“Iridescence” by Louis Anthony deLise
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
“Iridescence” is the fourth solo album project for award-winning composer, arranger, and producer Louis Anthony deLise. The album was born out of a single composition – the title track – which began as a birthday gift for deLise’s friend, oboist Nancy Rumbel. From there, Grammy®-winning Rumbel created the gorgeous lead lines for the track, which was released as a single last year.
A little background on Louis: For several years, deLise was a percussionist and arranger for Grammy®-winner, Peter Nero. He was also arranger and conductor for Grammy®-winning rock band, Halestorm, as well as for singer and songwriter, Robert Hazard, who wrote “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Louis has produced and arranged “Top 10” albums for William DeVaughn, and he was the string arranger for the Number 1 “Billboard” hit, “You Are My Friend,” by Grammy®-winner, Patti LaBelle.
“Iridescence,” deLIse’s new album release, is nine tracks, thirty-seven relaxing minutes of neo-classical music, which deLise describes as “post-genre,” as the music on the album incorporates the juxtaposition of disparate musical elements.
The album opens with the bubbly and effervescent title track, featuring Nancy Rumbel. Enjoyable, relaxing, and a good length at 4-1/2 minutes, it’s a great opening to the album.
Following is the soft and gentle, “Our Golden Hour.” This is delightfully, elegantly melodic and piano based. The song flows along nicely and incorporates a nice sense of nostalgia.
“The Loves We Lost” is reminiscent of the challenging pandemic times. The melancholy, poignant piano line stirs the heart and soul. Those we lost are forever remembered beautifully and eloquently here.
A favorite on the album is the dreamy, “Some Kinda Lullaby.” Instantly soothing with soft synth voices and piano, this is one for the relaxation playlist.
“Dusk” is gentle and quiet, just as is that special time of day. Good use of lower and upper piano registers and perfect cadence, all give us pause for reflection and introspection as we allow our day to slip slowly into the horizon.
Another wonderful favorite on the album is the magical, “Aurora.” I just love this with all its various nuances. Here we have gorgeous cello (Vivian Barton Dozor), English horn/oboe (Nancy Rumbel), and flute (John McMurtery), all dancing gracefully and beautifully with piano and more to give us this very special track.
I’m not sure if “That First Morning” also references the pandemic times – possibly not – but this is quite relaxing with its lovely piano and soft percussion. Somewhat contemplative, it also has a hopeful, optimistic feel. Very enjoyable.
My ultimate favorite on the album is “Summer’s Glow.” Cello, flute, oboe/English horn, and the addition of acoustic guitar (Bruce McFarland), plus scintillating keyboards (deLise), perfectly capture the very special ambiance of warm summer days. We don’t want them to end, and we certainly don’t want this song to end either. Very, very nicely done.
This very beautiful, intimate album winds up with “The Blue Hour.” Now rested and renewed we are, and the twinkling, sparkling piano softly leads us out on a cloud of total tranquility. Truly wonderful.
Get it here: https://orcd.co/ladlirid
Official artist website: https://www.louisanthonydelise.com
