Log in to add to your wishlist
This new all-original music CD is the 16th CD release by best-selling piano artist, Mike Strickland. This solo piano recording is like a combination between a stunning piano concert and a gorgeous movie soundtrack.
Genre:
Easy Listening: Background Music
Release Date:
2003
Albums you will love
Joe Bongiorno
At Peace - solo piano
New Age: Solo Instrumental
Michael Strening Jr.
Stars: Piano Solos
Classical: New Age
Touch the Sky
Mike Strickland
© Copyright-Michael J. Strickland
(829757456126)
Record Label: MSP
SPECIAL: 20% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!
No items available in your wishlist
Mike's album "Touch the Sky" won best solo piano album at the 2006 JPF AWARDS!!! Very cool. We are VERY honored! Thanks to EVERYONE who voted for us!!!
------------------
Kristi Strickland
Mike Strickland Productions
PO Box 19443
Seattle WA 98109
http://www.mikestrickland.com
1(800)825-MIKE (6453)
local (206)-285-4863A Brief Biography of Mike Strickland
Pianist and composer Mike Strickland presents a hybrid of jazz and popular music. Born and raised in Jackson Mississippi, he grew up listening to Henry Mancini, Vince Guaraldi, the Beatles and Burt Bacharach. His performance career started at the age of 9 when his father would encourage him to entertain dinner guests (“Alley Cat” and “Baby Elephant Walk” were the big hits back then). Mike discovered his love for the Great American Songbook (Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Duke Ellington) while singing in musicals and school choirs. After turning eighteen, he began to frequent the clubs and listened to great local blues talents including native Mississippian B.B. King. Formal music studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston and California State University at Northridge continued to expand his musical talents.
It was during this time Mike started composing and arranging his own original music. Mike developed his unique performance style playing in ski resorts, where his eclectic sets might include Beatles tunes, romantic Film themes, and piano-busting boogie-woogie numbers.
Residing in Seattle, Washington since 1981, Mike has built a solid career as a performer, composer and recording artist. In 1987, he formed Mike Strickland Productions, Inc. and recorded “Floating”, his first album of original music. This upbeat, creative album attracted the attention of CBS Sports PGA Golf producer, Frank Chirkinian, and Mike continued to write music for CBS Sports PGA Golf telecasts for the next 7 years.
In the last 20 years, Mike has performed extensively all over the United States as a solo artist and with various groups. To date, he has recorded 18 albums, including the most recent 2005 recording, “Private Concert”. He has sold over 250,000 CDs in the USA alone.
His recordings have aired nationally on radio and television programs and his music is broadcast through Muzak and DMX Music via satellite to 40,000 businesses internationally. His work has been distributed commercially throughout the USA, including gift and specialty store markets such as DisneyWorld gift properties, Hallmark stores and The Sharper Image.
Read more...
Thanks for your review
Thanks for reviewing this album! You should see it show up on the album page in a few days.
[CLOSE]
Solo Piano In All Its Glory
author: Kathy Parsons
“Touch the Sky” is Mike Strickland’s fifth release of all-original music and his second solo piano release of original compositions. Mixing jazz, pop, and classical influences with his incredible playing technique, Strickland’s playing sounds effortless and fluid. With the goal of soothing and uplifting his listeners, Strickland presents a less troubled musical world full of positives without giving us ear-candy. There is plenty of substance as well as style in Strickland’s playing, occasionally bringing to mind Kevin Kern, although Kern rarely records unaccompanied.
The title track opens the CD with a sparkling and energetic piece that never stops moving. It skips and soars, always searching, dancing throughout. This is obviously not an everyday pianist, but someone who has spent a lifetime absorbing life and expressing it in music and with his piano. “I Can Fly” is a bit more abstract, but floats as if on a cloud, feeling gentle breezes and the freedom of flight. “Promise For Romance” is more of a smooth jazz piece, with its 5/4 time signature and spontaneous flow. “Circus Waltz” is a favorite. There is a Russian influence is this minor-key waltz that doesn’t take itself very seriously. Strickland plans to make this piece part of a suite with various characters - should be fun! “Lullaby for the Rain” is another favorite - somewhat darker and more melancholy, it has an elegant, graceful flow - I hope it becomes available in sheet music! “Pretty Money” is a piece Strickland’s daughter named when she was five. Playful and whimsical, this piece could also fit easily into a musical or movie. I also really like “The French Cafe Revisited,” a charming piece that tells a bittersweet story with or without lyrics.
“Touch the Sky” is my first experience with Mike Strickland’s music, and I eagerly look forward to hearing more and seeing him in concert before long. This is a great album for those who love solo piano in all its glory, with a bit of showmanship, and a lot of heart.
Read more...