Finding Solace es el álbum debut de Philip Wesley, un álbum compuesto por doce cortos que nos introduce en plena estación otoñal. Todas las piezas que lo componen son idóneas para ser escuchadas en esas fechas; algunos de los temas reproducen el instante de la caída de una hoja, el momento de sosiego y paz que nos invade en los meses de Septiembre y Octubre. Todo ello coloreado en tonos verdes y rojos anaranjados en un ambiente apacible.
"At This Moment" abre el álbum; con una melodía alegre capta el momento de entrada en la estación. Llena de ternura, ambas manos juegan para conseguir una melodía llena de emoción. Con movimientos continuados, la mano izquierda hace progresiones de los acordes, mientras que la mano derecha dibuja una melodía pegadiza que una vez terminada, es fácil seguir tarareándola. Bellísimo!.
"Autumn Romance", con tono melancólico invita a pasear acompañado y disfrutar de toda la belleza que nos rodea. Comienza con toque variable de notas, mientras la mano izquierda acompaña haciendo pequeñas progresiones de acordes.
"Celestial Reverie" nos introduce en un sueño, un recuerdo. Un tema sencillo pero hermoso que dibuja una melodía simple, mientras le acompaña notas graves. Una pieza íntima y llena de paz que ayuda a la reflexión. Relajante!.

"Finding Solace" es el corto que da nombre al álbum, un repique continuado de notas de acordes en la zona baja del teclado que abre camino a una melodía reflexiva, hermosa. Una vez más, Philip nos dibuja un paisaje tranquilo, pero a su vez alegre. Un momento en el que el oyente puede encontrar la paz consigo mismo. La melodía en algunos momentos es intensa pero en ningún momento sobresalta.
"Journey Home", estupendo tándem entre ambas manos. La mano derecha reproduce una bellísima melodía y la mano izquierda contesta con una voz repetitiva pero llena de sentimiento. Una pieza llena de optimismo que capta el momento de regreso al hogar.
"Lamentations of the Heart" es quizás el tema más conocido de Philip. David Lanz es su mayor influencia, y esto se puede apreciar perfectamente en este tema. Comienza con una progresión desde la zona más baja del teclado hasta la más alta y continua con un arpegio de notas, mientras la mano derecha reproduce una pegadiza melodía. Es la pieza más oscura del álbum, pero también una de las más hermosas. Impresionante!.
"The Love's Last Embrace" es una pieza romántica, llena de sentimientos. La mano izquierda reproduce progresiones continuas de los acordes La, Re y Mi, y a su vez la mano derecha dibuja una melodía que queda grabada; una hermosa sinfonía que al igual que "At This Moment" es fácil seguir tarareándola una vez terminada. Romántica y bellísima!.
"Ocean of Color" es la pieza más lenta y tranquila del álbum, además de la más corta. Un rasgueo de acordes reproduce una dulce melodía, como si de pintadas o salpicaduras de colores se tratase. Es el tema más relajante de todo el álbum. Sublime.
"Still Waters Run Deep" tiene una traducción muy interesante, a veces, el idioma nos juega malas pasadas y este caso es uno de ellos, la traducción exacta es "Del Agua Mansa Me Libre Dios, Que De La Brava Me Guardaré Yo". Esta pieza está llena de belleza, la mano derecha imita las salpicaduras de agua para posteriormente dar paso a bella melodía, que invita a la paz y a la tranquilidad. Bellísima pieza!.
"Tabatha's Song" es el tema que Philip ha dedicado a su esposa Tabatha, una hermosa pieza con un fuerte parecido al tema "Cristofori's Dream" de David Lanz, pero que una vez llega al cenit, nos sorprende con una melodía llena de sentimiento y emoción. Un maravilloso regalo!.
"The Awakening" es la melodía perfecta en cuanto a dulzura se refiere. Comienza con la repetición de una progresión de acorde, y le sigue una melodía dulce, es un suave despertar. Un tema idóneo para la introspección que culmina con una sonrisa.
"The Long Goodbye" es el más triste de los temas que componen este trabajo. Como bien indica su titulo, "El Largo Adiós" no transmite ni un ápice de felicidad, sólo melancolía y tristeza por la llegada de un adiós. La melodía es simple pero bella, acompañada por acordes secos. Muy triste!.
 
Finding Solace es un trabajo altamente recomendado para aquellas personas que se introducen por primera vez en el mundo del piano New Age, que aún siendo temas de fácil escucha, no dejan de ser bellos en absoluto. Es pura paz y armonía.

reviewsnewage.com
30/3/10
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For those of you that found David Lanz's latest release The Good Life just a little too flamboyant in the jazz arena, you will be delighted to know that an up-and-coming artist by the name of Philip Wesley is your ticket to pure solace. Referring to himself as a Music Therapist, there is no doubting the relaxing benefits from this impressive debut. 

