Cornwall composer Sue Aston 

As I listened to Sue Aston's tribute to Cornwall, Sacred Landscapes, I was drawn back in time to ancient Celtic rituals and mysterious, hallowed places of old England. Like pages in a dusty old manuscript each track opened a new musical chapter of magical dimensions. Sue Aston has created an atmospheric album that ebbs through many areas of New Age/Celtic music that highlights the antiquity of ancient Cornwall, Land's End, and the Islands of Scilly. I was enthralled with the musical weavings that Aston created with her sweet lead violin and with the agile and flowing accompaniment of other acoustic and electronic instruments including electric guitar by her husband and producer Phil

One of the tracks "Spirit" had a bit of Jan Hammer and Leahy influences in it and another, "Warleggan" was driven by Eastern Mediterranean rhythms. Hearing "Beltane Fantasy" I wondered if the French had ever visited Cornwall since there was definitely a Cajun beat to this sprightly swirling rondo. My favourite track on the CD was a soft, dreamy tune called "Alsia". There was something peaceful and comforting about this air that invoked a strong sense of place and a feeling of well being. "King Arthur's Kingdom" was another first choice tune with a classical atmosphere. All of the songs on Sacred Landscapes were appealing to me as a big Celtic fan with its varying musical textures. They reminded me that there are still ancient holy places that need to be sought out, respected and revered. Sue Aston's music made it that much more real.

Review by R.J. Lannan  Wind & Wire  

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