Mark Vickness Interconnected conveys the finest details of melody and accompaniment. The unsurpassed playing of the rich rhythm section and the skill of the finger style guitar style gracefully combined with cello and bass guitar phrases. The violin adds elegance to the generalized flow of this fantastic track.”
Indie Dock Music Blog (5/8/22) http://indiedockmusicblog.co.uk/?p=12722