Review from SEVEN DAYS - November 28, 1998. By Pam Polston
Bethel based musician Spencer Lewis has issued yet another stirringly
lovely collection, whose 12 instrumental tracks (one "Lea's Suite'" is
really four parts) might be, at least metaphorically, the "slince
between the words" of the title. The opener, "Memorial Day" is a
haunting violin and guitar duet that sounds like it was recorded in a
cathedral. In fact the CD was recorded at Lewis' own Quartz Studio,
with additional work at Charles Eller Studio in Charlotte, and though
technology surely contributed to this big, chamber sound, it does not
announce itself. Eller himself contributes Hammond and piano; other
guests appearances include Mark LeGrand on bass and Lucas Adler on
drums. Mostly, though, this is a meditative, often shimmering, and
sometimes majestic acoustic journey, with Lewis on strings and synth
keyboard. Whether Lewis favors instrumentals because he thinks words
distract or because he can't sing I don't know, but the choice is okay
by me. The Silence Between the Words contains engaging, eloquent
compostions that speak volumes with the sweet melancholy of the violin
and the masterful, articulate finger-picking of steel-stringed guitar.
If you prefer the equivilant of high speed car chases in your music,
this disc is not for you. Silence is gentle, soothing, mesmerizing - in
fact I'd recommend it as an accompaniment to a massage. "A Broken Heart
and a Light in His Eye" adds the rhythm section, and a more
conventionally pretty, almost poppy melody, while "Ode To a Friend" are
pared-down, elagiac, acoustic pieces. With the smooth strains of "Deep
Powder Waltz" you can almost see the flakes fly, while the synth-piano
title track returns to a profound quietude. Lewis closes with a stately
violin work. "Only Time Will Heal" which conveys a sadness the title
only hints at. The song slowly builds with a drum and organ to the
closest thing to a rave-up ending Lewis musters, without losing its
dignity. Silence manages to both embrace mourning and enspirit with
grace, ushering a delicate balance between one state of being and
another.
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