Playing Time – 44:27 -- Playing piano since age 7, musician Jon Galfano’s “Going Home” is his sixth album. His ten new age compositions for piano make a statement. The coherent concept that holds “Going Home” together is one of transcendent beauty. Galfano doesn’t practice self-indulgence, bur rather his emphasis is one of self-awareness. Everything he plays makes a statement about himself as a person, how he thinks, what he thinks, his views, his surroundings and his art. Recorded on a Kawai RX-7 concert grand piano, the album’s title comes from Galfano’s partner, Sharon Williams, who wanted the title to reflect sensitivity, sentimentality, and a yearning to return to our roots. Other inspirations for his music come from his Jack Russell terrier, the Hurricane Katrina disaster, and sailing on the straits of Juan De Fuca between Washington and British Columbia. Galfano clearly know why he plays piano, and Jon’s making it stand for something. Without any filters, “Going Home” communicates from heart to heart. And he’s giving us something meaningful with character, content and accessibility. Jon Galfano's music on his “Gem Mystique” and “Going Home” albums can be heard on Mystic Soundscapes internet radio at www.mysticsoundscapes.com (Joe Ross)

“Going Home” is Jon Galfano’s fourth piano CD. This one is all solo piano and was recorded on a Kawai concert grand, which has a warm, inviting sound quality that is well-suited to Galfano’s various playing styles. Most of the music is on the quiet, soothing side, but there are a couple of more upbeat pieces that demonstrate this artist’s versatility. “The Nimble Gypsie” opens the CD with a lively, light-hearted piece that dances up and down the piano keyboard. “Sailing the Straits” is a bit more melancholy, but also has that effortless, graceful flow of being on water in a sailboat. There is a feeling of movement, but also of peace and calm - a beautiful piece! “Looking for a Place” is fascinating. It begins with a feeling of urgency and agitation, and perhaps a little confusion. Galfano meanders around the keyboard a bit, but then the piece segues into a short, concrete melody. The agitation and search resume for a minute or so, and then it becomes kind of a folk melody with a sense of place. One of my favorite tracks is “Bluesy,” which is quite a diversion from the other pieces, but fits in very well. Composed in a classic blues style, this sounds like fun to play! “Autumn Moon” is pure peace and contentment, and is so relaxed and free that it may be an improvisation. I also really like “Sweet Verses,” which has a lovely melody and a wistful, reflective feeling. It reminds me a bit of some of Philip Aaberg’s slow pieces. “Indigo Dreams” is more abstract, and sounds like it could be another improvisation. As the title implies, is has a dark, dreamy quality. “Waters Rising” has a dramatic intensity, but isn’t turbulent or threatening. Quickly flowing and sparkling, there is a feeling of several currents pulling in different directions. “Going Home” shows major artistic growth since 2002’s “GalfanoPiano.” Easy-going and accessible, yet complex enough to stay interesting with many listenings, “Going Home” should be a welcome addition to most piano fans’ collections.