Tarot: Music For Readings

Album Review

The sparkles and shimmers of the universe can be experienced in this musical exploration of the Tarot deck, arranged as one might proceed through a reading. Composer and synthesizer artist Gene Newton uses the futuristic visionary Rohrig-Tarot Deck (designed by Carl-W. Rohrig) as his source of inspiration. The album begins with the "Meditation"; a choir gently sings while the cosmos chirps merrily in the background. "Invocation of Truth and Light" embraces the listener with heartbeats, church bells, cosmic breaths, and mysterious dolphin songs—a winning combination. A steady pace accompanies "The Spread," music for placing down the cards. "The Major Arcana: Breathing Reality" offers crystalline chimes, a flute melody set against metallic breaths; it's unrelenting cadence gives a sense of destiny. The four suits—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Disks—each have their own track, and the album ends in another "Meditation." Throughout, Newton balances equal portions of synth orchestral instruments (strings, flute, sax, harpsichord) and engaging melodies with atmospheric electronic space sounds. The saxophone melody of "Wands: Crystal Passion" wanders oddly (perhaps there is something shifty about this Tarot suit that I don't know about), but then the harpsichord melody of "Cups: Emotional Grace" is endearing. The gentle space winds are like angels whispering in your ear.