Search - Tom Barabas :: Piano Impressions

Not Perfect Is Still Pretty Darned Good

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 09/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Barabas is a pianist of some measure, specializing in the style of light jazz which is often classified as 'new age.' Of course, this latter genre is so non-specific that almost anything might fit it, and Barabas is hardly non-specific. While he is not of the order of George Winston, Michael Jones or Jordan Rudess, he is worth paying attention to, only rarely missing the mark, and occasionally being truly brilliant.



Unfortunately, Piano Impressions is one of those albums that is more than a little erratic. Strangely, the two least successful pieces are Circle of Friends and After the Rain both are derivate, and both fall short of their originators. Others, like Reflections, Impressions, and Awakening are pretty close to perfect. I like his work best when he works through a melody line, defining and refining it.



This is listening/meditating music, but it has the kind of depth that draws the listener in and rarely slips into any pattern of sameness. As such, the album bears up well under repeated listenings. Sunday morning coffee music or sit at the drawing table and design music. Definitely worth the effort to track down music."