Riding on a Cloud

The music on Jeff Pearce’s Hidden Rift allows a real sense of being outside of time. There are some repeated patterns and phrases within each piece, but none are formulaic, and as a result it is difficult to keep a point of reference as it relates to beginning, middle and end. What a gift to be able to let go, leave the history behind, forget about what may be coming around the corner, and just be present with what is.

Released in 1996, I think I bought it around 1999 or 2000. I have played the album so much that I have an intuitive feel for the duration of each track, but the initial impression made on me still returns on every listen, and allows me to go into that timeless place. After all these years, it's still fresh. How cool is that?

These compositions are somewhat mysterious but not particularly dark. They often evoke a sense of drifting, or floating and morphing, as if riding on a cloud. Their evolving nature is very freeing. Most intriguing to me is that this music seems to influence my environment or situation, but never dominates it. From watching a commercial airliner leave trails against a crisp, blue sky, to driving California back roads through golden cattle country, a subtle coloring and stillness is injected into each experience. This has become my alternative "road music."

An unexpected bonus to my soul satisfying experience with this CD came when I sent an email to Jeff via the record label, Ancient Sun Music. They actually forwarded it to Jeff. I'm always impressed when a label does this. I have experienced this with a few artists. Even more impressive was that Jeff replied to my questions and was very appreciative of the positive feedback I sent him. When an artist is accessible, it lifts the whole experience to a new level.

There are no keyboard synthesizers, drums or percussion instruments on this CD. When I first learned that all of the music was done with guitars played through processors, I sat in disbelief. It's lush and devoid of any rough edges. It was hard to tell I was listening to guitar. Jeff Pearce had become a divine instrument and the guitar was his voice.