“Piano Paintings” is Shannon Janssen’s second release, and is a lovely collection of original piano pieces with synth orchestrations and embellishments by producer Mark Pence. Most of the pieces were inspired by family or nature, giving the overall mood of the album one of tranquility. “Peace Afterwards” was composed as a patriotic song and was titled after 9/11. A very pensive and heartfelt piece, this is one of the best tracks on the CD. “Approaching Storm” is also interesting, and has a bigger, more turbulent feel. With such a strong musical statement, I don’t think the thunder claps throughout the song were necessary - besides, they scare my cats! “Home Again” describes the feeling of coming home to the things that you love. This is also a very warm and heartfelt piece that works especially well at conveying a familiar emotion that we all experience at one time or another. Two of the pieces were composed for Janssen’s daughter’s wedding. “Hollie’s Wedding Isle” was written as her processional, and is full of grace and warmth. “Promise Me” has lyrics written by a friend (but were not used on this recording) and was sung at the wedding. It is referred to in the liner notes as “the perfect wedding song.” The melody is very gentle and beautiful, so it will be interesting to hear the song with its vocals on a future recording. “Mother’s Day” is a loving tribute to Janssen’s own mother, and is very flowing with an easy-going melody. I’m not a fan of added sound effects, so by the third or fourth listen to this album, the baby’s laughter at the beginning and end of this piece got a little annoying. “Sweet Dreams” is a lullaby for a new grandchild, and is full of tenderness and a grandma’s love. “Piano Paintings” is a very nice album, but I am not as excited about it as I was the earlier “Heart Journey.” Maybe my expectations were too high, but I found this album a bit more predictable and harder to get into. I was also bothered by the sound quality of the piano, and suspect that it was electronic. Shannon Janssen is definitely an artist to watch, as her playing and composing styles are passionate and very capable.
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Good easy-listening instrumentals have a flow and an emotional integrity that can be quite moving, and Shannon Janssen’s second album Piano Paintings features a healthy sampling of just such instrumentals—delicate, swaying keyboard originals that are more substantive than mere Muzak air-pudding. With the aid of producer Mark Pence’s tasteful, unobtrusive arrangements, piano teacher and church organist Janssen comes up with light melodic variations that she plays with imagination and grace. Piano Paintings also contains touching liner notes in which Janssen explains the origin of each song in her travels and family life, adding to the album’s warm, homemade feeling. —NM
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Everything about this CD is great.  The listener can feel the pianist in the music; can see her as part of her music.
Thank you.
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My new CD's by Shannon have hit the top of the charts in the office.  I have people asking me if I would put them on and others ask me if I would turn them up.  I play them in my sewing room alone, or as meditation or devotional music in groups I lead.  They are a great addition to my small tape library.
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