Kathy Parsons, Solo Piano Publications -

“The Path of Peace,” seven years in the making, was begun when Dowling was experimenting with recording original piano compositions using 5.1 surround-sound technology. He discovered that the music needed to be very slow and spatial to be most effective in this format, and developed a new style of playing for himself that embraces the technology. The piano sound on this recording is stunning - clean, clear, and resonant. After composing the music, Dowling started working on his own visual imagery for the project, finding himself overwhelmed. When visiting Wagner on a family vacation, Wagner showed Dowling his artwork and told him about his experimental work using iMovie on his Mac. Dowling explained his own project and Wagner ran with it, creating the visual images to combine with Dowling’s haunting music. “As I started placing my images to Ben’s music, I noticed that I began to slow down. The slow pacing created an enchanting quality. It’s a little bit like looking at an ocean for a few days. After a while, it begins to work on you.” Most of the visuals are abstract or non-objective, allowing the viewer to interpret them in their own way or to simply experience the colors and shapes as they evolve to the music. The visuals move very slowly and peacefully - sometimes gradually panning in and out, sometimes moving in a circular motion, sometimes in layers. The effect is hypnotic and intoxicating, soothing beyond anything I can describe. I have experienced the project several times, finding myself drawn in and suspended in time. Even on my small laptop computer, the effect is mesmerizing. With a bigger screen and better speakers, it’s even more compelling. The CD by itself is exceptionally good, but the project as a whole is phenomenal and needs to be experienced.

I give “The Path of Peace” my highest recommendation, and hope to interview one or both artists very soon. Treat yourself and your loved ones to an extraordinary sensory experience! It is available from www.visionsound.com, amazon.com, and cdbaby.com. Wow!"

Solo Piano Publications

Stephen Cairns, Piano-Heaven Award Winner (UK) -

The publisher's name- Visionsound- is most befitting, for this CD/DVD package created by pianist Ben Dowling and artist Mark Wagner is exactly that: a compelling visual experience, through the imagery created by Mark, and the auditory bliss resonating from Ben's piano.

Put the two together, and you have a magical combination; a cocktail from heaven. Let's explore further.

Although it is Mark Wagner who is the recognised artist, pianist Ben Dowling clearly has artistic juices bubbling away inside him. He explains how he doesn't just imagine how a composition should sound, he carefully considers how it should be represented visually. "I think in terms of space, of colour, of dimension," explains Ben, so perhaps it is only natural that he should collaborate with Mark on this project.

Ben's piano music has all the characteristics expected by Piano-Heaven. It is very relaxing, compelling and- at times- achingly beautiful. It is perfectly possible to listen to the music by itself, and I have done this on numerous occasions. As a stand-alone CD, it fairs very well. However, for the ultimate listening experience, one should flip over the CD and listen to the heavenly music whilst becoming entranced in the visual treat created by Mark.

The latest technology has been used to make this possible, both in terms of the process by which the CD was made, and the ability to have a double-sided disc- a CD on one side and a DVD on the other. European readers should note that the DVD is in NTSC format as opposed to PAL, and therefore the DVD might not work properly on some DVD players. I simply played mine on the PC, and there were no problems at all.

For me, there are four musical highlights on this CD / DVD. Track one, "Alone" gets the album off to a perfect start. Mark's abstract pastel work brings the music to life. The result is utterly captivating. I found myself spellbound towards the imagery that lay before me. In the accompanying notes, Mark explains how this was a completely new experience for him as an artist, having never before used music as a stimuli for instantaneous art-work. The process, curiously, is the precise opposite to how well-known Greek composer Vangelis works. He creates music in response to the frames of a film, and this is how he feels he works best. Here, Mark is responding directly to the musical notes from the hands of Ben, and he can be extremely pleased with the end results.

I adore "Exploration", which is the album's seventh track. Very minimalist, it is also the album's most melodic piece. The surreal paintings which accompany the music are very hypnotising. They are staggeringly beautiful. One never tires of them, as they are constantly evolving with the music; as the musical composition develops, so the art changes with it. A change in direction here, a new focus there. The music is a delight; each note is just perfect.

