In a world full of solo piano
albums it takes a special talent for an artist to rise to the surface. Janie Horton has accomplished that and more with her unique approach to using music
and dance as a way to reach into the listener’s soul. “I like to call it
musical imagery” said Campbell following this weekend’s run of performances
in Mountain View.
Campbell and her Metaxy Dancers have come up with a unique blend of dance and
music that relaxes the mind and the soul leaving attendees with room to be
entertained and meditate on their own lives at the same time.
The performance consists of
Campbell beginning with a solo piano piece from her just released album , …a
gift from janie, which is followed by a dance piece Campbell begins on
piano, but later leaves the keyboard to dance with Sarah Jane Messor center
stage, the two ultimately receiving a gift box which is lowered from the
ceiling.
The show continues with
passive, calming music and with each piece more dancers are added until there
are seven on stage. Each piece involves different costumes worn by the dancers,
and simple props such as sheets, candles and scarves bring the stage to life
with their color and flare. During the piece “Waterdance” large sheets are
waved by the dancers signifying the flowing calmness of water. Later, in “Innocence,”
Campbell is joined by two young dancers who wear butterfly wings, ultimately
pointing toward rebirth.
Campbell’s album was performed in it’s entirety from start to finish,
with nearly each piece being danced. In addition stellar lighting and multimedia
are used to enhance the performance. Slides taking text from Campbell’s CD
booklet and using photos that compliment each piece enhance the performances
visual presentation.
Indeed it looks like Janie Horton has found a way to move beyond just making a record and putting it out
there like so many others. Her attempts at calming an audience through music and
dance and giving them space to think about their own lives works. During this
performance special seating was set aside for the local Hospice as Campbell
feels it’s important to reach out to these types of groups and offer them her
‘gift’ as she does with younger audiences. “Having had breast cancer
surgery last year, I really was able to relate to what Janie is doing with this
show,” remarked one resident who had came from San Francisco to see the
performance. “It’s the whole thing about being hit in the head with tragedy
and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Special to the Music Report by Patrick Thomas