Product Description

Quiet Fire marks the first meeting of three remarkable artists, each distinguished for shaping (and reshaping) the face of contemporary world music. The woodwinds of master flautist Gary Stroutsos; William Eaton s handcrafted stringed instruments; pan-global percussion by Will Clipman disparate elements fused together in a meditative celebration of newfound common ground. More than an exchange between musical minds, however, Quiet Fire represents a new nexus of sound. Koto-harp guitar, Chinese bamboo Xiao flute, water drums, udu and other exotic instruments don t just mingle; they merge. The result: earfuls of open sky and whispering willows, a natural sound to unwind the mind and pacify the soul. Attuned to the soothing hum of well-being, Quiet Fire is a musical journey impelled by an innate sensitivity. To luxuriate in its depth is to gaze into the reflecting pool of the heart. The view will ignite your imagination and restore your spirit.

Track Listing

1. Land of Snows
2. Xiao Messenger at Midnight
3. River of Heaven
4. Night Dreamers
5. Stars Over Sedona
6. Stone Garden
7. Water Mystery
8. Future Primitive
9. Sea of Clouds
10. Quiet Fire

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #73875 in Music
• Released on: 2004-07-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

About the Artist
GARY STROUTSOS' original approach to world flute music--influenced by jazz, Afro-Cuban and Native American techniques--is inspired by traditional cultures and their reverence for the earth. His work was showcased in Ken Burns’ PBS documentary on Lewis and Clark, which led to a command performance at the White House in 1997. He is a regular guest on such syndicated programs as Echoes and Hearts of Space. Although he embraces the full spectrum of world flute music, Gary has made a distinctive contribution through his commitment to the preservation of Native American music and culture, producing and recording over 13 world flute CDs.

Drumming since the age of three, WILL CLIPMAN has mastered a pan-global percussive palette of over 100 instruments, compiled a discography of over 50 recordings, and received several musical honors including a Grammy nomination for Best New Age Album. He has worked with such renowned musicians as R. Carlos Nakai, The William Eaton Ensemble, Will & Cantrell and many others. Will has also created a solo performance called Global Village Musical Story Theater, which combines his original mask art and storytelling with a multicultural mélange of indigenous musical instruments.

Acknowledged as one of the world’s great designers and builders of unique stringed instruments, WILLIAM EATON began playing the ukulele and guitar at age seven. He built his first guitar in 1971 and co-founded the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix in 1975, where he continues as the school’s director. An innovative artist, his recording career includes six collaborations with R. Carlos Nakai, including two Grammy Nominated albums. Where Rivers Meet, by the William Eaton Ensemble, garnered a Billboard Critic’s Choice award. Sparks and Embers, the Ensemble’s 2004 release, debuted the Top 100 World Radio Chart at number 4.

Customer Reviews

Fabulous CD
This is a wonderful new CD - one of the best of 2004. I am amazed that this is the first time these three very talented musicians - Stroutsos, Clipman, and Eaton - have recorded together. Let's support the genre - buy lots of their CDs and hope they record another soon. Each plays wonderfully and the range and blending of instruments is unique: Koto-harp guitar, Chinese bamboo Xiao flute, water drums, udu and other exotic instruments. The music has a great range in tempos and moods. I've seen Gary Stroutsos in concert - WOW! He is fabulous - I hope the three will go on tour soon. Thanks for a totally enjoyable CD that is one of the best in my large world music collection!!!

Dialogue of Enlightenment
Quiet Fire is a recording so tight, so pure and so beautifully gorgeous sounding - Stroutsos, Eaton and Clipman have produced a lyrical vision that shines from the mountaintop. This unique recording of love compels one to listen over and over in order to absorb the elegant and sophisticated nuances bouncing off the dynamic interplay between these three masters. White Swan Records is to be commended for the superb packaging and production. An evergreen title for years to come, Quiet Fire is deserving of a Grammy Nomination in the World Music category. We hope to hear more from this excellent acoustic jazz trio.

Not just for the Spa
This is just about the most sensual sound track ever recorded. Stroutsos will take the Xiao from Chinese antiquity to bedrooms everywhere. (Yes, you can meditate to it as well.) Even if you have heard Eaton before, you have never heard him like this --Koto-harp guitar, incredible! He balances Stroutsos perfectly while Clipman glues the trio together with everything from Water Drums to Udu. These three have made a unique contribution to world music that will live for years to come. This is a Grammy lock. If these guys ever play near you, it would be worth driving three states just to hear them. In the meantime, buy this CD.