Sophisticated, warm, finely crafted original roots/folk with jazz influence: gorgeous vocals, harmonies, guitars, organ and acoustic bass.

10 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Modern Folk, FOLK: Gentle



Details:
From a review on rambles.net:

Dale Rasmussen has a wonderfully seductive voice that is so well suited to his compositions on Raven's Wing.

"Every Heartbeat" opens the CD and is a beautiful, laidback song weaving pictures as it progresses. He continues to mesmerize on the beautifully titled "Raven's Wing."

Each track on this album draws us deeper into the world of the writer and his thoughts. He is living proof that a song delivered in a simple, straightforward style can be every bit as epic as the many over-produced hits of the modern scene. For example, "In Your Eyes" is one of the best tracks on offer here. It is simplicity itself; thoughtful lyrics, easy arrangement and singing from the heart combine to jerk the tears. The album is worth buying just to have the thoughts and feelings of millions of us expressed so beautifully.

The amazing thing about this album as I listen to it over and over is that, although much of the sentiment centers on regret, it does not sound doleful and depressing. Rasmussen has a knack for telling our ordinary stories but making them if not happy, then at least pleasant. Nowhere is this gift more evident than on "Take Me for a Slow Dance." This album of 10 tracks will give you more joy and good feelings than many double albums. It is not a "slappy happy" offering. It is thoughtful, simple, spare and revealing as the best music should be.

Rasmussen wrote nine of the tracks but to my mind he rewrote another classic to give us a new song. Stephen Foster's wonderful "Hard Times" has been recorded by thousands of artists from the superstar to the touring minstrel. It is a song that I have loved in many arrangements from semi-classical to Irish traditional, but this is the best that I have not heard but experienced. It is a revelation to hear it sung as a beautiful simple folk song with guitar and a little harmonica. I want the world to hear this track.

...reviewed by Nicky Rossiter for rambles.net, the on-line cultural arts magazine

"Raven's Wing" is a showpiece of soulful singing, fine musicianship and well-crafted songwriting. These songs possess a distinctive, mellow groove that moves from folk-roots to jazz, country, swing and latin influences.

There's a lot here to satisfy the music connoisseur: strong, timeless melodies and beautiful chord progressions coupled with warm vocals, harmonies and instrumentation. Whether it's in the multi-layered meanings of "Little Old Dogs," the powerful title track, or the understated elegance of "In Your Eyes," listeners can find immediate connection with the songs.

This is moving, well-thought-out music, perfect for listening.