MARGARET SLOVAK & CHRIS MARESH

A STAR’S LIGHT DOES FALL

Slovak Music

Margaret Slovak, nylon string guitar; Chris Maresh, acoustic bass.

There is an incredible warmth and peacefulness that radiates from the music created by nylon string guitarist, Margaret Slovak and double bass player, Chris Maresh. This duo offers us their awesome and individual talents in perfect harmony.  When I read the press package, I realized that what Margaret Slovak does for a living has a lot to do with the magic in her music.

“Music is a personal thing for me, especially with my history of playing in health-care settings.  It’s beyond entertainment.  In that light, I hope this album brings people comfort and peace,” Slovak explains.

As we enter the holiday season, this is music that will bring any dinner party or quiet evening by a roaring fireplace the inspiration and perfect background music for the moment.  Slovak and Maresh open with the familiar traditional tune, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”  The duo modernizes a song that goes back ten centuries, bringing a freshly painted face to the hymn and gently pulling us into their music. Their music is like the swinging pendulum of a hypnotist’s pocket watch. They subliminally give us holiday music that is lovely to my ears and gentle on my spirit.

This is followed by “I wonder as I wander” (an Appalachian carol).  Chris Maresh says, “We were aiming for a circular, modal feel rather than just soloing over the chord changes.”

Maresh expresses deep appreciation for Margaret’s talent. The way they musically melt together is like candle wax dripping down the candelabra to create a beautiful pattern.

“Margaret and I get along as musicians. … We play well together, and that doesn’t happen every day. … I feel like I’ve been preparing my whole life for this project. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything that was quite this exposed, just two people.  It ended up being a great experience.  … There’s an alchemy that leaves more to the imagination than if you have a full ensemble,” Maresh shares in his press package.

You will enjoy holiday favorites like “What Child is This” and “Christmas Time is Here.”  Then they throw in a Wayne Shorter jazz composition called “Infant Eyes.”  Maresh takes a rich bass solo, that lies like honey on the tongue, sweet against the nylon guitar mastery of Margaret Slovak.

Slovak’s upper register strings ring and dance atop his bass brilliance. She exhibits amazing style and their music is comforting.  They play hymns like “Away in a Manger” that may make you want to sing along. Then they add the Leonard Cohen pop sensational composition of “Hallelujah.”   Margaret Slovak and Chris Maresh offer songs and arrangements for all seasons in a very personal way.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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