David Peoples is a composer, performer, recording artist and music professor. His latest album, Looking for Utopia, is a departure from his previous work, which is best described as traditional, experimental, or jazzy. Here, the piano is the centerpiece but the album is truly a collaborative effort. Through the miracle of technology, Atlanta-based Peoples recorded […]
Tag: album review
Album Review: BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY by Brenda Warren
Music has been a lifelong passion for pianist Brenda Warren, who began studying classical piano at an early age and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music at San Francisco State University. An accomplished composer, she has written an award nominated musical, scored documentary films, had song placements in film and television, and recorded […]
Album Review: THE LONG GOODBYE by John Paris
Inspired by his own personal experiences as a caretaker for his wife, who suffers from dementia, The Long Goodbye is composer and pianist John Paris’s intensely personal and excruciatingly beautiful musical tribute to caregivers everywhere. As he searched for ways to keep his beloved companion’s life as peaceful as possible, melodies occurred to him; these […]
Album Review: BEYOND MEASURES AND TIME by Steve Rivera
Beyond Measures and Time is solo pianist Steve Rivera’s second release. Like his critically acclaimed debut album Dividing the Darkness, it was recorded at the legendary Imaginary Roads Studios and produced by Will Ackerman. The remarkable cover art (concept by Steve Rivera, photography by Scott Shelly, design and layout by Matt Strieby of Newleaf Design) […]
Album Review: CELTIQUE by Doug Hammer
Celtique, Doug Hammer’s twelfth release, tells the story of a fisherman: a day in his life from daybreak to twilight. Inspired by his love of Celtic music as well as places and cultures he has experienced, Doug Hammer has created a masterpiece. Celtique begins and ends with the title track “like an unbroken, sacred circle.” […]
ON THE OTHER SIDE by Cathy Oakes
On the Other Side is composer and solo pianist Cathy Oakes’ fourth release and her first venture into the world of orchestration. Five years in the making, it is imbued with all the emotion, passion and reverence born of the myriad of life experiences that took place over the course of that time. It is, in […]
Album Review: Even for a Moment by Gary Schmidt
Following the success of his 2016 album Landscapes of the Heart, Heart Dance Records pianist and composer Gary Schmidt has released his second album Even for a Moment. With twelve new original solo piano pieces and two classical selections, this album is a pleasure from start to finish. The album opens with If This Is […]
Album Review: Where Giants Roam the Earth by Milana Zilnik
Milana Zilnik is an extraordinary pianist, composer and singer-songwriter. Milana was born in Ukraine, lived in Israel for many years, and has resided in Canada for the past ten years; this has provided her with rich experiences to draw from in her musical story telling. A performer and recording artist since childhood, she improvises like […]
Album Review: Voyager by Lisa Swerdlow
California native Lisa Swerdlow was raised in a musical family and began studying classical piano at the age of six. She turned to composing at the age of sixteen and has performed in a variety of situations, including playing piano in a rock band and touring with an all female salsa band. After an extended […]
Album Review: Phoenix by William Ögmundson
William Ögmundson is an award winning and EMMY-nominated composer and lyricist and a classically trained solo pianist. He began performing at the age of five, has played in prestigious halls around the world, and has released six solo piano albums to date. His 2016 release, “Phoenix,” is a musical feast. This unique collection cannot be […]