GARY GIROUARD: The Naked Piano

Gary Girouard

The Naked Piano

© 2004 Galileo Music Corporation (786851132427)

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Invigorates your mind & soothes the soul. Relax and enjoy the romantic and soulful sound of the Naked Piano. A natural compliment to a romantic evening, cooking, dining or weekend relaxation.

tracks

1 Viva
2 Sorella
3 Renaissance
4 Florence
5 Trilogy
6 Esposa
7 Black Goose
8 San Gimignano
9 Opus

notes

It is said that "you don't find your passion, your passion finds you" - and for Gary Girouard that passion has always been the piano. His first piano was a blue 'junkyard' upright that his parents bought for $50 from a local flea market - and from that moment on, Gary's life has always revolved around black and white keys.

Gary cites an eclectic background of musical influences including Debussy, Bill Evans, Pink Floyd, Beethoven and Kitaro - but he also credits art (Fiorentino) and literature (Emerson) as having an equal impact.

Girouard’s musical career began after living and backpacking through Europe - writing music on a battery-operated keyboard. When he returned to the US, he landed a job at a Boston piano store - developing his style "after-hours" on a fleet of Steinway pianos.

Girouard began honing his writing skills in bars and clubs around Boston - focusing first on the ‘feel’ of a composition - as Girouard describes it: "a memorable, timeless melody that resonates with listeners and an expression that can be felt".

The Naked Piano series evolved from this sentiment to capture timeless themes and to allow people an escape from an otherwise hectic lifestyle - with the intention to provide a method for introspection, analysis and understanding. Girouard comments; "People lead increasingly stressful lives. The Naked Piano is a simple response - highlighting a beautiful instrument in its most pure and natural form. Whether it's cooking, dining or driving in your car, there are times when we all could use some refreshing piano music."

Paul Breeden, the editor of Boston Live, hails The Naked Piano as "a masterpiece...a testament to the gracious sounds of a fluid live recording" and Wilton Syckes, President of the Piano Travelers Association heralds The Naked Piano as "the most expressive, relaxing piano music I have ever experienced". The Naked Piano has been featured on such prominent media as CNET, FCTV (Cape Cod), WMVY Radio and Whisperings (solo piano radio).

Giving a nod to past experiences and worthy causes, Girouard donates a portion of all album sales to charities including the Team Bryce Charity (www.brycefund.org) - and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (www.holeinthewallgang.org) - two organizations that benefit seriously ill and disadvantaged children.

reviews

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  • Like a live performance in the privacy of my music room
    author: Edgar Dapiton

    The music relaxes an otherwise tired body and soul, but the music is simply one aspect for me, the other being the technical excellence I hear (and don't hear) that makes an album stand-out from the rest - this (and NP2) album is among the stand-outs for me: the clarity of the piano against a black background and the "liveness" of the performance are some things I only expected from what people call "audiophile pressing"... This is probably among the best in my collection! :-) EZD/egay

  • My Spirit Soars
    author: Annette D. Kitchener Ontario Canada

    When I play Naked Piano I and II, my spirit soars, the music deletes the days weight from my mind and heart. Thank you Gary. Please bring our CDs to 'Kitchener Center in the Square' performance centre. We need 'pure music from heaven' here too.

  • Awesome!
    author: Kim H

    A most wonderful blend of music that pampers the soul and senses.. I highly recommend Gary G's Naked Piano cds.

  • author: Joe

    Because it varied in rythm and mood I enjoyed the CD.

  • Loved It!
    author: Donna

    Great CD. I bought Naked Piano I & II and loved them both!

  • Love this stuff!
    author: Laura

    I love this kind of music. Why aren't people like THIS on the radio? Keep it up!

  • love the music
    author: Jennifer Bennett

    The 2 c.d.'s i bought were incredible. I am new to listening to this new age and I am so glad I started. The music is calming and peaceful. I absouletly LOVE IT.

  • Inspiring, Relaxing and Enhancing.
    author: Maurizio Schembri

    The music in this cd is amazingly beautiful. The compositions along with the interpretation and the excellent sound of the piano are awesome. The perfect Music for the heart, body and soul. This is an ideal gift to oneself or to someone you care about to relax, enjoy and enhance one's journey to the truthfull inner self.

  • MUST have dinner music!
    author: Gail

    Fantastic dinner music, we listen to it every night, recommended to us & we love it! Sent to relative for Christmas, already had it & loves it, will pass on to his friends!

  • This CD is just too awesome!
    author: Gerald

    Follow up to my last post: The only trouble I have with this CD is keeping it. Every time someone hears it playing, I end up giving them my copy. I'm ordering my 14th copy today!

