Indie Music Review
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Dizzy with passion, the purity of this collection is a musical treasure.
Most modern recordings use digital effects, zillions of tracks, and lowest common denominator melodies to grab listeners' attention. Laura Sullivan refuses to do business this way. She is an extraordinary pianist and composer. To record her 2003 release, piano solos, Sullivan set up camp with only a few high end microphones, an amazing piano, and her own simple/ sophisticated style of self expression.
On tracks like "Hope for the Sun" and "Lullaby," Sullivan's delicate melodies cross stitch the space with feminine grace and expert agility. Then "Calls to Spirit" puts force behind the chords before we're taken on a sweet and sacred journey with "Dreaming Underwater." Even with these different levels of energy the music is always soothing, vital, and personal. Without a word ever spoken, these songs transmit the stories of this gifted composer's heart.
The sweet and silky performances of Laura Sullivan's piano solos may be called new age by some but this music speaks volumes without being confined to a genre. Dizzy with passion, intelligence and creativity, the performance and purity of this collection is a dreamy musical treasure. In these days of style over substance Laura Sullivan proves there is still music that operates on a deep and meaningful level.
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Sheryl
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The best!
I loved it. Laura Sullivan is one of my favorite artists. I have every one of her CD's and enjoy each one of them over and over again.
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Guenther Thallinger
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The pieces on the CD are very complete and mature. One would not dare to ever change a thing on a Rodin statue. And so appears Laura's work to me. The right music to find spiritual balance and rediscover the beauty within. One can only wait with great excitement for what Ms. Sullivan will present us with her next CD.
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Bill Binkelman, Wind and Wire,
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“The music on Laura Sullivan's eponymous CD of solo piano music is more somber and reflective than many piano recordings I receive for review. This is not a bad thing in the least. In fact, I think the piano is ideally suited (as an instrument) for painting melancholic musical portraits, and Ms. Sullivan sure can do just that, although, melancholic may be too severe a word to use for some of the lighter pieces here. Perhaps a better choice would be to label her songs as "introspective journeys." While there are some up-tempo numbers (such as the opener, "Hope for the Sun") many of the tracks on the album are soundtracks for late autumn walks down deserted streets or while strolling through a cathedral of barren trees.
“Dreaming Underwater" is delicate, Sullivan showing a solid command of changing time signatures as she moves from quick to relaxed tempos throughout the song, yet avoiding any trace of confusion or "chaos" in the song. I liked "Selling Water by the River" a lot - it has a rolling sense of sparkling quality to it, even as the overall mood of the cut is pensive (nice use of minor key notes to counterbalance the song's brightness).
Other tracks include another sorrowful one (aptly titled "Brave Mourning"), the lovely and flowing "Of Land and Sea, of Mortal and Divine," and the last two songs which are perfect closing numbers: "The Voyage Home," (a subdued and "wintry" feeling piece) and "In Last Hours," the bleakest and most intimate song here on which Sullivan explores subtle dissonance and minimalism while still retaining her natural warmth and accessibility.
A solid debut from a promising talent... pieces rich with emotion taking risky steps away from standard "New Age Piano'" formula. Recommended."
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Leonard Ybarra, Programming Director, KSJS
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"This is an amazing album!"
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Kathy Parsons, Solo Piano Publications
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"A strong and passionate pianist, Laura Sullivan brings a distinctive new voice to contemporary piano."
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Renaud Rigart, Zoopa Loop
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“If for each artist his close environment gives rise to inspiration, its repercussion on the music turns out to be more or less obvious due to the personality of the artist himself. In the case of Laura Sullivan, the underlying pastoral atmosphere of her own compositions is only the reflection of her youth she spent in Northern California. In a quite country living environment, Laura has discovered life at the rate of the seasons, letting nature guide her from year to year.
Emotionally strong and entrancing, this record is a marvel of sensitivity which will fill your heart with peaceful vibes."
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Shelly's Piano Studio
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I love the elegance and simplicity of Laura's music, but it is a bit "scattered" for me. I prefer compositions more in lyric style - as one could sing with it or one that gets more to the point. However, I am definitely not sorry I bought the CD. Her music is by far the most soothing.
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