I just heard your piece "Something You Dream of".It is about one of the very best songs i have ever heard,to be honest with you.You have a long sought after talent to be sure.I have not heard any of your other work that i can be sure of,but i will now.Very good,Very good.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
If I had higher praise, I wouldn't know how to say it. I believe this artist is amazingly talented, and this CD exemplifies this. I recently had an opportunity to hear Denise in a small venue, and found her just as sweet in person as she appears to be through her music. In talking with her, it is apparent that she has talents that have just been tapped. There is much more to come, and I am waiting with great anticipation for her next album. My deepest gratitude to Will Ackerman for having produced for this wonderful lady under the Windham Hill label; he obviously has good taste and good sense! And to Denise, you've got a fan in this Southern California firefighter...it was a sincere pleasure meeting you.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
True to It's Title  
 The year 2007 is shaping up to be an incredible one for guitarist and producer Will Ackerman at his Imaginary Road Studio. The founder of Windham Hill Records has turned his focus on producing, and its quite apparent that he has the Midas touch when it comes to helping artists create beautiful heartfelt albums. This album is one of four that has come out of his studio this year that I have heard, and Will’s ability to draw the best out of the soloists he works with is quite remarkable.

Denise Young is an extremely talented and passionate pianist and composer, and her playing is elegant, warm and straight from the heart. There is a distant familiarity to her touching melodies, and yet they are all uniquely shaped from her own creative spirit. And her playing serves as a source of inspiration for the small group of talented artists who join her on this album, including Jill Haley on English horn, Steve Schuch on violin, Eugene Friesen on cello, and Will Ackerman on guitar.

It is hard to pick a favourite from this album, as they are all beautiful pieces in their own right. Of particular note is the poignant piano and violin duet “Falling Leaves” with Steve Schuch, the passionate piano and cello duo “You Were Always There” with Eugene Friesen, the inspiring solo piano piece “Livia’s Song”, and the memorable “Autumn Colors”, with a beautiful haunting vocalise sung by Noah Wilding.

For lovers of heartfelt music and beautiful piano melodies, this album is a must. I highly recommend this album.  
 Rating: Excellent
                            Read more...
                        

                            
“Something You Dream Of...” is pianist Denise Young’s second CD. Produced by Will Ackerman and recorded at his Imaginary Road Studios, Young composed seven new pieces for this project and reworked four from her previous release, “Time Alone.” The older pieces were rerecorded on a Steinway grand (rather than keyboards) and parts were composed for additional musicians. “Something You Dream Of...” has a lot of the same personnel as recent recordings by Karen Marie Garrett and Dana Cunningham, so if you like the sound of those albums, you’ll love this one, too. Eugene Friesen’s haunting cello, Jill Haley’s English horn, Steve Schuch’s violin, and Noah Wilding’s ethereal vocals enchant, but seem a bit too similar to the other two recent productions from Ackerman, inviting comparison. That said, this is a gorgeous album, and I love the music. Calming and uplifting, Young seeks to bring joy with her music. A music therapist and instructor as well as a pianist and songwriter, her playing is graceful and her music heartfelt. With Ackerman’s production skills and Corin Nelsen’s recording genius, the sound quality is warm and pristine. Only one track is solo piano from beginning to end, but this is definitely a piano album with brilliant accompanying artists.

The CD opens with “Time Alone,” a lovely flowing piece that is a piano solo for most of the first half and then becomes a haunting and introspective duet for piano and English horn. “Falling Leaves” also begins as a piano solo that evokes images of colorful leaves dancing in the wind. Steve Schuch’s violin enhances the swirling feeling of freedom. “Green Mountain Meadows” paints a picture of gentle contentment with wildflowers and long grasses swaying in the breeze. Ackerman’s guitar and T Bone Wolk’s bass add a folk song flavor. The title track is exceptional. Inspired by “The Benny Goodman Story” and Goodman’s passion for his music, it features David Weiss on clarinet. The emotions expressed really grab and hold you - a great piece! “Livia’s Song” is the only piano solo, and is a beautiful, graceful waltz. “You Were Always There” is my favorite. I love piano and cello, and Eugene Friesen is a master. This haunting piece could melt rocks and makes me say “wow!” every time I hear it. I also really like “Love Will Light Your Way,” a more upbeat and optimistic composition for piano, percussion, and bass. “West River” is a duet for piano and guitar that carries feelings of longing and of open space. “Autumn Colors” is the closing track. At almost 9 1/ 2 minutes, it takes its time to develop and evolve. Noah Wilding’s incredible voice accompanies the piano with floating, wordless vocals. The piano is Satie-like in its evocative simplicity, soothing the mind and creating dreamy images. 

“Something You Dream Of...” is a wonderful listening experience and should put Denise Young high on the charts. Recommended!
                            Read more...