Archive for the ‘Piano’ Category

Acclaimed composing Jazz pianist Lisa Hilton has released her newest instrumental album entitled Underground. Lisa’s continuity for producing trendy and progressive music that takes the high road over the years may not have surprised those who know her best. After the release of 12 significant recordings, her earlier albums have indeed helped pave the way to place her name recognition alongside other top Jazz artists.

Lisa Hilton from Southern California was raised in a family of musicians after having taught herself to play piano and compose music at an early age, before setting her sights on formal educational studies in classical and twentieth century piano. Her early love of music in a variety of styles became the early foundation before a transition into the contemporary Jazz excursions in which Lisa is so highly regarded today.

The progressive nature of her work as a pianist have not gone unnoticed either since her songs have received airplay prominence on hundreds of radio stations including the United States, Canada and other countries internationally. This includes syndicated programs like NPR Morning Edition, Sirius XM Radio, along with numerous online radio stations which have led to strong radio chart listings at College Media Journal, Earshot Jazz and JazzWeek radio charts.

Lisa Hilton’s thirteenth album entitled Underground features her band performing 9 songs that are quite adventurous in compositional style, even by her own standards. Recording and producing an album every year since 1997, her band features world-class musicians Larry Grenadier on bass, Nasheet Waits on percussion, and J.D. Allen performing tenor saxophone. Together this talented group does a magnificent job of openly communicating Lisa’s reintroduced vision of Jazz expressions as a team, and during their key roles in the spotlight as soloists.

The title song from the Underground album is lively and up-tempo with great counter rhythms, which offset the quietly laidback moments in Just A Little Past Midnight & B Minor Waltz. The bands interactive poise is apparent on the stylish song Blue Truth and throughout the classic swing and sway of Jack & Jill during Lisa’s extensively driven movement up and down the keyboard.

Lisa Hilton is a great talent who personifies Jazz improvisation with creativity and imagination. While Underground, Nuance, & Twilight & Blues reflect her achievements as a Jazz musician, and are refined lexes in their orientation to New Age albums, her piano performances of improvisation either as a soloist or with the band under her direction is definitely worth a listen. Lisa Hilton’s newest release is boldly expressive in Lisa’s already exploratory viewpoint as a Jazz pianist. Clearly an innovative escapade in elegance, Underground is like a smooth journey down a newly paved road.

Visit lisahiltonmusic.com to sample / purchase or visit her Amazon.com page.

Photo courtesy Michael Weintrob. Cover art courtesy lisahiltonmusic.com.

Composing pianist Louis Colaiannia from Denver Colorado has a classic contemporary instrumental release you may want to know more about. His most recent New Age album expresses his love of Classical music by composing pianists like Beethoven and Mozart, but you will also hear a freestyle influence in his original compositions that give one the impression of more contemporary orchestrations. It’s like modern improvisations on classical music!

Louis Colaiannia has composed a number of classic piano and instrumental releases over the years. With earlier albums having titles of Desert Winds, Journey Of The Soul, Sailing On A Dream & Sea Of Stars, it is easy for anyone to envision his modern orchestrations are divine and dreamy in nature. They are, much like the album titles themselves.

I found this true regarding his earlier albums, along with the wonderful piano and instrumental release Louis Colaiannia has produced in 2011, A Moment Between Eternities. With divine piano music evenly centered by a classical and contemporary atmosphere, why would anyone want to change this fine balance?

A Moment Between Eternities is a classic New Age Contemporary Instrumental release comparable to earlier albums by a wonderful range in thought and feel. The mood variations in the 9 songs are as if transitioning between one season to another, so in relation to the emotional content of his work, you will hear light graceful songs carefully blended with pieces emboldened by a more impassioned frame of mind.

Louis Colaiannia has composed each of the 9 songs total, performing on piano and synthesizer. The instrumentalist in accompaniment are; Jenna Ehrle (vocals and lyrics) Melvin Morford (bass) Jess Allen (cello) Bob Glassman (percussion) Evelyn Rutenberg (flute) Bill Kerr (guitar) and Rex Spease (saxophone and clarinet).

