Aaron English - 2018 - Songs from Somewhere Else

(45:27; Aaron English)

Track list:
1. Coming of Age in Hard Times 3:03
2. Afande (Policeman) 3:50
3. Wingless Bird 4:08
4. Shadow of a Doubt 3:45
5. Born Under the Same Sun 4:17
6. Kothbiro 4:21
7. Praying for Time 4:33
8. Peace Be Upon You 3:59
9. Adagio for Pots & Pans 5:14
10. My Dream (Lekna) 4:41
11. Wild at Heart 3:36

Line-up:
Aaron English - vocals, instruments
with:
Xiren - keyboards, programming
Curtis Chandler - guitars
Don Gunn - drums, percussion, keyboards, treatments
Todd Howard - bass
Walter Koga - vocals, nyatiti
Miguel Mateus - bass
Patrick Strole - guitars
Derek Munson - drums, percussion
Gulay Sarbay - violin
John Jewell - violin
Geil Wuerzner - violin, viola
Jesse Ahmann - cello
Sarah Cabell - vocals
Elizabeth Hareza - vocals
Diano Garcia - percussion
Elizabeth Wesche - vocals, celtic harp
Mark Fauver - keyboards, programming
Costi Parvulescu - string arrangements
Betsy Tinney - cello
Scott Masoner - bbass
Lisa Craze - choral arrangement
CSL Seattle Celebration Choir   choir vocals


US artist Aaron English has been an active solo artist for a couple of decades by now, and I'm one of those people that have been fortunate enough to follow his career, at least as far as studio albums is concerned. It has been some years since I was on English promo list bu now though, presumably because he has steadily wandered away from the kind of music I mainly review over the years, but when he had an offer going of sending interested parties his latest album if they covered the cost of shipping I jumped at the opportunity, curious to hear the style of music explored on this most recent solo album by Aaron English.

A lot of the music we are treated to here are compositions that operate from a singer/songwriter type foundation, with vocals as a key elements and the main backing primarily written for the piano from what I can hear. Hence the lyrics are important, and the vocals will be used extensively to add emotion to the proceedings when needed. Aaron has developed quite the fine singing voice over the years, and has enough live performances under his belt to know how to use his voice in an efficient manner too. A few decades of experience on the road and in the studio have also given him enough experience to know that usually people will feel the need to get a bit more than just vocals and a piano, hence most songs are also strengthened by some elements or other that expands the scope and the impact for the listeners. Rhythms and keyboards the most prominent of these additions. All the songs here can be performed in a stripped down manner of course, but they sound real good when given a bit more of an expansive arrangement too.

An element that has been present in some form or other on all album by Aaron English are world music details of some variety, and this is very much true for this album as well - as indicated by the album title. While perhaps not quite as distinctly world music flavored as I had imagined this album would be it is a presence in many songs, and several of these are among the standout tracks for me personally due to the world music element(s) giving these songs a stronger presence and identity.

For me this all ends up as a strong and consistent album experience, primarily revolving around what is arguably a more mainstream-oriented variety of singer/songwriter music. Compositions with more arrangements that expand upon the minimum requirements of the song and that include world music elements as well as pop music sensibilities. As an album experience obviously a production that merits a check by those fond of singer/songwriter style artists that feature pop music sensibilities alongside world music elements.

Olav M. Björnsen, January 2022

Links:
https://www.aaronenglish.com/