Greg Maroney has released two albums and a single this past year. SECRETS OF THE SEA, STRENGTH & SERENITY, and a single he just released in June HEART OF DARKNESS.

With 12 peaceful and serene songs on this album, MARONEY captures the essences of the first world wonder. The sea and its secrets.

SECRETS OF THE SEA is full of complicated chords, notes, and ties which are goregous and are meant to be heard while capturing the sea. This album’s title is like a book that must be read. While most of the piece is in the mid range of notes, there is that lower note I look for each time it plays it his around 3:42. I really love this chord. It’s low. I mean low. I’ve hit the bottom of the sea low overlooking a treasure chest wondering, where’s the key? Who did it belong to? What’s inside? Shh-hh, it’s a secret.

RIPPLING WATERS reminds me of Christmas immediately (I cannot wait until Christmas), with those notes at the beginning sounding like drops of rain on water or melting icicles. Those top notes are heard throughout the piece and continues through 1:45.  I love the variation of it around 2:08, sounds like brief quarter notes or staccato (I may be wrong) which gives it that babbling or rushing of water feel to it. I love it!

EMERALD LAKE is indeed the sea, no? I love this title since it’s got one of my writing elements. The song begins similar to REVERANCE. It’s humble, calm, and subtle. It provides a more serious tone throughout my little office. This is the third longest piece on the album at 5:07.  The tempo is really slow, like snail speed which is soothing for my thinking and brainstorming process. My focus is uninterrupted during the song. It picks up around 3:47 with some fancy finger work my Maroney. This pick up truly describes the sea. It’s not alway calm, but when it is it sounds like 4:31. Serene Sea.

THE LIGHTHOUSE can be seen from miles on the sea only if its lit. It’s to let you know you’ve found the shore and land! This piece is the longest MARONEY composed on the album topping out at 6:16. It should be. You just found land, matey! (its out my system) It’s a majestic piece, and odd to use such a descriptor because of it’s name. Imagine stranded out at sea. (Honestly, it wouldn’t happen to me, but just imagine will you.) You’ve been there for days, weeks even and lo and behold, a lighthouse. MARONEY captures that feeling around 2:45, like a scene in a movie where the protagonist comes home or they run up the stairs (they don’t have elevators in those yet, do they?), and they have to light or turn on the torch. Made it just in time!

It’s a beautiful ending to an outstanding album and should be on your #writingtothemusic playlist.

 

Website: https://www.gregmaroney.com

Twitter: @gregmaroney1