Whoa, listening to your piano playing, it makes me feel comfortable and warm, it is very nice, just nice...

Just what you need at the end of a long day, turn down the lights, get relaxed, have another glass of wine, that's it, now enjoy and call me in the morning!

I had the great honor of hearing this musician in a live performance. I was so impressed by his rich tones and melodic sense that I purchased 2 cds one for my ipod and another for a really dear friend. It is not often one hears such interpretation of the old standards. I particularly love “Moon River”. Gordon Murray is truly a great artist!

Let's Be Romantic! is Canadian pianist Gordon Murray's first CD, and is a beautiful collection of fourteen love songs, most of which were hits in the '60's and '70's and went on to become pop classics. Murray wraps these gems in classical solo piano elegance and gives them a loving, romantic warmth well-suited to candlelight dinners and cozy evenings by a fire (with or without a loved one to share with!). A lot of albums like this can be cloying with a multitude of glissandos, trills, and fancy finger work that detract from the melodies, but Murray's playing is full of grace and emotion, letting the melodies sing over a flowing, arpeggiated accompaniment in the left hand. It is the left hand patterns that tie the songs together and give the album a consistent mood from start to finish. The album begins with a lovely, flowing arrangement of "The Way You Look Tonight", which is an older standard, but reminds me of the classy vocal recording by The Lettermen in the early 60's, I believe. Next comes the Bee Gees classic, How Deep Is Your Love? - a dreamy arrangement that floats on a cloud. Moon River has always been one of my favorite pop songs, and this version doesn't disappoint. The sweetly sentimental melody is carried effortlessly by the flow of the left hand. I also really like Somewhere from West Side Story. The sense of longing is palpable, as is the feeling of hope. What would a collection of love songs be without Unchained Melody? Again, Murray's interpretation of this song feels just right. I can almost picture Bobby Hatfield singing along, giving it his all. Boz Scaggs' We're All Alone has a happy feeling of anticipation. How Do You Keep the Music Playing? is more subdued and melancholy, and this arrangement is gorgeous. Let It Be Me is a song I haven't heard for awhile, but it fits right in, and I like it a lot better without the lyrics! Other titles include If, Endless Love, You Are So Beautiful, and Looking Through the Eyes of Love (the theme from Ice Castles). If you are looking for a collection of familiar love songs that is soothing, elegant, and very romantic, check this one out.