Album Notes

In a time of loud and confrontational musical genres, Peter Saltzman has decided to present the opposite: A classically toned, vocally smooth Jazz Lounge Pop. Nora Jones-with an edge.

In his latest release "Things Better Left Said", Peter builds upon the diversity and musical history of his artistic influences-influences that range from Stevie Wonder's rich pop harmonic and rhythmic language, to the lyric inventiveness of Lorenz Hart and Bob Dylan, to the emotional impact and hard driving progressiveness of John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner. Peter's own creative musical style acts as the perfect soundtrack to his imaginative lyrics, detailing his personal insights into the illusions and delusions of relationships and American culture. His songs bespeak of an intense connection to the great American songwriting tradition, from Irving Berlin to Paul Simon, without being a slave to that tradition. They are progressive in the way they synthesize so many diverse influences, but with their rich array of historical associations, they are also completely accessible.

In featured songs such as Agreeing Like That, he elaborates on the experience we have where the other person is briefly intriguing, seemingly the perfect fit. We share similar interests and views, yet we become quickly bored with the other person because there is no difference, no change, no volatility. While in Light From Our Dreams, he shows us how our day-to-day worries lead us to lose focus and interest in our once-solid relationships-to lose the sense of love, even though it's lurking beneath the surface. And in (Don't Wake Me Up From My) American Dream, he portrays the classic struggle between art and commerce: "I've got a poet's soul and a CEO's greed."

In a time where the message is lost in the confrontational presentation, Peter Saltzman takes the time to quietly remind you that the secret to great music is in the song, and that no amount of attitude and flashy production will ever change that fact.