This is a solo piano CD by Irish musician JOSH JOHNSTON.  The album, THE SHAPE OF THINGS, was recorded in one day in an empty church in an Irish country town.  The tunes all have cohesive, written-out melodies, but also contain an improvisational section too.

Two compositions – “PEACE (NIGHTSONG 1)” and “GUEST” -- were written by Johnston as the soundtrack to an acclaimed silent Irish film (“GUESTS OF THE NATION”) his grandfather wrote and directed in the mid-1930s based on a short story by Frank O’Connor (one of Ireland’s most acclaimed authors).  During the past decade the film has been shown throughout Ireland as well as in England, France and the Czeck Republic with Josh performing live a largely-improvised piano accompaniment eventually refined to include these two themes.

This is just some of the back-story of this incredible music which somehow manages to capture a whiff of the Irish life which has always been balanced between sadness and happiness.  As you would expect, there are tunes inspired by people and places.  Apparently one Johnston’s main inspirations is the night-time when he likes to go to his local church when everyone has gone, turn out the lights and in the darkness improvise on themes he has written.  Some of this material shows up as a series of “NIGHTSONGS.”

Solo piano music is difficult to describe, but this music feels like it has a lot of emotionalism at its core.
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If you’re looking for something to take you away, The Shape of Things by Josh Johnston provides a perfect escape. Consisting of gorgeous, arresting, and unobtrusive solo piano pieces, the album draws you into a relaxed and peaceful state of mind from beginning to end.

Much like the artwork on the CD jacket, Johnston’s understated piano playing wafts in like a dense fog, with the light of his beautiful original compositions piercing through the mist. Rather than overwhelm with a full-frontal assault, the music works its way into your psyche like gently rolling thunder and stays there like a persistent but calming rain.

The music is transformative and transports you to such idyllic locales as a lush green countryside, also depicted on the album cover. The chords and melodies roll off the ear as effortlessly as they seem to roll off Johnston’s fingers.

The result is music that is truly cathartic and therapeutic, perfect for solace, healing, and reflection.
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