title: strawberry fields FOREVER

text: I find hearing Strawberry Fields go from it's embryonic stage as an almost delta blues to "finished product" not only fascinating, but enlightening and gratifying as well.


title: Astounding

text:
This movie is not only a more than worthy entry into the Star Wars saga, it represents nothing less than the very future of Cinema.
This is a movie that you MUST see as Lucas intended; on a massive screen with digital sound... but even more importantly, in a theatre that is projecting it digitally.
The visual images in Attack Of The Clones, when projected digitally, are awe inspiring.  The colors are so incredibly rich and the detail is breathtaking.  It's like watching real events through a window, almost like being there.  With digital projection there is no juddery movement when the camera pans, and there are none of the imperfections that come with film such as dust and scratches on the print etc.  All that is there is a crystal clean, amazingly vibrant image.
As for the movie itself. It pretty much rocks.  Sure some of the acting is wooden, and the script is a little lifeless sometimes but that really doesn't detract from the story itself, plus there are so many things that make up for the "minuses" that you almost don't notice the so called flaws.
This is a dark movie, far darker than Empire Strikes Back and it's actually quite chilling to see Anakin begin his descent into the dark side.
ATOC is thrilling, exciting and stunning to watch and the action scenes are easily the best ever in the series.  This is just what Star Wars should be.  Fantastic Entertainment!


title: WONDERFUL! No issues with the disc and packaging was ...

text: PERFECTION. WONDERFUL! No issues with the disc and packaging was great!


title: Cute Children’s Songs!

text: Bought this for my mother when she discovered that one of the young kids in the family broke her copy of this. The songs are cute! The “I’m a Little Teapot” side is too long for my particular record player to finish playing it though, the player stops when the song has like one more sentence left.


title: Three Stars

text: Muy bueno.


title: Five Stars

text: Just as I remembred it.


title: Five Stars

text: Love Love Love!!!!


title: The Ultimate Nostalgia Trip!

text:
Thoughlisted as a Honky Tonk music album, this is actually "Music From The Silent Films" played by Mike Di Napoli is a really great nostalgia album.
This music has been issued on a variety of albums under various titles.
But the contents is just what you would want for a true nostalgia trip.
Classical pieces such as Poet and Peasant Overture;  William Tell Overture (that's the Lone Ranger theme music);Chloe.
Some really old pop tunes from the period of silent movies: Toyland;  Frankie and Johnny and O Sol Mio.
Mood music like would be used to underscore various romantic or dramatic scenes such as Hearts and Flowers (romance scenes); The Villain's Theme (you've heard this many times before when poor little Nell is tied to the railroad tracks); and of course, a rousing Film Finale when the hero comes to the rescue.


title: "All members of The Original Bands"

text:
I have always been impressed by the quality of the recordings made by Somerset/Stereo-Fidelity in the 1950s and early 1960s. They were truly on par with material issued by RCA, Capitol or any major.

In 1957 Dave Miller gathered some of the finest musicians in the LA area which had played with the great named bands and recorded 12 of the most popular tunes of the era. No musicians are listed but the cover boldly states "All members of The Original Bands."  No recording studio is listed but at the time Miller was using either the Capitol Studio or Western Recorders in LA.

attachment_type: IMAGE


title: Here is the contents , since Amazon does not list them

text:
Manufactured By – Toshiba EMI Ltd, the original distributor of the Ventures songs back in the 60s.

Tracklist
1 Walk Don't Run 2:08
2 Yellow Bird 3:13
3 Pipeline 2:21
4 Lonely Sea 2:56
5 Diamond Head 2:03
6 The House Of The Rising Sun 2:58
7 Slaughter On Tenth Avenue 2:17
8 Rap City 2:05
9 Kickstand 2:37
10 Candy Apple Racer 2:18
11 Caravan 2:51
12 Bulldog 2:27
13 Mariner No. 4 2:12
14 Bird Rockers 2:40
15 The Cruel Sea 2:21
16 Fugitive 2:14
17 Swinging Creeper 2:43
18 Pedal Pusher 2:26
19 Lullaby Of The Leaves 2:02
20 Apache 3:10
21 Loco-Motion 2:15
22 Limbo Rock 1:55
23 Telstar 2:43
24 The Lonely Bull 2:11


title: ALL THE HITS...All You'll Ever Need

text:
RONETTES - All the Hits [Charly CD CRB 560]
Issued in 1995

Complete Contents:
Be My Baby [stereo]
Baby I Love You [stereo]
The Best Part of Breaking Up [stereo]
Do I Love You [stereo]
Walking In The Rain[stereo]
Born to be Together [mono]
Is This What I Get For Loving You [mono]
I Can Hear Music [mono]
So Young [stereo]
I Wonder [stereo]
You Baby [stereo]
How Does It Feel[stereo]
When I Saw You [stereo]
Oh I Love You [mono]
Blues For Baby [mono]
The Twist [mono]
Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love [mono]
Chapel of Love [stereo]
Mashed Potato Time [mono]
What'd I Say [stereo]

Without a doubt the best Ronettes compact disk on the market.
The stereo tracks appear to be disk dubs from the Phil Spector International/Polydor reissue of the Presenting The Fabulous Ronettes album. Other than a few pops and clicks, the sound on these is flawless.
The Twist and Mashed Potato Time are early recordings issued on albums during the sixties as by The Crystals.


title: Five Stars

text: Awesome beats!


title: Baby steps in a new and interesting direction

text:
If you want a bare bones description of How to Destroy Angels, suffice to call this Nine Inch Nails with a female lead singer. The approach is at times similar, the riffs have hints from Year Zero, the Slip and even a large dose of the close remix you can hear in the Seven Soundtrack and the Deluxe edition of Downward Spiral... but there's enough here to not only keep your NIN fix under control, but to see that this just might get very different.

To boot, if you want to have leather bound goth frolickings, I sincerely recommend this album because some songs are simply meant for that. All I really know though is that I'm looking way forward to a complete album and am very very intrigued at what other tricks are up their collective sleeve.


title: My most played cd of 2015...

text: Thank you, Yo Yo Ma, for bringing all this music together in one cd so that I can be transported every time I listen to it into a beautiful place and time.  Ennio Morricone, you are truly a great composer.  As a lifelong student of music, I am entranced by it.  Now I realize I have heard your music for years without knowing your name, and loved it, like in Cinema Paradiso.  Each time I play it, I feel as if I have a guest in my home, a very special guest.  It is that intimate and lovely.  Thank you, as well, for writing such lush and beautiful scores.  I have bought several copies to give as gifts.  Yo Yo Ma was born to play this music.  He develops it, makes it his own, while respecting the integrity of the composition--He plays like someone inspired, and of course, he IS, by this masterful Italian, oh, so Italian composer.  My next goal is to see more of the movies, to hear the music work.  Again, my thanks to both musicians.  (The DVD does not work in America, but it was the only one available when I bought my first copy.  Contains a cd and dvd.  Maybe I will go to Italy and take it with me some day!)


Wonderful soundtrack! I have the original promo soundtrack, but this one surpasses it! It has way more music and it's a great Halloween soundtrack to play this time of year. Very elegant Halloween music. Great price too.  Will buy another.


title: great songs terrible recording

text: The sound has an echo. The recording  studio did a terrible job of taping. This is the second cd I buy from artist and the sound is bad. I will not buy another cd from this singer.


title: Technically fabulous recording of Mozart Piano Sonatas.

text: Mitsuko Uchida plays Mozart like we all wish we could. When I study a Mozart piano sonata, it is this recording I go to to compare my own playing. That said, she does seem to race through some of the sonata movements, to my liking anyway, where I would take tempo a bit slower. Yet, again, she is technically fabulous, and I am envious of her grasp of these sonatas.


title: Nice Little Fable, No Substance Though

text:
This movie may be one of the "cutest" movies to come out of last year. The story revolves around a mother and daughter that move along with the wind, blowing into each city, then leaving as soon as they came. The city this time is a little town in France, and Juliette Binoche and daughter arrive to set up a chocolate store during a time when the city is abstaining from sweets.
The story offers some interesting stories, but never seems to carry through with any of them. We see Johnny Depp come into town as a river rat, but he really has no purpose in the film. We see Lena Olin as an abused wife, but for what? Just so Binoche can have a friend? The mayor of the town, Alfred Molina, is out to have the store shut down, with help from Carrie Anne Moss. But no real story comes from them either. Judi Dench is an old woman who connects with her grandson at the store, but did she really deserve a nomination for this?
This film was very unjustly nominated for best picture. There were many more films that could have been put up for this honor. Call it the Miramax marketing machine, but the rest of us will call it a rip off for good movies. This film is charming, and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but when you get down to it, there is really no substance to back the film as a whole.


title: Five Stars

text: I love the music.


title: FEAST AND FABLE

text:
FEAST AND FABLE
Movie Review of Chocolat
Chocolat is a sumptuous feast for those with a cinematic sweet tooth. A single mother (Juliette Binoche) driven by the restless wanderlust of her Navaho mother's spirit, moves to a quiet French town with her six year old daughter and opens a chocolate shop in the middle of Lent, the Catholic fast before Easter. Her free spirited atheism enrages the sanctimonious mayor (Alfred Molina), and a battle commences for the hearts and minds of the villagers.
There is magic swirling around Binoche and her chocolatery, blurring the lines between real and unreal and giving the story the feel of a fable.  However the gritty performance of Lena Olin as a battered wife keeps it from floating too far from earth. Swedish director Lasse Hallström (My Life as a Dog) once again paints a convincingly chilly portrait of small town life, aided by the capable acting of Binoche, Judi Dench and Johnny Depp in particular.  Be warned, however, the real star of this movie is the chocolate. Don't go on an empty stomach or you may find yourself worryingly distracted from the narrative flow. The story is light on dramatic urgency, but the cast stirs in their own spicy fruit into the half-baked script and the result is delicious enough to satisfy the most gluttonous of appetites.


title: Amazing

text: I love this CD!


