"Northern Lights" - The second John E. Young album is a classically oriented collection of solo piano sonatas. There are only 4 tracks, but the total playing time is 58:08. This is an album you could use for background music, or dinner, or stress relief relaxation. Here are my impressions of each track. The first track, "Northern Lights", is a sound picture. If you ever get to watch the aurora borealis, the "northern lights", you will notice that they are a complex structure, in that they seem very peaceful and yet are constantly changing with ceaseless activity. That's why this piece of music is very aptly named. It is music that is soft and peaceful, and yet very filled with thematic activity. Very soothing music! 29:11 Of particular note, is the way the second track opens. The title is "Beneath The Waves" and the track opens with the piano making slow, even, methodical runs up and down the same scale repeatedly, placing your mind very much in the mode of thinking of the way waves move across an ocean; one after another, after another; each identical to the one before it and the one after it. Then a small change shows up as you begin to sink lower, going under the waves, slowly entering another realm, where there are differences seen in the new sights of seaweed, rocks, and fish flitting around like butterflies on a field of flowers; the whole scene one of quiet, peaceful life. This is a great track for just closing your eyes and letting your cares melt away! 9:48 "Coral Reef", track number 3, picks up the quiet aquatic theme of the second track and expounds upon it by developing a variety of additional thematic variations. If you've ever had the pleasure of scuba diving around a tropical coral reef, you know that the reef is actually a microcosm representing an entire aquatic world. A world filled with peace, in a general sense, and yet composed of many small pieces of life in the constant struggle to survive, to find food without becoming food, turf to patrol against intruders, a place to call home, and someone to mate with. A quiet place, but filled with activity. 8:36 The last track, "Time", combines the steady tick tock passing of time with the left hand while the right hand plays the varying themes, sometimes slow, sometimes rushing around that represents the way our lives keep on going this way and that while the ticking of the clock remains a known, constant element. Another great relaxation piece! 10:31