Composer/contemporary pianist Richard Carr, native of St. Louis, Missouri, has returned to St. Louis after the ravaging of the hurricane Katrina of his home in New Orleans.
Carr's approach to creating is one of tapping into the free-flowing consciousness of music, Richard is freely improvising on the spot. There are no sequencing or tracking techniques used during the recording. Everything is recorded in real time without any edits.
In this regard, Richard's music has been favorably compared to Keith Jarrett, George Winston and David Lanz. His concerts are highlighted by his apparent ease at the piano or keyboard and his passionate playing. Most of his audiences are also treated with a new composition or improvisation created on the spot.
Carr's improvisational composition style is full of melodic lines and rich harmonies indicative of the classical influences of the American, Russian and French composers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Additionally, more modern influences as diverse as Mannheim Steamroller, Tangerine Dream, John Adams, Keith Jarrett, Cole Porter, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Steve Reich, George Winston, and George Gershwin are also evident.
The Artist's Notes on "An American Quixote"
An American Quixote conjures up many different images - everyone has a different notion of what it might mean. Cervantes' Quixote was a man in search of adventure and justice, seeking out those who were in need of his help. He was a noble man with a chivalrous and pure heart and his good intentions caused him to attempt the impossible, tilting at windmills, following his dreams. Often misled by his own confusion with the real world, he continued on his quest to improve the world - - all for the love of a lady. This project was born from ideas about Quixotes, fictional or otherwise. Each of the selections represents an aspect of the quest. An American Quixote acknowledges that each of us, in some small way, seeks to improve the world around us each and every day. Some of us take it more seriously than others, whether consciously or not, and live our lives in a quixotic fashion. Seeking to achieve a perfect world where nobility and purity of heart win out every time.
Music Award
An American Quixote was chosen as 1st Runner-up for the New Age Album of the Year for the 2000 Just Plain Folks Music Awards.
The title track, An American Quixote, was 1st Runner-up for the Instrumental Song of the Year!
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