title: A Movie for Grownups

text:
My wife and I as well as another couple enjoyed this film immensely...
Chocolat provides a wonderful insight into the life, strong conservatism and, yes, outright prejudices of the French citizens who live in such vividly picturesque towns and villages. They are not bad people but resist change of any kind and cling to their traditions. It is the price they pay to live in places that the average tourist loves to experience but only for a little while.
The film was heightened by an unusually original and sensitive story but also superb casting, direction and acting.
Juliette Binoche projected an almost ethereal tranquility in her quirky role as the mysterious woman who suddenly appears and opens a chocolate shop and feeds not only the physical but spiritual needs of the suspicious town people who are so realistically portrayed.
Johnny Depp, who I believe is one of the most courageous and talented actors today, was outstanding as the Irish riverboat gypsy. He played his part with perfect understatement and acuity. He [almost] stole the show.
Dame Judy Dench was, as always, excellent as the grandmother with her patented mix of tartness and sweetness, further perfected since her memorable portrayal of Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown.  The actor who played the very challenging role of the comte/mayor was powerful yet surely gained your sympathies over his own inner pain as the story progressed.
And I thought the boy and girl who played the juvenile roles were both appealing, natural and just delightful. That is a tribute to a fine director.
The young actor in the role of the curate was first rate.
In short, this this a rarity today: a top-notch film for grown-ups that has a message, likable characters within a beautiful setting. The four of us can't wait to see it once more.
P.S. We all agreed the only faux pas was the conspicuous absence of the town gendarmerie, a fixture in French village life.


title: Great item

text: Great price, a few of songs (5 from Greatest Hits) are not included but still a great item for R.E.M. fans


Delightful music. Absolutely beautiful. I listen over and over again.


title: This is a really great album

text: This is a really great album.  What a wonderful voice Mr. Maharis has.  He is also so entertaining with a nice selection of all different songs.  Love the stories he tells about his family on this album.  Very funny.  I really enjoyed listening to this album and was so sorry to see it end.


title: Makes You want to do the lords of the dance.

text: Super high energy music that helps me clean the house.  I put it on and I'm dancing around dusting, organizing, and by then the task is done.  This CD just wisks the time by.  By then I'm exhausted have a beer with a smile on my face.  Get and experience and grand gaelic time.


title: Can't get enough of this man!

text: I continue to purchase these CDs and give them to our newest business partners.  Everyone that has received one of these CDs talks about them constantly about how it is helping them build their business and change their lives.


title: Unique under-recognized guitarist

text: This album was purchased in vinyl - I have not found the title released as a CD.  However, the album remains one of my favorites over many years as Van Manakas presents Love Songs - a set of instrumentals that sets a very high mark for the jazz meets  Americana type of music that eventually Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell have mined over the years.  Manakas is a Nashville wizard of many types of guitar styles, but with Love Songs he incorporates all these styles into a seamless, coherent set of tunes that take you through the emotional cycle.  These are not fusion screamers, but extremely well-played thoughtful compositions with brilliant improvisations.  "Embers of Emotion" puts a Django-inspired acoustic guitar to a nice wistful melody with "pace". The remaining tunes feature a strat sound amplified - "just enough" - like a jazzer.  I still wait for a Digital release, but in the meantime I keep buying vinyl replacements for the worn out copies of have of this unique record.


title: Memories

text: When I was a child my parents used to listen to this kind of music.  The war came and we went into exile.  Life marched on, but the tunes of this music stayed frozen in my mind for 40 years.  I spent some time this year searching this music specially "classic, instrumental" and JACKPOT, I have found Aline on youtube.  Went into AMAZON and again Amazon has surprised me by having it.  The delivery was fast.  Thank you AMAZON for helping me keep a little memory of my childhood. Thank you.


title: you can find only 4 remix tracks of La Passione ...

text: you can find only 4 remix tracks of La Passione song from Cris Rea/Shirlay Bassey album.<br />Word "Disco" and low price forced me to make wrong choice. I should buy original version of Crhis Rea La Passione.


title: Good, but could have been much better.

text:
This cd had some great songs on it, many of which I remember and throughly enjoyed hearing again. Unfortunately, there were also a lot of songs and artists that I'd never heard of. Perhaps these were hits in the UK during the '90s. Look at the songs that were cut out of the listing:

Ace of Base : "All That She Wants"
Boyz II Men : "End of the Road"
Bryan Adams : "Everything I Do (I Do It for You)"
Coolio featuring LV : "Gangsters Paradise"
Elton John : "Candle in the Wind '97"
Erasure : "Lay All Your Love on Me"
KLF : "3AM Eternal"
Lenny Kravitz : "Fly Away"
Michael Jackson : "Black or White"
No Doubt : "Don't Speak"
Puff Daddy & Faith Evans featuring 112 : "I'll Be Missing You"
Queen : "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Snap! : "Rhythm Is a Dancer"
The Chemical Brothers : "Block Rockin' Beats"
The Verve : "The Drugs Don't Work"
U2 : "Discotheque"
Whitney Houston : "I Will Always Love You"
Will Smith : "Men in Black"

These songs were rejected in favor of:

Steps : "Tragedy"
Eiffel 65 : "Blue"
Westlife : "Flying Without Wings"
Boyzone : "No Matter What"
Jason Donovan : "Any Dream Will Do"
Gabrielle : "Dreams"
All Saints : Never Ever"
Shakespears Sister : "Stay"
Blur : "Country House"
Babylon Zoo : "Spaceman"
Eternal featuring Bebe Winans : "I Wanna Be the Only One"
George Michael : "Fastlove"
Livin' Joy : "Dreamer"
Wamdue Project : "King of My Castle"
Adamski : "Killer"
Beats International : "Dub Be Good to Me"
Shaggy : "Boombastic"
Maria McKee : "Show Me Heaven"
Boyzone : "Words"
East 17 : "Stay Another Day"

...and what appeared to be remixes of songs from previous decades. I don't know any of these songs, so they don't mean the 90's to me.

If you're looking for a compilation of AMERICAN 90's pop/rock, this only partially meets the goal. I would've liked to see music from Savage Garden, Jewel, Fiona Apple, and other great artists. These were the songs of my 90's.


title: More lesser-known Wilder tunes

text: I'm normally a jazz listener but was familiar with Ms Verplanck and was interested in Alec Wilder's work. Her take on the tunes is perfectly straight but I miss the subtle personal touches that a good jazz vocalist brings to well-written music.


title: Five Stars

text: Thank you.


title: Five Stars

text: Thank you!


title: Kool!

text: I listened to it on a long drive and it was fun to hear their stories in their voices.  I would recommend it if you love the K girls like I do!


title: Five Stars

text: Eclectic material tracing the devil-inspired American slavery!!!


title: Quincy on Mercury 4CDs

text: A COMPLETE 4CD musical excursion of music recorded by Q on Mercury Records. Did not contain my favorites recorded under album titled "Quincy's Got A Brand New Bag" .  Excellent representation of the "real" music written by Quincy.


title: Obscure but worthy

text: This is certainly not a compilation of well-known material or artists, but worthy of purchase and enjoyment by those who love the so-called "doo-wop" sound. These artists never thought of themselves as doo-wop singers. This VOCAL GROUP rhythm & blues!


title: A Little Info

text: This LP is a collection of alternative tracks (read:  outtakes) from two separate sessions, on a short lived series of VJ reissue/compilation/budget(?) LPs. It's far from his "maiden voyage", as he already had 4 or 5 major Blue Notes under his belt. I think this LP was VJs way of grabbing at a few more bucks after Lee's two VJ studio sessions, "Here's Lee Morgan" and "Expoobident", and his greater success at BN. Not a great quality pressing, and nothing new here unless you dig alternates. One side features Wynton Kelly on piano, the other features Eddie Higgins. Don't pay more than 5 bucks.


title: Not enough sugar

text:
Quite simply, the music is killer (check out her six minute YouTube "Baby What You Want Me to Do / Rock Me Baby" for the total package). But this CD is only twelve  songs ~ 33 minutes total, with 46 minutes of blank plastic. Sometimes you want a little quantity with you quality, which is why I dropped two stars. Shell out a few more bucks and get "Go Go Power - the Complete Chess Singles". Double the cuts.
That one has nine five star reviews, deservedly so. I'd be adding mine there too, but those nine cats say it all.
If this one is all you find, grab it. But the other is the one you want.


title: Recomended

text: Wonderful collective body of music


title: Five Stars

text: love it


title: Five Stars

text: great classic a must have


title: Buy it for Birth of the Beat.

text: The main reason I bought this CD is for the 'Birth of the Beat'. The rest of the songs do alright by me. But 'Birth of the Beat' is what I listen to.


title: A forgotten gem

text: I think that it is a crime against all things musical that an important artist of the caliber of Lillo Thomas, has not only been neglected in the memory of the music loving population, but also that his great Cds( and even a best of) is either near on impossible to purchase, or going at ludicrous prices.<br />I must confess that, as an artist, this man is one of my favorites of all time. I was lucky enough to see him live (my first live concert) back in 1988, when he was riding off the waves produced by this hit album. An ex-athlete (who narrowly missed the 1984 Olympics) who made the transition to a musical, was a stable member of the Hush production stable, which included Melba Moore (whose husband at the time managed artists under Hush management) Freddie Jackson, with production/writing chores by Timmy Allen & the great Paul Laurence. Mr. Laurence was responsible for the big hits from this album, 'I'm In Love', & 'Sexy Girl'. Lillo also has an excellent cover of the Otis Redding Hit I've Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now). There isn't a bad song on offer here. I just hope that, as with Paul Laurence's 'Haven't You Heard' CD, that Capital Records ( or say Rhino) re-issue this at a reasonable price.


Most people think of "Hello Dolly" and  "What a Wonderful World" when they think of Louis.  He should instead be remembered for this period in his career.  He is one of the great trumpet players to emerge in the 40s-50s, and this reasonably priced set lets the listener hear a lot of prime jazz.  A pioneer!!!


title: The greatest songwriter you've never heard

text:
R. Stevie has been creating music since the mid-70s.  Most of his output is done all by himself, as he plays many instruments.  His stuff has always been hard-to-find due to his apparent dislike of record companies.  Through the early part of his career his material was mostly available on homemade cassettes, which he distributed himself. He did occasionally record in a studio, and also compiled some of the cassette material for release.  This compilation comes from these sources.  These days his stuff is available on [...] or at times here on Amazon.

The music on this set covers a wide array of styles.  R. Stevie is probably best placed in the "Pop" genre, similar to say a Brian Wilson or Todd Rundgren.  But he also strays into folk, country, funk, hard rock, and other styles.  He has a wicked sense of humor and parody (note the CD's title) and often adapts his lyrical style to the genre of the song.  Very often he chooses some interesting covers, to which he applies inventive interpretation.  His best material on this disc is often quite impressive for its melodic quality and innovation.  There are, IMO, some occasional "misses", but these are few, and Stevie is always interesting if nothing else.

