Search - Helen Jane Long :: Porcelain

A guaranteed stress buster

Fjireland | ireland | 02/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had to review this despite usually not bothering. This album needs to get more attention than it has. It's simply a perfect collection of piano music. This sort of thing isn't my usual cup of tea. Classical music just seems too complex and long for me to sit and listen to it for long enough to appreciate it or even give it a chance.



But this is something else, everyone should have a copy in their house. It's the most relaxing and de-stressing experience you could ever ask for from a music album. I thought other easy listening artists were the perfect tonic to today's modern stress filled life but nothing can compare to the beauty of this lady's work.



Helen Jane Long has composed thirteen gems that flow over you and soothe you. I just put the cd on, lie back and relax. The thing that makes this so special is because although I don't doubt Long's skill as a piano player, she has composed tracks that sound (probably deceptively) simple. The music is repetitive and simple but this works a treat, it really helps you relax.

I'm sure many would argue it's too repetitive but this is what makes it relax you, if given a chance, it really does just lift you from the stresses of life.



The tracks may sound simple and repetitive but they also really are great at capturing and conveying emotions, moods or themes.

This really is music to make you think and relax. And if it doesn't do that for you, the very least it offers is some very relaxing background music for you while you're at home.



"

Better than Windham Hill

Howard Baldwin | San Francisco | 11/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard Long's music first on my local classical music station, and found it haunting, poetic, relaxing, and more. It was unusual for the station, because it struck me as more Windham Hill than classical, but I enjoyed it even more than any Windham Hill recording I have. What a delight!"

Sublime and soothing

Pie Grrrl | MidWest | 03/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a huge fan of another great pianist, Ludovico Einaudi, who also creates haunting, memorable and soothing music. I found Porcelain through a link of his albums. I ordered this album from the tiny soundbites that amazon offers and am NOT disappointed. I had outgrown George Winston's piano music years ago; it just began jarring on my nerves. Not so this album: it's fluid, not repetative, or boring. I enjoy listening to this both as background but also purposefully listening to it at night, by candlelight. I only wish she had more albums to buy. Highly recommend."