The Grooved Whale Project

Transients from the Grooved Whale Album

Review of Grooved Whale

Chuck van Zyl, STAR’S END

Most space music deals with transporting the listener to an ineffable place, out at the edge of the universe or deep within the human psyche. On Grooved Whale, Walker takes the listener to a place where she has been and we have not; on location to the environment where her whales dwell. The music is as interesting as the process. Present are the magnificent songs and calls of the whale, but there is also Walker’s beautiful violin leads and textures, taken to the full emotional measure her instrument has to offer and often played underwater using custom waterproof gear.

In her insightful liner notes, Walker tells of the whales in attendance at these performances and the effect her playing had on them. As for the effect on humans, Grooved Whale offers us a sound collage of subtle synth sequences and pads supporting swimming violin melodies brought to life by Walker’s insight into, passion for and familiarity with the gentle giants of the sea.

Listener response will range from an overall sense of relaxation and contemplation in response to Walker’s sonic craftsmanship up to an earthling’s awe at the order and place of intelligent life on the planet

Music for Other Ears

Walker’s upcoming album, Music For Other Ears, is the culmination of 10 years of research on music in humans and other species and will be released in Fall 2010.