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WATER CIRCLE, as its subject suggests, is primarily gentle and flowing, but at times also powerful and unyielding. Do not assume that this music is cold and unemotional simply because it is realized on computers and electronic instruments. It has a rather remarkably acoustic feel, relying heavily on such sampled instruments as harp, piano, acoustic guitar, and choral and symphonic textures.

Water (as well as the chalice imagery) has long been considered (in esoteric circles, anyway) as a primary symbol of the emotional nature of Man. It is my clear intent that this album resonantly taps that emotional well. Here is a listing of the titles of each track:

Ancient Ritual Sirens Song Dance of the Mermaids
Bayside Ballad Walden Pond Night River Reflections
New Growth Choreographic

It is a truism that really good music needs no words and that the best of the good music speaks without words. Of the (relatively) few that have achieved this status, we must now add Shawn Donahoo's incredible and original new album, "Water Circle."

The first in the Elemental Series, "Water Circle" is original electronic music inspired by the imagery of Nature. Humanity is (of course) bound to water and so "Water Circle" is a tribute to this, the most precious and elemental foundation of our lives.

Shawn's music is gentle and relaxing, yet at the same time, strong and encompassing. Listening to these well-produced compositions, this reviewer could easily conjure gentle mountain streams, jungle rivers flowing through lush tropical growth, ponds in underground caves...even the gentle Pacific waves lapping on a sun-drenched island paradise.

Each of the eight suites that make up "Water Circle" explores the moods, the ebb and the flow of this mighty realm...from the cry of whales and dolphins to the gurgling of little country brooks. The result is an outpouring and flowing of appreciation that is magically relaxing and inspiring.

The reviewer knows Shawn Donahoo as a poet...his book of original poetry, "Poems and Meditations," is an absolute delight. How talented Shawn must be, to create poetry in words...and now in music!

"Water Circle" is a tribute to the life and life-giving properties of water. It is also an album that is sure to calm your very being with images that relate to your soul. "Water Circle" speaks to you with courageous yet soothing musical words!

Robin Spielberg
(7/6/96 Email)

Hi Shawn,

Thank you for sending me Water Circle! I wanted you to know that it arrived safe and sound. I listened to it on my way to a performance the evening it arrived. What a pleasure. A lot of "drek" comes through the mail as you may imagine, and it was such relief to hear how much your CD STANDS OUT!

Beautiful work. Congratulations. I especially appreciate the subtleties of the music.

--Robin Spielberg
(North Star Recording Artist)

WATER CIRCLE
Shawn E. Donahoo

by Scott R. Garrigus

Water. It is all around us ... in our food, in our air and in our very own bodies. Water is the basic element upon which all life on Earth is based. Yet it also has a life of its own ... flowing to and fro, on an endless journey day-in and day-out changing the cosmetics of our world forever. Shawn E. Donahoo's album, Water Circle, is a tribute to this great and majestic force.

Conjuring up images of lush jungle tapestries along rivers of gentle waves as well as the strong surf of the great ocean bodies, Water Circle spans the gamut of emotions displayed by our world's greatest resource. This album takes you on a journey through time, past to present, with its strength and structure found in the track Ancient Ritual and its evocative and mysterious nature found in the track Sirens' Song.

Composed of eight individual pieces all connected through the use of preludes based on a three note motif, the album flows from one song to the next with a precision and sense of whole that is rarely found in endeavors such as this. Donahoo's use of electronics is executed nicely, especially that of the acoustic guitar in Walden Pond.

Perfect for those interested in the meditational aspects of music and for those looking to take a break from the rigorous cycle of day-to-day stress, Water Circle is sure to bring a sense of calm and peacefulness with each listening.

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To order directly from me, just send your name and address (snail-mail) and a check (drawn on a US bank) or an international money order to:

Ancient Fountain Music
409 Canal Street, NE
Decatur, AL 35601