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Title: Masterful
Review: Isham came to prominence during the "zenith" Windam Hill years, which I define as 84-87, when the label was still fresh, creative, and not so big that it had become too commercialized (alas, to think that the same label that put Shadowfax, Alex de Grassi, and Michael Hedges on the map would eventually sign Yanni... Michael's got to be spinning in his grave on that one). In that thick crop of talent, Isham's work hadn't yet distinguished itself. It was still top quality performing, but works like Vapor Drawings and Songs my Children Taught me revealed a capable artist still struggling for control, still over-concerned with style and instrumentation rather than the lyrical/emotional content. His soundtrack for A River Runs Throught It clearly represented breakthrough work: an abundant delicacy wedded perfectly to the Montana scenery of the movie and Redford's thoughtful, loving detail. In an age of mediocrity, this album towers. It is mastery.
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