Chris Conway: Sounds Like Rain

Flibbert J. Goosty

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Published: March 1, 2000

Sounds Like Rain is the newly re-mastered CD re-issue of a fine debut record by singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Conway. It appears from the liner notes that Conway is based in Europe, and has recorded several CD's under his own name. In addition to leading his own bands, Conway has worked with members of Jethro Tull, Farport Convention, and Vikki Clayton. For this CD, it appears that Conway is working in the non-real time format to produce layered harmonies and melodies, both vocally and instrumentally, that are quite pleasing to listen to. The pretty melodies and swaying rhythms incorporate a wide range of influences from rock, to celtic, to world music. All the pieces on this disc have a strong sense of rhythm and purpose, and Conway's soothing chord voicings on the guitar add greatly to the overall harmonic intrigue of this fine collection of songs.

As well as composing all the songs in this set, Conway sings and plays a wide variety of instruments; including a 9-string guitar, and a kalimba. These instruments help to create a sea of sound; it's tide taking you further and further out, body and mind floating towards the red horizon. If you like great contemporary music of the singer-songwriter genre, or if you've just recently fallen in love, this CD is definitely worth the listen.

Track Listing: Silver Rain/Gwezen an Avalou'; Endless Night; Inside Out; Earth Child; Tomorrow Lives Again; Stormy Point; Who Pays The Price; The Long Way; Received Wisdom; Minute Of The Hour; Chasing Rainbows/Rainbow Reel/Rainbows End; River Blue; Nova Scotia; The Old Road; Better Times In Sight

Personnel: Chris Conway(vocals,acoustic & electric 9 string guitars, keyboards, tin & low D whistles,bamboo flute,sampled drums,programming,kalimba,percussion); Simon Styring(electric & classical guitars, harmony vocals); Neil Segrott(bass,electric & Classical guitar,harmony vocals); Dan Britton(acoustic guitar,harmony vocals); Dave Everitt(acoustic guitar, harmony vocals); Carl Peberdy(sitar,tabla); Derek Roberts(acoustic guitar); Roger Pugh(mandola,harmony vocals)

Record Label: Zah Zah
Style: Contemporary/Smooth