There is one recent variation in Louis Colaiannia’s music where a new innovative single titled City Scapes takes on a whole new direction. Moving in a new trend like his classical and contemporary orchestrations, City Scapes takes a melodic shift in what Louis Colaiannia terms “Orchestral Jazz”. I listened to this song and found the upbeat melodies with lively rhythms another beautiful performance of his modern classic improvisations.

Visit louismusic.com to sample / purchase and find out more. You can visit his Amazon.com page.

Cover artwork courtesy Steve Hamilton.

Even if the holiday celebrations of Christmas and New Years are behind us now, one contemporary composing pianist has an important message to share having equal relevance to the honorable offerings of peace and harmony we celebrate during the close of one year and the hopeful new beginning of another, arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Evan Wish is a classical trained concert pianist from Encino California with a new release titled; Forget-me-not, blue. Incorporating the spoken words of honorable Nobel Peace Prize recipients, and like their principled humanitarian message of peace and hope, Evan Wish gives a heartfelt message of peace and hope, told by his beautiful design in inspiring contemporary instrumental music having a classic touch.

Evan’s contemporary classic Solo Piano debut album titled Lullaby Of Love acquired the number 3 position in global charts, and remained in the Top 10 position for three months and the Top 100 for 6 months, earning a NARAS consideration for a Grammy Nomination for 2005 in the Best New Age Album of the Year category on his original composition. Evan travels and performs concerts in Europe, and does television, film, and theatre production writing, and is an active ASCAP & ACF member, plus you can find his music on Syndicated, Public, and College Radio Stations, along with AOL, Music Choice, Live 365 and numerous others.

Forget-me-not, blue has 10 songs of Contemporary Instrumental bliss with 5 Solo Piano pieces and 5 piano with string ensemble of violin, viola and cello. Together in unison Evan Wish delivers gently contemplative and some inspirational songs while sharing the message of peace and hope in a positive upbeat manner. Recent recognition for Forget-me-not, blue is the # 3 chart success for December 2010, in ZMR’s Top 100 Radio Airplay Chart listings.

In a universal message of harmony in tune with a multitude of people who share the same beliefs and ideals, the song What will man’s legacy be is the heart of the humanitarian side of this project. Here you will find past Nobel Peace Prize recipients incorporated spoken words of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, and Martin Luther King are included, along with Native American reciting, an Israeli singer and ethnic percussions.

Forget-me-not, blue is a true achievement after many years as a Canadian born and educated pianist, beginning his first music instructions at age 7, where his gift as a pianist became apparent as a young adult which then led to formal studies at the Conservatory of Music institute in Canada where he won first class honors among many talented competitors.

In addition Evan attended the prestigious Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles and received tutoring from top composers in the entertainment industry. His unique gift at an early age was discovered thankfully, and those early formative years were the strong foundation for his composing skills. Today Evan has achieved international recognition while performing worldwide for the past 25 years.

The Solo Piano and strings ensemble songs each retain their individual merits of quality, and Evan performs on a Bosendorfer Grand Piano, widely accepted as a fine tonal instrument which transfers a pianist musical arrangement with warmth and clarity. When touring the Provence region of France, Paris, or the French Riviera, Evan Wish is often publicized as “The Passion of a Romantic” and you will find his Solo Piano and Instrumental release with ensemble allows one to hear his passionate work as others have discovered for themselves. In recent news, Evan has just returned from Cannes, France while attending the Midem 2011 Music Conference, meeting with music companies and industry leaders, in addition to performing an exclusive solo concert.

While peaceful ambassadors of our past have arrived to us in the form of an ideological leader, an advocate for the poor and a nonviolent civil rights crusade of another, the beautiful Solo Piano and strings instrumental expressions from the heart of Evan Wish constitute a gallant and notable gesture too, arriving in a truly inspiring manner sure to be embraced by all.

String orchestration by Marcy Vaj (violin) Robin Ross (viola) Vahe Hayrikyan (cello).  Engineer/Co-produced by Peter Granet.

Visit evanwish.com to sample / purchase or visit his CDBaby.com page & Amazon.com page.

Photo courtesy John DeCindis

Chances are everyone reading my pre-release Truth Of Touch album review today is well acquainted with the man we identify simply as Yanni, and if you are like most people you can vividly recall the very first time you viewed a televised Yanni concert. Now, can’t you just remember the exhilaration you felt while watching this charismatic gentleman touch the lives of people from all nationalities with his music ?

