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.
ABOUT FOGLAND
Fogland is a aural panorama of places I have been. The title track is a place many of us can relate to. We have all been there -- that foggy place in our mind that hides the reality and allows us to dream.
Each aural portrayal allows the listener to experience the spot for themselves, hopefully adding their experiences to the feelings invoked through listening.
Just a clarification, Akers Ferry to Twin Rivers is a popular conoe float on the Current River in southeastern Missouri.
***** The title track from "Fogland" was nominated in the "Best Instrumental Song" category by the 2001 Just Plain Folks Music Awards! *****
Reviews of "Fogland"
"Some people write music. Some people play piano. And then there is Richard Carr who, with Fogland, offers musical soundscapes that transport the listener.......Richard's original music will transport you to another, better place...........Rich melodies combined with delightful arrangements and the composer's love all combine to become a truly aural pleasure." - Richard Fuller, Metaphysical Reviews
"Richard Carr's Fogland is a fine recording in the impressionistic tone poem style of solo piano...It's a challenging statement from a musical individualist." - Bill Binkelman, WIND AND WIRE
"A new kind of New Orleans piano.... he's developed "a unique blend of classical music, jazz and pop resulting in a romantic new age piano style." In this newest release from Carr, he explores new soundscapes for the acoustic piano in 12 selections he composed and performed. And left alone. Sessions were recorded in a restaurant and at Tulane, and engineers didn't edit or remix any cuts, to preserve the spontaneity of his improvisational approach.....a new age tapestry of solo piano. Peaceful, soothing." - Book Reader, San Jose, CA
"Richard Carr's tender and gentle spirit is clearly seen, felt and heard in the unveiling of FOGLAND." - Wayne Wong, Global Reflections, WZRU, Roanoke Springs, NC
"Richard Carr conveys heartfelt emotion and portrays a deep sense of love for his instrument, the piano, in an impressive second effort." - Helen Uphoff, Music for Groups of Two or Less, WFDD, Winston-Salem, NC
"Last year Richard Carr burst onto the music scene with a fabulous solo piano release, Through the Mind's Eye. Very quickly it became obvious a new and beautiful voice for the piano had arrived. This work opened many ears to the talent of Richard Carr. His new offering reveals additional layers of talent. Welcome to Fogland, a masterpiece with stunning beauty and grace. If you enjoy the sound of artists like George Winston, Raphael, Michael Jones and John Boswell, add Carr to the list...
...This is the kind of music that's equally at home in a recital, as the background to a pleasant meal, or as the soundtrack to a lazy morning spent lounging in bed or reading the paper. Fogland elasticizes such peaceful moments, creating an airtight buffer zone between that calm, contented, Sunday-morning feeling and the rest of the world." - Kevin F. Moreau, The Gambit Weekly, New Orleans
"Richard Carr made his presence known with his first release, Through the Mind's Eye. His second, Fogland, not only reinforces his first achievement, but also announces that Carr is at the forefront of piano music today!" - Erik de Jonge, Bep's, New Orleans, LA
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