By David Werther.

The Future of Forestry, Travel (Credential Recording, 2009), Travel II (Credential Recording, 2009), Travel III (Credential Recording, 2010)

           In a poem published in The Oxford Magazine in 1938, C.S. Lewis, writing under the name Nat Whilk (Old English for "I know not whom"), asks "How will the legend of the age of trees / Feel, when the last tree falls in England?" He envisions "a homeless time" when children ask their elders to tell them about elms, chestnuts and autumn. Listening to their teachers these children can "Catch from afar (for the soul is watchful) / A sight of tree-delighted Eden." Lewis entitled his poem"The Future of Forestry."

           Musician, singer, composer, and producer Eric Owyoung uses Lewis' phrase to refer to his recordings and performances with a changing cast of musicians. Some describe their music as "Ambient-Melodic-Rock," and Eric agrees.* Those who favor ambient music will be most at home with Travel (flight), while the more rock-inclined will prefer Travel II (sailing) and Travel III (driving). In keeping with their themes, Travel soars, Travel II rolls, and Travel III sometimes roars.

           My preference, at least for now, is for Travel. It has an epic quality and an ethereal, autumnal beauty. There are two triads: songs one ("Traveler's Song") and four ("Close Your Eyes") anticipate the journey and are peaceful; songs two ("This Hour") and five ("Closer to Me") take us to struggle and frustration, and in songs three ("Colors in Array") and six ("Halleleluiah") there is cathartic resolution.

           Thanks to Owyoung (for his soul is watchful), even in this homeless time, we can know something of the beauty God intended.

*Interview with T. Chai

The music on the travel trilogy can be heard on the band's official website: http://www.futureofforestry.com/