Archive for the ‘Piano’ Category

Solo instrumental albums are a natural source of personalized music, so when two reputable soloists merge their individual talents, their alliance from soloists to duettists can become an even more valuable source of personified music for everyone.

Devin Rice & Erin Aas are seasoned musicians already recognized by their proficient styles as individual artists now emerging as a team that writes and performs original piano / guitar and finger styled guitar duet compositions with hand selected musicians adding polished accompaniments on their new release titled Arrival.

Residing in the state of Washington, Devin & Erin had also traveled to Imaginary Road Studios in rural Vermont to enlist the expertise of Grammy Award winning Will Ackerman, so the level of quality on the album’s production retraces their visit to a highly specialized destination.

Arrival is an album where Devin plays piano in addition to guitar along with Erin, showcasing their 15 song compilation that is adventuresome and symmetrical from the first song to the last.  After meeting for the first time several years ago, I felt their earlier mainstay as professional soloists has been doubled and enhanced using simple math, along with their broad variance in individual styles.

Devin Rice & Erin Aas, have selected skilled artists along with Grammy Award winning producer Will Ackerman, to emerge as a fortified musical team, and by virtue of each artist’s specialized skills, has attained a winning strategy with Arrivial.

Thyn Ayre is the crisp beginning song that sounds like a down to earth journey put to sheet music, like Procession, where a wonderful just right feel becomes the standard atmosphere.  These folk styled narratives flourish during the piano and guitar duets set in a moderate tempo like most of the 15 songs.

Borderline is a breezy guitar duet by Erin and Devin, while their Tribute to Robert Frost expresses a more stately approach that includes percussion rhythms backing majestic piano melodies with subtler acoustic guitar highlights.

Lively acoustic guitar and percussion rhythms are heard on the memorable song Nevada, while Something About A Harbor has piano lead in for guitar, with rich melodic tones showing depth in a natural way.  Perdido En Granada, Lullaby For Now & For JB are gentle and more introspective songs with English horn and cello support that compliment the pleasing atmosphere.

Whiskey In The Watertower is truly spirited and a nicely coordinated guitar duet, featuring Will Ackerman on the final guitar solo that resembles Pulborough Spring by taking an up-tempo direction from the primarily moderate paced piano and guitar duets with instrumentals.

Rich cello harmonics are the scenic backdrop in songs, Morning With Annie, Southern Breeze, & Stars of Winter, with the latter song taking an adventurous free flight expression during the melody and refrains that gently lands with guitar, cello, and piano uniting in an ensemble.

Although solo albums are a mainstay and pleasing source of enjoyment, Arrival is a nice departure from singular solo albums given the enriching instrumentals and contrasting styles of the two principal soloists. 

This departure notably doubles the harmonic value for the listener, along with Devin & Erin who have doubled their musical achievements together as a team, and as individuals.

Additional musicians include Derrick Jordan on djembe with Eugene Friesen & Traci Hoveskeland giving cello performances on several tracks.  Jill Haley lends her talents on English horn and Will Ackerman is featured in the final guitar performance.

Visit devinriceanderinaas.com to sample / purchase or at their CDBaby.com page.  Click on their biographies page to read about their backgrounds and how it all began.  If you would like to visit the Imaginary Road Studios go to williamackerman.com right here.

Picture copyright BigStockPhoto – MelMcNaughton

And while we are in a romantic mood, with Valentine’s day coming up, why not check out Jim Brickman’s Grammy nominated album Faith? It didn’t win the 2009 prize though, but it is doing very well on Billboard’s New Age Music chart. It contains some of the most romantic music released over the last couple of years – and it is one of Jim’s best albums.  

There are a lot of great piano melodies on Faith – and, like Yanni, Jim Brickman also has a lot of talented singers with him. The album contains some true classics too, like Amazing Grace, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, and Ave Marie.  Here you can see Jim’s pictures from the Grammy awards (click the picture to the left in the Flash window).

You can sample the album here – and, while you are at it, why not book a ticket to Jim’s Alaska cruise! That would make a romantic gift.

The Piano as the leading musical instrument can be appreciated using just a few simple well placed notes.  It’s the pianist who takes the leading role by their note by note delivery to determine the style and complexity of the note structure in hopes of creating a classic piece of music everyone can appreciate.