  • All I can say is "WOW..."
    author: Gerald

    Caption says it all...WOW...what an AWESOME album and a great pleasure to add it to my collection. Need MORE! Gary, are you listening?!?

  • A Great Debut!
    author: Kathy Parsons

    “The Naked Piano” is Gary Girouard’s debut album, and it’s a winner! As the title suggests, the 9’ Steinway grand piano is recorded live and the music is without edits, effects, or embellishments. Girouard describes his music as “’classic piano’ - sort of like taking the coat and tie off ‘classical’ and blending it with pop. It is certainly targeted at an adult audience seeking an escape from hectic lifestyles.” Girouard’s classical training is apparent, as are various pop and smooth jazz influences. The tone of the CD is fairly consistent, making it an easy backdrop for other activities, but the music is varied and interesting enough to keep an active listener involved all the way through. Inspiration for the music came from universal themes such as love, peace, family, hope, nature, and spirit, and the themes are both deeply personal and easy to relate to. My favorite track is “Renaissance,” an improvisation done during the recording sessions that is meant to capture the mysterious mood of the abandoned performance hall. Slightly bluesy and very bittersweet with a fluid rubato rhythm, there seems to be a lot of questions being asked with no clear-cut answers. I really like this piece a lot - not only is the piano naked, but so are the pianist’s emotions. “Florence” is a very beautiful piece that was inspired by the year Girouard spent living in Italy. Gently flowing, like the Arno River that surrounds the city, this piece is very relaxed, but has the feeling of moving forward. “Trilogy” was composed two months before the 9/11 tragedy, and is based on the simple melody of a wind chime. The uncluttered and peaceful nature of the piece reflect an innocent serenity. “Black Goose” is a bit jazzier, and is named for a “hip” Boston restaurant. Cool and casual, it tells a leisurely story - good stuff! “Opus” was composed in 1990 as a surprise for the composer’s mother. Dark, and a bit more classical than the other eight pieces, “Opus” displays Girouard’s playing chops more than some of the other works, although he certainly isn’t grandstanding! At just over eight minutes, the piece has a chance to meander and go where it wants, developing various themes and musical thoughts as it evolves. “The Naked Piano” is an excellent CD and a very promising debut from Gary Girouard. Sound samples and other info are available from www.nakedpiano.net. Recommended!

  • Like having a pianist play in your living room,a timeless piece !
    author: Cathy

    The Naked Piano is the purest piano piece that I have ever heard,this artist imparts a unique tranquility to his music and clarity of tone. I play it over and over ,it sets a peaceful,relaxed atmosphere. Look forward to the next one.

  • Gary did a great job
    author: Steven Cravis - pianist

    Gary did a great job on his debut solo piano CD. It's truly flowing and heartfelt.

  • Amazing Local Artist
    author: Grant Willis

    Sometimes the most astonishing talent is right in one's own backyard. I am a resident of East Falmouth, MA and saw Gary's poster in the local Honeydew Donut shop. Figuring "what the heck", I ordered the CD from CD Baby. It was great--smooth and relaxing, yet with no two tracks sounding alike. I play it often, not so much for "background music" as for a soothing subtext to my day.

  • We fell in love with Gary's music
    author: Lisa McCormack

    I am the Activity Director of an assisted living facility in Falmouth, MA. On February 12, 2004, Gary Girouard came to Heritage at Falmouth and introduced his CD and his music to our residents. We all fell in love with Gary's music. Gary is a wonderful composer as well as a performer, the collection of songs that he shared with us was overwhelming to all.

  • I love the CD
    author: Sharon Marzano

    I love the CD, it's wonderful. I hope to make it to your CD release. Congratulations!! I wish you all the best!!!!

  • I love your CD!
    author: Phil Trumbull

    I just want you to know that I love your CD! It is the most relaxing and uplifting that I have heard in a long time. Is it mere coincidence that, upon having your beautiful music playing non-stop while driving to and from my sales appointments, I achieved my personal best month in sales volume??? For me, with my hectic schedules and long days, The Naked Piano is a long hot bath, a day on the beach listening to the water and gulls, a sail across the bay, an evening alone with my wife - all wrapped in one package! It puts a smile on my face and in my heart. Well Done!

  • The most expressive, relaxing piano music I have ever experienced...
    author: Wilton Syckes

    The Naked Piano is the most expressive, relaxing piano music I have ever experienced. As one with a lifetime love of music, I could listen to these compositions for a lifetime.

  • A MASTERPIECE!
    author: Paul Breeden

    Using no edits or effects, a Steinway “D”, and recorded at world famous Steinert Hall, ‘Naked Piano’ is a testament to the gracious sounds of a fluid live recording… so pure it leaves an eternal candle burning in the souls of all classical lovers.

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