Truth Of Touch is truly a passionate reflection of what Yanni does best which is create a personal interaction with an audience through his extraordinary music abilities, and just like those powerful memories of yesteryear the close societal bond is shared by virtue of his magnificent studio version of 15 songs with an over hour long symphony of refined harmony.

Truth Of Touch is a Contemporary Instrumental & Electronic arrangement likewise creating a genuine fascination for a multitude of people by being an original composition and direct expression from Yanni himself. This enthusiasm is not surprising since his last original arrangement Ethnicity from 2003 happens to be an excellent and successful album so it may explain why Truth Of Touch is so highly anticipated among his enthusiastic fan base, along with a vast multitude of people searching for outstanding music that greatly surpasses the everyday ordinary.

Yanni is conceivably the greatest influential musician of our time, and while his exceptional abilities as a gifted composer and keyboardist by themselves are a valid testament to his universal appeal, when you factor in the remarkable musicians and vocalists by his side and personal “One World, One People“ vision, the collective inspiration he creates pay tribute to a universal and heartfelt music experience.

Yanni Live at the Acropolis began his historic rise to stardom and likely the first time you witnessed his grand entrance onto the world stage since 500 million people from 65 countries have viewed this top fundraising program for PBS. The album sold 7 million copies worldwide and the music video sold over 1 million copies to become a top selling music video, second only to the Thriller Video by the late Michael Jackson.

If you regularly watch the Olympic Games then you know his music scores are presented during international television broadcasts of the Olympic Games since 1988. He has 35 platinum and gold albums internationally and received 2 Grammy Nominations in the Best New Age Album category, for In My Time and then Dare to Dream, but perhaps of greater importance to Yanni himself are his fans, since after a temporary departure Yanni made a celebrated return to concert tours and producing music due in part to the personal letters from his dedicated fan base requesting encore performances.

In fact his global presence has remained strong following earlier days where over 2 million people in more than 20 countries attended a Yanni concert, some of which were held in culturally significant locations like the Tribute Concert venues held at the Taj Mahal in India & The Forbidden City in China, where viewership reached a television audience of 250 million people.

Truth Of Touch can be defined by the Contemporary Instrumental, Electronic and Cinematic influences, but what makes this new release special like earlier albums are a wide array of influences, crossing over into Popular, New Age and World music domains. Truth Of Touch ( Title Song ) begins a memorable introduction to a lavish cascade of midrange keyboard and string sequences set in time to energetic orchestration crescendos and intense timpani drum beats, giving you your first positive affirmation this is indeed an authentic composition from Yanni. The boldly decisive first song is satisfying to the senses by the majestic intonation, just like the reverberation keyboard melody united with higher octave twinkling notes heard in Echo Of A Dream.

Seasons has a lighter keyboard sequence at the onset, changing in dramatic fashion during every refrain by articulated electronics, strings and xylophone notes. Backed by rhythmic heartbeat percussion, Seasons progresses into a heartening song of inspiration. Voyage is a fine excursion reaching epic qualities at times where the lighter prelude is forerunner to a spectacular sound adventure created by strings and woodwind orchestration. Suspended by steady percussion, the full instrumentation creates a wonderful sensation of depth.

The World ethnicity percussion rhythms and accents with ever changing intervals of harp and cello create a beautiful tribal effect in Flash Of Color, and true again by the voice of a child set in instrumental counter time during I’m So. The finely pronounced orchestra and percussion rhythms are a bold source of vibrant energy presented in the upbeat melodic theme of Vertigo. The vocal melodies with rich orchestrations on Can’t Wait and Secret are definitively two of the more serene songs on the album. Elegant and passionate, the soprano vocalist delivers her romantic lyrics in a graceful emotive voice which is certain to be a popular collection of contemporary songs for many people.

O Luce Che Brilla Nell’Oscurita is exquisitely imaginative given the theatrical piano, light choir and opera concerto in a harmonious adaptation where the tenor vocalist proclaims his warm and moving declaration of sentiment direct from the heart.