Born and raised in the St. Louis area, Philip Wesley's introduction to music came courtesy of his guitar exploration and, of all things, the "poodle" bands of the eighties. His introduction to the piano and the music of David Lanz and Yanni changed all that. Since then Wesley has refused to look back and has continued to refine his craft that has resulted in this precious and precise debut. It certainly has an early Narada artist sound most closely associated to David Lanz. Frankly Wesley relishes in the comparisons of which he refers to as the master. But this does not take away from Philip's gorgeous melodies and delicate touch of the keys.

Though Wesley has recently signed a non-exclusive agreement with Universal Records, currently the album has an independent presentation. The artwork and CD booklet is very limited, however it would be a huge mistake to judge this "book" by its cover. The music is very well produced and is presented by the artist as though he was an old pro that had been doing this for years. If you enjoyed the early years of David Lanz then without hesitation you will find Wesley's technique tender. 

It would be safe to state that this freshman offering has no filler or middling compositions. And this is despite the lack of accompaniment from any other instrumentation: just the piano and the piano man. The opening track "At This Moment" is one of the album's finer moments with probably the most distinctive melody of all the tracks. A close second would be the delightful "Love's Last Embrace". Here the song structures have more in common with the accessible Jim Brickman than David Lanz.

Equally as impressive is the more subdued yet illustrious aperture of "Autumn Romance". With Wesley gently rolling down his keys, one can only imagine golden and brown leaves dancing and fluttering as they fall gently to the damp ground of the season. Here he gives such a visual word picture with his music. 

Philip continues on with the meandering melancholy of the more classically influenced "Lamentations Of The Heart". It is here that the Lanz comparisons are the most obvious. It also appears that Wesley is at his inconspicuous best at the conclusion of the album courtesy of the spacious "The Long Goodbye". There are many quiet and unassuming moments within the song, allowing the listener to breathe and deeply inhale this sweet lullaby. A great way to quietly wrap up this very fine debut. 

The New Age genre, especially at this acoustic level, is a dying genre. Many record stores are combining the New Age stock with the jazz, or worse tucking them next to the specialized sections like comedy (and this is no laughing matter). Thus, I have only good things to say about Wesley writing from his heart. Finding Solace is a total relief and brings water to a world that is thirsty for consolation and comfort. Whether I buy into Philip Wesley as an actual Music Therapist is not the point. But what I do buy into is the rewarding and entertaining therapeutic values from this unobtrusive yet astonishing music.
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I came across this album whilst searching for something similar and on hearing the first few bars just had to have it. It will be used to aid concentration during my own and my childrens homework, to aid prayer and worship in the Methodist Church, as background music whilst walking labyrinths, as background music to inspire young artists in school, and to sooth the special needs children I work with in school. Well done for reaching so many different ears all around the world and having a beautiful calming effect on them.
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“Finding Solace” is Philip Wesley’s debut recording, and consists of twelve original and very personal piano solos. Most of the tracks have a lovely, soothing flow to them, and there is a gentle simplicity to Wesley’s approach that is elegant and heartfelt. I don’t usually compare one artist to another, but some of the pieces are heavily influenced by David Lanz - especially “Lamentations of the Heart,” “Still Waters Run Deep,” and “Tabatha’s Song” -and are actually some of my favorite tracks. I mention this only because I think fans of Lanz’s earlier solo piano music will probably really enjoy this album.

The CD opens with “At This Moment,” which is based on an improvisation done on Wesley’s wedding day on the church piano to settle pre-wedding nerves. Thoughtful and optimistic, he doesn’t sound too nervous after all! “Celestial Reverie” is much more expansive and open - as the title suggests, a little bit sparkly and a lot dreamy. “Journey Home” was the first piano piece Wesley ever composed. Inspired by a college music writing assignment, the piece is peaceful, but also has a sense of moving forward. “Lamentations of the Heart” is much sadder, but is very beautiful and deeply emotional - I love this track! “Ocean of Color” refers to the autumn colors St. Louis, and is a bit more abstract and improvisational. “Tabatha’s Song” is about first love, and has a sweet poignance and innocence. “The Awakening” comes from deep introspection and the internal journey of reevaluating one’s life. Wesley shares the experience with grace and openness.

“Finding Solace” is an excellent debut, and I look forward to hearing future projects! The stories behind the music are found at www.philipwesley.com.
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