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Inventine Time - By Joseph Brenna

How I found this/Why I love it

About Joseph Brenna's CD "Inventing Time"

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How I found this/Why I love it

I worked in a building that had previously been an eye doctor’s office.  The former examination rooms were similar to the layout of railroad cars, each had a door that lead to the next office.

To my right was a soft-spoken man who rented the space as his mini studio.  When I first heard Joseph would be practicing music next door, I tried to insulate the door, to keep the noise level comfortable for both of us, but soon found his music was the solace I needed during both disappointment and just plain busy days.

I was oddly sad when he moved to a bigger studio to complete the recording of "Inventing Time."

Many months after that, the person to my left, brought her dog into work.  It seemed the dog had hip replacement surgery and she felt the need to be close by.

The howls of agony coming from her favorite pet were too much for any of us to bare.  She tried soothing music, but nothing worked.  Then I remembered how calm Joseph’s CD always made me feel.  I figured it couldn’t hurt to play it for the dog. If nothing else, maybe it would calm me down, as I had become frantic with the sound of the dog’s agonizing howls. As the first of these instrumentals began to play, the dog’s howls turned into soft whimpers and then she quitted down.

The cynic in me thinks it was just a coincidence, maybe the dog’s meds had kicked in or something.  The dreamer in me believes is was Joseph's amazing life story, his own healing being strummed through each guitar string's cords. All I know for sure is when I play Joseph’s CD during a massage, acupuncture or even just driving in the car, I feel renewed, which is all that really matters when you've had a rough day.

About Joseph Brenna's "Inventing Time" CD

Joseph Brenna is recognized as a virtuoso composer/guitarist. Inventing Time, his first solo acoustic release, features an adventurous and diverse collection of songs for the solo steel-string guitar.

Joseph won critical praise for both his songwriting and his mastery of the guitar. College Music Journal described his music as “An interesting sound, a blend of American songcraft and worldly rhythms” and The Austin Chronicle wrote, “A sure-footed compositional sense (and) very canny arrangements.” Dirty Linen stated simply “Inspired guitar work”.

But in the midst of such accolades, Joseph became ill. A bout with cancer would move him in a new direction, in both life and music. Up until this point, he had played electric guitar with an arsenal of electronic effects. Now, during treatments and doctor visits, his acoustic guitar became his sole accompaniment.

"As a patient one is fragile, all raw emotion and sensitivity, and the caretakers share this exposed, open hearted world. So there was a great deal of appreciation and gratitude on the part of patients, nurses, and doctors for even the simplest qualities of live music - rare in these places," he reflects. "That gave me a fresh appreciation of the power of music, and in particular of the immediacy of the acoustic instrument."

During his years of recovery Joseph turned to teaching guitar and began to develop his unique approach to writing and arranging for the unadorned acoustic guitar. As part of his healing process he took time out from his performance career to study and practice meditation and Buddhist dharma.

The combined results of his experience can be heard on Inventing Time, which features 16 innovative compositions. Through all of the songs flow lyrical melodies, resonant with emotion. The guitar work is masterful, and comes across with a refreshing ease. There are no obtrusive techniques, but rather accessible, engaging musicianship throughout an elegant body of work.

"At once and alternately playful and contemplative, Joseph Brenna has offered up a nice collection of instrumental guitar work with Inventing Time. He sets the mood and lures you into his world with the easygoing title track, then proceeds to have a really good time for another 15 songs. Inventing Time is a fine tip of the hat (or guitar, as the case may be) to the power, both healing and inspirational, that pure music holds within it." - Kelly McCartney, All Music Guide

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