Music from the very gifted multi-instrumentalist Jill Haley is always a treat. Her albums are always heartfelt, authentic, and impeccable. Jill is best known for her work with the National Park system. She visits various National Parks, spends time there as artist in residence, and writes music based upon her inspirations from each place of beauty. However, due to the pandemic, she was not able to visit a National Park as she normally does. So, she turned her artistic abilities inward and garnered her musical inspiration from The Book of Psalms instead. Her new album, “Wrapped In Light” is the result. I think that’s just brilliant.
Now, to the music on this gorgeous album. “Wrapped In Light” is 10 tracks, about 47 minutes of warm, richly hued music. The instrumentation consists of piano, English horn, oboe, and synth (Jill Haley), guitar and bass (husband, David Cullen), and cello (son, Graham Cullen).
The title track opens this album, and we can feel the Light bathe us in a soft cloak of comfort. Melodic piano, softly ethereal synth, and strings all make this so very beautiful, and it’s a wonderful beginning.
Following is “Clouds Rise.” With its tranquil guitar, soothing synth and sweet oboe, English horn, and melodic, gentle piano, we can feel our spirits rise. “Forest Sings for Joy” is equally as uplifting in every way.
Some other highlights: “The Mountains Rise” is stunningly beautiful and creates a wide, expansive, cinematic vista. I love this piece. Likewise regarding “Wings of Dawn.” Impressively gorgeous. I love that Jill has added synth into this album, which is new for her. It adds even more depth to her already magnificent compositions.
“Flourishing Grass” is very pretty, and conjures up in the imagination, lush fields of green blowing softly in the gentle breeze. Quite beautiful, as is all on this album.
Can you imagine how the waters of the Earth once looked in the beginning? The album closes out with “Pools of Water,” which effectively conveys that azure vision. And why wouldn’t it? Jill Haley clearly has a great gift for translating the beauty of nature into elegant musical soundscapes for us all to enjoy and get lost in. Simply gorgeous.
Official artist website: https://jillhaley.com/
“Wrapped In Light” will be released on November 5, 2021. Available at iTunes and Amazon and can be heard streaming on Spotify and Pandora. Or pre-order here: https://jillhaley.com/discography/
Broadcast and Media Promotion
Ed and Stacey Bonk
