Product Description
Sounds like: Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, Liz Story, George Winston, early Windham Hill solo piano artists
Transcribed by: David Shenton (
https://www.shentonmusic.com/ ) verbatim to the sound recording
Contents:
1. New York City Skyline (from "The Purple Heart")
2. In A Corner (from "Near the Edge of Light")
3. The Journey (from "The Journey")
4. Waiting (from "Active Imagination")
5. The Bermuda Triangle (BONUS) (similar version appears on "Reconstructed")
6. Overview (from "Near the Edge of Light")
7. By Ear / By Heart / By Soul (from "The Purple Heart")
8. Scratching The Surface (BONUS)
9. Voice Of God (Thanksgiving) [from "The Journey"]
10. Jealous Heart (from "Near the Edge of Light")
11. Greensleeves (homage to Liz Story) [from "In Search for the Meaning of Christmas"]
12. End Of The Line (from "The Journey")
13. Love Chaconne (from "Active Imagination")
{NOTE: the two "bonus" tracks have exclusively only been available in the physical book until this digital release on SMP. }
Album Review by: Kathy Parsons
Scratching the Surface: Solo Piano Sampler, Disc 1
is a collection of eleven pieces from Isadars five solo piano CDs plus
two bonus tracks. The selection covers a span of sixteen years and
although there isnt a discernible difference in Isadars playing style
over the years, it is always fascinating to hear how an artist has
evolved and which pieces he or she feels best represents his or her
career path. Mostly a self-taught pianist, Isadar began his music career
in Louisiana. From there he moved to New York City, where he lived for
many years. Isadars music contains elements of jazz and much of it is
improvised, which gives it a very fresh, spontaneous sound. Above all
else, it is deeply personal and emotional.
Isadar released his first solo piano album,
Near the Edge of Light, in 1990, and there are three selections from that album on Scratching the Surface.
"
In a Corner" is very slow and melancholy - one of my favorites.
"
Overview" and "
Jealous Heart" are also on the somber side and
exceptionally beautiful.
Active Imagination
was the album that introduced me to Isadars music in 1999 and is still
one of my favorite albums. "
Waiting" (love it!!!) and "
Love Chaconne"
are from that album.
In Seach For the Meaning of Christmas
was also released in 1999, and Isadars wonderful arrangement of
"
Greensleeves" comes from that album. Based on Liz Storys arrangement
of the same song, this piece was literally a turning point in Isadars
development as a pianist.
The Journey was
released in 2000, and the title track, "
Voice of God (Thanksgiving),"
and "
End of the Line" come from that album - all three are gorgeous.
The Purple Heart
is Isadars memorial to the victims of 9/11 and was released in 2003.
Conceived as one long piece, Isadar broke it down into shorter pieces
that flow together on the original album. For this compilation, he
included "
New York City Skyline" and "
By Ear/ By Heart/ By Soul." The
first of the two bonus tracks is "
The Bermuda Triangle," a more upbeat
piece with a beautiful flowing quality. The second one is the title
track, which is lively yet pensive.
Scrat
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.