Another favourite is Track 11, "Awakening". It's back to the pastels / chalks again, and Ben's busy left hand is represented by some quite frantic visual images from Mark. I love the variety in the artwork; there is never a dull moment. The music and the art complement each other so well; each is enhanced by the other's presence.

This highly impressive package closes with "Emergence". Once again, the music is heavenly. Upon seeing the accompanying imagery for the first time, I immediately thought of arteries and veins, to be quickly followed by a baby in its mother's womb. There is no explanation about the artwork, and I think this is a good thing, because it allows the listener to "lose them self" in the project, and to let their imagination drift in whichever direction it feels like going.

The music on the CD is consistently soporific. It is ambient, minimalist in form, and never "showy". There are some elements of light jazz to one or two of the compositions, but these are few and far between. The artwork is fascinating. It is interesting to note that Mark found Ben's compositions inspiring, offering him a new approach to his work. He explains how the music slowed him down, opening up a new creative side to him.

Both Ben and Mark deserve great credit for their work here. As a reviewer, and piano lover, I can only applaud the way they have successfully integrated two different mediums. I would be interested if at some time in the future, they try some role-reversal- i.e. Ben improvises with his piano in response to the images before him.

In the meantime, enjoy this very special package. It opens up many possibilities in terms of its usage. For instance, I envisage it being perfect for Spas and for therapeutic purposes. How wonderful it would be to enter into a room in a gallery with surround-sound and the imagery projected onto a wall.

I highly recommend "The Path of Peace". Put on the DVD and savour the moment.

The wine is optional.

Piano-Heaven

Tom Averna, NC Radio -

The CD features 53 minutes of Dowling’s incredible contemplative piano compositions. The DVD adds a slow paced presentation of Wagner’s artwork set to the music. The sound incorporates a 5.1 surround sound field to give this a movie score quality. It is an amazing production piece and something you will listen to and watch over and over again.

Ben Dowling established his work in his earlier CD “Ahimsa,” demonstrating his Classical and Jazz roots. The pacing on this one is considerably slower to match the elegance of Mark Wagner’s artwork. Wagner was awarded a National Endowment of the Arts grant for his computer generated art, but for this project returned to his traditional roots using oil, chalk and pencil.

I have three favorites from the DVD: Ahimsa, Evocation, and Suspension.

• “Ahimsa” is directed at the heart with images of a red heart and beautiful rays generating outward intertwined with the music.
• “Evocation” seems to draw in the spirit with images of a labyrinth, open hands and pyramid shapes that draw us inward.
• “Suspension” seems to speak to the mind with a tree as the main image filled with rich imagery.

To find out more about this incredible project as well as other work by Ben Dowling, visit his website at www.visionsound.com"

NC Radio

CD Baby Home Page & Editor Feature -

CD Baby Review (audio only)

"Highlighting melodies that are so plaintive and mood-shaping, you would expect to hear them in a film score, The Path of Peace effortlessly moves through twelve mesmerizing tracks of new age piano. It is quite an accomplishment these days to stand out as a new age artist, particularly on piano, partially because of over-saturation of artists doing similar things, but largely because of the repetitive and indistinctive direction that New Age can tend to lean. Visionsound, however, finds that subtle space between music that is relaxing and suggestive but also with enough personality and substance to be engaging and affecting. Steering away from the cliche application of arpeggios and instead, creating a liquidy, gentle and natural sense of flow and movement, this disc evokes deep and rich imagery, awakening the imagination and stirring the inner eye. With the same emotive and touching quality found in a piano soundtrack, The Path of Peace serves perfectly as a background for contemplative, reflective times."

CD Baby

Sensual Voyage - RJ Lannan, New Age Reporter -

Overall, Ben's contemporary pieces are placid and thought provoking. Honestly, some of them are downright sad. However, this is the kind of album you can put either in your CD player or DVD player and just tune out the rest of the planet. Many recordings are called journeys, but I think that The Path of Peace is an arrival. It is right in the middle of a sonic experience.

The opening cut, Alone is quite memorable. It immediately reminded me of a few lines from the poem Even When (used by permission).

"Even when I am by myself, I feel alone.
It is not as if I imposed myself to this solitary confinement.
It’s just that I am too different to be popular.
Surely the penalty it is not worth being the same as everybody else?"

