Noah Wilson Releases Debut CD - "Echoes of the Silent Within"

Noah with his hand-crafted electric sitar

Ready for something different?

Noah designed and built his dulcimer stand.
The dulcimer is a Grande Concertmaster,
built by Jerry Read Smith

Noah is a multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist. This debut recording shows off the broad scope of his performing and composing skills as well as his proficiency in the recording arts. Echoes of the Silent Within is an all-original, groove-driven blend of unique instrumentation and world percussion with a subtle electronic feel. It features Noah's original compositions - flowing instrumentals that create a mood and will transport you to a different place.

Noah has always been drawn to the world of classical Indian music. His improvisational style syncs perfectly with the genre. He has studied under a guru, and has been performing sacred music since 2010 in a variety of settings, including kirtan, yoga classes, tea room meditations, and ecstatic dance explorations. He continues to study and practice the rich traditions of classical Indian music, incorporating the sounds and the philosophy into his own elaborate and expressive musical creations.

On this recording, Noah plays hammered dulcimer, electric sitar, dilruba, guitar, bass, and percussion. He contributes vocals from the kirtan tradition in his own voice, mixes in some natural environmental sounds, and adds just the right amount of electronic juice. He is joined by Taylor Johnson (tabla, dumbek), Victoria Bulostin (angelic vocals), Tom Cowan (tabla), Josh Newton (percussion), and Ashley Mott (vocals and loving support), whose performances enrich the lush layers of the work and lend authenticity to the experience.

Infused with energy that will fill you up without wearing you out, this is a soundtrack for all aspects of life! I predict this music will top your favorites list.

A bit about the instruments:

• The sitar is an instrument central to Indian classical music. Noah's is unique. He designed and built his own electric sitar. Anyone interested in knowing more about this fine handcrafted instrument should contact Noah.  He can answer your questions and will build one for you!
• The dilruba is half sitar and half sarangi. It has sitar-like frets and many sypathetic strings, but is played with a bow. Translation of its name is "robber of the heart". Its sound is blissful but not as powerful as the sarangi.
• The hammered dulcimer is the western version of the santoor, another traditional classical Indian instrument. Noah plays a 2000 Jerry Read Smith Grande Concertmaster hammered dulcimer.

Click here for a brief summary of Indian music

Noah plays a Jerry Read Smith Grand Concertmaster dulcimer.
Full disclosure:  Noah Wilson is my son!

"Echoes of the Silent Within" is available now for preview and purchase - in its entirety or as individual tracks - at cdbaby, the self proclaimed "best independent music store on the web!"

Go to www.cdbaby.com. Enter Noah Wilson in the search box. His cd is the first thing that comes up.

OR click here to link directly to Noah's cdbaby account 

OR ... pick up a copy from Sue Wilson

Cover art by Andrew Wilson Photography

Photos above taken at cd release party, Dobra Tea, Asheville, NC

CTO ... Andy Young Making a Special Appearance in Black Mountain, NC

Chicago-based hammered dulcimer phenomenon, Andy Young, will be teaching and performing at Jerry Read Smith's beautiful studio, Perelandra , in Black Mountain, NC, just east of Asheville next weekend, May 17/18. I've been hearing rave reviews and would dearly love to be in attendance, but life is conspiring against it. I hope some of you will be able to go and tell me all about it!

Check This Out ... CONCERT Friday night and hammered dulcimer WORKSHOPS all day Saturday. Click HERE to see all the details, including how to secure your seat. Reservations are required.

Take advantage of this rare event.  Here's what you're in for:

"Andy Young’s virtuosic hammered dulcimer takes the spirited Gypsy Swing of Django Reinhardt in an exciting new direction. Never before have you heard the dulcimer played like this, transporting you at once to Jazz Age Paris and the Gypsy encampments of the dulcimer’s ancestry. Andy’s performances infuse traditional Irish, Quebecois, and Gypsy Jazz melodies with humor and insight to provide a deep understanding of the role of music in our multicultural and interpersonal world."  ~ Gebhard Woods Dulcimer & Traditional Music Festival

"I strongly recommend seeing Andy play if you're not familiar with him. He's one of my favorites and I'm wearing out his latest CD." ~ Randy Marchany of No Strings Attached 

CTO ... I have a new music stand!

Rouse the Spouse designed and built it. It's constructed of curly maple and purple heart, with hand-made knobs and a hand-rubbed finish. The desk is, of course, trapezoid in shape!

It's a lovely addition to the music room. Beautiful to look at, and so nice to use. My students will be happy to be rid of the old flimsy collapsable stand. I'm counting on less music falling to the floor!

Check This Out ... Jerry Read Smith was kind enough to provide us with one of his original hammered dulcimer sound hole rosettes. That design detail makes this project really special. With it, the music stand coordinates beautifully with my JRS Grand Concertmaster. You might say they're perfectly in tune!