Search - Various Artists :: Songs Without Words

Solo piano for many moods

Neal C. Reynolds | Indianapolis, Indiana | 09/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are many different styles here, as well as several very familiar names. No one person will likely enjoy every piece played here, but each person should find a few favorites. I've listed some of my favorites below, but you might well have others. John Corey's "A Hollywood Nocturne" really grabbed me with it's contrasting image of sadness and loneliness against, as Corey put it in the notes, "the beauty, wealth, and grandeur or Hollywood".Then, overly familiar or not, Michael Kamen's "Everything I Do" indeed was a highlight.Diane Warren's playing of her song which has been recorded by Celine Dion and Patti La Belle is also a personal favorite.However, I found Carole King's "Blue Modal Morning Alive" my favorite, with its evocation of Idaho's wilderness.Other notable ones include David Benoit's "Major Dreams, Minor Lies", Jim Brickman's "Generations, Stephen Sondheim's "What Can You Lose?" and the opening "Water Fountain" by David Foster. All in all, a very satisfying CD."

Wrong CD

Omkar | 02/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Careful, there are a lot of CDs titled "Songs Without Words." I bought what I thought (and what was represented on this site) as a used copy of Vol. 1 of the Windham Hill collection by that name. What I received was something very different from Brentwood Records."

Engaging, Soothing and pleasantly subtle

Omkar | CA, USA | 01/19/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I didnt anticipate much from this CD when I bought it as the reviews were two pronged. I also knew what I was buying unlike some people who must've heard raves about the other namesake from Fred Hersch and bought this one accidently. It doesnt do enough justice to this CD especially if its judged by those who anticipated a piano jazz collection and accidentally purchased this one. There are some tunes that are outright melodious,and well, the over hyped "everything I do" is just somewhere in the middle. The most beautiful ones are the compassionately rhythmic "songs without words" by eric bazilian and the meditatively soothing john corey's "hollywood nocturne". I think this CD doesnt intend to provide some insight into contemporary piano classical tunes, it just intends to provide a pleasant, relaxing ambience, to which end, it definitely succeeds.The ambience that this work generates is very suitable for a formal evening supper or just to fall asleep listening to some charming music."