Search - Geoff Smith :: 15 Wild Decembers

The music of the loss

Antonio Guerrieri | Italy | 12/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Geoff Smith's first release is simply excellent. This is due to Nicola's particular voice and to Geoff clear talent. But listening to an album like this, you could risk your own life, because it is sad like no one else. I mean, the idea of suicide, the infinite sadness of the melody, could strongly hit your sensibility (if you have one), and take you to a silent world of loneliness and melancholy. It's great music, a modern romanticism of composing piano pieces, but surely not the best way to improve your joy adn happiness..."

For fans of Steve Reich or John Adams

John Schussler | Seattle, WA | 09/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most of the other reviews here place Smith in the wrong genre. This isn't a pop album, nor is he a pop performer, so the comparisons to various 4AD releases and artists (though understandable if you don't know about classical minimalism) are misplaced. This is in fact a western classical album. (Note, however, that Smith's subsequent release, Black Flowers, though similar, moves more into the jazz fusion world, particularly in terms of instrumentation.)



The most appropriate comparison is to Steve Reich, a "classical" composer in the minimalist tradition. Smith's piano work is very reminicent of Reich's work, and the addition of very accessible vocals (rather than more abstract "minimalist" stylings) is probably the factor that makes it somewhat harder to see it as a purely classical album. Were it just the piano, I doubt any of the reviewers would mention pop artists, and instead we'd be sticking to a discussion of John Adams, Phillip Glass, and Reich.



My personal reaction to the album is very positive. I'm a fan of Reich and Adams to begin with, so Smith's style is something I very much enjoy. The vocals are also very well done (I'll admit the comparison to Lisa Gerrard/Dead Can Dance is not entirely off base in that regard), and make for a very interesting combination that's less abstract and much more engaging for most folks than a purely minimalist classical album would be.



Highly recommended."

Heartwrenching and Romantic

Julie | Orem, Utah | 03/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can I say, but I absolutely LOVE this cd. I especially enjoy listening to this cd in the Fall months. I write poetry and fiction novels and Fall is my favorite time to write. This music inspires me and brings out so many feelings and thoughts. I bought their follow-up cd, Blackflowers, and I enjoy it just as well. I have been looking for years, hoping to find a third cd, but have been unsuccessful. I only hope they will share their talents with us once again. Geoff Smith's ability with the piano is amazing, especially with his crossover to classical. Nicola's voice is poetry in itself, amazing."