Greatesttits is an excellent collection to introduce yourself to this prolific artist.


title: Five Stars

text: nice


title: I sighted, not so much lethargic, as so much uninterested

text: Scratch Acid was an innovative band, blending a variety of styles and executing tightly while giving insane stage shows.  There is not another band I can think of that has the range and audacity to mix buttshaker R&B, Andrew Lloyd Weber, and stream of consciousness beat poetry in such a fashion.  A must have for the 80s alternative fan.


title: Great collection

text: Music I remember hearing as a child and quite a few old ones I’d never heard before! I play them while working on my craft projects so makes a great relaxing time


title: Competent garage/pop rock  from the 60s singles

text: I think this is a bootleg get  sundazed albums instead breakthrough/treat  her groovy 2 albums on 1 cd issued by cherry red superior remastering


title: Competent late jazzy album for collectors only

text: Previous albums are more interesting similar fate like the late RASCALS


title: Essential listening

text: Rare albums on Reprise from Trini all are superb, grab it while you can,decent cd rematering


title: SF POP ROCK 1972

text: Underestimated outfit with Bob Jones guitarist, Frosty-Lee Michael’s drummer great cd


title: Excellent LA West Coast Rock

text: For completists, ,of twin guitars,excellent remastering


title: Essential LA country rock of 1970

text: Linda Ronstadt back up band-Gib Guilbeau and John Belland shine with Herb Pederwen a bit short excellent remastering


title: For completists only

text: seminal British blues band inferior to Cabal period but still important piece of original music v good remastering


title: Essential Petula

text: The cream of British pop in the mid 60’s


title: Worth exploring

text: Very good pop album hard to get cd


title: Important cd hard to get,

text: Underrated author of going down song very competent album, if you liked Mar Keys,Muscle Shoals bandThe Alabama State Troupers<br />You will like this album,other albums to get:living by the days,hoboes,heroes and street corner clowns,the sounds of the south


title: For fans

text: Interesting early 60’s us pop teen throb


title: Three Stars

text: was expecting more from what I had read on the CD........songs average & nothing really 1970's Disco!


title: Bob Bailey is AWESOME!!

text: Great radio serial with Bob Bailey...best one I have found so far.


title: New songs

text: Very good


title: impressive

text: this venue is well concieved  remastertering superb never know it was live the guys are spot on sharp as tacks


title: early

text: this an early effort it is pristine as kim sounds like she was made for so take a listen you will not be disappointed


title: Five Stars

text: this is another japanese pressing it sounds rich and flawless others could learn much from them


title: decent

text: the people behind this boon of delivering the goods hasreally sparked this ole boy s interest in the classics no longer is one forced to rely on what it might have sounded like without static  one now knows thanks to those that make it so


title: good collection really decent mastering of existing elements as i ...

text: good collection really decent mastering of existing elements as i don,t remember the clarity so hats off to something done right


title: Charming!

text: Mean Pumpkin is a well crafted children's story with songs and sound effects.  I have given this to several children and adults who have thoroughly enjoyed it.  The songs have catchy melodies which children love to sing along with.  The narrative voice is warm and humorous.  The story has a pro-social message without being preachy.  This is an cd that works year-round not just at Halloween.  Highly recommended!


title: revisit a master

text: revisit a master


title: Five Stars

text: Thank you


title: what sounded sweet in 1992

text: Back in the VERY early 90's, I had this (the cassette tape version) and thought it was amazing.  Until I bought the cd recently, I didn't realize how dated "Rave 'til Dawn" would sound to me.  It was almost painful to listen to, and I remain a huge fan of techno/electronic music!  I would only recommend this for laughs or a 90's nostalgia night.


title: Not in English.

text: Not in English.  It came in Japanese but the product listing doesn't say anywhere that it's not in English.


title: From MainlyPiano

text:
"Elegant Piano Covers" is pianist/composer Christine Brown's third collection of solo piano cover tunes (a fourth one is releasing soon!), some of which include snippets of classical pieces - something Christine has a real knack for! I have been fortunate enough to review all nineteen of Christine's full-length albums and have always loved her music whether it is her original piano solos, Christmas music, or her solo piano covers. Christine's graceful touch on the piano keys is always expressive and colorful, and always a pleasure to listen to. The thirteen pieces on "Elegant Piano Covers" date back as far as 1967 (Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World") to within the past couple of years and, of course, the classical pieces go back much farther.  What I really appreciate about this series of albums is that I think Christine Brown clearly demonstrates the fact that good music is good music no matter when it was composed. Still, it takes a little something special to put well-known classical pieces together with pop songs and make them work together so seamlessly. I should mention that Christine released all of the tracks from this album as singles as well as on the full album.

"Elegant Piano Covers" begins with Lewis Cipaldi's "Someone You Loved," a poignant song expressed simply but with a lot of heart - a beautiful beginning! Billie Eilish's "When the Party's Over" appears to be the most popular song from the album on Spotify and with good reason. Christine's touch on the piano keys is just as emotional as Eilish's voice without the use of any words. Kansas' 1978 hit, "Dust in the Wind," includes passages from JS Bach's Prelude #1 in C - a gorgeous match! "No Time To Die" is a second Billie Eilish cover and also expresses deep emotion in the beautiful melody - a favorite! I also really like Christine's arrangement of Chris Isaak's 1989 "Wicked Game," a darkly evocative song that became Isaak's signature song. Also exceptionally popular on Spotify is Christine's lovely pairing of John Lennon's "Imagine" and Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World," a stirring and eloquent medley that serves as a powerful reminder during these challenging times. Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" is combined with Chopin's "Valse in C# minor Op. 64 No. 2" - an unlikely mix that flows beautifully and expressively from one to the other. Bill Withers' soulful 1972 R&B hit, "Ain't No Sunshine," was a favorite all those years ago, and Christine's version is equally soulful but in a very different way. An expression of  loss and longing, the lyrics and Withers voice drove the message home, but Christine accomplishes that just as well with her empathy and soulful piano fingers - a great ending to a great album!

"Elegant Piano Covers" needs to be heard to be fully understood and appreciated, so pick up a copy or stream it, and prepare to be impressed! Both thumbs up!


title: From MainlyPiano

text:
"Dreaming of Daybreak" is the second full-length album from pianist/composer Janice Lacy. I reviewed her 2016 debut, "Sanctuary For the Soul" (as The Janice Lacy Project), and, like that album, the twelve tracks on this one are a beautiful combination of solo piano and piano with other instrumentation. Recorded at Imaginary Road Studios in Vermont, the album was produced by Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton, with Michael Whalen of Artist Expansion executive producing (a dream team, to be sure!). Also featured on the album are Charlie Bisharat (violin), Eugene Friesen (cello), Jill Haley (English horn), and Tony Levin (bass) - also a dream team!

The music on "Dreaming of Daybreak" was inspired by the shoreline of Southern California and the small ocean town where Janice has lived for many years: "I am influenced by the natural beauty here and by life experiences." Very flowing and expressive, "Dreaming of Daybreak" is great for listening with full focus as well as for relaxation, studying, driving, and as a backdrop for any activity where beautiful piano music is welcome. Janice has dedicated the album to her husband, Jim, and their 35 years together.

"Dreaming of Daybreak" opens with "Abiding," a gentle piece about staying steady in life. Inspired by the breaking waves at the ocean, it's a wonderful way to begin! The title track is a piano and cello duet that expresses the hope of a new day. Warm, relaxed and very smooth, I really like this one, too! "As The Years Pass" was written for Janice's husband and is a graceful love song for piano and English horn. Reflective and overflowing with deep emotion, it's a heartfelt tribute to a long relationship. "Still Near" was composed for Janice's late father, who is still near to her heart. Charlie Bisharat and his violin take this piece heavenward. The beautifully poignant "Waiting for the Clouds to Break" was composed during the pandemic and reflects on the uncertainty of that difficult time. The piano is embellished with English horn, cello and bass. "Headlands Spring" is a warm and dreamy piano solo that brings images of breezes gently ruffling through the wildflowers emerging on the cliffs overlooking the ocean - a favorite. "Hungarian Waltz" is a little different from the other tracks and is also a favorite. A slow minor key waltz and a duet with Charlie Bisharat, the piece was inspired by the Hungarian music Janice heard around the house as she grew up (her mother is Hungarian). Both melancholy and poignantly expressive, I really like this one, too! "Nocturne" is a song of peace as night falls. Cello and bass add a beautifully dark contrast to the soulful piano melody - my favorite piece on the album! The album closes with a reprise of "Abiding," this time with piano and English horn - a great closing to a great album!

"Dreaming of Daybreak" is a treat for the ears, heart and soul!


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"Bella" is the seventh album by pianist/composer/arranger/keyboardist Rick Sparks since 2014 and was inspired by a painting by 19th century Italian artist Roberto Ferruzzi of a little girl praying. No one but the artist knows the true identity of this little girl, but her portrait is the perfect expression of innocence, hope, trust and faith. "As a composer, these songs became an expression of Bella’s (and our) life: her dreams, prayers, joys, loves, challenges, hopes, goodbyes, yearning for home & a better world." The album features seven original pieces and three covers, all arranged to maximize their peaceful, soothing and healing effects. "The songs of "Bella" became an oasis of beauty & peace for me during 5 months of production - I hope this album will do the same for the listener." It certainly does that for me!

Rick Sparks' quiet piano-based music is heard worldwide on terrestrial and online radio stations. A Ph.D., Rick recently retired from his career as a broadcaster and teacher of mass communication. His 2020 album, "Christmas Night," has been nominated as "Best Holiday Album Of the Year" by Zone Music Reporter.

"Bella" begins with the title song. "To my mind, there is nothing more beautiful than the heartfelt prayers of a child. This song captures the essence of what I experience every time I view Bella’s portrait." Slow, poignant and very peaceful, it instantly lets the listener know that this is a graceful and stunningly beautiful album. The Celtic-flavored "Twilight Dreams" is a lullaby for Bella and "every child who finds solace and peace in slumber." Gentle bells suggest stars twinkling in a dark sky while flute, angelic voices and strings share a message of hope. Rick Sparks first heard "Smiling" in a television commercial for Omega watches! Composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, Rick arranged and recorded the piece for piano and strings. "My Valentine" is a cover of Paul McCartney's 2012 single, a rainy-day love song arranged for piano, flute, keyboard and strings.  "Autumn Rain" begins as a piano solo, adding strings and light choral voices along the way. The piano is a fantastic instrument for depicting rain and this one is very gentle and refreshing. The pan flute on "Highland Road" magically transports us to the green highlands of Scotland. Piano and strings add tonal colors as well as their own magical qualities. "Last Goodbye" reaches out to the huge number of people who said their "last goodbyes" to loved ones during the pandemic. "I used angelic voices to lend an ethereal, spiritual tone to the farewell." Piano, strings and organ also contribute to this deeply-affecting music. The third cover piece, "Going Home," is a beautiful arrangement of the "Largo" movement of Anton(in) Dvorak's "New World Symphony." Strings, piano and voices focus on the simple melody that communicates strong feelings of longing and loneliness. Considered to be one of the most beautiful melodies ever composed, Sparks' arrangement is simple and heartfelt. "A New World" was composed as a companion piece to "Going Home": "heading for a new world that we so often dream of, a place of peace & love." "Her Prayer" returns to the portrait of Bella for the final track of the album. The only piano solo, Sparks' expressive touch on the piano keys reflects the feelings of hope and sincerity found  in that sweet little girl's face.

