|
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. |
