Ron Harrison was the son of a silent movie pianist who could sight-read music and play any style from classical to ragtime. Less of a natural virtuoso himself, Ron nonetheless learned how to compose and arrange music on his own before receiving any formal musical training. After completing his education he began scoring film soundtracks, including the ones heard on this album, entitled Moods Of The Wild. The one article (scroll down near the bottom) I could find about Harrison online states that his "candle-light reflections on Jazz have given us one more reason to shut out the storm, light the fire, pour the wine and be close to the one you love," which gives you a pretty good idea of where he's coming from, musically.

Moods Of The Wild was recorded at Manta Sound in Toronto in 1975 and produced by sound engineer Andy Hermant (Manta's owner) for KEG Productions, a Canadian company formed in 1965 by Gerald Kedey (who also co-produced Audubon Wildlife Theatre), Ralph C. Ellis and Dan Gibson that specialized in nature films. Gibson recorded the nature sounds (probably with the use of his trademark parabolic microphone) heard on "Morning Mist," and the musical lineup was Ron Harrison (piano and keyboards), Jack Zaza (flute, harmonica and spoons), Art Devilliers (guitar), Peter Appleyard (vibes, marimba and xylophone) and Bob Price (bass). "Wings In The Wilderness" accompanied a sequence in the film of the same name in which Gibson and his family raised three orphaned goslings and, eventually, taught them how to fly. "Audubon Wildlife Theme" kicked off the television show (which was broadcast in over 40 countries) of the same name, while "Haleakala Crater" accompanied a documentary about that area of Hawaii. Lastly, "Morning Mist" played over the opening title shots of "Wings In The Wilderness." All four are subtly groovy and mellow without being boring, with some interesting production touches like the wildlife sounds in "Mist" and the beginning of "Haleakala," which is actually a recording of a Chinese gong played backwards.

Wings In The Wilderness
Audubon Wildlife Theme
Haleakala Crater
Morning Mist