Ann Sweeten is one musician widely recognized for her classic style, setting a high standard in quality among many pianists in the wide range of genres employing piano music as the chosen manner for pleasing an audience.  In a skilled full range delivery on a Steinway Baby Grand, her classic signature sound deserves respect in a natural way, lending itself to beautiful music that many have found, gives new meaning to the term music appreciation.

Just This Side Of Spring  showcases her latest composing lead performance as a Steinway Artist and music professional, with several talented artists at her side.  Will Ackerman for one, performs on acoustic guitar on the title song, along with co-producing the album with Ann, who also conducts vocals and synthesizers.  Andrew Eng on viola & violin, along with bass performer Michael Miksis, and Trisha Craig on Flute are the accompanying musicians featured on several songs contained on this album, who do excel in terms of fluidity as a collective unit.

Having authored a number of Piano Solo reviews in the New Age genre, I promptly identified an admirable level of richness and depth in tone I rarely hear in many comparative piano solo albums.  Stylish tonal qualities held in even the quietest patterns give complex sequences and a prolific feel of realism within every individual phrase.  I likewise concluded the classic instrumentals supporting Ann Sweeten on Just This Side Of Spring clearly strengthen this opulent quality, validating my initial first impression.

In addition to her recognition as a Steinway Artist & Composer, her achievements are numerous, including voting privileges in the National Recording Academy of Arts & Sciences, ASCAP Popular Award Recipient starting in 2002, and continuing every year up to 2009. 

The ZMR nominations and awards are just as numerous and her talents are not limited to music achievements and concert performances on piano.  Ann is also a professional actress, singer, and ballet dancer, realizing many achievements in her diverse life. 

Just This Side Of Spring is a thoughtful Piano Instrumental album that holds many elegant touches while leaning towards the classical side of life, while shown in a natural realistic way too, becoming a great follow up for her previous Piano Instrumental album Grey Sky and Bittersweet. 

I concluded that both Just This Side Of Spring & Grey Sky and Bittersweet make you feel a pleasant sense of comfort and enjoyment in a much desired way, given by a qualified pianist who delivers an admirable performance on a Steinway Baby Grand, in another new release of her music almost everyone can appreciate.

Visit annsweeten.com and sample / purchase here.  Ann’s discography can be found at most music outlets, on-line and specialty stores.  You can visit CD Baby.com here.

This is for all you collectors out there! If you pre-order George Winston’s upcoming album, Love Will Come – The Music Of Vince Guaraldi, Volume 2 you will get an exclusive 11″x17″ poster signed by George Winston!

It will be available February 2. But you have to be fast – mr. Winston will only sign 350 posters.  

You can place your order here. (Note: Only available in the US)

Music Industry Networks has a nice article about  Michele de Wilton’s beautiful piano album, Myths & Legends.

They write:

As consumer interest in “conscious entertainment” increases, artists like Michele de Wilton are finding warm welcomes for their indie new age albums at a time when much of the music industry sings the blues.

And more:

Hailed as “New Age piano at its best” by that industry’s veterans, de Wilton’s 13 original compositions convey compelling stories of adventure, love, and endless yearning. The album’s tracks — 55 minutes of music — are based on both well-known and obscure tales that will inspire the imaginations of adults and children alike.

Read it here.

Spirit Touch is the third solo album from Joseph Akins, which continues his heartfelt piano artistry with eleven fresh tracks: ten new originals and one modern arrangement of on old classic.

Joseph Akins’ performance on a Steinway D grand is featured throughout this album with intimate piano solos for several tracks – on others the listeners can enjoy accompaniment from cello and percussion. It is very spiritual indeed!

All tracks were recorded at Middle Tennessee State University recording studios. Both Joseph Akins and the engineer, Bill Crabtree, are professors in the Department of Recording Industry in the College of Mass Communication at MTSU. The world-class facilities of these studios can be heard throughout the high quality sound.

Sample Spirit Touch and learn more about this fascination artist on josephakins.com – also be sure to read how he comments each track. Here is for the 1,001 Nights track:

1,001 Nights – Influenced by artists such as Kitaro, I wanted to compose a track based on this Middle-Eastern sounding scale: G-Ab-B-C-D-Eb-F. I also had fun scraping my fingernails across the piano strings (the single strum that sounds similar to an autoharp).

