Search - Laurie Z :: Window to the World

Smooth and jazzy

Brad B | Upstate NY | 12/19/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Window To The World", Laurie Z.'s first solo effort, immediately captures your attention with "The Explorer". It uses a steady beat with nice, varying instrumentation. It's a smooth and jazzy start, not a blaring, knock-your-socks-off start. As the album progresses, the listener is treated to some great acoustic piano and guitar sounds, with great intertwining harmonies (seemingly not easy to do). There are orchestral strains, nice tunes, and you take a journey over the country side in "Summerland".But by the fifth cut, there was a kind of sameness to all the songs up through that point. By then, I found myself looking for more. I could see a great progression from this album to "Life Between The Lines", Laurie Z.'s later work which is also available on this site. I was looking forward to hearing another of Laurie's albums.Then the sixth and title cut came on, and right off the bat, you could tell it was something different. "Window To The World" is a great name for this one, because it's as if it were the artist's emergence from the previous sameness. The rest of the album shows off her stuff. "City Lights" has a great beat with more variety. It's much looser than the previous songs, and has some great organ in it. You can't sit still to this one.Other tracks show off some great dissonant harmonies and a playful tune. But the big finale is "Promise To Forever". This is simply a gorgeous work with great string bass sound. Although I think the later album overall is better, this one is certainly a keeper, too. If you like great music, you'll love "Window To The World"."

From Solo Piano Publications

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 07/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Laurie Z.'s first solo album is a fascinating study of both her earlier compositions and the keyboard technology that was available in the late 80's. The CD opens with the buoyant and somewhat-funky "The Explorer" - upbeat and fun! "A Reflection of Ourselves" is amazing - I couldn't believe it when I learned that the guitar is actually synth - a feat accomplished by great sampling AND keeping the playing within a guitar's realistic tonal range. Technical aspects aside, this is a beautiful piece! "It's a Jungle In Here" is also a lot of fun with a catchy percussion track and a great combination of synth voices. The title track is a real favorite - a sweet little intro breaks into toe-tapping rhythm and a terrific melody that combines rock and funk elements. I also love "City Lights" - an R&B/jazz number that is mind-blowing from the fact that one woman did all of the sounds on synth - a little red-headed soul! Laurie Z. is one of my favorite artists, and this first CD is a very important part of her musical evolution. Highly recommended!"