Being alone can be a good thing or not. Sometimes you alone not of your own accord. Occasionally you are alone by an absence. The song gives you sanction to breathe deep, close your eyes and travel inside your mind. Great opening cut and a portent of what is to come. While the music plays on the DVD Mark's earthy pastel castles offer a myriad of visuals with parapets, stairs and bridges to cross and explore.

On the track Evocation a slow, safe, labyrinthian journey takes you to a place where you can call upon your God and praise, thank or beseech as needed. Mark's spiral images are gently mesmerizing as are the thoughtful incantations of Ben's piano accompaniment.

On an iridescent blue background swatches of red and orange float by on the visuals to Quietude. Mark plays with the light a bit and occasionally resizes the images. After hearing the music for some time I had the feeling I was watching a parade of souls as the traveled to their destination. They were in no hurry, but they shared a true course.

My favorite track is called Emergence. It starts out with icy, clear rifts of piano that change into soft waves of sound. It is not like the little butterfly that emerges from a cocoon kind of music. It is more like the soundtrack of a troubled mind that has fought its way through the confounding fog and received clarity as its reward. Coppery suns, blue backsplashes and other bright colors draw you into the work.

The DVD has many options, more than a regular disc, which includes quotes from the artists and different methods of setting up the presentation. This is a two-sided disc so I am very careful about it. It is somewhat precious.

Ben Dowling's piano compositions are unique in their ability to slow down your heart rate and perhaps, the speed of the planet once you fall into his musical trap. Mark Wagner’s visual contributions are like spice on your favorite food. It adds musical color as well as flavor. Next time you stare at your big screen set with 280 channels and there is nothing to watch, put on Ben Dowling's album. Inspiration, tranquility and comfort are only a click away."

New Age Reporter

Richard Mekdeci, Unity Churches -

The Path of Peace is released in a special new format that supports CD audio on one side of the disk and DVD multimedia content on the other side. Recorded with high definition surround audio and produced for the highest resolution of wide-screen video playback, this innovative CD delivers 53 minutes of an immersive multimedia experience with multiple playback options for the user. It's designed as the perfect gift for 'healing space advocates, devotees of peace, people who love piano, art junkies, meditation groups, yoga studios and healing workers.'

Ben, who plays regularly at Agape International Center and produces many of their artists, creates a spacial environment with the piano that suspends you in a field of sensitivity and contemplation using pianistic techniques that are reminiscent of Fredrick Chopin and a harmonic approach akin to Keith Jarrett. Ben's piano improvisations were developed first as a surround-sound ambient experience, to which Mark placed and created the visual imagery making this a complete immersive experience in sight and sound.

Contributing his efforts, painter Mark Wagner, using high resolution photographs of his original works, introduces movement, multiple video layers and more to create a moving montage of authentic fine art, scored to music. The visual arts are not computer generated, but rather computer assisted - originating from Mark's paintings, drawings, chalk sketches - and even works in hot glue! As Mark puts it: 'Spend some time with this. Set it on shuffle and let it go for a few hours. This is not a quick fix. It's like looking at an ocean for a few days. After a while, it begins to work on you...'

The result is stunning - a slowly unfolding marriage of two fine arts. I would be anxious to use this Disk in a church environment during service behind meditation or at a retreat to establish a sacred, audio and visual mood.

The Path Of Peace is 'an artistic journey for the heart, mind and senses.' It is beautifully packaged and you can experience it at www.visionsound.com who's mission is 'to inspire the efforts of musical, visual and performing artists to collaboratively create unique and compelling multi-sensory experiences for the user.'

Whether you are listening, watching or both, A Path To Peace delivers on all levels."

Unity Music

Vision Magazine -

Due to be released on June 12, 2007, buyers will be met with a unique event in music industry history. Wagner's original paintings and drawings are encoded with tremendous energy and emotional depth and should evoke peace of the artist and the world. 'The idea of creating something counter-culture and counter-anxiety is very appealing to me - to be part of the medicine,' Wagner said. In a world filled with violence, tragedy and ignorance, Dowling and Wagner have found a way to be a part of the solution - their own quiet spirits have moved them to share a peace that addresses the human condition and could be used in 'health, well being, family therapy, hospice, incarceration and post-traumatic care,' Dowling said. 'Art is the cure.' Peace be with you."

Vision Magazine

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