"Bella" is one of Rick Sparks' best albums to date!


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"High Wind Blue Sky" is Canadian composer/guitarist David Lindsay's third collaboration with the crew from Will Ackerman's Imaginary Road Studio in Vermont and is a soothing, relaxing acoustic masterpiece. Roughly 3/4 of an hour of listening bliss, the album features one full acoustic guitar solo and nine guitar and ensemble works (all original compositions) that include Eugene Friesen (cello), Noah Wilding (wordless vocals), Charlie Bisharat (violin), Jill Haley (English horn), Jeff Haynes (percussion), Jeff Oster (flugelhorn) as well as Will Ackerman (guitar and production) and Tom Eaton (bass, piano, fretless bass, 5-string bass, engineering, mastering, recording and co-producing!!!). While all ten tracks are very peaceful, they are also reflective and tinged with melancholy - a beautiful and very satisfying respite from the stress and craziness of life in the 21st century (so far!).

In addition to composing and playing music, David Lindsay has been studying at the Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto. His love for the guitar started when he was eight years old, playing imaginary guitar (with a tennis racket!) and pretending to be John Lennon. He studied classical guitar performance and lute at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia and has also practiced law, giving him a very wide variety of life experiences to draw from in his music.

"High Wind Blue Sky" begins with the solo guitar title song, a piece inspired by the feeling "that follows a time of deep sorrows when the gift of grace brings a renewal of the spirit, like Spring bringing light and hope after the dark Winter." Quietly introspective, the music comes straight  from the heart. "Slow Walk Home" begins as a guitar solo, adding cello, voice, light percussion and Ackerman's guitar as it evolves. The smoothness of bowed cello and Wilding's voice create a wonderful study in contrasts with the strummed strings of the guitars. Thoughtful and serene, it's a gorgeous piece! "Agnes" is almost mournful in its emotional expression. A seven-minute piece, the first half is a soulful guitar solo. The mood seems to lighten with the addition of bass, piano, percussion and Ackerman's guitar - I really love this one! "Birds" is a wonderful trio for guitar, English horn and bass. Sometimes soaring and sometimes more grounded and still, Jill Haley's performance adds a haunting quality that is both visual and compelling. "For Margot" was composed for Lindsay's daughter and is the most light-hearted piece on the album. "Sea Swells" reflects on some of the consistent qualities of the ocean as well as some of its many contrasts. Performed with guitar, voice, cello and English horn, it is both peaceful and in constant motion. "Dear Friend" seems to express the trust, intimacy and easy rapport shared between the best of friends. Warm, comfortable and very open, this exceptional piece features guitars, cello, piano and percussion.

What a great album! Don't miss it!


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Once again proving his unpredictability as a composer, pianist and musical storyteller, Tobin Mueller's "Instead of Heaven" is a collection of ten solo piano meditations inspired by Greek mythology and arranged as an instrumental song cycle. The stories and myths vary from well-known to more obscure, but Mueller has also assembled a series of music videos that illustrate and tell the stories in a very interesting and relatable format. Quoting Mueller:

"The music is fluid and modal, melding Romanticism, Impressionism, post-bop Jazz and New Age. Mueller freely takes from many genres, folding them into his own unique style. "Instead of Heaven" is, on one level, a statement of quiet joy - a pianist's existential replacement for heaven. It is also a testimony to how ancient stories continue to guide and inform contemporary creativity.... 'Many of these stories are tragedies,' Mueller relates. 'But optimism grows out of tragedy. Not just by counting our own blessings, but through lessons learned and heroism earned. This is what my music tries to uncover: hope and wisdom resulting from each choice honestly confronted. The Hero's Journey is fundamentally about redemption.'"

Each piece and its story could take chapters to describe and explain, but I'll give a short sampling of some of my favorites. "Instead of Heaven" begins with "Apollo's Lyre," a tribute to the Greek god who invented music as well as being the god of sun and light, truth and prophecy, poetry and more. Written in 5/4 time as an homage to the lyre's five strings, the piece is often playful and has a melodic theme that weaves in and out of the piece. Some passages of "Daedalus' Gift of Wings" have a fluttering quality like the movement of wings, and others soar skyward with a feeling of freedom. Still passages express feelings of loss and perhaps regret at the loss of Daedalus' son, Icarus, when he flew too close to the sun. "Morpheus, Prelude to Emancipation" begins in a piano blues style and "morphs to a dreamier impressionistic trance." Morpheus is the god associated with sleep and dreams and this piece illustrates "the moment just before sleep when the world falls away and illusions find their own wings." Much of "Reflections of Narcissus" shimmers like the subtle movement of water on a lake or pond, an obvious reference to Narcissus falling in love with his own reflection. Mueller's meditation on "Sisyphus Cheating Death" is in tango form with variations on the theme throughout the piece symbolizing Sisyphus' endless quest to push a huge rock up a hill only to have it roll back down just before reaching the top.

As I've said many times in previous reviews, Tobin Mueller's creativity and musical ideas know no bounds and "Instead of Heaven" takes us in a different direction from most of his other work. If you're in the mood for something different, give this album a try!


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Charles David Denler's "Portraits In Season Live" was recorded with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The music was first released in 2015 as a virtual (synth) suite and had its premier in November 2015 with a sold-out concert with Denler and the Boulder (Colorado) Philharmonic. As is true with all of Denler's music, the piano features prominently. Denler has won three EMMYs, scored close to 200 films and television programs, and has won more prominent awards than I can list here.

"Portraits In Season Live" was inspired by the composer's childhood home in New England. Quoting Denler from the liner notes: "I often find myself walking the forests and meadows throughout all of the glorious four seasons. My sojourns in the beauty and vastness of creation also carry me through the seasons of life itself: the ultimate traverse, I think, with a golden vista around every corner.  This suite is a reflection from my journey. I've always felt that the cadence of our beautiful seasons is a gentle reminder that life is the most beautiful, and delicate, of all the gifts we've been given." The warmth and optimism of Denler's words flow throughout this beautiful album. The first seven tracks are the Suite for piano and orchestra; tracks 8-11 are "Seasonal Variations" for solo piano.

"Portraits in Season Live" begins with "Season's Overture," a relatively short piece that introduces some of the prominent themes from the movements that follow. "Return of Spring" begins with a peaceful piano solo that overflows with anticipation as strings and then the full orchestra are added, keeping the piano in the lead. "Woodland Flowers of June" begins with bird-like calls played on piccolo supported by light strings, oboe and flutes before becoming fully orchestrated. Images flow of colorful flowers nodding in gentle breezes and warm sunshine. "Mid Summer's Intermezzo" reflects on the lazy days of summer and the slower pace of life as the days grow longer and the weather warms. "Autumn's Last Leaf" foreshadows the coming of winter as the trees explode with their dramatic fall colors. The piano does a wonderful job of evoking images of the falling leaves. "A Winter's Memory" expresses a feeling of stillness and quiet. "Season's Finale" brings the Suite to a beautiful close, briefly summarizing the four seasons.

The solo piano Variations part of the album begins with "Spring Variation: Spring Meadows," a gently-flowing piece of musical bliss. "Summer Variation: The Water Garden" beautifully captures the effortless movement of a pond or pool and occasional droplets of water dancing on the surface. "Fall Variation: Leaf on the Wind" conveys images of the capricious nature of wind and the unpredictable path of a leaf caught in its path. "Winter Variation: Winter's Repose" is very open and still, and actually feels icy - a peaceful close to this excellent album!

Highly recommended!


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One of the most fascinating artists I've gotten to know over the past fifteen years or so has been Tobin Mueller. I reviewed his first album of original piano solos, "Morning Whispers," back in 2006 and have followed his thrill-ride of a musical journey since then, never knowing what's coming next but always knowing it will be original, fascinating and completely honest. A composer, playwright and interpretive pianist living in Connecticut, Tobin's works include musical theatre, film scores, ballets, symphonies, video game soundtracks and children's music. He has written lyrics, stage plays, fiction, political essays, poetry, philosophy, domestic humor, video games, music and keyboard reviews. He has sold his photographs to the hotel industry and his digital illustrations have been part of his web design work, but Tobin has always thought of himself as a composer, first and foremost. All of his varied influences and experiences have given Tobin a unique and original voice, and he never seems to tire of trying new things. I'm so glad our paths crossed early on so I could follow his steps over the years!

"Puzzle People" is Tobin's 24th album that I have reviewed and is a collection of his award-winning poetry and music. The seven poems are spoken by Tobin's brother-in-law, Gregory Deltufo, with original music providing an illustrative backdrop for the words. The CD includes an 8-page booklet with the poems written out. Along with the poems, the album includes three instrumental tracks - two originals and Tobin's arrangement of Lionel Bart's "Where Is Love?."

"Puzzle People" begins with "As Simple As Soap," a rather unusual ode to a passionate and enduring love. The musical backdrop is a simple mix of light percussion and synth orchestration that supports the beautiful words without distracting away from them. "The Fall" is a modern (and slightly ironic) interpretation of the biblical story of Adam and Eve. The music behind it for the first couple of verses is a jazzy organ and percussion track that also seems a bit ironic. The second half of the poem is more introspective, and the music changes to a quieter, very lovely piano piece. "The Cigarette" tells a rather bitter tale of love gone bad, accompanied by plucked acoustic bass strings (Ron Carter) and Tobin's funky organ. "Old" is an especially touching poem about the loss of an aging mother and closes with the line "And I am no longer part child." A poignant piano solo plays behind the poem and at the beginning and end, it sounds like an old LP playing. "Puzzle People" is a bit of a puzzle itself, as poetry often is - meaning different things to different people. The music behind it is mostly electronic and includes Fran Dagostino on acoustic guitar. "Waltz For Suzanne" is a slow solo piano piece composed for Tobin's wife. Freely expressive, I don't think it stays in 3/4 time for very long! Is that a problem? Nope! "I Want To Die Awake" presents a very interesting concept for an ideal way to leave this life and move on to the next - fully aware, in control and with everything in place. Jim Edwards appears on electric guitar. The final track is an organ/ keyboard piece called "Chaos Is A Ladder" that is impossible to categorize other than to say it was composed and performed by the inimitable Tobin Mueller. Colorful and cinematic, it's a very satisfying ending track.