We have previously told you about piano teacher Edward Weiss whose new age music program – Quiescencemusic – has been endorsed by master pianist David Lanz. Now Edward Weiss is receiving more praise. According to Allaboutjazz.com:

It’s one thing to teach piano its quite another being among those talented enough listed on the prestigious Steinway & Sons compilation of professional teachers. Steinway & Sons has been known or over a century and a half for creating the finest pianos available. When a teacher is accepted on their site, you know they are a cut above the rest.

And more:

Not only does he (Edward Weiss) compose his own scores, he actually shows how even beginners can start to master this style themselves even if they’ve never wrote a note of music in their lives.

What’s more he does it all over the internet. As Edward explains:

My students never have to leave the comfort of their home in order to play their own personal New Age creations. With my method, if you can use a piano keyboard, I can teach you how to improvise and compose. It’s really that straightforward and fun!

So if you feel like being creative, mr. Weiss can show you how to make beautiful music. If you got a Steinway it will sound even better

Read the article on Allaboutjazz.com. Also see Quiescencemusic

NewAgeMusic.nu’s web radio New Age Stars has just passed another milestone – over 1.500 Live365.com subscribers now have our radio among their presets for easy access! And approx. 1.500 is also the number of average daily listeners. New Age Stars is now the 140th most popular web radio on one of the largest radio hubs on the net: Live365.com.

We, John P. Olsen and I, can only say thank you – our dedicated listeners. Be sure that we will continue to provide you with free streaming new age music web radio while supporting US and international artists.

We have recently reviewed Fiona Joy Hawkins’ great album Blue Dream. This album is now set for a SA-CD Release, and has spent four months in Radio’s Top Ten.

In connection with this, a press release has been issued on Billboard Publicity Wire.

Check it out here.

Edward Weiss is known for his program – Quiescencemusic - that promises that anyone can learn to compose and play new age music piano without sheet music or musical scores. Now, according to webpage Allaboutjazz.com, Weiss has received the best endorsement imaginable: from the one and only mr. David Lanz!

Quote from Allaboutjazz.com:

Heres what Mr. Lanz has to say about Edward and his teaching methods: Your approach to learning this style of piano is easy to grasp and very well thought out, and I would recommend it to anyone getting started on improvisation, especially in the New Age style!

And more:

Edward explains: Learning to play, compose and improvise doesnt have to be hard. In fact, by following my methods anyone can soon be doing it – easily and effortlessly. His step by step online video instructions provides everything needed except of course the keyboard. Its basically Look, Listen and Learn.

It almost sounds like an ad, but it is taken from the respected website Allaboutjazz.com. See the article here.

So yes, if Lanz says that it is good, it must be the real thing.

Also be sure to check out Quiescencemusic.com

The title of John Steiner’s new album is Into The Green, and it has now been released. 

It is his second solo piano CD, the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed album, Out of the Blue. Steiner is inspired by everything from experimental jazz to Indian music.

You can read an interview with Steiner here.

And be sure to check out the press release about the new album.

Arturo Mayorga does not literally dance while playing piano, but if he were to attempt this feat, I am certain it would be as graceful and dignified of what was apparent in his first album Cascades, in the New Age Classic piano category.

In addition to his talents as a composing musician, Arturo is nationally ranked in the competitive sport of Ballroom dancing, where Waltz, Tango, and Swing are scrutinized before watchful judges who watch for the accepted criteria of a dancing couple locked hand in hand.

Now with a concert piano as his partner, Cascades embraces the identical movements found in classical dance by having a choreography timed with proper speed, motion, and balance. 

While judging this debut album for myself, I became aware that the 10 songs of varying moods left me feeling they were a personal revelation of his emotional thoughts put to music.

Like so many musicians, a parent’s considerate gift of a musical instrument at an early age is what began his interest in music. Arturo states that it was at this early age that he realized the impact of what one person playing an instrument could have on another.  Continuing music through high school then college, his studies were in math and science, but composing music was also on his mind, starting the framework songs for the Cascades album during this time period.

Starting in the first song position is Sunrise.  This mid tempo piano and violin duet sets the standard for a graceful heartfelt ballet, where each timed movement is balanced by the piano melody considering violin takes a second seat by following the lead.  There is much emotional content felt, since a melancholy feel is present, lending to a touch of sadness, yet adding character and definition, leaving a beautiful image of what you have just heard in your mind.

While judging this debut album for myself, I became aware that the 10 songs of varying moods left me feeling they were a personal revelation of his emotional thoughts put to music.

