Search - Becky Archibald :: Mood Swing

The drastic shifts in moods from one piece to another, and within the pieces themselves, brought to mind the title Mood Swing. Most of these pieces were performed in Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall on May 7, 2006. I had hoped to record the CD immediately after I arrived home from that momentous occasion. Instead, I waited. Which was good, because three other pieces emerged from me that were important to include on this CD. I played solo there, but wished I could have brought some of my friends to play with. So as a bonus, I added a few ensemble tracks. These three pieces were written in layers, usually piano first, then instrumental lines. I recorded them both ways, solo and not so lonely.
September Nostalgic, dark and playful
Unspoken An intense piece which I began by drawing 3 notes out of a hat.
Waltz Chopin-esque, flowing and eerie. Kids love it!
Last Dance A bluesy lament
Spring Warm, stormy and surprising
I Know Sounding like a standard, this one has a nice bounce to it
Out of the Blue The writing of this piece lifted me during my after-Carnegie-Hall funk
A Really Mean Boogie-Woogie This one will make you smile, even when you re mad
What Might Have Been I didn t get my way, so I wrote this. (Hint: it was the day after the 04 election.)
Rocktober Fun, fun, fun, with a strong beat
A Song in the Key of DAVE Written in honor of my dear friend Dave Nehamkin
Spring (duet) Cello/piano version of Track 5, with Ingrid Fischer-Bellman, cello
I Know (trio) Clarinet/French horn/piano version of Track 6, with David Bellman, clarinet and Rick Graef, horn
Out of the Blue (duet) A wilder version of Track 7 for Jazz Trumpet and piano, with P.J. Yinger, trumpet
Cover Illustration: Chris Pyle Art Direction/Design: P.J. Yinger Photography: Scott Schrecker Producer: Frank Felice Recorded, mixed and mastered by Alan Johnson
Weaving the improvisational style of jazz with classical piano, award-winning composer/pianist Becky Archibald creates music that is inviting, intense and intimate. She received a standing ovation in Carnegie Hall s Weill Recital Hall following her debut performance in May, 2006. She has performed in such diverse venues as a recent house concert in Riverside, California on Frank Sinatra s piano, to Nashville Public Radio s Live in Studio C, to the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis. Her passion for writing began in 1997 while creating a birthday gift for her mom Searching, her first piano solo. Becky s solo piano CDs, Searching, The Long Ride Home, The Light At the End of the Blues, and The Christmas One have been played on radio stations around the country and overseas, including NPR s All Things Considered and All Songs Considered. Her music unfolds like I expect a good story to unfold, says Bob Boilen, creator and host of ASC. The L.A. Jazz Scene describes her music as thoughtful, melodic and passionate. The Nashville Scene defines it as having flashes of humor but with an introspective quality drawn from the wells of Chopin and Gershwin. Just Plain Folks, an international organization of independent musicians, calls Becky a jewel and selected The Long Ride Home as Best Solo Instrumental Album in their 2002 CD awards. And Just Plain Folks nominated Happy Holiday Rag from The Christmas One for Best Traditional Holiday Song for their 2006 awards. The CD received a Recording of Exceptional Merit award from Dr. Christmas himself, Gerry Gryzb, host of public radio affiliate WRST-FM, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.