Highly recommended!


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"More Than Time" is the follow-up to Ryan Michael Richards' 2014 debut, "Experiences." Produced by Will Ackerman and co-produced, mixed and mastered by Tom Eaton, the sound quality of the album is flawless - clear and sparkling without being overly bright. Two of the five tracks are acoustic guitar solos and the other three feature a few of the stellar musicians who often appear on recordings from Will Ackerman's Imaginary Road Studio. All five pieces were composed by Richards and all have a relaxed, soothing quality that is the perfect antidote to the stress and craziness of our present time - and any time, really! A gentle warmth runs through all of the music that just makes you feel good, and who couldn't use a little more of that?

"More Than Time" begins with "Moving Forward," one of the guitar solos. The beautifully bittersweet melody seems to be telling a very personal story that comes from the heart - open and completely honest - an inspiring start! "At Your Leisure" features Premik on lyricon (an electronic wind instrument that sounds like a cross between a flute and clarinet with a greater tonal range) and Michael Manring on electric bass. It begins with a solo guitar intro that sets the easy-going tone of the piece and makes me think of a blissful walk in nature with sunshine and flowers all around. "May I Have This Dance?" is a lovely trio for guitar, English horn (Jill Haley) and violin (Charlie Bisharat). Slow and graceful, I can picture it as a rather shy invitation that begins tentatively and takes flight as the music spins its magic. "Friday At Five" is the second guitar solo and my favorite of the five tracks. Gently rhythmic and introspective, the minor-key  chords give it just a touch of mystery while expressing a conversational feeling. I really love this one! "Timeless" is a breezy duet for guitar and soprano sax (Premik) that floats effortlessly through the air, soothing the mind and relaxing the spirit.

At twenty minutes, this is a short album, but the quality of the music and the way it makes you feel more than make up for its brevity. Be sure to check it out!


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I’ve lost track of how many albums pianist/composer Louis Landon has released, but "Southwest Solo Piano" is the twenty-seventh album of his that I’ve reviewed! A lifelong career musician, Landon has played and performed with some of the best artists in a variety of genres, but it is his original solo piano music that really defines him as an artist. Louis has made his home in the Southwest region of the US for the past several years, and his music has become much freer and more expansive. It is the beauty of the area that inspired the fourteen tracks on this album, and Landon explains his process: “The way that I created the music on this album was by visualizing some of the most beautiful places and then improvising music based on the thoughts and feelings that came up.” The titles of most of the pieces indicate the places that inspired them. The album was recorded at The Peace Palace, Landon’s home recording studio, and then mastered by Joe Bongiorno at Piano Haven Studio in Sedona, AZ.

"Southwest Solo Piano" begins with “Agave,” one of my favorites on the album. Inspired by some of the very distinctive plants of the Southwest, the piece has a swiftly-moving flow that is both uplifting and gently energetic.  “Antelope Canyon” is more atmospheric and ambient and seems to suggest the shimmering beauty of the heat of the day and how it slows everything to a relaxed pace. Vast and expansive, I really like this one, too! “Apache Trail” is quite different. The left hand keeps a steady drum-like rhythm while the right hand dances freely on the piano keys. Lively, yet darkly mysterious, it has a distinctly Native American feel. “Tuscon” has a light and breezy mood that is both carefree and joyous. The hypnotic “Monsoon” is another favorite. The left hand keeps a steady rhythm while the right hand is much freer and occasionally cascades down the piano keyboard to emulate the dramatic, heavy rainfall. “Bandelier National Monument” is named for an area in New Mexico that preserves the homes and territory of the Ancestral Puebloan’s. The homes are dwellings built into rocky hillsides and the surrounding areas are majestic. The piece creates a lovely blend of mystery and reverence - and yet another favorite! “House Mountain” is near Sedona, AZ, and the piece with that title is slow and expressive, conveying awe and wonder. “The Grand Canyon” closes the album with a bluesy gospel feeling that I makes me smile every time. Big and celebratory, it’s the perfect close to a great album!

If you’ve never visited the Southwest, this album will certainly kindle your desire to see it for yourself. If you have been there, Landon’s musical imagery will take you right back! Both thumbs up!


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Pianist/composer Louis Landon continues his incredibly prolific creative streak with "Heartfelt Solo Piano," the second of four albums of new music released in 2019. Many of Landon’s albums are geared toward healing and are more meditative and soothing, but this one has a powerful range of emotions and dynamics. All but one of the fourteen tracks were recorded at The Peace Palace (Landon’s home studio in Sedona, Arizona) and the album was mastered by Joe Bongiorno at Piano Haven, also in Sedona. One of the most accomplished pianists in the genre (in several genres, actually!), Landon can do absolutely anything he chooses at the piano and make it sound effortless and wonderful!

"Heartfelt Solo Piano" begins with “Innocence,” the perfect title for this gentle piece of musical tenderness. I sometimes wonder if anyone remembers what innocence is anymore, so this is a lovely reminder! “Sweet Honey” is light and carefree with a playful lilt. “Sweet Sadness” conveys the feeling of an honest and intimate conversation where both people are communicating from the heart. “Foreign Lands” is the first of several favorites. I love the energy of the rolling broken chords in the left hand, the somewhat exotic melody on the right and the shifts from major to minor chords throughout. “Have No Fear” cranks up the energy level several notches with a swirling melody built around a descending chord progression. “Epic World” is my favorite piece on the album. Passionate and dramatic, the themes vary from poignant to fiery and show what an amazing pianist Landon is. This one has a very big “wow!” factor as well as a ton of emotional expression. “Resting In Grace” is another favorite. Expressing compassion and hope with warmth and honesty, it feels like a loving hug. The gorgeous melody in “Remembering” says more than words ever could as it reaches into the soul with deep emotion - I love this one! “Viva” is a high-energy thrill ride that swirls and dances for joy. “Day of Reckoning” is much darker and more serious, as the title implies. “Pure Joy” is a piece recorded at a live performance and I suspect it’s an improvisation (Landon is a master of improvisation!). It moves effortlessly from smooth and easy to up-tempo gospel without batting an eyelash and, judging from the audience reaction at the end, it was obviously a real crowd-pleaser - AND a great way to end this excellent album!

"Heartfelt Solo Piano" is a winner from beginning to end!


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"Journey Home" is the debut recording by solo acoustic guitarist Raphael Groten. Produced by Will Ackerman and recorded at Imaginary Road Studio on Ackerman’s own guitars, this gentle album was created as an offering to those who wish to “Journey Home” within. In Ackerman’s words: “Raphael Groten’s music is an exercise in grace and ease. He’s not out to impress you and he’s not in a hurry. His music beguiles. He creates spaces into which one falls fully and gratefully. Raphael paints pictures of peace and contemplation and creates musical worlds that one longs to visit.” I couldn’t have said it better! The fourteen tracks are spacious and heartfelt, soothing the mind and spirit with each stroke of the guitar strings. Beautifully engineered and mastered by Tom Eaton, the guitar sound is clear and clean, but never harsh. A guitarist for more than thirty years, Groten’s debut is impressive and masterful with the elegance and simplicity of a musician who is at one with his music. This is a wonderful album for relaxation and renewal, and also works well as background music in a quiet setting.

"Journey Home" begins with “Sweetness,” a lovely piece that says as much with the spaces between the notes as it does with the notes themselves. Relaxed and soft-spoken, it sets the mood for the album, which is consistently quiet and easy-going. “Black River” is also very smooth and calm with freely-changing tempos and a dreamy feel. “Journey Home Awakening” is sometimes melodic, but is mostly on the ambient side with graceful open spaces between many of the musical thoughts. If possible, “Journey Home Breath” is even more open, expressing musical thoughts freely and spontaneously - almost conversationally. “Journey Home Echoes” is one of the most subtle tracks of the album, perhaps expressing how a guitar whispers. “Journey Home Arrival’ has the feeling of completion and resolution yet retains the quiet charm of the previous tracks. “Grandpa’s Hands,” while remaining in the quiet mode, tells a story that overflows with love and reflection. More melodic than the other tracks, it also has occasional “percussive” effects played on the body of the guitar. The gently-flowing “Be” spills over with warmth and encouragement, and is a bit livelier than most of the other tracks - a favorite. The album closes with a shorter reprise of the opening “Sweetness.”

"Journey Home" is a wonderful introduction to Raphael Groten and his music!  Recommended!


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"End of a Day" is a piano and ensemble album of thirteen original pieces by Matt Johnson that he dedicated to his son, Luke. More than twenty performers added their talents to the music, including a Boston Symphony string section. The music is varied in mood and styling from slow ballads to smooth jazz, Latin jazz, new age and more. Johnson performs on piano, keyboards, percussion and handbells, and additional instrumentation includes flutes, brass, sax, vocals, vibes, bass and guitars.

Matt Johnson is a classically-trained pianist who earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Oklahoma Baptist University and his Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Composition with a Distinction in Performance from New England Conservatory of Music. A prolific composer and performer as well as a sought-after teacher, Johnson has performed extensively in venues from Boston to Brazil. His music is a neo-romantic blending of contemporary jazz, new age, popular and classical elements that give his music a very distinctive sound.

"End of a Day" begins with “Attack of the Killer Bunnies,” an intriguing title, indeed! The piece starts out as a slow sax and piano duet reminiscent of film noir music, but don’t let the intro fool you! At about the 1-minute mark, it becomes a lively jazz piece with a playful and  infectious Latin beat that will have your toes tapping in no time! “Luke’s Theme” is the first piece Matt composed after Luke was born. Slow and dreamy, I’m sure it was an effective lullaby for both father and son! “Well, My Heart’s So Sad” is a favorite. Piano and strings paint a poignant, melancholy picture in shades of deep blue and gray. “Stereo Kisses” feels very much like a warm, lingering hug with piano, sax, cello and bass illustrating what you get when a baby is held between mommy and daddy while receiving lots of kisses on each cheek. The repeated piano pattern suggests comfort and safety as well as unwavering parental love. “BOO!” cranks up the energy level with a lively Latin rhythm swirling around trumpets, saxes and flutes. I’ll bet you can’t listen to this one all the way through without cracking a smile! The title track is a beautiful nocturne inspired by the special time shared while putting Luke to bed - another favorite. I also really like “Shadows On the Wall,” a slow, uncomplicated piano solo with classical roots. “Fairy Tales” is an enchanting slow dance guaranteed to soothe a soul of any age. “Kiss Away the Hurt” brings the album to a close with a tender piano/vocal/sax song inspired by rocking a child with a hurt knee to sleep while humming this lovely tune.

