Review: Bards of Mystic

Staff Review, by Adam Morales 

Many writers started as passionate readers who began creating their own plots and believing in their own characters.  As a reader and writer myself, I have found that daily life can easily put the brakes on this love.  Within the last few years I have turned to audio books while driving so I can still get my “reading” fix.  This modern approach to a very ancient art can be a wonderful experience as long as the narrator is as skilled as the writer.  One such storyteller that I recently listened to is William Widmaier, founder of Bards of Mystic.  His approach to storytelling is very unique, as he narrates a quality short story that is accented by music specifically composed and perfectly timed to the story, aiding in the capture of your heart and your mood.  The Traveler’s Tales, with ten tracks in the album, is a great way to escape into another time or another world. 

Widmaier escorts us on our journey as the writer and narrator of the Bards of Mystic, assisted by his musical cohorts, Andre Devon Magone and JoJo Zawawi.  Together, they successfully bring out all your emotions as you sail on an impressive ship, look deep into the heart of a triumphant warrior, or grieve with a mystical forest custodian.  You will be left in awe as this modern show of minstrels entertains your soul and provides a threshold for a listener to enter, temporarily leaving the stresses of our own realities. 

“The Warrior” is the track that inspires me the most.  We are sat down with a prevailing fighter who successfully completed a battle. He is chatting with a bard while a squire helps remove his worn armor.  The warrior confides in the bard about his true thoughts and desires, the wish to have a family and settle down, discrediting the notion that warriors only yearn for cold steel and the smell of fresh blood.  The story ends abruptly, leaving the listener stunned as tears begin to surface, especially for listeners who have experienced modern parallels.  As powerful as this story is, it would not have the same impact without the music by Magone, finishing the drive of passion into our hearts.   

Like a 13^th century jongleur, the Bards of Mystic would surely find a permanent home in the courts of any royal family.  Having folded the strands of time, Widmaier and his crew now bring this entertainment to you.  Enjoy!

Find the Bards of Mystic through these links:

iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/travelers-tales/id485994964

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Tales/dp/B006HP6VSM/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327112606&sr=301-1

If you’d like to discuss other audio tracks or books that Adam should read, you can e-mail him at adam@tavernsvault.com