The Spirit of Black Hawk Road

Track Listings

1. The Spirit of Black Hawk Road

2. The Vanishing West

3. Mirage

4. Sedona

5. Technorag

6. Train Ride to Jerome,AZ

7. The Donkey

8. Sonoma (I'll Remember Your Smile)

9. The Lost Hornpipe

10. Coyote Ridge

The Spirit of Black Hawk Road,John Safranko,August Moon,Original blend of acoustic, pop, folk, jazz and new-age instrumentals.

The Spirit of Black Hawk Road

Average customer rating:

Old West, New West...Through A Visitor's Eyes

The Spirit of Black Hawk Road
John Safranko
Manufacturer: August Moon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005OWCF
Release Date: 2001-09-01

Tracks:

The Spirit of Black Hawk Road
The Vanishing West
Mirage
Sedona
Technorag
Train Ride to Jerome,AZ
The Donkey
Sonoma (I'll Remember Your Smile)
The Lost Hornpipe
Coyote Ridge

Customer Reviews:

Old West, New West...Through A Visitor's Eyes.......2004-04-20

Imagine that a musical Alexander de Tocqueville recently arrived in Arizona. He brought a diverse assortment of traditional and electronic instruments instead of paper, ink and a quill. He proceeds to travel the beautiful Sonoran desert and composes instrumental songs that express the observations and sensations he experienced. That is the impression I got after enjoying the John SaFranko album "The Spirit of Black Hawk Road".

The title track and the next two, "The Vanishing West" and "Mirage" are very effective at expressing the heritage of the Old West. Together, the trio of songs establish the starting point for a newcomer to the West. The title track easily evokes images of the Native Americans when they were an integral part of western life and culture. "The Vanishing West" is an expression of the diverse American and European influences that coalesced into the unique style of the American West. Both songs are medium tempo and they convey feelings of optimism for the future and melancholy for the past that is lost.

"Mirage", the up-tempo, third track, breaks that mood with a reminder that the Sonoran desert is teeming with life and energy that is not always apparent to the newcomer.

All of these songs are an interesting and balanced mix of electronic and traditional instruments. SaFranko avoided the pitfall of relying too much on electronics. Instead, he used them for engaging rhythms and the occasional effect. The traditional instruments are often used to deliver the melody and it is refreshing to hear the strings and reeds of the acoustic instruments.

"Technorag" is another up-tempo piece. It could be the sound track for either of Arizona's bustling metro areas, Phoenix and Tucson.

"The Donkey" is a paean to the western spirit and attitude. Many of us live here for the beautiful weather and topography. Beyond that are the wide open spaces and the freedom to live with less of the meddlesome constraints realized in other regions. We try to live and let live. When we feel the pinch of encroachment, we become the donkey of SaFranko's song.

I mentioned the songs that featured melodies and arrangements I found especially engaging and evocative. Two others near the end of the album are "Sonoma" and "The Last Hornpipe". Both melodies are pleasing expressions of the romanticism and spirit of the West.

Instrumental music is the most challenging for a composer and the most subjective for an audience. With no lyrics to guide or influence the listener's perceptions, the composer must create melodies and refrains that are engaging and expressive.

John SaFanko has accomplished that in his musical rendering of the American Southwest, "The Spirit of Black Hawk Road".

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