| Sound & Spirit: CD Reviews by Don Strong "Journey To The Interior" by Mitch Humphries (Wolfgang) (Celestial Navigation CNW9801) can be ordered by calling (763) 424-5542 or go to www.donstrongmusic.com How do we -- souls in human form -- express our longing for the divine? Some of the many ways include prayer, poetry, art and music, which is perhaps the highest human expression. Historically, secular and sacred sound has been separated in our Western culture. Certain music is considered spiritual and is usually heard as part of worship in the temple, church or mosque, while outside these sanctuaries, worldly music is for entertainment: stimulation of the mind and emotions. So what makes music spiritual? I had the good fortune to hear singer/songwriter Mitch Humphries, an artist formerly known in recording circles as Wolfgang, perform at a worship service in Chanhassen last month. Listening to his piano and voice was an uplifting experience in sound that reconfirmed this thought: There are many, many musical vehicles on the road to the Creator. In his latest release, "Journey to the Interior" (Celestial Navigation), singer/songwriter Mitch Humphries uses the unexpected yet familiar ground of contemporary pop music to deliver moving spiritual messages and sounds. Humphries has spent more than two decades as a studio keyboardist, recording literally thousands of records and jingles in Nashville, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta, and earning dozens of gold and platinum record awards. But he grew bored with the day-to-day grind of playing in the studio, churning out records that sold millions but didn't make a difference in anyone's life. "Music that doesn't touch someone's heart, that doesn't make a difference in someone's life, is no better than a pile of stones," he says passionately. Humphries grew up the son of a Southern Baptist preacher, and Southern gospel music was almost all he heard as a child. "Except for what I could pick up on my transistor radio that I would sneak under my pillow at night," he says. "R&B from WLAC-AM. Top 40 on WLS and WOWO. I fell in love with chords and melodies early on because of those stations. And gospel music taught me how to feel music swaying in my body and my heart." Indeed, Humphries music sways deeply! Wrapped skillfully in packages that pulsate with bright rhythms and harmony, his songs sparkle and shine like spiritual jewels. With the finely tuned ear of a musician who has recorded on scores of hit pop songs, Humphries brings all the best that pop has to offer in constructing these 10 gems. He uses his beautiful, clear tenor voice sometimes reminiscent of Phil Collins on "Dream Partner" or of Paul McCartney on "Never Give Up." In Humphries' music, pop fans will recognize the influence of artists like Billy Joel, Toto and Sting. "Keep Love Alive" features Humphries showing his piano virtuosity with a Rachmaninoff-like piano intro. My current fave is the joyful "Fly Up to the Mountain." Gently funky, slightly gospel, with fine female vocal backup and an infectious southern-style R&B groove, this song reminds me of Van Morrison's Transitions album, a mystical message that you simply must get up and dance to! I want to shed my skin like old clothes I want to dance outside my body I want to live inside that music That flows from the mountain top In Mitch Humphries' music, you can tell that he hears deeply and has the gift to reach into that depth and artfully retrieve it for us to hear and marvel at. Don Strong composes music scores for film and theater, produces CDs for Chanhassen Melody/DSP Records, performs jazz, teaches creativity workshops and volunteers as an ordained member of the clergy. He can be reached at www.donstrongmusic.com Copyright (c) 2002 Don Strong |
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