Although "End of a Day" was recorded twenty-four years ago, the music is timeless and just as interesting today as it was when it was first “born.”


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"An Endless Premonition" a suite of five extended pieces of what SF Bay Area composer/guitarist/producer Carl Weingarten refers to as “symphonic space guitar.” Grammy-winning bassist Michael Manring is featured on two of the tracks, but all of the other instrumentation and sound effects are created on electric slide guitar with looping and atomic delays. This really surprised me, as I assumed that many of the sounds were generated with synths and electronic keyboards. It is interesting to note that Weingarten started exploring long-form atmospheric sounds as far back as 1979 and on his early recordings such as "Submergings" (1981). Of course, the tools and toys have changed dramatically over the last 35 years, and Weingarten didn’t want his new album to sound like the many other artists in the field who use looping techniques, so after experimenting for awhile, he started using the guitar as a “trigger” to produce sounds that are in constant change whether or not he is actively playing. As a result, the effects are usually in the foreground rather than the usual more melodic sounds of the guitar. The tracks were all recorded live in the studio and are first-takes with no overdubs. It is also very interesting to learn that Weingarten’s college degree is in film-making, not music, and that before he started playing the guitar as a teenager, his focus was in the visual arts. An avid photographer as well as a musician, Weingarten’s music has many of the characteristics of a film soundtrack that evokes vibrant, colorful images in the mind.

The five tracks range in duration from about 6 1/2 minutes to almost 15 1/2, with three tracks well over ten minutes each. So, writing a brief summary of each is difficult at best - especially when the music is so ambient and ethereal. The overall effect of the album is one of slowly and peacefully floating through deep space, unthreatened and unencumbered by any earthly ties. I find it extremely relaxing.

"An Endless Premonition" is a masterful creation that sounds effortless. If you like ambient and/or space music, this is a must!


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"Mystique" is a collection of twenty-five original piano solos by Bill Whitfield, a composer/pianist from South Carolina. Intended to soothe, relax, and uplift, Mystique provides about 1 1/4 hours of gentle solo piano music that easily slips into the background for dining, reading, or any quiet activities; is a cheerful and calming companion while driving; or simply provides a healthy dose of feel-good music. There are no dramatic mood changes from one piece to the next and none of the pieces are at all flamboyant or showy, but the music is played with the confidence of a pianist who knows when to keep it simple but could probably blow us all out of the water if he really wanted to! The emphasis is on graceful melodies and warm, peaceful emotions. Whitfield has released six albums over the past four years (with a seventh scheduled for October 2016), and has composed more than 100 new pieces in that relatively short period of time.

In the liner notes of the CD, Whitfield quotes Sir William Blake: “The gift of music is our creator’s greatest gift … with every resounding note played the musician imparts to human hearts a brief glimpse into our creator’s perfect paradise … transporting men’s souls into a place of eternal peace, love and joy.” I would say that Blake sums up this album better than any words I could come up with!

There are too many songs to write about each one, but I’ll mention a few highlights. The title track begins the album and is probably my favorite piece in the collection. It has a very beautiful, graceful flow and the melody is bittersweet and full of longing - love it! “Nostalgic Dreams” is slow and just slightly melancholy, as nostalgic moments often are. “Thoughtful Moments” is warm, tender and velvety-smooth. “Midnight Ballet” is a quiet minor-key beauty that has a slow, graceful motion I really like. “Enchanted” is soothing, hypnotic and heartfelt while “Melodic Reflections” offers a warm, comforting musical hug. “Fleeting Moments” could easily be about butterflies dancing from flower to flower on a warm spring afternoon or a daydream on a grassy hillside - sweet pleasure and contentment! “Journey’s End” expresses the mix of emotions experienced with the conclusion of an adventure, a project, or any other kind of journey. There is a sense of accomplishment but also a bit of sadness that it is over. “Contentment” brings this lovely album to a close with warmth and quiet peacefulness.

I look forward to exploring Bill Whitfield’s previous releases as well as the next one! If you are looking for some quiet, soothing piano solos, "Mystique" is a very good choice!


title: From MainlyPiano

text:
2016 is the centennial celebration for the US National Parks, and "National Parks Soundscapes" is a collection of original pieces by Jill Haley that were inspired by twelve of the parks in the system. It is also a thank you to the Park Service and a reminder that we need to be diligent in ensuring that the parks are preserved for generations to come. Over the past several years, Haley has released "Mesa Verde Soundscapes" (2014), "Zion and Bryce Canyon Soundscapes" (2012), and "Glacier Soundscapes" (2010). Four of the pieces from those three albums appear on this album and the other eight celebrate the beauty and splendor Cuyahoga Valley, Badlands, Acadia, Shenandoah, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Everglades, and Valley Forge National Parks. Haley is probably best-known for her distinctive  English horn and oboe playing on many of Will Ackerman’s productions, but she is also an accomplished pianist and composer. In fact, "Mesa Verde Soundscapes" was awarded “Best Piano Album with Instrumentation” by the Zone Music Reporter in 2014. It is interesting to note that this National Parks series has been something of a family project with Haley’s husband, David Cullen performing on guitar and bass, daughter Dana Cullen on horn, and son Graham Cullen on cello; Tony Deangelis also appears on percussion and snare drum. Haley performs on piano, English horn, and oboe. The CD package also includes a wonderful 15-page full-color booklet with photos Haley took at each of the parks.

"National Parks Soundscapes" begins with “The Ledges,” a tribute to 300 million year old sandstone formations in a hemlock forest. Both graceful and soaring, piano, English horn and light percussion paint a vivid picture of this area of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. “Prairie Grass Dance” is a wonderful duet for English horn and guitar (plus bass) that suggests vast open spaces and the movement of wind through the grasses - I love this one! In “Waters of Acadia,” the piano expresses the flowing movement of water while English horn plays a peaceful melody over the top. “Shenandoah Stillness” is a duet for piano and guitar inspired by the profound quiet of this park - another favorite! “Towers and Kivas,” a spirited trio for guitar, bass, and english horn, was a favorite from the Mesa Verde album. “Mariposa Sanctuary” was inspired by walking among the giant redwoods in Yosemite while sunlight was filtering through the branches - always a magical experience! This piece features Haley on piano, English horn, and oboe. “Sunrift Gorge” (Glacier) picks up the tempo a bit with a joyful trio for English horn, guitar, and bass - and yet another favorite! “A Soldier’s Sacrifice” is quite different from the other pieces. It begins with a solo snare drum that suggests a battlefield. Piano and English horn express the sacrifices made by so many at Valley Forge - a very stirring tribute and memorial!

If you have heard and enjoyed any of Jill Haley’s National Park series, this is a collection that you have to have! If you have enjoyed visiting any of our National Parks, you will love these soundscapes! If neither of those fit your description, then you really need to get this album to discover what you have been missing! Very highly recommended!


title: From MainlyPiano

text:
"Just Piano 2" is the second in a series of original solo piano recordings from British pianist/composer Kerry Barnes. Self-taught from an early age until she was in her late teens, Barnes went on to pass her Grade 7 and 8 Music Exams in a period of four months, and later earned several composing certifications as well. She now composes music for the Board Exams as well as for her own recordings and sheet music. More than 20 years ago, Barnes was diagnosed with Focal Dystonia, an incurable neurological condition that primarily affects the hands and fingers. It manifests itself by causing complete incoordination, and is also very painful. Given those limitations, it is more than impressive that Barnes continues to be driven to create and share her music. Although she works within a collection of basic patterns that her brain will allow her to play, Barnes’ music is not repetitive or simplistic. She has done extensive studies of Russian classical music and some of those influences are apparent in her original work. Just Piano 2 is dedicated to the memory of Barnes’ sister, Jane, who passed away last year from cancer. The music on the album ranges from bright and playful to expressing grief, and most of the sixteen pieces are classically structured and very melodic; they are also very expressive and colorful.

"Just Piano 2" begins with “Pastures New,” a piece with a gracefully flowing left hand and a lovely, bittersweet melody that builds to a passionate middle section and then returns to the original melody - a beautiful start! “Latinopia” takes on a smoldering, exotic flavor that is quite different from Barnes’ other music - I like it! “Polish Dance” hints of Chopin’s  elegance and emotional power without getting into his finger-twisting intricacies. “Sister’s Lament” was played at Kerry’s sister’s funeral, and although sadness is the underlying emotion, I sense many happy memories were interwoven throughout the piece. “Circles 2” is much more playful and carefree. “Perpetual Motion” is a favorite. Moving constantly, with frequent changes from major to minor keys and some effective deep bass accents that reverberate from the low end of the piano, it’s a fascinating study. “Christine” is a gorgeous expression of love from deep within. Graceful and very sincere, it’s a beauty! “Floral Notes” is so simple and so spare, but touches the heart with its honesty and openness. As the title suggests, “Poem Melancholia” is not about a happy experience, but the piece isn’t without hope. The last track is called “Just a Minute” and lasts for all of 51 seconds, ending the album playfully and with a grin.

What a happy discovery Kerry Barnes and her music have been! I have thoroughly enjoyed both "Just Piano" and "Just Piano 2," and look forward to hearing more of what Ms Barnes has to offer! Check it out!


title: From MainlyPiano

text:
"Daytime Dreamer" is the fifth Real Music release from Omar Akram and the follow-up to his 2012 Grammy-winning "Echoes of Love." Performing on piano, keyboards and synthesizers, Omar is joined by an impressive roster of supporting musicians that includes David Arana, Pedro Eustache, Ramon Stagnaro, Charlie Bisharat, and Gregg Karukas. As the title implies, this music is warm and dreamy, sometimes gently flowing and sometimes a bit more upbeat and lively. Six of the eleven tracks are new, and five appeared on Omar's first two albums, "Opal Fire" (2002) and "Free As a Bird" (2004). Having grown up in places all over the world, Omar has always taken a world-music approach to his compositions in both instrumentation and by utilizing a variety of cultural styles. Those exotic influences don't seem as strong on Daytime Dreamer, but passion, romance, and some really fine music abound.

