Release Date: October 24, 2024
Label: Independent
That, indeed, sounded like a fantastic amalgamation of sound and
nature. I would soon find out!
"Stillwater Landing" starts your musical soundscape,
imagining what the artist envisioned with each track as he played. It begins
brightly with a lovely piano as the keys roll off his fingers, and the second
hand adds the bass's lower notes underlying foundation for strength to support
the beauty. It is a marvelous start.
"On Lake McDonald" shimmers and shines as the lake's
subject matter forms in your mind's eye. The music moves like water, and its
liquidity resonates brilliantly through the piano keys. It soothes and calms
you inwardly as your mind takes you to where the artist is now.
"Whitefish Lake" moves much quicker than the previous
track with a contagious energy and rhythm. The lead notes are gorgeously placed
between the bass lines. You can hear the classical influences of the great
composers shining brightly on every note. Sublime and everlasting, the music
carries you to another place or lake, preferably.
"Swan River" slows the tempo down a few levels for
more water-based inspiration. Wayo's interpretation becomes more meditative
without losing any of the energy and color you had already experienced in all
the other tracks. His sense of rhythm and rapidly moving fingers relax you, and
you will want more.
"On the Road to Polebridge" is another example of the
eclectic nature of Wayo's artistry and ability to change the tempo in a second
and take the composition in an entirely different direction without a listener
feeling any of the anticipation of that happening. This, I believe, makes
things more interesting when one is listening for the first time! It keeps your
interest, and that is paramount! I particularly enjoy the rolling piano sounds
he creates in this track and previous instances.
"Going to the Sun" is bright, like the warm rays of
our life-giving star—one of the lengthier compositions clocking in at 4:03.
This one felt entirely different than all the rest, as with any music you find
some similarities in the concept and sound of an album. To hear such a change
was enjoyable; it felt flowing and consistent, and the ever-changing notes of
the piano were the highlight. It is superb, with many piano phases on display.
"St. Mary Falls" takes on a separate personality,
which is what you expect early on when listening to this solo piano music. I
liked the warmth and tone of the keys, and they made me feel joyous. A big
smile formed inside, wanting to burst to the outside. When the tempo changed,
it felt more spiritual or something one may hear at a church service as the
choir sang. It is quite beautifully done with elegance.
"Bear Valley" is the briefest journey at 2:03. The key
is to get the message across in the music with so little time. And again, Wayo
does not disappoint—a strong, exceptional, emotive track.
"The Crown of the Continent" features a lovely
rhythmic thread, with the singularity of the keys on top of that layer sounding
like a slice of heaven. I was reminded of harp music a few times.
"Huckleberry Mountain" changes from the water theme to
the strength and majesty of a mountain. You may have expected a different tone
or tempo because of the title; however, it projects the organic beauty of what
nature offers us and how the piano "Climbs" the mountain in its music
with style and grace.
"Many Glacier" continues with marvelous rhythmic
patterns and moving piano notes manipulated expertly by Wayo. I appreciated how
he changed the pace so often for a significantly ear-catching symphony
emanating from one instrument.
The closer
"Cherry Pickin'" Mayo saved to leave you with the
most extended composition at 4:46. I was glad that the track lasted for a
while, so it would not leave me feeling it ended all too fast. This was a
brilliant thing to do with the order in which all this music was presented.
It felt like an encapsulation of the entire album within one
track. The beauty, rhythms, classical overtones, rapid playing, and the rolling
keys with the underlying bass for deep resonance make the lead playing bright
and colorful. The way that last note echoed at the very end was brilliant.
Montana Stillwater is an exceptional solo piano
recording from Wayo Hogan. It offers everything in one sitting: the
instrumental variances within classical and contemporary music and the
spirituality and relaxing meditative foundations of a new age, like an extended
sequence that runs from beginning to end.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy uplifting and relaxing piano solo music!
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR
Reviews Founder
February 25, 2025
Tracks:
01. Stillwater Landing (2:28)
02. On Lake McDonald (2:29)
03. Whitefish Lake (2:40)
04. Swan River (3:52)
05. On the Road to Polebridge (3:43)
06. Going to the Sun (4:03)
07. St. Mary Falls (3:27)
08. Bear Valley (2:03)
09. The Crown of the Continent ( 2:40)
10. Huckleberry Mountain (2:05)
11. Many Glacier (3:05)
12. Cherry Pickin’ (4:46)