Any fans of this instrumental album by Rick Kennell's wife, featuring Rick, Stan Whitaker, and Ron Riddle? I am overdue for another listen, but I recall I quite liked it and the digibook packaging is very nice and flowery.
Any fans of this instrumental album by Rick Kennell's wife, featuring Rick, Stan Whitaker, and Ron Riddle? I am overdue for another listen, but I recall I quite liked it and the digibook packaging is very nice and flowery.
I like it, both music as digibook. But it's a kind of soft, friendly HTM in some parts. Haven't played if for ages. I remember it was published during the reunion, so it was sold during HTM-concerts (at least I saw it at NEARfest 2000).
A very nice, pretty album. Doesn't come close to having the dynamic chops of HtM, but still a pleasant listen now and then.
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I bought this about a decade ago after hearing samples on some website. I didn't have any knowledge of the HTM connection. When I am in the mood for "new age" I often reach for this. Pleasant and uplifting.
Her site is still active and gives a lot of information on this album: http://leahwaybright.com/
I was just going to start a Thread about this wonderful CD but i searched first and found this. It is a wonderful CD. I think it fits very nicely on the Happy the Man shelf because of the presence of Rick Kennell, Ron Riddle, and Stan Whitaker. But Ms. Waybright really shines on the album. She is an excellent keyboardist and a talented composer. It covers many different moods and I think has a HtM feel in quite a few places. Lovely. And lovely artwork...the CD packaging is a thing of wonder.
By the way, I was going to call the new thread "Happy the (Wo)Man" Arr arr arr...
Kudos to you for searching first! And I like your title idea.
I love her choice of keyboard tones. There is a lot of variety and each sound seems to have been fine tuned. And I was expecting a fairly laid-back vibe but there are some perky rhythms and great drums. Some congas and timables too (on two tracks).
Have y'all forgotten about Leah Waybright? Time to pull this gem out for another listen.
I'm not sure I ever knew about her in the first place. I wonder if the album is still available. Looks interesting, that's for sure.
Confirmed Bachelors: the dramedy hit of 1883...
Forget?
Never...such a fine album. It continues to intrigue me over multiple listens. While Leah's compositions and her playing are center stage, the blend of musicians is the secret I think.
The percussion really propels it.
I chat with Rick Kennell often and he says that Leah is continuing to work on the next album.
Thanks for giving this thread a boost, rcarlberg (and the other members, below)!
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
LOL
Well yes, I do beat the drum quite loudly for this album! I just feel it deserves a far wider audience than it gets.
And what a beautiful package it is. Just the artwork alone is worth the cost.
But of course it is the music that is most important. Her tunes have such a quirky, unpredictable nature.
A nice record. Just pulled it out for a listen. I notice I praised it above (five years ago) and it stands the test of time.
Did anyone mention Leah on the recent prog/new age thread? Seems like her album is among the very best of that sub-genre.
You know what *I* can't help wondering?
Rick Kennell says that Leah is still working on her followup to "Beauty Gone Wild", which -- at this point -- is twenty years old (1999). On that album she had help from one-half of Happy The Man: Rick Kennell, Ron Riddle and Stan Whitaker.
Meanwhile, Frank Wyatt is still working on "The Zeitgeist Project," which started out as an HTM reunion and eventually (2015) turned into some kind of group internet project with Wyatt, Stanley Whitaker, Rick Kennell, Ron Riddle, Mike Beck, Kit Watkins, David Rosenthal and musicians from Oblivion Sun and Pedal Giant Animals.
So you've got two half-finished HTM-related albums out there. Can you say Yes "Union"?
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