Michael Sheehan
Radiance
© 2004 Michael Sheehan (802114138422)
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Spacious musical landscapes of beauty, peace and power. Original piano solos. Over an hour of gentle, deeply majestic music that nourishes the soul.
tracks
- 1 Early Morning
- 2 Sunrise
- 3 A Walk On Forgotten Shores
- 4 Radiance
- 5 Meeting A Friend
- 6 Like Children At Play
- 7 A Nap In The Afternoon
- 8 Gathering Clouds
- 9 Showerfall
- 10 Evening Rainbow
- 11 Sunset
- 12 Starry Sky
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Composed of gentle, solo piano tracks, Radiance is Michael Sheehan's recording debut. A classically trained pianist and composer, Sheehan creates subtle, calming pieces that weave boldly into one another. All but the title track are improvised compositions, and it is this spontaneous human expression that innately, resolutely finds expression here. Simple in construction, yet majestic and powerful in execution, Radiance is a joy to behold.
The overall theme of Radiance is to once again become mindful of the life-force present in each and every action and occurrence around us. Whether "Meeting A Friend," taking "A Nap In The Afternoon," or witnessing a "Showerfall," the subtle energetic exchange between self and surroundings is too easily (and too often) forgotten or taken for granted.
Tracks such as "Early Morning," "A Walk On Forgotten Shores and "Gathering Clouds" are vaguely reminiscent of the gentle piano style of Neil Young (Harvest-era), while "Evening Rainbow," "Sunset and "Starry Sky" easily evoke the imagery portrayed by their basic, yet powerful, titles.
I suggest you welcome this compact disc into your library of healing music and eagerly anticipate future works from Michael Sheehan.
Joe Derderian
MASSAGE MAGAZINE
***** *****
Michael Sheehan’s debut recording is a gorgeous collection of twelve solo piano improvisations (except the title track, which was not improvised) that follow the course of a day. With the intention of being calming music suitable for massage, healing, and relaxation, the pieces are mostly slow and deeply expressive. “Radiance” is very comfortable and nonintrusive in the background, but can also provide a gentle massage for the mind on a more conscious level.
A lot of improvised recordings seem to wander all over the place, but Sheehan keeps the music spontaneous with a sense of direction and purpose. It is accessible enough to enjoy on the first listen, but complex enough to seem new and fresh each time, revealing things you didn’t hear before.
“Early Morning” opens the CD with a quiet, peaceful improvisation that clocks in at more than 8 1/2 minutes, giving it time to evolve. Tranquil with lots of open spaces between the notes, the mood is warm and full of possibilities. At the beginning, the feeling is of the pure calm that permeates the early morning hours. As the piece develops, that quiet opens up to a colorful sunrise and the sparkling of dew in the first rays of sunlight. This is obviously a very evocative piece of music!
“Sunrise” is leisurely and very pensive. A bit on the darker side, the slow, walking bass line makes a lovely counterpart to the shimmering right hand. “Radiance” is a 9-minute piece that is more composed. A bit more structured and melodic, parts of this piece remind me of David Nevue’s work, with its fairly simple, heartfelt melody lines and rolling left hand. Several themes are intertwined in this very interesting and enjoyable piece.
“Like Children At Play” is open, innocent, and totally charming. “A Nap In the Afternoon” is so relaxed and content that I wished I had time for a nap myself! The percussive qualities of the piano lend themselves well to impressions of rain, and “Showerfall” is a perfect example of this.
“Sunset” is one of the “bigger” pieces on the CD. It begins quietly with a minimalistic style. After a couple of minutes, a repetitive bass line comes in and the melody dances around it in both the upper and lower registers. A couple of minutes later, both hands are playing a series of single beat chords with rubato and varying intensity. Sheehan really makes the deep bass of this piano sing. The last minute or so of the piece has the left hand at the very bottom of the piano, signifying darkness (I think!), and the right hand up in the high end bringing out the twinkling stars. A great piece!
The closing track, “Starry Sky,” beautifully conveys what it feels like to lie on your back and look up at an open night sky away from the lights of the city - very dark bass notes with open spaces between them, with more percussive treble notes becoming the stars.
“Radiance” is a very impressive debut, and is an album I’ll go back to often. Recommended for relaxing and reflecting.
Kathy Parsons
SOLO PIANO PUBLICATIONS
reviews
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Teens love Radiance
author: Katrina PlatoMy oldest son Ben (17) has thoroughly enjoyed your CD "Radiance". I pulled it out the other night as he was wanting to listen to piano. He just told me he listened to the CD over and over all through the night saying it made him feel completely calm and centered. He was curious that he recognized some of the pieces. I used to play it for him and his brothers as they went to sleep. His body remembered. Thought that would be nice to pass on to you. My son's response encouraged me to play 'Radiance' to my middle school art students, where it is also well received.
Listening to Radiance I feel connected to the deepest truth.
author: Alex RumbleyYour piano music is a constant source of renewal. It nourishes my soul in ways most music does not. Listening to Radiance I feel connected to the deepest truth.
Feels like touching a deep love somewhere inside my own soul.
author: Julie HoffmanEach song has its own feeling, texture and atmosphere. The melodies evolve as though they’re alive. Listening to your CD I feel I’m being put more in touch with a deep love that has always been somewhere inside my own soul.
While performing therapeutic exercises the movement came with more ease and assu
author: Susan SheelyIt has been a pleasure to be able to offer your music in the rehab department where I work. The staff and residents have all been quite appreciative. A 94-year-old gentleman, "Bud", healing from a fractured hip, particularly enjoyed the CD...Several times he came to the therapy room and wheeled himself over to the CD player during his time off to meditate to your piano music. He was most grateful for the peace it gave him. Bill, a 76-year-old challenged by neurological and medical issues, read the CD cover aloud to Bud, the two of them remarking with delight over the wonderful images portrayed in the names of the pieces...we listened together while performing gentle therapeutic exercises and it was quite apparent how the movement practices came with more ease and assurance. Many of the others have remarked what a sense of comfort it is to hear the music when they come into the therapy room...it places them at ease in the situation. As a therapist, it is important to me to be able to provide an environment that promotes a sense of well being and your music has given us that gift...
There are times when only your music will do.
author: Bo KordsnayaI’m a rock musician. It’s my business to listen to music and sometimes my ears get tired. When that happens the only music I can listen to and still enjoy is your piano music.
A beautiful experience giving birth.
author: Janet EickeI played your beautiful piano music during the birth of my child. After the delivery, all the midwives came in from the other rooms and insisted I play it again.
My daughter asks for your music at bedtime.
author: Dezana RossmanI used to have trouble getting my daughter to sleep. Now she asks to hear your music every night at bedtime and goes right to sleep.
I've heard a lot of relaxing music and this is the best.
author: Laurie KeithAs a massage therapist I’ve heard a lot of relaxing music and this is the best. I can play it all day without getting tired of it - and all my clients love it!