Posts Tagged ‘Peter Jennison’

During times of war most sovereign nations remain dependent on men and women serving in the military for defense and protection of their country.  While protecting the freedoms and individual rights of private citizens, returning soldiers acquire imbedded memories that last a lifetime and clearly the grandest memory of them all is during the homecoming when reunited with their families.

Peter Jennison is a U.S. Army Captain and MEDEVAC helicopter pilot returning from active duty during the war in Iraq with revealing memories he witnessed from a firsthand perspective.  An American living at home in Florida now, his latest CD composed during the time period he served in Iraq is meant to evoke imagery of the conflict as a more peaceful musical experience for every listener, along with providing renewing therapy for soldiers and families upon their return home from service.

Longing For Home ( Songs From War ) is a New Age Contemporary Instrumental release Peter Jennison composed for piano with renown musicians supplying refined instrumentals in most of the 10 songs.  This album also has the notation of being a Will Ackerman production and with Corin Nelsen providing the mixing and mastering, their Grammy Award winning expertise can be perceived as a winning strategy by the quality work they produce.

In another strategic move, Peter Jennison enlisted highly recognized artists on his album including Jeff Haynes on percussion, Eugene Friesen on cello and Steve Schuch on violin.  In addition, Will Ackerman performs on guitar in one song and vocalist Noah Wilding gives soft vocals on two songs.  This album also holds the honor of being some of the last performances given by the late Tom “ T-Bone “ Wolk, a highly regarded multi instrumentalist remembered in part by his outstanding talents.

War  is a song with lighter phases in the beginning that build with increasing drama as piano, violin and percussion recreate a battlefield image during a dramatic illustration projected within the arrangement.  Nicely shown by a precise context, increasing tempo and percussion rhythms project distant artillery rounds, where chest moving recoil and ejecting shell casings seem all too real.

Peter Jennison composed his album with much regard to stories from the heart and mind.  This is apparent in his compositions where most songs portraying a tranquil atmosphere with a strong sense of drama and emotion can be easily felt and is consistent, during his solo piano expressions and in songs with instrumental refrains. 

Performing on a Steinway B, the emotional feel of 4 Solo Piano songs;  Hold Me in Your Heart, The Promise, Anthem & Longing For Home ( Title Song ) are classic and uplifting yet each one holds a certain melancholy as if telling of the days spent apart from family and the additional weight of uncertainty this carries.

The piano and instrumentals of violin during Time Passage convey this more poignant feeling where piano, cello and bass in High Mountain Dreams has a relaxing atmosphere.  The bass guitar and piano duet band together as one in moving song Desert Storms, then a piano melody combined with, guitar, violin and vocals in The One breaks into a resolute wave of harmony, in music finely empowered to portray the sentiment most of us will never experience firsthand.

Longing For Home ( Songs From War ) is indeed told from a U.S. soldier’s perspective, made more real since this story is voluntarily given by someone who has honorably faced and met the challenges war can bring.  And while recounting American men and women risking all in service to their country, reverent tribute is given to those lives we honor in memorandum of, also celebrating the virtues of every U.S. soldier as a regular citizen and a beloved family member.

Visit peterjennisonmusic.com to learn more.  You can sample / purchase at his CDBaby.com page or Digstation.com page.

Note :  A portion of the proceeds from every album sold will be given to charities that support veterans and their families.

Picture copyright BigStockPhoto.com – JustASC