Orchard, Steve

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2013
A collection of gently vibrant, uplifting acoustic guitar and keyboard based instrumental music tracks backed with beautiful orchestration and occasional rhythms. The music perfectly captures the mood and feel of Laurie Lee's lyrical account of his voyages as a young man in the book 'As I walked out one midsummer morning'. This is a daring album by Steve Orchard in which he showcases his talents as both a gifted guitar player and as a producer and arranger. There is variation in both tempo and mood and it is an expressive musical journey filled with the same sense of exploration and discovery found within the pages of Laurie Lee's classic work. Attempting to translate a classic written work into music is always going to difficult, but Steve has succeeded admirably in producing a heartfelt, melodic musical statement of some distinction.

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2020
The first of two Steve Orchard albums for March 2020…’Astral Travellers’ is a delicately chilled and smooth flowing album of ethereal delights. It is a delightful and very melodic cosmic album, full of gentle pulsating rhythms and a clever mix of acoustic and synths plus some truly gorgeous and gently symphonic strings orchestrations. It is sometimes too easy to gush enthusiastically over a new release, but ‘Astral Travellers’ is most definitely a stunning album, with 12 exceptionally strong tracks that form a compelling cohesive whole. In our opinion, this is unquestionably Steve Orchard at his best and one of his finest works to date.

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2013
'This album is full of melodic imagery that is propelled along on the wings of some terrific percussion and keyboard work. Indeed, Steve's music sits somewhere between 'mood elevating new age music' and 'acoustic based electronic music'. So what you get is excellent guitar instrumentation underpinned by dreamy and sometimes swirling synth tones, all underpinned by solid and lively improvised acoustic rhythm and percussion (sorry, no drum machines here)! The result is a wonderful blend of melodic, emotive and well structured electro/acoustic music that drifts by effortlessly, sometimes with dark undertones and deep mystery, while at other times with a sense of joyous life and the grandeur of creation that is perhaps indeed, 'Beyond the Realm of Angels'.

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2013
"Counting Stars" pulls together some of Steve Orchards best known tracks from his "Dancer" series of albums released a few years ago and includes a couple of new tracks as well, all remastered. Steve has a gentle but full sounding style of instrumental music, featuring expertly played acoustic guitar, flutes, harp, keyboard pads and occasional percussion. Because it's a compilation, this is a much livelier and more diverse collection of songs than his dreamy "Riverboat" debut on AD Music. But just like that excellent release, the music drifts along nicely, flowing over you in delicate waves while always retaining interest with some nice, gentle rhythmic motion. Ideas never outstay their welcome and the music is varied in tempo and style, well structured and ideal for meditation or simply relaxing to. Recommended.

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2021
'Enchanted Autumn’ sees a return to Steve Orchard’s meditative, classically influenced musical style. The album opens with the gently drifting, synth laden ‘Puddles’, recalling the best of 90’s UK space music. It sets the tone for a gentle, drifting album of expertly crafted acoustic, symphonic music. Tracks like ‘Out of Season’, Elusive Sun’, the delicately synth laden ‘October Moon’ and ‘Opaque Days’ are stand-out tracks that highlight Steve’s penchant for more earthy musical connections. The album is, of course, a clear homage to Autumn. Indeed, the feel of the music is quite definitely ‘autumnal’ – in a good way – that reflects dimming summer memories and the onset of winter. Guitar and piano are more to the fore than recent albums, with gentle synths taking more of a backseat. But the excellent string arrangements and poignant feel  throughout make this a very classy offering. ‘Enchanted Autumn’ is a ‘grower’ that will surprise with each new listen

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2022
Despite its title, ‘For Sunny Days’ finds Steve Orchard in something of a reflective mood, contemplating blue skies and the warmth of the sun with a gentle, heartfelt longing. Kind of akin to strolling along country paths without a care in the world, while taking in the wonder and beauty that surrounds you. Indeed, the music drifts effortlessly past you like the summer breeze, lifting your spirits with delicate rhythms and warming your soul with gentle melodies and memorable themes. There are nice rhythmic interludes, like the deep drums that kick in after 2 minutes of the title track. Or the gentle rhythms on the excellent ‘Heart Haze’, ‘Southerly Breeze’ and ‘Beach Life’. For the most part though, the rhythms move gently beneath Steve’s impressive orchestration and arrangements. And this is an album where Steve’s excellent guitar work takes a back seat for the most part, with keys and synths very much to the fore. Steve has the knack of being able to conjure up moods, whether it be his ambient excursions or on new age albums like this. ‘For Sunny Days’ perfectly reflects a mood of summer without ever venturing into cliche.

