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Don Peris -
Go When The Morning Shineth
Go When The Morning Shineth is the new cd by Don Peris - longtime
guitarist for the innocence mission. Don’s unique and unmistakable
guitar tones dip and soar, shimmer with tremolo, and create strong
melodies in a memorable collection of songs.
"I use a number of guitars - the old orange Gretsch Nashville my dad
bought for me when I was a kid, an Electromatic jazz box from the
50s and a Beatles-era Duo-Jet. I like to use the nylon string a good
bit too because I like how you can really feel the weight of each
note when listening.”
Don's influences are broad and varied. It’s not surprising that when
asked about his favorites, his answer includes records like Talk
Talk’s Laughing Stock, M. Ward’s Transfiguration of Vincent, and
John Lennon’s Julia. “Julia is my very favorite song! I love the
words and the sound of John’s voice and guitar. And that guitar
part. When I hear it, it’s as if I’ve always known this part and
have been carrying it around with me forever.”
If you listen closely you can also hear the occasional strains of
Paul Simon, Chet Atkins, Lindsey Buckingham and Nick Drake. Like the
sea on the Polaroid cover of Go When The Morning Shineth, the music
is deep and inviting and Don's soul-filled playing sings and moves.
“My summers have always included trips to Atlantic beaches. The
summer holiday picture on the cover of the CD was shot many years
ago by my dad with his Polaroid Land Camera.” North Atlantic Sand,
one of two songs that contain lyrics and vocals, was written during
the winter and in Pennsylvania. “It’s a remembrance of early trips
to Delaware and New Jersey beaches, though it’s also a love song to
my daughter.” Don is joined in singing this song by his wife Karen Peris.
While Day Trip, Jubilee, and Glimmer are all attempts at expressing
joy, there is also a mingling of melancholy. Perhaps an awareness of
time passing, or a longing towards things as yet undefined. “Even in
the most joyful of moments there can be layers and a longing. The
Ravel Pavane is a perfect example of this. Here, in the midst of
these beautiful major 7th chords is deep emotion and yearning.”
“With Flyer, I had it in mind to start out small in scope, just the
guitar floating in reverb and chromaticism over low-strung cello
notes, and then have it swell to something more grand by the end.”
“In 1990 producer Larry Klein gave me a cassette of the soundtrack
to Heaven’s Gate by David Mansfield. These simple compositions, the
layered sound of the instruments, and the heart-felt playing never
cease to move me. Darkness Cannot Overcome The Light was inspired by
these songs and the title taken from an old song’s refrain:
“Everything will be alright / Angels guard your sleep at night /
Darkness cannot overcome the light.”
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