The Last Night of Winter aligns well with the piano’s duo partner in allowing violin to take the lead in portion of the melody during this faster paced song, where full 360 degree rotational dance pivots, and those brief stationary pauses always see during pivot turns, can be pictured in your mind if you try.

The title song Cascades is a true champion in freestyle, where a faster tempo piano promenades with every rise and fall in piano key note steps, reaching the full height in posture, rhythm, and speed.  Violin then connects with the melody posturing in a more formal manner while piano strokes sweep along the keyboard at a dizzying pace.  The positive upbeat piano movements seem to sweep you off your feet at critical moments, leaving you breathless at the finish.

Arturo is very successful by engraving a full range of emotional content and movement into his classic orchestra style music.  Knowing his background in dance, one can easily imagine themselves sitting in the audience watching Arturo in motion while listening to his music and from where I am sitting, he appears to be a winner.

Visit the dancing pianist dressed in black at arturomayorga.com and his music store digstation.com 

Images courtesy of photoARTworks

There is a thin line between different music genres. In new age music the line is almost impossible to define, since the genre by definition is a fusion between almost everything – from classical, world and folk, via jazz, rock and pop, to electronica and techno. The album Sintra by Rui Serodio, released on the Strauss label, is well defined within the new age music border, with its larger-than-life atmosphere and a minimalistic keyboard sound. Still Sintra illustrates to perfection the new age music fusion mentioned above. The album is classical music redefined by synths, brought to life by master pianist Rui Serodio. Prepare yourself for the splendid sound of Sintra!

There is one thing I have to mention right away, since I think I will not dare to say it later on; Sintra is not available anymore. It is out of print and the label behind it is closed down. But rest assure, you can still get the songs from it FOR FREE as mp3-files by contacting Rui Serodi directly on email address: info <at> ruiserodio.com. Just send him an email, and he will send you the songs. Trust me, this is by far the best offer you’ll get all day. But if you’re not still convinced, keep reading.

The first song on the album, Shepherd’s Dawn, is a great introduction to the album’s style. It is quite simply wonderful keyboard music. The synth harmonica would probably been better played live, but that is not a problem when the melodies are so complex and interesting. You can sense that this is an artist with many years experience of playing and composing. I must mention that this album was recorded 10 years ago, and not by using the latest synth technology. Still it is a wonderful album, a true treat. for everyone that loves the good old analogue keyboard sound.

Water Runs Through Leaves is a cool lounge song with a gentle, almost inaudible rhythm. It is very happy, and it makes you feel like dancing. Here I must mention that all songs on the album are long, between 5 and 10 minutes long, so you really get a feeling for the melodies (but there is no monotony, all songs have a nice build-up).

The most dramatic song on the album is Two Voices, One People. It has a nice medieval feeling, with flute sections, and you can almost see the knights riding off to war.

Sintra illustrates to perfection the new age music fusion. The album is classical music redefined by synths, brought to life by master pianist Rui Serodio.

My favorite song on the album is the 9 minutes long Where Life Was Born Again. The female vocal sounds divine, and the piano and strings are breathtaking. When it is done, you feel like you’re reborn.

The last song on the album, Memories kept by the Stone, gives, the listener a true feeling of Rui Serodi impressive skills as a pianist. The piano sounds alive and playful. It is so great, in this time of sequencers, to know that the composer actually is able to play this piece live.

Sintra is in all respects a new age music recording, with its atmosphere and harmonies. Together with the classical influences and the keyboardish approach make it into a truly remarkable recording. Sintra is both fresh and powerful, laidback and bold – all at the same time. It is an album this reviewer feels proud to own.

Be sure to check out RuiSerodio.com

Australian composer and pianist Fiona Joy Hawkins has 4 award winning projects at present.  Her most recent Blue Dream album is successful in placing an exclamation mark after her name when recognizing Fiona’s outstanding abilities and claim to fame in international status.

Fiona’s many achievements include charting at # 1 on World New Age radio charts spanning 9 countries, Best Piano album in the NAR Lifestyle Music Awards in 2006, and as finalist in 2 genres in the LA Music Awards in 2007.  She also won the Classical / Jazz category in the Music OZ Awards in 2008. after being a finalist 5 times and ranked finalist in 4 categories including Album of the Year in the NAR Awards in 2009.