Long Way Home has an air of sophistication yet the vigorous piano melody has a peaceful atmosphere at times too, changing from light to more dynamic expressions along the way. Mist Of A Kiss reveals intricate percussion rhythms having a steadfast effect in the timing of piano chord phrasing, like the piano and percussion cadence heard in the song Nine. Yanni & Arturo begins with a light trumpet and piano prelude while transitioning into exuberant poetry in motion when glorious soprano vocals and intricate percussion rhythms set the progressive tempo for an improvisational style trumpet solo during which the highest octave notes are reached then extended with astounding precision and clarity.

Truth Of Touch is a studio composition of pure refinement, giving one a beautiful impression exactly like the inspiring concert recollections of yesteryear. The prodigious caliber of musicians Yanni enlists for his projects is boldly demonstrated on what I feel is his greatest instrumental music composition yet. Perhaps you can tell by now his newest release made me reflect on the personal exhilaration I first felt upon my introduction to his music, and it did inspire me today. With that said, I am certain you too will find the qualities in Truth Of Touch are genuine, unforgettable and yes, simply Yanni !

Visit yanni.com and truthoftouch.com to sample or purchase and read the latest news and concert tour dates in 2011. For pre-release album orders and gift items visit the Yanni Store then read earlier articles on our page dedicated to Yanni.

Photo copyright – courtesy yanni.com. Big Stock Photo copyrights Acropolis – sborisov and the Taj Mahal – pius99.

Love is the power behind everything good. Love is creation. Love is to be found everywhere in nature. On the cover of his new album Peter Kater has the following comment that sums it up in a marvelous way:

Words cannot express the joy and elation I feel when I allow myself to experience and BE with the almost unreasonable beauty that IS our natural world, our Home. I thank the Universe/God that I CAN experience its awe and wonderment as often as I do. I know this perfection IS Reality. And for some unexplainable miracle, I can see it. I can hear its silent roar. It calls to me. Touches me . . . reaches out and talks to me. It reminds me that I am not alone as I am absorbed into its profound presence. The unspeakable shift. The unthinkable gift. Elation. Here, in the “real” world, the natural world, within each moment and from every direction, resounds the Call Of Love.

With such a powerful message, Peter Kater’s new album Call of Love simply HAD to become great and inspired. It sure is. It is an album that from the very first piano note takes the listener on a musical voyage that is as colorful as Spar Street‘s wonderful cover artwork. Six time Grammy nominee Peter Kater is always delivering, and this is also the case with the album at hand. No artist out there is better when it comes to creating a song that starts with a hint of melancholy and grows into a melodic, passionate and almost divine artwork; the finished musical canvas is filled with nothing but the brightest colors.

Peter has invited three very gifted musicians to create the album. These artists are Legendary reedman, Paul McCandless; celebrated cellist, Jaques Morelenbaum; and Sting guitarist, Dominic Miller. It is obvious to the listener that they have had great fun while creating the album. There is a refreshing playfulness to many segments. This gives the album a more live feeling.

The album starts with the title song. A Call of Love never a whisper, nor everyday talk, and is for sure not a scream. It is a gentle, softly spoken message that tells of deep, true love. This also sums up the song. It starts with a few piano notes and grows into a call that is all about tenderness, gratitude and promises of everlasting love. It is simply masterful.

Breath of Life is like an awakening, and after a gentle start Dominic’s guitar and Paul’s cello lift the songs to new heights – and Peter fills in the theme on the piano. It is almost impossible not to close ones eyes and venture into the beautiful dream, a sphere of colors, that the music creates.

I love it when Peter shows his impressive piano skills. Track 5 is a fast song that shows how being here for you often means running and doing an extra effort for ones love. It is all about getting the work done and take the time to build and strengthen a relationship. Yes, it is all about love!

A song that is impossible not to, well, love, is A Tale To Tell. The tale told here is about the best of feelings. I found myself smiling while listening to it. The theme makes you want to listen to the song again and again.

The next last track is interesting. Sting’s Fields of Gold is always a welcome listen. Cover versions of this international hit have been made by artists such as Eva Cassidy and Mary Wilson. Peter’s take on Fields of Gold is very precise and true to the original, while adding an interesting twist here and there. I especially like the way the melodic theme is shared by the piano and the guitar. As a radio show host I know that this song will be a true winner, and people will stay logged on just to finish listening to it. Few will log off because the song is just so beautiful, and this arrangement is extremely well done.

