Solitary Treasures - Darlene Koldenhoven - Nominated Best Vocal Album 2012 by Broadcasters Worldwide Solitary Treasures, produced by Grammy Award Winner Darlene Koldenhoven, reveals the remarkable depth of musicianship and talent of this music industry pro. Darlene not only delivers her Grammy-winning multi-octave vocals for this album, but arranged, orchestrated, played piano and keyboards, sang harmonies, even engineered and programmed eight out of twelve tracks and composed three of them on this her seventh album on her indie label, Time Art Recordings. Vocally, lyrically, musically, Solitary Treasures opens a trove of passion, drama, intrigue, love, longing, guidance, gentleness, heartland and hope, set with elements of classical, classical crossover, romantic ballad, adult contemporary pop, world music and Darlene's compelling originals. As the title suggests, each piece truly is a gem unto it's own spectacular qualities, unique yet complimenting each other as a whole - like a playlist for seekers of a beautiful, deep listening and extraordinarily moving experience. From the triumphant operatic opener, the tenor aria by Puccini from Turandot, "Nessun Dorma," to Darlene's riveting commemorative original "Remember Me" featuring rock guitar solo, there is singing and music of wild abandon to moments of deep reflection. Manuel Alejandro's "Ay Carino," sung in Spanish with it's infectious Latin rhythms, dances it way to the innocently and sultrily sung "A Celtic American Treasury," a medley Darlene arranged to include "Down by the Salley Gardens," "Shenandoah," and "The Water is Wide" with a little Americana instrumental of her own. The charming Italian classical crossover 'aria' "Lo Specchio" (The Mirror) by Kevin Malpass, Chris Neil & Julia Velo dresses the stage with Darlene's beautiful coloratura solo singing and deliberate, lyrical phrasing. Darlene's arrangement of Seal's "Kiss From a Rose" is sung with a pop flare and is enhanced with curious instrumental twists and classical choirs of children and adults bridging on a grand crescendo before settling back into the native groove of the song. The grander, romantic songs "All I Am," by Kevin Malpass & Catherine Porter, "The Last Words You Said" by Richard Marx & Janey Clewer, and Darlene's arrangement of the song she sang on The Young and the Restless, "The Prayer" from Quest for Camelot by David Foster & Carole Bayer-Sager, are breathtaking standouts. "Clair de lune for Bella's Lullaby" sweetly introduces the stellar and only vocalise on this album for "Bella's Lullaby" from the hit soundtrack for Twilight; the voice and piano arranged by Darlene with orchestra. Darlene arranged the familiar Debussy piano piece as the vocalise introduction to the Burwell piece. The one exclusively instrumental piece, "Lucid See," is like drifting off to the sound of relaxing surf, showcasing Darlene's talent for melodic instrumental composition and performance on piano. Mike Miller dazzles on all the various guitars performed on the album - acoustic, electric, cavaquino, banjo, and dobro. Chris Bleth appears on oboe, Terry Glenny - violin, Jimbo Ross - viola, and Nika Ross - cello. Steve Shepherd's creative mixing blended it all together seamlessly and dynamically and Ron Bousted's final mastering touch gave it that shiny ambience. Solitary Treasures -a work of art from alpha to omega. Solitary Treasures 10/10/11 is the third album by Darlene Koldenhoven created and recorded within the first nine months of 2011 beginning with the 17 song, classical voice and piano, Angel on Ivories 2/11/11 followed by the uplifting, inspirational and relaxing Inspired by a True Story 6/28/11. Broadcasters worldwide voted Darlene's previous two albums #1 in 2007, Infinite Voice Best Vocal Album and Heavenly Peace Best Holiday Album. Total Time 45:51.
