If you're looking for something to relax by, maybe snuggling by the fire with that special someone, You've entered the place for all things musically tranquil. Easy Listening reviews are right here. From the simple meditative sounds to the vast sounds of New Age and singer/ songwriters who embrace their music. Easy listening music hasn't always been given it's due, so I plan to help the cause a bit from here.

So since you are here in the easy listening section I take it that means you really don't care for the "Noise" That my mom always told me torn that noise down. Hey That's cool, I am blesssed to be able to enjoy all types of music, and I mean that with every fiber of my soul. Easy Listening Music can come to you in many forms which you will find out in the reviews here. So, this time enjoy the review of Open Book and when you are done head back to the Easy Listening category and find some more artists you may have missed. Heck you may even find something in one of my other categories that will suit your fancy!

   Open Book - Out Of Time

Open Book - Out Of Time

The duo of Michele Rubin and Rick Gedney may have only been playing together in and around New York since 1999. That may be true but you would never suspect that after listening to Open Book's new release Out Of Time. The true compatibility between the two is astonishing, you would think the two had been playing together for years simply by the flow and the complimenting harmonizing. This is more of a folk CD, but Open Book do slide very easily through classification barriers making there own combination of folk, Americana, and some jazzy overtones to fill in the gaps.

Out of Time shows that you can make wonderful music no matter what your roots, since Michele and Rick started individually at open mike nights. Guitar virtuoso Billy Masters produced the album for Open Book, and it has a slick polish that transcends the (sometimes referred to as a stigma) of independent recordings. This is a pleasant journey, you can actually feel yourself getting lost in the music that has the ability to make you feel a part of the music rather than a simple bystander. 

Sharing the role of lead vocalist, both Michele and Rick have the capability, but the magic of the harmonies is when the CD really shines. Michele has a voice that is gentle and pure, it is a soothing approach, Rick is no slouch either as he can remind you at times of a mix James Taylor or Jackson Browne. Before I got the CD in the post, I went to the Open Book Website and I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. After listening to the CD I got the entire picture.

There is a theme to the music here and if you want the full effect you really have to listen to the album from start to finish. Open Book's Michele Rubin shows the best vocal ability on "Let It Rain" which is a truly haunting and mesmerizing track, one of the best songs on the disc. Rick Gedney takes over the reigns on a few tracks, but none better than "Minstrel". I recommend this CD, a good clean sound that comes from the soul and hits you in the heart.

   ( 4.5 Stars out of 6)

Play clip of the Minstrel

Play sample of Let It Rain