Call of Love is without a doubt one of this year’s best releases – and one of Peter Kater’s very best albums. Indeed, as we look back it might well be this album we will remember for the year 2010. It is created by love for music, nature and creation itself. It is a true Call of Love.

Visit Peter Kater’s webpage for information.

The Larchmont-Mamaroneck news site larchmont.patch.com has a nice interview with George Winston which was made in connection with his recent concert in the area.

It is no secret that mr. Winston is not happy with the “new age music” tag on his albums, which he tells about in the interview:

He [George Winston] is not laid back. He doesn’t talk about health food. He doesn’t once use the term “cosmic,” make a reference to his shaman, or quote from the poetry of Khalil Gibran.

And boy, does he get fired-up if you ever so much as ask why they called it “New Age Music.”

[...] He’ll go anywhere, alone, musically speaking, without a map. He incorporates jazz, folk, classical and rock into a unified whole that is as adventurous as it is popular. Both “December” and “Winter Into Spring” have gone platinum; fairly unheard of for solo piano albums. In the process, he made Windham Hill, the label that signed him, a name synonymous with that ‘New Age’ stuff. For better and worse.

Winston says the term is “meaningless” and it’s all about “marketing.”

There Mr. Winston is wrong. The term is not meaningless. And how can it be about marketing? New Age Music hasn’t really been hip since the late 1980s…

That said, we totally understand his point of view. And we are big-big fans!!!

So enjoy this fine interview with Mr. Winston, and do check out his webpage here.

Steven C is an acclaimed composing pianist recognized by many for his inspirational piano and orchestral music having a graceful vibrancy that gently touches the inner spirit in a mindful way, and while music in all forms reaches out for some level of emotional response in each and every one of us, music that inspires while moving the inner spirit is perhaps the greatest of all.

Heart Strings is the current release by Steven C. Anderson and one highly regarded in the music industry as the greatest of every release he has produced so far.  After listening to Heart Strings for myself, I felt you too will find this refined beauty a classic portrayal of popular music in harmony with finely tuned orchestrations a moving and inspiring one.  In fact there is a good chance many of you have already heard and felt the majestic scores of Steven C in television programing.

The true sincerity of his efforts as a musician happens to be a matter of record since the recordings and live performances of this St. Paul Minnesota resident have already been presented on The Today Show and Oprah Winfrey, along with PBS, QVC, and the Discovery Channel, so chances are everyone will have another opportunity to hear his television productions again in the near future.

With over 2 million units sold, Steven C has also performed with top artists Mannheim Steamroller and his presence on digital music programming and broad radio audience includes Music Choice, in addition to over 150 radio stations worldwide.  Another source of recognition is the earlier Solo Piano release Signature which made a number 2 debut on the ZMR New Age Charts in 2008.

Heart Strings has several fundamental components which nicely enhance the energetic structuring and vibrant resonance behind this unique project having the sustenance to brighten your spirits every single day.  One being the original 15 piano melodies composed and performed by Steven C on a Bosendorfer Grand Piano was combined with the prestigious London Symphony Strings Orchestra with additional strings provided by Brigid McCarthy and Michelle Kinney.

If the admirable inclusion of the classic London Symphony Strings Orchestra is not enough assurance to inspire and warm your heart, there are the dynamic elements of Grammy Award winning arranger, orchestral conductor, and Mannheim Steamroller band member Arnie Roth, with additional contributions from Andrea Bocelli, Charlotte Church, and Mannheim Steamroller founding leader Chip Davis.

In another fact of distinction, the piano and orchestrations in Heart Strings were recorded in London England at the renowned Abbey Road Studios, where a countless number of beloved musical greats like Cliff Richard, Pink Floyd & The Beatles have performed their cherished classics in studio.  Just like the music icons before him, the same innovative recording techniques were used to enhance and achieve the noticeable audio refinements on this uplifting instrumental classic by Steven C.

Heart Strings is an extraordinary project given the instrumental enchantment it conveys.  Moving by expressing a highly sought after level of emotional content for the listener, this vibrant album has the power to transport the inner spirit onward for a multitude of people, effectively inspiring each and every individual response along the way.

