Album Review—Songs For A Perigee Moon

Intimate Inspiration from the Moon: A Review of Carl Weingarten’s Meditative Soundscapes in ‘Songs for a Perigee Moon’

Movement and distractions are inherent aspects of our world, making moments of meditation and self-reflection rare to find. Carl Weingarten recognizes this void and is motivated to cultivate peace and a meditative mood in his listeners. His new album, Songs for a Perigee Moon, invites the listener to pause, reflect, and connect with both the cycles of nature and their inner self.

Perigee moon refers to the position of the moon when it moves closest to the Earth, presenting a rare and awesome spectacle. Weingarten’s music offers a profound intimacy of this kind, encouraging a rare closeness to the listener’s own emotions and thoughts. The ambient and atmospheric soundscapes of the album evoke a sense of isolation and connection at the same time, resonating deeply with the ebbs and flows of time. The blend of acoustic and electric slide guitars, subtle electronic effects, and the skilled contributions of a team of accomplished musicians attest to Weingarten’s ability to bridge the boundaries of genres.

To me, these songs do not sound like mere music; they are a journey of exploration into the spaces between silence and sound, light and shadow. Songs for a Perigee Moon is a musical work that feels both timeless and deeply personal. The listener is instantly drawn into a reflective world and wins the key to the treasure house of inspiration and introspection.

About The Artist

Carl Weingarten is a popular name respected among progressive independent musicians. He boasts of a long history of creating deeply evocative instrumental works. He has produced over 30 solo and collaborative albums. Among the portfolio of his unique attributes, his finger-style slide guitar and experimental ambient arrangements have earned him popular acclaim. In this album Songs for a Perigee Moon, we see a kind of return to form for Weingarten, as the album showcases the artist’s rare mastery of the guitar and his exceptional talent in orchestrating complex emotional and sonic landscapes.

About The Album

In this collection, each track feels like a different facet of his artistic vision. In these songs, we find diverse styles converging. As a result, the music feels not only cohesive, but also expansive. The truly remarkable thing I wish to highlight about this album in this review is Weingarten’s astounding artistry which helps create music that is at once cerebral and emotional. Songs for a Perigee Moon stimulate the mind and soothe the soul. Duly supported by a team of talented musicians including Kit Walker, Michael Manring, Katy Stephen, and others, Weingarten’s vision comes to life sporting intricate layers and musical depth.

The making of Songs for a Perigee Moon is a proof of the power of collaboration and creative exploration. The album was recorded over a span of three years at Multiphase Studios in Alameda, California. Additional recordings by Celso Alberti, Kit Walker, and Jeff Oster, among others, happened in far-off locations such as Uruguay and Mexico. Therefore, we see a kind of international, multi-dimensional collaboration in the making of this album. As a result, we are able to find a variety of sonic textures in the album. In fact, every participating artist has contributed their own distinctive flair to the songs. A deep plunge into the songs will make us understand that each song kindles a different kind of emotion.

Exploring the Songs

Ember Nights (4:32)

This opening track sets the mood with its shimmering, ethereal tones. The gentle interplay between the slide guitar and synthesizers creates an otherworldly feeling in us. The atmospheric track is haunting too. I found this song provides the perfect entry into the album’s reflective themes.

A Late Spring (3:12)

This is a delicate and contemplative melody. The feel we get is like pondering on the fleeting nature of time. The combination of guitar and piano suggests the theme of renewal, similar to the first blooms of spring after a long, cold winter.

Rise of The Perigee Moon (4:31)

The title track sounds like the album’s centerpiece. The music attempts to capture the grandeur and awe of the perigee moon. The soaring guitar riffs and lavish arrangements make the song feel expansive. As a result, we are moved to perceive the cosmic nature of the theme.

Find the Moments (4:38)

In this track, the music ebbs and flows like a river, mimicking the natural rhythms of life. The bass and percussion add depth to the song, while the guitar and piano together suggest the sense of search. It looks like the song inviting the listeners to find meaning in the present moment.

Alma’s Dance (5:47)

The notes of this song sound playful and energetic. The percussion pairs up with the melody in an intricate fashion, bestowing the track the quality of dance movement. Unconsciously, our body sways with the song and towards the end, feels the perfect relaxation.

A Wolf in Winter (3:22)

The music in this song embraces a contrasting mood to the previous track. The song gets more contemplative and intimate. The slide guitar and the bass work merge in a mysterious way to suggest solitude and introspection. We too feel the harshness of the winter in the notes.

Silvana (3:37)

A comforting warmth returns in the track titled Silvana. The music is gentle, but vibrant. The trumpet and guitar enter into a harmonious interplay and add an elegant feel to the whole song. Somewhere through the song, you feel a bright light cutting through the clouds.

Twilight Reminisce (6:50)

This piece sounds expansive, aptly capturing the mood of twilight. This is the time when the entire world remains suspended in between night and day. The texture gets built up gradually and the notes of guitar and piano suggest nostalgia and peace.

Ennio’s Gold (3:27)

There is something cinematic about the music in this track. The guitar and flugelhorn lead the scene. The listener feels a sense of grandeur and is dragged into a thrilling adventure, awaiting something extraordinary to happen.

A New Remembering (4:09)

This piece is once again a meditative track, suggesting a nostalgic return to the past.  The music reflects on the importance of letting things go. The melody is simple and rendered coupled with the emotive quality bestowed by the bass, suggesting closure and serenity.

Twilight Reminisce (Midnight Mix) (2:36)

The last track takes on a fully atmospheric character. The music successfully gets in the subtle nuances of the original. The listener gets a new lens to look at the song.

Take Away

How Carl Weingarten and his team have replicated the natural world in their songs looks effortless and inspiring. The listener discovers a wow factor exploring the cycles of the moon, the change of seasons, and the passage of time in this album. The notes of the masterfully composed songs get us into a meditative mood and resonate with a deeper meaning.  In fact, while listening to the collection, I embarked on a rare kind of musical experience that is deep and graceful. If you look for a relaxing and rejuvenating escape into the world of beauty and introspection, I strongly recommend that you listen to this album, which will leave a lasting impression on your being.