Piano Rags - Alexander Peskanov

Advantages: Soaring, catchy, wonderful music
Disadvantages: A few relatively weak tracks

...this opinion (sorry I couldn’t resist), a flash of 70s Santanaesque guitar before settling into a simple funky guitar line and a honky-tonk piano. Rhythmic and bouncy the track is complex and flicks from musical idea to idea, almost giving the impression its being improvised as you listen. Alexander’s vocals begin as a husky croak but rapidly fly around the octaves, veering between a whisper and a scream as the mood takes him. The terrific final section with a female computerised voice requesting “Money please/soul please/please deposit eight five dollars for the next three minutes” recalls ‘Gold’ by the Squiggly one but executed with more panache. Underneath the instrumental playfulness however is a powerful and resilient tune which grows more intriguing on every listen as does the attempt to comprehend what... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: One of the best versions I've Heard
Disadvantages: Other pieces on cd are just thrown in t

...This is one of the world's most famous pieces of music in its best form. How did I get to this conclusion? Well let's start by splitting the composition up.... Section 1: Intro and main theme Section 2: Variation of main theme Section 3: Rag Time Piano section Section 4: Romantic Strings Section 5: Return of main theme and finale Gershwin was often criticised by his piers for this piece with comments of its repetition and lack of imagination. I feel that, although it does repeat a lot, this piece explores dynamic and timbre to very exciting levels leaving the listener with a mediocre piece if badly performed or an amazing emotional and visual piece if performed well. Sections 1 and 2: We start by hearing this intoxicating trill on the clarinet that slides into the first rendition of the main theme. The tone of the player... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A few nice tracks
Disadvantages: A few bad tracks

...This sound is true Norah Jones style, a funky yet haunting track about lovers getting through each day together, lots of bass gives this song a very soulful jazzy feel, simple piano and acoustic guitar in the background makes this a nice chill out addition to the album. 9/10 What Am I To You – written by Norah Jones This track has a country feel to it, a sadness that just won’t lift, you can feel her getting right into your soul with her sultry tones, a song about a lover telling lies. A very sexy feeling track indeed, soft guitar and piano carries Norah’s voice perfectly. This is my favourite from this album. 10/10 Those sweet words written by Lee Alexander and Richard Julian A nice bluesy feeling track with a very simple beat but Norah raises her voice an octave or two and it really suits her accompanied by a nice melody... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful