Pour yourself a glass of wine, relax, and enjoy the newest release from acclaimed artist Rich DeWilde, Everything is Beautiful. Back with a new eight-song release, this solo disc shines through with wit, beauty, and bittersweet yearning.

From the opening track’s plaintive harmonica wail through the tender piano in the finale, this is one very solid set of music. Wish Away takes a poignant look at the passage of life, meshing the harp and piano in beauteous wonderment in a lovely, flowing climax. It’s immediately followed by the oh so obviously Dylan-inspired Takes a Thief, With clever persiflage, Richie De kicks out the jams on Thief, punctuating the refrains with time honored OOO-OOOs.

The light-hearted and bouncy Elephants in the Trees exudes playfulness and descriptive wonder, a singalong for the kids. Old Queen Blues conjures the imagery of Gloria Swanson or Paul Lynde left shattered on a stairway from broken love with heartbreak rendered through the harp’s lonesome cry. Next up, Walk is a Cash-like folk ballad evocative of that last journey into the long night with escalating harmonica and piano balanced by gentle guitar strumming.

Then we have Ode to Fly, a testament to the absurdity of the human condition, with wicked stupid lyrics and an insane piano crescendo that crashes into the most delicate of endings, a tipping point into the magical wordplay and improv piano work.

Crime of Love then speaks to the obvious – love is a bitch yet we all crave it, dance for it in a waltz of lust. And then it all ends with Love Again, a quiet piano piece that echoes gentleness, a calm and ambient exit.

These songs are inspired by the beauty of friends, family, life, and the utter gorgeousness of the San Francisco Bay Area and California’s north coast. Pour another glass of wine and satiate in elegance. Everything is Beautiful. Pax Vobiscum.