"Daytime Dreamer" begins with "Downpour," a piano-based piece with a strong beat and feelings of excitement - a great start! "Dancing With the Wind" is spirited and joyful, and features piano, violin (Bisharat), guitar (Stagnaro), and percussion. "Surrender" begins with exotic voices and a soulful duduk (an ancient Middle Eastern woodwind instrument), gradually adding piano and keyboard, violin, and guitar - a beauty and one of my favorites. "Passage Into Midnight" begins as a lovely, bittersweet duet for piano and guitar, gathering momentum as it evolves and becoming a rhythmic Latin dance that showcases Bisharat's energetic violin. The title track is a sweetly hypnotic piece for piano, oud (similar to a lute), and keyboards. "Love Of My Heart" expresses passion and tenderness with sensual piano and strings. Gentle as a whisper, "The Promise" features violin (Drew Tretick) and piano backed with pastel keyboard washes - graceful and wistful. "Morning Rain" was one of my favorites from Opal Fire, so it's great to know it will be more widely-heard this time around. Light and carefree, it's a favorite all over again. I also dearly love "Last Dance" (from the same album) with its infectious rhythms and intoxicating spirit. Great stuff!! "My Desire" closes the album with a passionate slow dance that is magical and romantic.

As a Grammy winner, I'm sure Omar Akram will be held to a new standard, and "Daytime Dreamer" does not disappoint. Recommended!


title: Astounding!!!

text:
"The Random and the Purpose" was Dax Johnson's second solo piano CD, released in 2000, and the first recording to utilize the fourth pedal, his own invention, which creates wonderful alterations to the sound of the piano. Dax was a good friend of mine, but I was never able to get a copy of this CD until I was recently asked to review it for a new posthumous promotion of his music. After listening to this CD a couple of times, I was moved to get out Dax's other recordings (two solo piano and a vocal) and listen to them again. It was almost overwhelming to revisit the raw emotion in his music and to remember the tremendously gifted artist that we lost in 2005. I was fortunate to have seen Dax play live several times, and he was one of the most charismatic people I have ever met or seen onstage. Fortunately, his musical legacy remains with us, and such a gift it is. Looking more like a biker than a "neoclassical" pianist, Dax seemed to enjoy his reputation as the "bad boy" of the piano, but his music clearly demonstrates an artist of emotional depth who understood the human condition and crammed more living into his brief thirty years than most do in a lifetime.

The CD  begins appropriately enough with "Introduction (Fade In)," the first recording to feature Dax's fourth pedal invention. This "pedal" was a block that was placed on some of the strings to mute them. Some pianists do this with one hand, but the pedal allowed Dax to continue playing with both hands - usually with one playing the muted strings, which had a metallic, plucked sound, and the other playing unaltered strings. The effect was incredible. "A Moment In the Life of Me" is raw, naked emotion and inner exploration - an amazing piece. The title track is very dark, intense, and mysterious - pure Dax. "Through the Storm" is a masterpiece of inner turmoil and turbulence that shows how effective the fourth pedal can be. Dax's interpretation of Pachelbel's "Canon" made me laugh. Nearly every pianist on the planet has recorded this chestnut, but leave it to Dax to change it to a minor key! One thing that never wavered with Dax was his love for his children. "Child's Garden" is all about that love and discovering a part of his heart that he didn't know existed before becoming a father. A four-part piece (that expanded for his next album, "Levity"), it includes the prologue and a piece for each of Dax's (then) two children and niece. This is some of his most beautiful and tender music. "The Race" is one of Dax's signature pieces - very dark and intense. "Ruler of One" was also on "Merciful Dwelling," Dax's debut. Symbolic of manic depression, he said he made so many mistakes the first time that he decided to do it again - another great piece. The closing bonus track is Dax having fun playing blues in a live setting.

If you are new to Dax Johnson's music, this is a great place to start. You won't hear piano music like this from anyone else - amazing stuff! I give it my highest recommendation.


title: From MainlyPiano.com

text:
I have a little story about "Sunnyside Blues" that will give you an idea of how awed I am by this CD and David Shenton's playing. I always listen to CDs a minimum of five times before writing a review, and I usually listen to them first in my wake-up CD player. When I awaken to solo piano CDs, I often drift back to sleep and dream about teaching piano lessons. That's what happened with this CD, and in my dream, the pianist was a twelve-year-old boy. His parents wanted me to become his piano teacher, and I was in an absolute panic after hearing this "kid" play!!! "What am I going to teach him????" "He's a genius - I'm in over my head!" When I woke up and realized I had been listening to David Shenton, I had to lay there and laugh! I've known David Shenton for about a year as an excellent sheet music transcriber, but had never heard him play and didn't know anything about him or his background. When this CD arrived, I started digging around on the internet and am absolutely amazed at what a consummate artist he is. (We are working on an interview, so be on the lookout for that - it is bound to be extraordinary!) Classically-trained from an early age in both piano and violin, Shenton graduated with high honors from the Royal College of Music in London. He taught himself to play jazz in the mid-90's and came to the US in 2002, settling in New York. Since then, he has been awarded the title of "The Best Piano Player in New York City" - a very heady but well-earned title. Incredibly versatile, this guy can do anything at the piano.

"Sunnyside Blues" was conceived as musical tour of the western portion of Queens in New York City, where Shenton lives. The title track begins the tour with an easy pace and some really tasty piano blues. Check out the speed and clarity of those runs! Yikes - the boy can PLAY!! All of the tracks on this CD are incredibly good, but I'll mention a few favorites. "Habanera 46" is dark, sensuous, and elegant. Reflective of the rhythm of the train pulling into the station on 46th street as well as the Hispanic influence on that area, this piece is much more classical than jazz, and what a beauty it is! My favorite track is "Feelin' Blue on the Q32," a piece originally written for a short film ("Beauty," starring Joseph Melendez), adapted and extended for this album. Passionate and eloquent, this piece is absolutely haunting (we need sheet music for this one, David!!!). "The Song of Skillman Avenue" takes us to another side of Shenton's playing - soft, gentle, and very dreamy. "The Ballad of Bliss Street" continues in this vein of quiet calm, although it intensifies a bit as it builds, again demonstrating stop-in-your-tracks playing chops that are so effortless. "Take the 7 Train" is a fascinating rhythmic study. Written in 7/8 time, it actually feels like a train hurtling down the tracks. In my sleepy first hearing of "The Rawson Street Rag," I thought Shenton was playing a Scott Joplin rag. Instead, he has captured the joy and spirit of Joplin's music in his own composition - great fun! "Zip Code Blues" returns us to a slinky blues piece based on the chord progressions of Shenton's zip code!

What an incredible album to start the year with! Give your ears a treat and listen to someone who really understands the piano and all the different moods it can evoke. "Sunnyside Blues" is nothing short of brilliant, and I give it my highest recommendation! WOW!


title: From MainlyPiano.com

text:
Bruce Smith has produced a staggering nineteen CDs since 2001. He has taken the best of those works and created "Piano Trilogy," a set of three solo piano CDs with more than an hour of music on each. Many artists claim to be able to freely combine classical, new age, and jazz stylings, but Bruce Smith is the real deal in that regard. Elegant and sophisticated are two words that immediately come to mind to describe both the music and Smith's playing style; timeless is another. Combining original works with arrangements of old favorites, Bruce Smith has presented an eclectic collection of his best music that truly needs to be heard. Over the course of the past several years, Bruce Smith has become one of my favorite artists, and I hope to spread the word!

"Trilogy 1" begins with "La Dolce Vida," a fascinating piece that begins in a Baroque style and evolves into a more contemporary and sentimental theme that then effectively combines the two styles for the last minute or so. "Just You and Me" is a lovely, old-fashioned slow dance full of warmth and ease. "Contemporary Fugue" is just what the title implies. Lively and bright, it conveys a feeling of fun. "Whimsical" continues the playful mood in a clever jazz style. "Journey of Dreams" is a favorite. Graceful and flowing, the beautiful melody is, well, dreamy! "Cool Fancy" is another favorite. A sassy, bluesy attitude makes it a standout. "My Fine Irish Rose" combines Celtic dance with a traditional ballad style to make a charming, happy song without words. "Helen's Song" is poignant and heartfelt with deep personal meaning - gorgeous! The first movement of "Sonata in A# Major" returns to a classical styling reminiscent of Mozart and Haydn. The puzzle (or joke) here is that there isn't a key of A# major. Is this a quiz??? The second movement is much quieter and reflective, and the third is a lively coda that incorporates a second theme that is more melodic. "Journey to Forever" is my favorite track. I love the flowing arpeggios on the left hand and mysterious, passionate melody on the right. Wow! "My Temporary Groove" is a bit livelier and more optimistic. "One Of Those Moods" closes the CD with an introspective piano soliloquy that speaks deeply from the heart in a slow, passionate voice. Smith's arrangements of "Over the Rainbow" and "Misty" are also outstanding.

"Piano Trilogy 1" is a knockout! Give your ears a treat. Very highly recommended!


title: from Solo Piano Publications

text: "Dreamcatcher" is a "best of" compilation of eighteen tracks from Secret Garden's first three albums plus one new "bonus" track recorded for an upcoming feature film in Korea. If Secret Garden is new to you, this is a great introduction to this exciting duo. Longtime fans will be delighted to find their favorites  on one CD. "Dreamcatcher" truly indicates the range and versatility of Fionnuala Sherry and Rolf Lovland as composers as well as musicians. Drawing on influences from Celtic, Norwegian folk, new age, and classical music, Secret Garden's pieces tend to be on the melancholy, bittersweet side, but the rousing anthem "Dawn of a New Century" proves that this group has no limitations or boundaries. From breathy, ethereal vocals to various instrumental ensembles big and small to full-blown symphonic pieces, this CD will both soothe and excite, and will take the listener on a satisfying musical journey. Highly recommended!


title: from Solo Piano Publications

text: I have been a big fan of Robin Spielberg's music for quite a few years  now, and am delighted to say that I think "Dreaming of Summer" is her best  album to date. Robin's music has always been full of optimism and strength,  but the life-changing events of the past few years have brought a new depth  and maturity to her composing and playing. I noticed this development the  first time I listened to "Dreaming of Summer", and it became even more  apparent the more I listened to the variety of moods and colors in this  compelling collection of new piano solos. "Dreaming" is also the debut  release from playMountain Music, a new label formed by Robin and her  photographer/marketing expert husband, Larry Kosson,  giving them full  control of Robin's releases. As a composer, this also provides Robin with  much more freedom and flexibility (as well as a ton of additional work for  two of the hardest-working people in the world!). Co-produced and  engineered by Steven Miller, the sound quality of this album is amazing. So  many solo piano albums have wheezing sounds from the pedals, popping noises  from inside the piano or squeaks from the bench, but this has a fresh,  "live" sound without distractions from the background - an incredible feat!  Each of the pieces on this CD works wonderfully as a stand-alone work as  well as part of a unified whole. There is a seamless flow to the CD, but  this is no fluff piece - there is depth and passion as well as a sense of  peace that comes only from surviving some of life's greatest challenges and  emerging with a new wisdom about what is really important - friendship  ("Wherever You Go", "Wedding on the Mountain", "Remembering You"),  rediscovering the incredible strength of her marriage as well as her own  inner strength ("Because of You"), pondering the meaning of life as her  infant daughter was undergoing major surgery ("Turn the Page"), and seeking  the healing power of flowers and a well-tended garden ("The 2 am Gardener",  "Saving the Irises"). Concert audiences have been asking Robin to record  her frequent encore piece, "An Improvisation on the Canon" (Pachelbel's  Canon in D, of course!), and Robin included that as a bonus track, giving a  fresh new treatment to this workhorse of a piece.<br />Sure to be one of my  Top 5-favorite albums of the year, I give "Dreaming of Summer" my highest  recommendation for it's heartfelt beauty, love, sincerity, and wonderful  piano playing. Robin truly opens her soul with her music, and it is a joy  to behold!


