New Age Instrumental Review: Rick Sparks-Speak Peace

Release Date: June 4, 2022

Label:  Independent

Website

Rick Sparks just released Speak Peace, an album for our times. We need artists like him in a world of unrest, war, ecological disasters, and many other things that cause discomfort and stress.

As his warm pictorial of the sun rising on a large field of poppies on the album cover indicates, you will find immediate serenity from the image and hopefully the same with the music. As the world turns and our lives are forever changing, the one constant we can depend on is music.

Music that soothes the soul is something everyone needs; whether you realize it or not, it is for the taking. As Rick's keyboard journeys in the eleven tracks on this album will attest, this is just what the doctor ordered. Stress will melt away, and the world's worries and the day will fade to the background. The time taken to listen to this music can make a difference in your life; that is why you listen.

The title track sets up the rest of the recording by introducing a gentle invitation to join in and hear the voices of angels accompanying Rick on the keys. This combination is an effective method to find a meditative state that you may seek; otherwise, if you are looking for a relief valve to relax, there is also a path to that found in this music.

The beauty of "Little Princess" may remind you of the innocence of a child or bring fond memories back from long ago. If you have a daughter, you may be able to relate to that; I certainly do and find myself looking back and wondering how our daughter is now a grown woman thousands of miles away. I have tears running down my cheeks right now thinking of it. It seems like another lifetime ago, come and gone in a blink. Such is the power and magnificence of music and the emotions it can stir inside you. It makes me wonder how something you are hearing is beautiful yet sad.

"Prayer For Ukraine" is an ode to that war-ravaged country being destroyed a bit at a time while taking lives and changing the world of millions. We all feel it in more ways than one. Rick's piano solo is healing personified, and the positive message of prayers will go out tenfold with each listen. The track was released as a single with all the funds sent to the relief fund for the country. 

Music makes a statement, and you will hear it in every corner of the earth. Its reach and magnitude have no limits. Listening to Speak Peace will open the door to your soul.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

June 7, 2022

Tracks:

01. Speak Peace

02. Harvest Moon

03. Little Princess

04. Dragonfly Dance

05. Lass of Inverness

06. 1912 Waltz

07. A Love That Lasts

08. Prayer for Ukraine

09. End of Day

10. We Wait Upon the King

11. Auld Lang Syne

Holiday Instrumental-New Age Review: Rick Sparks-Christmas Night

Release Date: September 17, 2020

Label: Independents

Website

Rick Spark’s desire to recreate traditional Christmas in the most spiritually renewing way is achieved on his most recent release Christmas Night.

This is most definitely Holiday music done with taste and with a touch of angelic beauty. Usually around this time of year or well before it actually, advertising is already pushing the purchase of goods, etc. This is much too early and it normally succeeds in turning me into Mr. Ba Humbug until that blessed day with loved ones finally arrives and all of that disappears.
Rick said: Christmas Night is “the perfect companion for fireside dreams in December.” I have to agree and it is more than that to me. This music made me feel the true meaning of this hallowed holiday that we celebrate every year around the world.

It is warm and inviting and very soothing. So much so, it acts as a meditative and aural experience. All of the walls come down as you let the music into your heart. It will turn your grumpy ba humbug to insignificant mush.

“The First Noel” was one of my favorites as it remained recognizable yet Rick was able to make it his special interpretation. “What Child Is This” will penetrate your being and fill your heart with light and joy. It gives you a feeling that there indeed was a baby Jesus and his mother was blessed to bring him to us here on earth. We sure could use his help right now. I found “Silent Night” as moving as it ever was and loved this version. Those are three examples of many that you will find in this collection.

All the flutes, bells, keyboards, and gorgeous non-verbal singing gave me back memories of when I was a boy going the Christmas mass with my family. It is the time of year I feel most vulnerable to my emotions and memories that I hold so dear to my heart. Christmas Night allowed me to let that love in and feel it for what it is and be grateful for it rather than sad. We all grow up and are introduced to our new families through marriage and partnerships. That can be a beautiful thing as well.

