Artist: Stairway
Title: Moonstone
File: New Age/Ambient
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Drummer with the seminal 1960’s super group the Yardbirds, Jim McCarty worked with progressive bands Renaissance and Illusion, as well as Shoot and Box of Frogs before forming Stairway in the late 1980s.
Stairway comprised guitarist Louis Cennamo (Steamhammer, Colosseum, Renaissance) and vocalist Jane Relf (Renaissance/Illusion), Clifford White (keyboards) and McCarty himself on percussion and keyboards.
New Age music was thriving and the ambience and wellbeing the genre was associated with aligned to the changing musical direction McCarty sought.
‘Moonstone’ was recorded in 1988 for ‘healing music’ label New World and exemplifies the calm and spiritual introspection the genre evoked via its blending of acoustic and electronic instrumentation with Relf’s pure, ringing voice.
Taking in aspects of World and Ambient music, New Age has made a comeback in the post-pandemic 2020s fuelled by interest in and demand for music garnering inner-peace and wellbeing.
Stairway released four albums before disbanding in 1995; look out for releases of ‘Raindreaming’, ‘Chakra Dance’ and ‘Medicine Dance’ in 2023.
What They Said … (back in the day)
“…Absolutely first-rate ‘chill out’ music…” Music-News
“…music to ease the mind and soothe the soul.” Sea Of Tranquility
“…a Tangerine Dream-esque journey…makes for a very relaxing album.” Classic Rock Society
TRACKS
1. The Lovers
2. Sunset Point
3. Bird Of Paradise
4. Blue Pool
5. Alcazar
6. Lavender Down
7. Looking Inside
8. AquaMarine
9. Island Of Jewels
10 Ship Of Happiness
11. Dolphin Voices