title: from Solo Piano Publications

text: From the "Treecastle Soundtrek Series", "Children of the Amazon" is an extremely visual tour of the deepest, darkest part of the Amazon jungle and  a lost tribe that lives there. Exotic, complex, and rhythmic, this album  demands the full attention of the listener - and it is very easy to give in  to that demand. When asked how he creates such vivid "soundtracks" that  pull the listener in, Kudzu explains, "It takes the ability to see music as  a visual medium", and he may do this better than anyone at this point. With  so much music being "ear candy" that takes no effort or thought on the  listener's part, and so much media removing any chance of interactive  creativity, it is a joy to find an artist who expects the listener to  actively participate  in interpreting what the music is actually about. And  what it is about can change and evolve with each new hearing. I find this  very exciting! The layers of instrumentation and sound effects are  impossible to digest in one listen, so the journey and discovery can deepen  and intensify each time you play this incredible CD.<br />The instrumentation  is mostly synths and keyboards as well as native percussion, in combination  with Peter Griggs' acoustic guitar. The sound of water flowing, thunder,  exotic animals and birds, voices, and other effects add to the atmosphere  of darkness and dampness. While the overall feel of the album is a little  dangerous and mysterious, it is not without hope or excitement. Children  always find the light. Stunning in its intensity, "Children of the Amazon"  will take you on a journey into your own imagination, supplying the  atmosphere, sounds, and a basic storyline that you can build and embellish  on. Enjoy the adventure!


title: from Solo Piano Publications

text:
Kudzu's name often appeared in "Wind and Wire" magazine as well as in the  new age music newsgroup, but I only recently discovered his music  first-hand. I'm hooked! This is not piano music per se, but keyboards are  used extensively, creating the soundtrack to a film that exists only in the  listener's mind. Recordings like this could easily reignite the passion for  sitting in a dark room and focusing on the music without distractions. At  the very least, a listener will have to concentrate on the album a few  times to really understand what is happening. It ain't a pretty picture,  but it sure gets the pulse pounding and the visual images flowing! It is  music to be experienced and savored in all of its deep complexity, allowing  your mind go where the musical images take it.
If you are not familiar  with it, absinthe is a bright green drink made from the  hallucinogenic  extract from the wormwood plant, combined with anise. It was used  extensively by artists and writers to enhance their creative vision (Oscar  Wilde was a very prominent advocate), but is now banned in almost every  country in the world. Even if absinthe were still available, this album  would probably scare away anyone interested in experimenting with it.  "Dancing With the Green Fairy" (Main Title Theme) opens the album with a  mysterious and somewhat ominous feel - undoubtedly the preparation of the  drink and consumption of it - temptation and seduction into a  rapidly-changing mindstate. For the listener, this opening sequence is also  compelling and seductive, drawing him or her in. Rhythms become more  intense, as do the sound effects - we're in for a real ride here! The  hallucinations begin with "Night of the Circus" - these clowns are  definitely evil, and the calliope is scary with its breathy and distorted  piping. Each track conjures up new visual experiences as the absinthe  effect intensifies, taking the listener deeper and darker, creating an  incredibly powerful experience. "Unwanted Memories of a Music Box, a  Funeral, and a Merry-Go-Round" indicates how disjointed things are  becoming. "Oblivion" begins almost serenely with a catchy rhythm - the calm  before the storm. Next come "Faces in the Woodwork" and the (Nightmare  Sequence), "Visions Through the Third Eye" - some of the scariest music  I've ever heard (and more than 17 minutes' worth!). When the drinking glass  is shattered amid the pounding rhythm of the nightmare, you just know this  guy is totally enveloped in his darkest and most terrifying vision. What an  exhilarating trip! It makes you want to return again and again for another  fix!
"Absinthe" is another example of how broad the "new age" genre has  become. This is not music to relax or unwind to, but is to be experienced  for itself. It is about an intense as they come, and I thoroughly enjoy  getting caught up in all of the visual images. Very highly recommended!


title: These Demo's are MUST HAVE!!

text:
I love every remastered song on CD#1 and could care less that I own them several times over on other cds. I would have bought this CD regardless.  BUT WHAT A WONDERFUL GIFT the 2nd CD is!

The demos on the 2nd CD are beautiful treasures. My favorite is the spoken poem, "Planet Earth," from Michael's book of poetry and essays called "Dancing the Dream" in 1992.

I've read Planet Earth and the other poems from the book many times, but listening to Michael recite the poem was beautiful and it touched my heart tremendously.  You can hear his emotion and sincerity.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to own this CD. You won't regret it!


title: I will buy again...

text: I will buy again...


title: Amazing MUSIC!!!

text: Simply the greatest CD I own!


title: ds

text: good


title: Excellent

text: Bought used and saved a bunch of bucks. Having all volumes of The Beatles Anthology series on CD and DVD is the icing on my Beatles cake. If you are a true Beatlemania fan, you really will want this. You'll get to hear unreleased versions, never released songs. Songs only released in Britain. Different members, including Brian Epstein talking. All of these are just a whole lot of fun. Especially if you grew up with a Beatle Wig and an AM Radio next to your ear. Both DVD and CD are well worth every cent. And far better than you can imagine.


title: You just gotta have this..

text: If you are really a true Beatles fan, then you will really enjoy what's contained on these two disks. I had owned the DVD set since they first came out but procrastinated about buying the CD's. It was a mistake, one now corrected. I bought these used and they came in like new. Saved some money and have a chance to hear Beatles songs most people never knew existed. One of my favorites is on this.. a McCartney penned tune entitled "In Spite Of All The Danger". Which they originally recorded as the Quarrymen in 1958 their very first recording on 78rpm. If you go on YouTube and look for Paul McCartney Chaos and Creation Live at Abbey Road you'll hear Paul sing this song. He wrote this song intentionally to sound like an Elvis Presley song. On this 2 CD compilation of rare cuts you'll get 60 tracks of mostly variations of original songs and outtakes. Comments from the Beatles, and just good fun and music. It's great.


title: takes you back

text: plenty of hits very good


title: AOK

text: Thanks great copy


title: A treasured compilation of old favorites

text: We bought this cd for an older relative who was reminiscing over her favorite gospel music from decades past.  So happy to find it on amazon.com, for easy ordering and delivery. The recipient was delighted to receive this hard-to-find item, and now enjoys singing along with all the memorable selections.  All in all, it turned out to be a true blessing. Thanks!


title: Five Stars

text: love it.


title: Five Stars

text: Very nice relaxing CD


title: A rare doors recording

text: Nice recording of the doors in their prime


title: Five Stars

text: great item, easy clear description, quick shipper  thanks


title: Five Stars

text: It's waylons last of course it's awesome


title: Love it

text: One of my favorite singer I’m so addicted with his music the package arrived in perfect condition and the surprise that I was not expecting was the full size poster of him love it


title: An American Original

text: Cooker John is a well regarded blues musician well known in the Twin Cities community.  Your close attention to this well produced original will be rewarded! Great tunes.


title: Five Stars

text: This was a gift to a piano teacher who appreciated both the composers and the performer very much.


title: Traditional Polish melodies/chants

text: Lovely version of the chaplet, easy to pray/sing along with.  This version uses the traditional Polish melodies as broadcast on EWTN.  Highly recommended.  This is a live recording that includes responses sung by the congregation and includes instructions about how to pray the chaplet on a standard rosary.  I'm glad that I finally found the version I wanted!


title: Track List

text: 1) Pere Ubu: The Story Of My Life 2) Boneclub: Everything's On Fire (Live) 3) Boneclub: Her Garden (Live)  4) Aimee Mann: I shuold've Known  5) Aimee Mann: Jimmy Hoffa Jokes  6) Orangutang: Leo Tolstoy  7) Orangutang: Gearhead  8) Paula Cole: Bethlehem  9) Paula Cole: Saturn Girl  10) Basehead: Brown Kisses Pt. 1  11) Basehead: I Need A Joint  12) Baby Animals: Impossible To Fly (Live)  13) Suzanne Rhatigan: Jump  14) Suzanne Rhatigan: New Suit Blues (Live)  15) Rollins Band: Low Self Opinion  16) Rollins: Vacation In England (Live)


title: Great movie

text: Ed O’Neil at his best!


title: It's 'good enough' but not much more.

text:
I'm a big AC/DC fan, own a lot of collector stuff and have seen them twice live.  True story, Back in Black was my very first album (cassette tape) purchase as a youngster, and I played that tape until it wore out on my little single speaker tape recorder and have loved AC/DC ever since.  So I finally pulled the trigger and bought this big collectors set to go along with my other ones.

I feel like the production quality goal was 'good enough' on this whole set.  Start with the big collectors box, the lid (amp) doesn't fit properly on the base, there's like a 1/4" gap or so.  The cardboard would need to be trimmed on the base to allow the top to slide down properly and there's no reason this couldn't have been done in the factory as there is plenty of head room above the books/LP/CD folder to accommodate this.  The knobs are just cheap plastic and the giant cardboard spacer inside the box wasn't firmly glued in place though it has a Z shaped hot glue streak on it like it was suppose to be glued but noone bothered to press it firmly to the front surface of the 'speaker' box.

The music CDs are good, I enjoy when I come across more or less a 'B side' or something I've never heard from them before.  But when we get to the DVDs I'm thinking really ?!  DVDs ?!?!  Why are we not doing Bluray at this point?  Do you know how crappy a DVD looks on a 4K HDTV ?  Seriously , this should have been addressed.  Although this did come out in 2009 which I consider 2007 to be when BluRay hit critical mass and the whole mess with HDDVD was done and over.  So really I just don't consider that an excuse to why we got a pair of DVDs.  It's just more of the 'good enough' mentality.

Anyway, as a big AC/DC fan I'm happy to own this.  But if you're not a big AC/DC fan don't bother wasting your money, really.