Release Date:
February 17, 2014
Label: Dancing
Horses Music
In
2012 Denise Young began the journey that would lead her back to Imaginary Road Studios
and the Steinway piano awaiting her gifted fingers. Passionata is a tapestry of artful melodies and drifting majesty
that will seduce the listener in the first piece. It is a discovery and
rediscovery of love that dwells in the hearts of us all. It may fade and die,
but will rise again like the budding of new leaves.
Written and composed by Denise Young, she also performed piano
on all tracks. Guest musicians include Eugene Friesen, cello on “Above the
Clouds,” “Starlight Melody,” “There,” and “Awakened,” Noah Wilding, vocals on “There,”
Tom Eaton, bass on “There,” “Starlight Melody,” and “Desire” and Jeff Haynes, percussion
on “Awakened,” “Desire,” “Starlight Melody” and “There.” The album was recorded,
mixed, and mastered by Tom Eaton at Imaginary Road Studios and was produced by Will
Ackerman Grammy Award winner, and Tom Eaton.
“Passionata” is the opening track on the album. Tentative
piano strokes awaken. The rustling of sheets as the morning sun creeps over the
horizon and the first kiss of a lover’s lips as the day breaks. Love blossoms
in the heart, a spiraling drift of skirts as they spin out on a dance floor.
Notes of music wrap around you like silken gauze. Loving and warm. The purity
of passion. The truth of love’s everlasting bounty.
“Above the Clouds” crafts a rhythm within the keystrokes
that snares the listener without even trying. Floating piano movements entwine
with the elegance of the cello. Steady and filled with flight, this piece takes
you away as the cello ramps up amidst the gentle rhythm of the piano strokes.
The two marry well, bringing the listener to a place of peace and hope.
“Awakened” is another piece that bears the mark of the
cello. Percussive elements, piano and the graceful string movement of the cello
blend in artful form and function. Eyes open to the dawn of possibilities. The
music speaks and the song spins out, a dancer on point, reaching for the sky,
twirling amidst the sparkle of sound.
Passionata
is
an album filled with artful song and elegant movements. Will Ackerman has
produced another staggering work of genius. Denise Young is an artist with
vision and her devotion to the Steinway piano shows with every stroke of a
finger. Tom Eaton’s mix mastery is well renowned and he didn’t miss a beat with
Passionata. This album is a keeper in
my music library.
4.5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: Passionata, Above the Clouds, Awakened
Tracks:
01 . Passionata
02. Above the Clouds
03. Moon Song
04. The Way
05. Starlight Melody
06.There
07. Cobblestones in the Rain
08. Awakened
09. Desire
10. Figure 8
11. Secrets
01 . Passionata
02. Above the Clouds
03. Moon Song
04. The Way
05. Starlight Melody
06.There
07. Cobblestones in the Rain
08. Awakened
09. Desire
10. Figure 8
11. Secrets
DanaWright, Sr. Staff Writer
June 16, 2014
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews