Release Date: November 1, 2024
Label: Independent
Doug Hammer is one of my favorite piano players, and I always
look forward to his recordings, so that is my tribute to him.
The album starts with the title track, "November."
Coincidentally, we just finished our Indian Summer here in New England,
so getting in the mindset for the oncoming Winter for the next month is
what we do. It's time to put away all the summer lawn decorations and lights,
batten down the hatches, get some bags of salt, and turn off the water for the
hoses. All that needs to be ready.
The song is straightforward and gentle, like how the leaves quietly
fall to the ground in splendor and color as the trees prepare for hibernation.
The second longest track on the album, at 4:29, sets the atmosphere for the
rest of the story.
"Colder" is perfect in sequence for the meaning of the
previous track and the different things I alluded to. It's my favorite time of
year, and I don't mind the Winter so much when it's mild, like the last one. A
bit of sadness is attached to this feeling every year, seeing the Summer fade
away for good for this year. The piano playing reflects my feelings about that
"cold" wave coming in. Doug's contemporary approach to new age
instrumental compositions is absorbing and always relates so well to the track
title.
"The Setting Sun" is again in sequence with the
previous track, as it does from beginning to end on this recording. It doesn't
just cool down like the Summer; it gets colder in the subsequent months,
heading into old man Winter. Winter can be harsh, but somehow, the way the
piano compositions come across gives you a sense of peace and tranquility not
generally associated with this time of year, yet here we have it.
"Glimmer of Light" is the last hope on the horizon as
the morning breaks, and you can see the frost on the grass. The mood and vibe
are uplifting as the piano takes its solo flight like a bird cruising through
the air just because it can. The pace picks up, and the melody is strong
and impactful.
"Dancing Leaves," as I mentioned previously, falling
off the trees, seem to dance from side to side until they meet the ground
before dissolving into the earth again. In other instances, you can
be driving by a pile of them on the side of the road, and in the wake of the
wind from your vehicle, it makes the pile a whirling dervish of color. The
piano notes feel like a ride in the fall, emulating all those feelings and
pictures in your mind. And if you have not experienced it yet, you can envision
it in this song.
"Bare Trees" is the logical progression of everything
you heard before they reached this place of change. We all know the rebirth and
the green buds will start popping in the spring, and that is something to
anticipate with joy and wonder every year. It's about enjoying and appreciating
the transformations nature and its miracles offer. The piano is
purposeful, and the notes are placed well for the reflective thought process of
what just passed and what is to come next; it's perfect.
"A Cold Wind Blows" finally comes as the trees and
wildlife are ready to face and survive. Doug's piano has a holiday flavor with
Christmas approaching. Will the wind be blowing in those beautiful white flakes
to decorate the barren trees and make the evergreens even more beautiful? This
song is as powerful as Mother Nature and sounds classical, with that hint of
holiday spirit weaving through it.
"First Snowfall" begins now, and the change is set for
the next 4 months. Snow can fall gently and dance in the light
wind or blow viciously, creating whiteouts and treacherous
conditions. I think what is captured in the notes coming from Doug's fingers is
a little of both scenarios to think of, one to enjoy and appreciate and one to
beware and prepare.
"So Bright" is our life here on earth, but
appreciating everything in it can sometimes be challenging, always seeing the
positive or silver lining in the clouds. The music is bright, like the sun's
rays, warm and welcoming. Like some of the other tracks, there is an underlying
bass tone that gives it that power of persuasion, and you say to yourself, I
get it; there is brightness every day. Whether it's obvious or you need to find
it, it's always there.
I mentioned "Indian Summer" early on. Once again, the
piano has this innate energy and color bursting from it, like the palette of
colors all around us in the mountains and all the trees. It is a warm and happy
track. We all feel it here in New England, and that time comes in one short
week, usually in late September or early to mid-October, as it did most
recently.
"Radiance" is a lovely spiritual word. Doug is in a
nonstop groove of momentum and high energy, one track after another. Once he
gets through the softer, slower-paced tracks and hits his stride, he keeps that
motion up, and this track is an example of those happy, talented fingers at
work. He radiates joy and love, which you can feel in the music. A new age
track of elegance and beauty with classical influences. Another
superb track!
"Thanksgiving" is an excellent day for us in the U.S.,
celebrated by millions in many ways and traditions. It is the predecessor to
Christmas. These two holidays are beautiful times to be thankful for everything
you have today and spend time with family and friends.
"Frozen Ground" is the appropriate end for this
journey through two seasons that shape our lives here in New England. I spent 8
years in California in the 80s; this time of year was never the same until I
returned home. This is where I was born and where I will die, just like my
parents before me. The frozen ground indicates the death of many things that
will be reborn once it thaws, and the sun's warmth sprouts the first grass
blades. I feel sad now; the music helped me realize the definitive end of the
fall and this recording.
Doug's piano continues to ring true to the heart and spirit, and
his music hits home uniquely for me (and I hope it will for you). The piano is
like an orchestra and sounds as such when the right person is playing it.
I am grateful for all the feelings I went through listening to Doug Hammer's album November. It was easy for me to relate to all of this because of my location; however, if I were still in California now, I would still feel the same. Once you grow up here, you never forget. Thanks for all the fantastic music and memories, Doug.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR
Reviews Founder
October 24, 2024
Tracks:
01. November 4:29
02. Colder 4:06
03. The Setting Sun 4:38
04. Glimmer of Light 3:06
05. Dancing Leaves 3:15
06. Bare Trees 3:19
07. A Cold Wind Blows 2:27
08. First Snowfall 3:28
09. So Bright 3:23
10. Indian Summer 3:00
11. Radiance 4:08
12. Thanksgiving 3:47
13. Frozen Ground 3:38