Skyburst

David Michael

Download: Your price

Skyburst

Album download

Please choose a price: $ USD ($9.99 or more)

Please pay at least $9.99

Out of stock

Skyburst explores the rich depths and deep tones of David Michael’s favorite instrument, the Celtic harp. Here he delivers a sumptuous suite born of solitude experienced during the Covid pandemic. Joined by a magnificent array of talented guest instrumentalists, he weaves a musical tapestry of deep yearnings and celebrations of the wild spirit.

Skyburst explores the rich depths and deep tones of David Michael’s favorite instrument, the Celtic harp. Here he delivers a sumptuous suite born of solitude experienced during the Covid pandemic. Joined by a magnificent array of talented guest instrumentalists, he weaves a musical tapestry of deep yearnings and celebrations of the wild spirit.

Conceived throughout the dark months of the pandemic, David’s composing served as a cathartic release and therapeutic respite from the isolation and the turmoil unfolding globally. Skyburst happily became a synthesis of big joy, deep dreams, and great gratitude. Many solitary wilderness explorations during this time inspired musical impressions of the natural beauty that still abounds—David’s wellspring for decades.

Made possible by a generous grant from benefactor, Kim Borgatta—who helped launch the Confluence Trio (Nancy Rumbel, David Michael, Benjy Wertheimer)—this follow-up recording is sparser and less ensemble oriented, mainly featuring the Celtic harp. Where Confluence was primarily born of the free-form improvisations of a new trio, Skyburst is a carefully composed suite, each movement highlighting a different mood of the harp, and enhanced by masterful guest appearances from an assortment of David’s long-time musical friends: Grammy Award winning oboe player Nancy Rumbel, tabla maestro Benjy Wertheimer, guitar virtuoso Michael Mandrell, cello wizard Jami Sieber, sarode master Richard Russell, former Seattle Symphony violist Gwen Franz, and Grammy Award winning bansuri flutist Steve Gorn.

David recorded on a 38-string Triplett Eclipse model made of bubinga wood—the harp of his dreams.

Read more…
0:00/???
  1. 1
    Your price

    Skyburst

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/8:43
  2. 2
    Your price

    Icicles Melting

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/5:42
  3. 3
    Anew 5:37
    Your price

    Anew

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/5:37
  4. 4
    Your price

    Living With Grace

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/3:57
  5. 5
    Your price

    Being Home

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/4:54
  6. 6
    Your price

    Hope Rising

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/3:51
  7. 7
    Your price

    Go To the Mountain

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/6:02
  8. 8
    Your price

    All in All

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/4:44
  9. 9
    Your price

    The Day After

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/5:51
  10. 10
    Your price

    Resilience

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/5:40
  11. 11
    Your price

    Samadhi

    Please choose a price: $ USD ($0.99 or more)

    Please pay at least $0.99

    Out of stock
    0:00/3:44

Musicians

David Michael – Celtic harp, zither, hammer dulcimer, guzheng 
Nancy Rumbel – oboe, ocarinas 
Benjy Wertheimer – tablas, esraj, frame drum, voice 
Jami Sieber – cello 
Michael Mandrell – guitar 
Richard Russell - sarode 
Gwen Franz – viola, cello 
Steve Gorn – bansuri flute

Reviews

Composed during the challenging times of the pandemic, David Michael has unearthed contemplative yet uplifting compositions full of hope and joy, giving voice to the indomitable human spirit. An intriguing and perfect mix of instruments in the hands of master musicians make Skyburst a sheer delight to listen to.”

— Valerie Green, programmer at KRVS 88.7 FM (Lafayette, LA)

Haunting melodies flow from a world’s array of instruments on David Michael’s gorgeous new album. SKYBURST builds upon a musical galaxy David established on his previous album, Confluence. Brilliantly played by David on Celtic harp, the music is accented by a superb supporting cast including Nancy Rumbel on oboe, Benjy Wertheimer on tablas, and visionary cellist Jami Sieber. While Confluence was largely improvisational, Skyburst is a composed suite, with movements bringing out David’s special qualities and those of each of his musical colleagues. Skyburst makes for good company in the background of one’s activities, but it is best appreciated when it is the sole focus of one’s attention. There’s much more to Skyburst than what first meets the ear.”

— Phil Andrus, programmer at KPTZ 91.9 FM, Port Townsend, WA

This one-hour musical delight may be David Michael’s best work yet…loving as it caresses…the harp escorts and lifts us over life’s tough spots.”

— Chris Lunn, Ancient Victory’s Review

Skyburst envelopes the listener with layers of sparkling sound. The gorgeous melodies took me on a journey through rolling waves of color; each track bringing me to a new place of discovery. David's harp is spacious and the sound quality on this album is absolutely clear and resonant. There are few harp albums that I find uplifting and can listen to over and over again. This is one of them. ”

— Sunita Staneslow (harpist, international performer, instructor and recording artist)

There’s a quality about the SKYBURST CD that I find very compelling. I was in a pretty relaxed state while giving it an initial listen, and in my mind I kept seeing intricate Oriental rug designs: heavy on the dark red, but with bits of myriad other colors. I think that both the tabla rhythms and the oboe's singular voice helped make the music very visual. I felt as though I was experiencing synesthesia. It's a very compelling combination of instruments. And the designs in my head were really pretty.”

— Paula Lalish (harpist and recording artist)