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This
is a special CD. Just prior to the awful September 11th.
attacks in America, California based piano teacher and
chief reviewer of the excellent Mainly Piano
website, sent out an e-mail inviting her piano friends
to complete the following: "Music is....". One of the
recipients was US based pianist Eric Chapelle- composer
of, amongst other CDs, "Our Time". The following week,
Chapelle watched the terrible events unfold on
television and, like millions of others around the
world, was deeply affected by what he was witnessing.
About a week later, he returned to the e-mail from Kathy
Parsons, and an idea was planted inside his head.
Initially, Chapelle intended to compose music himself
that could then be sold, with the proceeds going to help
the families of those deceased. However, he came to
realise that other pianists might be thinking along
similar lines. He replied to Kathy Parsons, suggesting
that the idea of a "Tribute CD" was sent out to her
original contacts. The response was incredible, with
compositions flooding in. Eric Chapelle quickly concluded that a compilation CD was the way forward, and
the Heart-Aid Project was initiated. The rest, as they
say, is history. Spring Hill Music deserve credit for
releasing this CD- with all profits going to help the
families of those affected by the disaster.
Selecting the tracks for such a CD
was an onerous task, such was the high
standard of submissions. However, select
they did, and the end product is a
touching legacy to those who perished on
one of the world's darkest days.
The CD opens with the delightful
Robin Spielberg track, "Wherever You
Go". It is a piece filled with optimism,
and makes the ideal opening track for
the healing aim of the project. Equally
lovely, is the CDs third track,
"Journey", by Jamie Campbell. This track
begins mournfully, with piano and cello.
However, a positive feel is created
later in the track. The cello, played by
the wonderful Martin Tillman, also
features on the album's next track,
"I'll Carry You Through" by well known
pianist John Boswell. It is very
beautiful and rather sombre.
Evan Gould has
created a delightful short melody in
"First Embrace", lasting just one minute
and forty three seconds. It is quite a
jolly, upbeat track. Gould is a
vice-president of finance, but is
currently working on a second album. He
is also exceptionally kind, sending me
his excellent "As Always" CD, which is
virtually impossible to get hold of
online or in the shops. "Grace", by
Michael Hoppé is equally good, but far
more mournful. It is slow and quite
minimalist, but exceptionally nice to
listen to. The tempo gradually
increases, suggesting hope can be found
in the darkest of times. I love it! It's
made all the more special because this
track was written especially for this CD
and is previously unreleased. Another
highlight is the album's eighth track,
"Ivory" by Ray Lynch. Lynch rarely
ventures into playing the piano in his
compositions, which is a great shame as
this particular track is nothing short
of outstanding. He combines the piano
and flute, and the end result is
incredible. This track is one of my
all-time favourite pieces of music. It
is a happy, feel good music, again part
of the healing process that this CD aims
to facilitate.
Hiker Zola Van's release from her 2000 album,
"River to River Trail" amply demonstrates her
skills as a pianist, and is quite classical in
feel. It is the album's ninth track. Suzanne
Ciani has enjoyed considerable success as a
pianist, especially after her biggest hit- the
wonderful, "The Velocity of Love". Here, her
contribution is the aptly titled "Turning"-
perhaps suggesting the way is forward. It is
from her Pianissimo III album. Dan Chadburn's
"Silence Once Served" is a very evocative,
heart-felt piece. Amazingly, this is an
improvisation, but it certainly has a polished
and accomplished feel to it.
I also very much enjoyed Jeff Bjorck's "Porch
Swing Summer Night" from his album Pure Piano
Panoramas. It manages to be uplifting and
emotional all in one- quite a feat! I have two
of Jeff's albums, and enjoy his music. Out of
interest, he is also a a clinical psychologist.
Ken Pedersen's "The Dance Left Behind" is very
touching. Pedersen came to my attention through
the brilliant track "Quest" which I have on one
of his albums. "Lullaby", just as the title
suggests, is a gentle little number by Karen
Fitzgerald. Perhaps a time of reflective
optimism. The CD closes with a jazz number by
Julie Rivers- "When the Sun Goes Down".
I highly recommend this CD, published by
Spring-Hill Music, the profits of which, as
mentioned earlier, go to
the continued support of those who lost loved
ones on that devastating day.
S.C.
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