Ice :  Serve Slightly Chilled is innovative, dynamic and bold, confidently stated by yours truly.  With an inventor’s approach, Fiona’s compositions are patently administered on her Steinway Concert piano as a new musical prototype. 

It is on the Ice album where this patent innovation in New Age, Contemporary piano begins, charting an adventurous course in the way a musician blends Classical New Age, Contemporary, Chill Out, Jazz, World and Rock.  What impressed me the most was a momentary departure from her exceptional, yet more Contemporary albums that won her claim to fame.  Portions of the Rock overtones present in this album challenge some of our basic assumptions of the term Piano music.  Another concept is a transition in the way Rock music has been perceived in the past, creating a new approach in the way we view the term Rock music. 

With an inventor’s approach, Fiona’s compositions are patently administered on her Steinway Concert piano as a new musical prototype.

The 10 songs are issued titles with an icy thermodynamic theme, setting the spine chilling mood in motion by providing a mid tempo application of Classic New Age Chill.  The song Iced Rain discloses a trademark Fiona Joy Hawkins piano arrangement, yet grants an exclusive design concept by applying a mixture of genres and unique instrumentation.  While Aboriginal Didgeridoo echoes an indigenous woodwind call to the wild, ebony and ivory piano keys appear to reach an entire range of octaves to establish a new dimension in piano music.  Thunderous percussion unites with electrified guitar to diagram the upbeat momentum for this ground breaking discovery by commingling Classic piano and Rock music into a single entity.

The Ice project discloses more than just an improvement made to a prior existing musical product.  Fiona takes an inventor’s approach in redefining the fundamental basics of the way we perceive Piano and Rock music.

Cloud Chill is a song innovation that starts out as a meteorological weather advisory on the horizon when native Didgeridoo once again reverbs an ancient voice into the past, present, and future.  Fiona’s epic design in piano rhythms then integrate with electric guitar, blending into musical matter cool enough to penetrate what we term Rock music. 

Her novel invention in composing first finds a crack, pressurizes and then expands, breaking the barrier of Rock music from a familiar musical genre, shattering what was once a large form of music into tiny little pieces, thereby creating a new music entity. 

The Ice project discloses more than just an improvement made to a prior existing musical product.  Fiona takes an inventor’s approach in redefining the fundamental basics of the way we perceive Piano and Rock music.

The 2 songs I just described titled Iced Rain and Cloud Chill are playing on our Stars Radio so that you may hear this invention in music for yourself.  You may also read  my review of her latest album titled Novel Blue Dream and then discover the online art gallery and music website of fionajoyhawkins.com

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto.com

Jim Brickman will perform in Greenville, SC, at Peace Center For Performing Arts tomorrow, 05/14/09, at 7:30 p.m. On 05/15 he will do two concerts at the Newberry Opera House, Newberry, SC, at 3 and 8 p.m.

Here you can see Jim Brickman’s tour plans – and you can get tickets. But if you cannot make it to any of the concerts, you can still check out the video on the page and see Brickman’s incredible piano performance.

It is spring time here and for once the sky is cloudless and blue. Still I find myself looking for rainclouds. The reason for this is Anne Trenning’s new release, her third album, entitled Watching for Rain. In the center is Trenning’s wonderful, lively piano, backed up by live violins and other orchestral arrangement and occasional drums.

It starts with the gentle melodies The Ash Grove (a Welsh folk melody) and Silent Night II. You can safely play the last one all year round, without getting into that heavy Christmas feeling; the Silent Night follow up is just a nice and positive melody. But the album doesn’t really start before you get to track three, Eden Hall. It is an upbeat piano melody like no other. Or, that is not quite right… Another version of this classical song appeared on Anne’s first recording, Suite Tea. This new version is great!

Watching for Rain is yet another impressive release from Anne Trenning

Like on all quality piano recordings, there are a lot of variation. Here you get everything from the traditional spiritual I Want To Be Ready, the modern gospel H. I. A. T. W., the Don Schlitz-Paul Overstreet country classic When You Say Nothing At All and a 37-second benediction-like coda of Bob Dylan’s I Shall Be Released, which concludes the album.

Watching for Rain is yet another impressive release from Anne Trenning. I you are looking for a vibrant and colorful piano album – look no further; start watching for rain you too.

You can sample the album on CDBaby.  Also be sure to check out the artist’s homepage.