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The Way Hui Ward  As much as we'd like to think it is, music is not always a universal language. Someone exposed to nothing but bubble gum pop music is likely going to be thrown for a loop if they start listening to progressive rock. Admittedly, listening to time signature changes can be difficult and disorienting if someone is not used to it. Elements of the music can be lost in translation, and like with languages, the subtlety and wordplay fall on deaf ears. Where music has somewhat of an advantage though is that through repeated listenings, aspects of songs can become more and more apparent with time and effort. Though a drawback to this is whether or not someone wants this element in their music? Do we listen for immediate enjoyment, or do we listen to delve deeper into the depths of what music can offer?
Normally, I don't write music reviews from the first person perspective, but in this case of Hui Ward's The Way, I can't effectively review it any other way. Ward has put a great deal of effort into this album, which is very ambitious in its scope and meaning. Ward describes the concept herself as, "The twelve note combinations correspond to the twelve time zones of a day starting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., like the time associations found in Northern Indian music. The chronological order of the enclosed twelve songs also coincides with the sequential order of twelve months with the twelve keys starting with B major on December 21, the winter solstice." She also describes a deep spiritual meaning of the album as a conversation between her and the universal mother and a gateway of sorts that helps the listener find their way to a oneness with themselves and others.
As much as I would like to say that I grasp the concept, I just don't hear it. That doesn't mean its not there, just that it doesn't show itself to me. All I can do is comment and critique the things that I do hear. For instance, the spiritual lyrics. The title track speaks beautifully of rebirth and being boundless in our lives. "Children Of God" expresses the universal mother concept with Ward singing the desire to return to the womb of the creator for the sake of humanity as a whole. The sincerity in the lyrics is evident, even though I personally think the call and response that Ward employs limits the depth of the songs.
The instrumentation is provided primarily by Pravin Godkhindi and H.N. Bhaskar on the Bansuri and Violin respectively. The string arrangements are thrilling, and Ward has done an excellent job in her compositions. Most anyone should be able to appreciate the beauty of the music itself, despite as Ward notes, the lack of chords as traditional Indian music does not contain them. What will really make or break this album for most listeners will be the use of Hui Ward's voice. Her range is quite astounding as evident on "To Be". The way she slides through notes, changes languages, breaks up syllables, emphasizes certain sounds, etc. is very unique, and to my ears, difficult to listen to though someone more versed in Indian music will likely appreciate her stylings a great deal.
The Way is definitely going to appeal to a niche market, mostly devoted music fans in the mood for something different, or more specifically, fans of Indian music. Sometimes the album threw me a curve ball in terms of incorporating other musical influences. "The Messenger" actually features a rather addictive little beat that I had not expected, yet works in the context of the music itself. Regardless, its not enough to bring the album to a mainstream audience. Most people will not listen to music time and again if they do not grasp it on a first listen, and this is one of those works that to me, is not instantly accessible.
I guess the best way I can summarize my feelings about Hui Ward's The Way is by relating it to the time when I first listened to The Beatles' album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. When I heard the track, "Within You Without You", and its heavy Indian influence I couldn't listen to it. Even to this day I just skip the track because I don't find it interesting or enjoyable. When I discussed this with some of my friends, I encountered different opinions. Though some of them agreed with me, others told me that I was missing out on a great song that they thought was one of the strongest pieces of the album. I find every track on Hui Ward's The Way to be more enjoyable than "Within You Without You." To me, that still doesn't make it an album I'd listen to again and again, but I imagine it would be breath taking to those same friends who stood in defense of Harrison's tribute to the music of India.
Heath Andrews 0000-00-00
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