Murray Grant - water and stone
World
Canada
Overall Impression: Thoroughly immersive and filled with delicate nuance, "Water and Stone" by Murray Grant is not so much a track as it is a living terrain — fluid, elemental, and brimming with atmosphere. Every element — performance, tone, texture, and form — feels symbiotic. Nothing dominates, allowing each element to develop and shine in its own right. The performances boast tremendous skill, but their virtuosity is quietly worn, serving the piece rather than showcasing themselves. It’s a rare thing: music that isn’t trying to be noticed, yet is impossible to ignore. "Water and Stone" isn’t just a title. It’s a metaphor for the music itself — fluid yet grounded, transient yet timeless. Murray Grant has composed not just a song, but an experience — one that invites repeated listening, not for the sake of discovery, but for the comfort of returning.
Strongest Point(s): From the opening moments, Grant invites us into an immersive sound world, one that is built delicately layer by layer. The asian woodwind — its spiritual breath serving as both invocation and compass, takes the main lead with regard to melody. There's an ancient quality to its timbre, something almost ceremonial, grounding the listener in a time and space that feels both sacred and timeless. This isn't world music in the commodified sense — it's worldbuilding, and the world it creates is one of patient unfolding. The piano, delicately woven into the musics main harmonic backbone, is soft-spoken but intentional. It doesn't rush, and neither does the track; instead, each arpeggiated sequence gently pushes the track along. The percussive elements, understated yet vital, aid the piano in establishing a sense of momentum — wooden, earthy, and organic, they conjure a ritualistic cadence that connects pulse to presence. Grant’s arrangement choices are particularly arresting — not for their boldness, but for their restraint. Every instrument feels handpicked not only for its sonic qualities but for its emotional weight. The synth pads offer ambient textures that swell and recede, never intruding, only enhancing, whilst the electric guitar elements — clean, contemporary, and tastefully restrained are used in a way that doesn't clash with the naturalistic palette, but instead help add a modern gleam.
Target Audience Appeal: "Water and Stone" is an immersive piece of world/new age music and I can see it strongly appealing to lovers of the genre.
Artist target suggestions: Andreas Vollenweider, David Arkenstone, Kitaro, Cusco, Mythos, Vangelis, Enigma, Deep Forest, Yanni, Sacred Spirit, The Marica Frequency, Secret Garden, Omar Akram, Chris Spheeris
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.