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2013
A joyous interpretation of 10 classic and much loved Christmas carols from the acoustic world of Steve Orchard that perfectly capture the spirit of the festive season. So relax, leave behind the commercial world and return to the glowing memories of your childhood. Enjoy the moment, pour a glass of your favourite tipple and indulge yourself. Wonderful!

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2022
Macabre’ finds Steve Orchard in something of a slightly darker mood, conjuring stormy skies and mysterious shadows. However, the music is never dark or threatening.
Indeed, despite its overtones (and undertones) the music remains firmly in the realm of the melodic we’ve come to expect from Steve Orchard. While not the uplifting ‘sunny days’ style of some of his earlier works, Macabre is instantly captivating with a strong sense of depth and identity.
There is nice variation here on Macabre, some interesting rhythms, melodies and atmospheric interludes with titles that perfectly reflect this more ‘earthy’ of subjects, no cosmic ramblings here. Indeed, the whole album exudes a feel and mood the perfectly encapsulates the subject matter while retaining a compelling melodic feel that never ventures into dark territory. While it may seem a contradiction to say about someone’s whose music is always so ‘musical’. Macabre is a much deeper, more complex musical excursion than previous outings.
Steve retains the knack of being able to conjure up moods, whether it be his ambient excursions, his new age albums or something subtly a little deeper and darker. ‘Macabre’ perfectly reflects a mood of the macabre, of halloween, without ever venturing into cliche.

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2016
A slight change of direction and feel for Steve with ‘Peripheral Vision’, one with an Alien presence! It’s most definitely NOT a dark atmospheric X-files style outing, but more of an interesting, melodic sonic journey building on the artists usual melodic style, but this time round, with a more rhythmic and synth based ‘alien’ twist. There are a lot more synths and rhythms on offer here than is usual for Steve, very little guitar, and some nice keys and symphonic passages. It’s all done with the usual melodic ‘Steve Orchard’ flair and panache and fans are sure to enjoy it. Steve Orchard says: “After seeing so many comments on the internet referring to World Governments keeping truths from the public & the ever growing videos on youtube (a lot thanks to photoshop!) but still a multitude of unexplained sightings witnessed by many,  ‘Peripheral Vision’ is a look outside of the box. Keep an open mind. Don’t necessarily accept the medias dumbing down of the numerous sightings all over the world. ‘Peripheral Vision’ is an insight to what might be ahead.”

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2014
Have you ever needed a chill out album when your knee deep in traffic or on a long journey?
In recent years Steve Orchard’s music has evolved into a solid, electronic based style, with a far wider range of sounds added to his accomplished guitar and piano. This has provided greater texture and depth to his thematic, journey style music and opened his music out to a wider audience. ‘Pilgrimage’ continues the trend of laid back guitars and piano mixed with electronic sounds. Where there are rhythms, they’re purposeful yet unfussy, providing gentle rhythmic motion. The emphasis is again on mood and a feel and it’s all very chilled. With track titles like ‘Leaving the City Behind’ and ‘Just Sitting in A Field’, you know that this is an album to kick your shoes off to and sit back with a glass of wine. And as we’ve come to expect from Steve, the evocative string arrangements and lazy, ever so chilled leads, ensure a perfect fusion of melody and spiritual, ethereal sound.

Artist: Steve Orchard
P: 2015
'Retreat, A Meditation’ finds the new age maestro in a very reflective mood with this gentle relaxation music. It drifts along with the same effortless beauty we’ve come to expect from Steve Orchard and is, as always, full of depth and emotion.  On this occasion though, the music seems imbued with an even greater sense of warmth and beauty, which given Steve’s strong track record for melodic and emotive music, is quite an achievement!  There is very little of Steve’s trademark acoustic guitar on offer here. Instead, gorgeous string arrangements combine with piano, harp and woodwind that often presents a very classical feel. The melodies are as strong as anything Steve has done before and even though this is probably his most ‘relaxing’ set of music to date, it still retains that upbeat feel of ‘relaxing on a warm summers day’.