Release Date: June 20, 2025
Label: Independent
I am familiar with Ann Licater's work. I covered Between The Stars in 2023 and Beyond The Waves in 2016. Echoes From The Forest is her most recent release.
Ann Licater is a remarkably versatile musician. She demonstrates
her mastery of 11 flutes, including the Ocarina, Native American, Native
American-style, Mayan-style Drone, silver C, and alto. Her performance on Track
1, "Sky Dreaming," where she also handles Synth and vocal layers, and
on Track 14, "Journey Beyond," where she plays the Steel Tongue Drum,
showcases her diverse musical talents.
Ann Licater's music is a captivating blend of instrumental world
music and new age music. Once you experience it, you'll be drawn in by its
unique and intriguing soundscapes.
"Sky Dreaming" opens the recording. The flute's
woodwind sounds immediately engage your senses as you await the other layers of
sounds and instrumentation to join in. The Synth is a nice additional layer to
the track as the calmness of sounds soothes and pushes your mind's thoughts
away. The sound of these types of flutes is very organic and earthy. The
connection between you and Mother Nature is one of the significant benefits of
the mesmerizing sounds emanating from Ann's flutes. We are off to a fantastic
start, and your heart is filled with joy and anticipation for the next journey.
"Cedar Sanctuary" begins with a different sound, as
you would expect, considering all the different flutes Ann plays. The sounds
are rhythmic and breathy like a cool breeze hitting your face to refresh and
enhance the natural sensations of the outdoors. That intrinsic connection to
nature you firmly established in the previous track continues.
"Wisdom of the Pines" brings that connection to nature
to the forefront with the title alone. Trees are one of nature's magnificent
gifts to humanity. They have vast underground networks established through
their root systems and communicate through them. Their wisdom of the world
around them reaches beyond what humans will never come to understand. The flute
sings and dances; you can imagine the trees smiling as they listen.
"Echoes from the Forest" is a continuation of the last
track from a conceptual viewpoint. However, as one would expect, the sounds of
these different flutes are much more extensive. As there are echoes within the
wooded areas, so the flutes emulate that, answering back and forth and
resonating with their distinct tones, rhythms, and flawless beauty. This is the
longest track on the recording and one of the most fascinating. I felt I was
standing in the middle of the forest, turning my head back and forth to listen
to each flute talk to each other in their special language.
"Peaceful Willow" keeps the connection to all these
organic elements and resides in the middle of nature's glory. The willow's
nature is to have long branches draping over, almost touching the ground, as
its vast roots continually grow and stretch out, searching for water and
nutrients. Visually, they are peaceful; their roots are aggressive and
determined underneath their trunks. The flute's sounds are picturesque,
creating the vision of the willow fully grown and thriving.
"Ancient Vistas" has a title that
immediately recalls pictures stowed away in the back of your mind that you may
have seen in person, in a documentary film, or read about. Once again, the
synth creates a lovely layer for the flute to drift over, and all the sounds
created perfectly address the track titles' meaning. In your mind's eye, the
colors and vision take you to places you may have been or wish to be. It is
hypnotic and beautiful.
"Redwood Canyon" is one of the shortest
tracks; however, it paints the picture of a canyon easily with the resonating
and echoing tones of the flute. Short and sweet, the mysterious sounds of the
flute keep you fascinated.
"Circle of Trees" sounds spiritual and indicative of a
sacred ceremony that may recall the Indian tribes worldwide that respected and
revered all living things and only took what they needed to survive. The flute
brings you into that circle and holds you as you reflect upon all the possible
meanings of the track's title and significance to the artists and likely many
others with that connection to the music and nature.
"Woven Reflections" are all the things that you may be
feeling and experiencing while listening to this music. The sound weaves its
way into your consciousness and your very being. The power and spirit of these
woodwind instruments make you realize their significance and how they are
connected to living things. Reflection is essential; the soothing tones and
colors emanating from the flute help you get into the right frame of mind.
"Wings in the Mist" are the birds of flight going
through the trees and surrounding areas as they forage for food and water. The
morning mist will eventually clear and dry as the sun's warmth changes the
temperature and conditions. The flute sounds joyful and invites you to join in
this dance of nature and our feathered friends.
"Earth Calling" is a prolific title that fits the
meaning of this recording and all the tracks you just heard. Everything that
makes up the Earth is part of what the flutes' sounds are inspired by and
instantly connect to seamlessly. The dexterity of Ann's playing and
all-important breathing make this an invitation to be part of all she is
offering through her tones, colors, and vibrations. So beautiful.
"Bird and Breeze" continues with the journey of one of
nature's wonders, birds. The flutes emulate the callings of those marvelous
creatures. Hearing those sounds from an instrument is so sweet and endearing.
It is the shortest track, but one of the more fascinating displays of the
Ocarina’s sound.
Your "Journey Beyond" now comes full circle and to a
completion with the sounds of light percussion in the background. As the
rhythms connect effortlessly to the call of the flute, so do you. This track is
very different from all the others, yet it is an excellent way to close out
this recording. I found so much inside this track with the tenderness of the
synth layer and the soft invitation of the percussion as the flute happily
dances along, so does your heart and soul.
Ann Licater's Echoes From The Forest is a clear stream of collective consciousness about nature and Mother Earth's endless gifts that are present all around us. The tracks offered here make connecting to all that musical communication easy. It is one of the best new-age instrumental world releases this year.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR
Reviews Founder
June 16, 2025
Tracks:
01. Sky Dreaming 4:31
02. Cedar Sanctuary 3:43
03. Wisdom of the Pines 2:50
04. Echoes from the Forest 4:37
05. Peaceful Willow 2:53
06. Ancient Vistas 4:12
07. Redwood Canyon 2:01
08. Rose Moon 3:24
09. Circle of Trees 3:13
10. Woven Reflections 2:32
11. Wings in the Mist 3:42
12. Earth Calling 2:02
13. Bird and Breeze 1:35
14. Journey Beyond 4:18