Visit the stevencmusic.com website and then sample / purchase on his albums page or visit his CDBaby.com page.  Steven C also offers the unique services of personalized custom piano music for your wedding, anniversary, or special occasion.  Find the details on his custom music page.

Picture copyright BigStockPhoto.com – jgroup

There are many interesting apps for your iPhone and iPad out there, but one you have to check out is the New Age Piano app – which has just been released by NewAgePiano.com!

The app gives the iPhone owner a collection of relaxing and inspiring melodies. It features music, news, photos, videos, and more from 12 of today’s greatest New Age Pianists.

Among them are our dear friends Ken Elkinson, James Cahall, Peter Kater, Mark Pinkus and Brian Turner.

The app is available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. See a presentation of it here - and get it on Apple Store here.

When listening to New Age music, the multiple genres and subgenres of World, Ambient, Contemporary, Instrumental, Chill Out, and Groove in most cases are heard from one album to another.  Today I have a chance to tell you about a novel new release that explores the multitude of influences I have listed throughout the entire album.

The Landing ( Special Edition ) is polarizing by this balancing act of multiple influences and is simply a wonderful feat of artistry from beginning to end, plus The Landing in original form with 6 songs has achieved worldwide airplay while catching the attention of not just the buying public, but some music retailers too after landing directly onto their best sellers section.   

 David Clavijo from Seville Spain seems to have a natural inclination of what multi influential New Age music is all about and I felt his performance on acoustic & electric guitars along with piano & keyboards are a fine line balance that blends together quite nicely by having these diverse instrumental strengths.

The compositions of David Clavijo likewise have universal appeal after featuring in television commercials, soundtracks, festivals and cultural events held in Spain.  In addition, his music has acquired a global audience by extensive radio airtime having also collaborated with many international labels in the Ambient & Chill Out categories, so there are additional compilation projects you can find featuring his original scores.

The Landing ( Special Edition ) has 10 songs and is a natural acquisition for those who like lively instrumentals with wonderful upbeat rhythms since every songs carries at least a moderate or upper tempo with liberal percussion accents.   Another point of interest is almost every song exhibits piano and electric guitar harmonies with appealing vocals which nicely enhance the music environment.

Dancing on the Moon features a nice orchestration for the beginning song, where piano, oboe and violin weave a bold and dynamic theme into a colorful interblending that instills a cosmopolitan touch of class.  Light soprano vocals with excluded lyrics also regulate this effect on several songs like Distant Love, where electric guitar runs revolve into a memorable Rock styled rendition that is in direct contrast with a lighter piano melody. 

One of the more unique methods of exploration is the usage of upper register notes on piano which inscribes a lighter perspective while comingling the stronger melodic guitar runs and deeper tenor vocals.  Es Vedra likewise paired mid register piano notes with upper range octaves backed by guitar runs and deeper tenor vocals, making an admirable blend by this interchange.

Sailing in my Dreams projects a more mysterious presence given the deeper keyboards and piano melody accents suspended in moderate timing by bass percussion.  The longest song Nowhere gives a wonderful mood to relax with by the lighter arrangement.  The World influences in African Spirit are moving by an ethnic choir of children vocals set to a nice percussion rhythm and turns out to be a pretty colorful song.

Las Dunas is the first of 4 new bonus songs added to the original The Landing lineup and like most songs, carries an upbeat tempo and has a modern groove feel with soprano vocals backed by saxophone and guitar.  East Winds has a far reaching atmosphere by long extended electric guitar long notes, where Uttara Kanda blends exotic influences from the lands of India and with indigenous percussion, brings a spice of life presence into the picture. 

Promises with an orchestra blend is the last song on The Landing ( Special Edition ) and while the Original album was indeed a success, this latest release with the 4 bonus tracks holds even greater expectations for this promising new multi influential release that really is quite special.

Visit davidclavijo.com to sample / purchase or at his CDBaby.com page and major retail outlets.  Learn more about David Clavijo at his website profile page.  You can connect with David Clavijo on his social network sites MySpace page & FaceBook page.

Picture copyright BigStockPhoto – Copestello

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.