Wind

Formed in late 2000, the five talented and crafty musicians who make up Wind bring with them a sense of passion, fervor, and spontaneity to their music. Founders Jim Pollard and Nori Kelley continued to talk of forming such a group, when 15 years later their dream came true. Inviting Rob Bradley to sit in on keyboards, Joe Breckenridge on bass, with Barbie Kelley taking the responsibility of lead vocals, the quintet was complete. Making their home residence in Southside, AL, Wind's music contains a mixture of tranquil, meditative melodies, as well as their fair share of emotionally uplifting and passionately charged tunes. Much of the material they have created during their two years as a group has been quite dreamy and ethereal, easily able to engage the listener into their new age image. The group as a whole feels that their meeting together came as perfect timing and they are certainly looking forward to the many challenges and blessings of the new century. Jim Pollard continues to be the group's backbeat and percussion extraordinaire, sitting at the drums. Nori Kelley does much of the composing and writing of Wind's material on the acoustic guitar, as well as contributing to vocals, lap steel guitar, and nylon string classical guitar. Barbie Kelley also adds to the band's dexterity with ambient flute melodies. Because much of Wind's music is charming and captivating, with a touch of serenity on the side, it is not hard to understand why this fivesome enjoys a priceless ability to write, compose, and arrange strongly delivered music with emotionally gripping lyrics. Much can be said about the musicianship of Wind, their candid vocal ability and the deep impression they leave through their striking lyrical content. Much of their debut record as a group, released in 1996 under the same name, is uplifting, melodic, and percussive; however, one song, "Under the Hourglass," features their experimental side. Wind, presenting passionate music with high-flying flute and guitar acrobatics and killer chorus sections, seem to have no hard time proving they can win over even the average music listener. The first record, Wind, as a whole was self-produced with grace by Nori Kelley, and most of the material is quality work by a gifted group of musicians who continue to challenge themselves. Charming and enlightening, the five who make up Wind have solidified their role as musicians, artists, and the purpose of their work. ~ Shawn M. Haney