Memories of El Dorado , one of three original compositions on Western Passage , is a fine place to start, a dreamy meditation on Mexican motifs. Try The Cowboy's Dream and Shenandoah , each designed to soothe and captivate. Even in his livelier tunes, such as this and Waltz of the Lonely Shepherd , another original, Mabus' style captures attention through careful understatement. With practice, your ears begin to interpret it as beauty, visions, dreams. Prepare for re-entry with Wayfaring Stranger , Mabus' recasting of a traditional tune as a blues rag, and To Anacreon in Heaven , a vaguely ragtime take on the national anthem.
Further journeys await with each listening of Western Passage .