Christmas is for the kids they say, I do not subscribe to that. I think it is for everyone willing to embrace it and enjoy the celebration of the birth of one of our saviors on this planet we inhabit.

Christmas Night inspired me to write these words you read, to feel what I felt, and most important come to the realization that music like this can give me an entirely different perspective on what I normally go through each year. So, folks let all of the pre-holiday advertisements and shelves full of ornaments and decorations coming out before Halloween roll right off your back. Think about the true meaning of the day and hang on to that conviction and everything else will just fade into the background. If you happen to need some help along the way listen to Christmas Night and may you all have a “Silent Night” and sleep in heavenly peace.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
October 26, 2020

Track List:
01. Christmas Night
02. Christ Is Born
03. The First Noel
04. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
05. In the Bleak Midwinter
06. What Child Is This
07. Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
08. Once in Royal David's City
09. Silent Night
10. Nativity

New Age Instrumental Review: Rick Sparks-Endless

Release Date: October 1, 2014

Label: Independent

Website

Rick Sparks began his journey into music at a mere seven years of age with an old spinet. Over the years he has played in churches, been a music DJ, a broadcaster and finally an artist with several albums to his credit. Pop, gospel and classical all make an appearance and he was heavily influenced by Vince Guaraldi and George Winston and grew to love New Age. His new album Endless is a mix of original compositions an Irish hymn and four Scottish ballads with a song from Bill Leslie’s hit album Scotland - Grace of the Wild. The cover was designed by starscape photographer Ben Canales and the theme of the album is God’s everlasting love, always endless, always present even when sometimes it doesn’t seem like it.

The album opens with Gordon Lightfoot’s 1970 piece “Beautiful.” It then moves into the piece “Dream Angus.” When I first heard the title I immediately thought of last night’s dinner of a dreamy looking steak sitting on my plate and as I closed my eyes, my spirit was indeed replenished and rejuvenated. Whether by the thoughts of last night’s bliss or the beautiful piano music drifting over me, I felt the peace Sparks was trying to convey. Sleeping dreams can be had while we are awake if only we allow ourselves to see the greatness in all that God has provided us; sound and substance, melody and rapture, or even just a steak with some very lovely sauce. Piano and eloquence is the champagne of life.

“Endless” is the title track for the album. Delicate piano strains twist and turn into a provocative and thought provoking musical narrative. God is the endless sky…the eternal force that keeps the universe ticking. No matter the name-because names are fleeting-the energy is there. Always and forever. A breath of life and a sparkle in the velvet darkness.

“Wexford Carol” is an old song that makes me think of the holidays whenever I hear it. Full of hearth and heart, it calls to mind the gathering of family and friends to take stock in all that is truly important in this world. Percussion, wind instruments, piano and a myriad of instrumentation bring this classic song of hope and the majesty of the human spirit to life.

“Loch Lomond” is pure magic. The ethereal nature of this piece was a shiver of delight. Vast and eternal as the starry skies on the beautiful album cover, this song is a blend of vocals, piano and various other electronica. The blend of music and effects crafts a piece that dips deep into the primordial mysteries of a loch in the wilds of Scotland and I wouldn’t be surprised if a wee kelpie were to pop up and say boo. Of all the tracks, this song was one that reverberated with mystery and made me want to look into the deep to see what would be watching back.

Rick Sparks is a musician with several albums under his belt. His love of music shows in every track on Endless and the blend of original works, cover songs and historic favorites make this album a wonderful listen. He is a professor of mass communication and a pianist at his local church.  If you want a respite from the world this holiday season have a sit down with Endless. It is a joy to the world. Kind of like pie…

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Endless, Loch Lomond, Wexford Carol, Dream Angus

Tracks:
01. Beautiful
02. Dream Angus
03. Endless
04. Be Thou My Vision
05. Portree
06. Wexford Carol
07. Wonderful, Merciful Savior
08. At Rest
09. Loch Lomond
10. Be Still, My Soul
 

Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer

November 12, 2014

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews