Release Date: April
28, 2016
Label: Independent
Laima Gaizutis has an interesting and inspiring life
story. The roots of success in early America are due to many immigrants
bringing their talents to this country. In more modern times Laima’s parents
immigrated to Cleveland from Lithuania and that is where she began her lifetime
love affair with piano.
Simply
Beautiful Collection II encompasses eleven instrumental tracks
with varying degrees of pace and styles. Once you listen to the album you would
have to agree that the title is quite appropriate.
Track 4, “I Missed Laughter Most,” I found filled with
twists and turns unlike the previous three tracks. The first few tracks set the
ambiance and mood if you will while this track offers a sudden change of pace with
elements of jazz stirred into the mixture for a bit more color.
After that variance of sound and texture Laima brings
back the softer soothing sounds with “Sunlight.” It’s like the light of the new
day gently hitting your face as you draw open the curtains in the morning. The
small miracles of everyday that we tend to take for granted take on new meaning
and importance while listening to this eye opener.
The Holidays are special times for people of all walks of
life around the world. One of the most special is our holiday in America we
enjoy called Thanksgiving. It is time to give thanks for all the blessings
bestowed upon us and our loved ones. The track “Thanksgiving with You” could hold a multitude of meaning
however it is does point to a single person in this case and the gratefulness found
in the elegant piano of Laima and the layer of electronic keyboards it seems to
glide over to give it an airy spiritual feel. We all have so much to give and
be thankful for and this song a beautiful reminder of that.
Laima Gaizutis is certainly a gifted individual and piano
player, her emotion and sincerity are realized through the keys of her
instrument. The examples I gave are just a few of the instrumental delights you
will find on this recording. The only track that seemed out of place, while
named properly, was “Penny Arcade.” The music was the right fit but not for
this album. Two of the most important tracks are the opener and curtain closer.
In this case Laima hit the mark when the curtain opened and everywhere else in
between but keep in mind this is my opinion and a matter of what I would expect
in a recording such as this but some folks may find it as a pleasant surprise.
Even so I loved 10 of the 11 tracks; they put the spotlight on some very
talented fingers and a person that is in touch with her inner spirit with the
gift of translating that to something beautiful with sounds.
4/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: I Missed Laughter Most, Sunlight, Thanksgiving With You
Tracks:
01. Whispers
02. Midnight
03. Touched
04. I Miss the Laughter Most
05. Sunlight
06. Long Summer Night
07. Stillness
08. Thanksgiving with You
09. Lilting
10. An Angel's Dream
11. Penny Arcade
Tracks:
01. Whispers
02. Midnight
03. Touched
04. I Miss the Laughter Most
05. Sunlight
06. Long Summer Night
07. Stillness
08. Thanksgiving with You
09. Lilting
10. An Angel's Dream
11. Penny Arcade
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder
April 20, 2016
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews