Old Man Travels

Los Monjes - Mi Mami Dijo (1965)

Kiyoshi Kitagawa Trio with Mayuko Katakura and Shun Ishiwaka ▶︎ Pocono's Delight

Song Review: Noah Beatz - “Slow Train Home”

“Slow Train Home” is a smooth and relaxing sonic journey.

The four-minute tone painting finds Noah Beatz playing every instrument - lead electric and acoustic guitars, keys and rhythm section - and using hues favored by the likes of Jeremy Spencer, Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton for his latest creation.

More complex than it sounds, the similarly expansive “Slow Train Home” has layers to uncover as it glides slowly from speakers to ears. Beatz brilliantly made sure the surface sounds were adequate to entice the multiple spins required to get to the song’s core.

Plan at least 20 minutes to get adequately acquainted.

Grade card: Noah Beatz - “Slow Train Home” - A

Song Review: Noah Beatz - “Madrugada”

Contemplative and peaceful, “Madrugada” is a tone painting that perfectly captures the early-morning hours for which it’s named.

The standalone single from Noah Beatz is languid and dreamy with Doris Bichsel’s far-away flute adding barely audible accompaniment to Beatz’s guitars and percussion, which gently dominate the music.

“Madrugada” represents the Jeremy Spencer-inspired branch of the aural river Beatz has been fording over the past year or so. And though it is meant to represent the beginning of the day, this soothing piece of music is just as appropriate for day’s end.

Grade card: Noah Beatz - “Madrugada” - B