Update 5/13/10 -  Click on links to listen to clips, songs, or to see videos...  and please blog by leaving your comments, compliments and/or critiques!

Note: the audio clips will play full versions for one time only (with a few exceptions) then after that they go to :30

1. “Quit” by Brad Mehldau, “Art of the Trio, Vol. 5: Progression”

I fell in love with this tune the instant I heard it.  With a plaintive wistful melody, played simply by Mehldau, the beauty and symmetry of the melody are underpinned by a fiercely tugging rapport between bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jorge Rossy.  Brad floats above this lockstep in his own world, seemingly oblivious to the quiet riot going on underneath him.  Yet, as a whole, the trio breathes and connects as one.  This tune also features one of the most highly developed improvised piano solos I’ve ever heard...   breathtaking long arching lines, great phrasing, duotonic bursts of notes using both hands, and his trademark “triple striking” unison notes (I don’t know what else to call it) puts this tune on a desert island level for me.  Simply outstanding.  The piano trio format does not get better than this!

2. “The Miracle of the Octave”, by The Azusa Plane, “Tycho-Magnetic Anomaly and the Full Consciousness of Hidden Harmony”

This piece is an ambient gem... a wonderful loopy guitar-based meditation....  a bit trippy but the tune brings me to a very special place.  This is blissful music, with the moniker for this project ringing true: hidden harmony.   Great cover art too.

3. “Expansion”, by Pat Metheny, “Orchestrion”

A complex rhythmic tune with interesting harmonies...  with yet another artfully hip Metheny melody first played by guitar then doubled with the electro-mechanical marimba and glock that is part of this  instrument Metheny had custom built from the ground up.  Called an “Orchestrion”, it resembles a 19th century instrumental player piano, drums, bottle pipes, robot guitars, etc. all in one instrument.  The entire project is wonderful but does suffer from a lack of live human interplay, especially in the piano department.  A sequenced Yamaha Disklavier piano is no replacement for Lyle Mays on a Steinway, and the lack of dynamic range (especially in the ride cymbals and the slower ballad oriented material) ultimately holds the music back from what it could be.  But as a recording, the entire album is amazing to behold and is a testimony to Metheny’s creative genius. 

4. “Come See”, by Michael W. Smith, “Stand”

Bookended and weaved throughout by gorgeous orchestrations and synth textures, this song is a comforting anthem that sounds a bit like “Let It Be” in the beginning with its straight ahead quarter note piano chording.  Although unremarkable in its early moments, the arrangement surprises by building gradually to an epic crescendo. The beauty of the vamp at the end is awe-inspiring and brings to the edge the best of Christian worship music.  Well mixed and produced...  the end is worth waiting for.  It is like a golden cloud.

5. “The Temporal Continuum”, by The Azusa Plane, “Tycho-Magnetic Anomaly and the Full Consciousness of Hidden Harmony”

Similar to #2 on this list, this song evokes archetypical chromatic “inner harmonies” which I cannot verbally define other than it sounds strangely familiar, and evokes longing.  Wordless, non-melodic, it has a sound ambience that is transportational.  An interesting electronic hum starts the tune off and ends it...  sort of like an electric motor or transformer and it acts as a pedal tone.  Patience is required for the sound of the music to reveal itself.  And if you are listening to a :30 clip, tough luck.

7. “Be Little With Me”,  by Stars of the Lid, “Gravitational Pull vs the Desire for an Aquatic Life”

This is 6:27 of harmonic sunshine...  an uplifting and bright tune that actually sounds to me like the sun would sound if it made a sound.  The color yellow comes to mind.  It is light, joy and peace in the key of Ab major.  This sound was a primary inspiration for me to compose “falling asleep in the sun” (on my CD Lucid Dreaming) which has similar elements and focus.  I also love the title, which focuses me on humility and contentment.  I think God is in this music.

8. “The Trumpet Child”, by Over The Rhine, “The Trumpet Child”

This minor key jazzy ballad is a powerful song alluding to the return of Jesus Christ to this weary planet.  Evoking images of the sounding of Gabriel’s horn of fire and the Bride “leanin’ in” its word pictures paint a vivid scenario that is true to the words of the book of Revelation in the Bible.  All of this from a band that, to the best of my knowledge are not disciples or followers of Christ. Amazing.

9. “Silene”, by Biosphere, “Substrata”

A haunting four chord vamp is the backdrop to this interesting ambient piece which fades into the crackling and snapping of burning sticks on a fire.

10. “Virtue”,  by Eldar (entire CD)

This project features the most burning virtuosic keyboard player I have heard in a long time...  at age 22 he is absolutely tearing up the keyboards.  Sounds to me like a merging of Oscar Peterson meets Brad Mehldau meets Chick Corea.  The album “Virtue” contains some introspective moments as well which is a sign of a developing lyricism.   I cannot imagine what this young man will be doing in his forties or fifties.  Having said that, he does have a tendency to overplay.  Solos start well, but all too soon succumb to thousands of notes...  that is the challenge for a musician with those kind of chops...  but he has years to refine and develop.  Definitely worth checking out.  The player defaults to the opening cut "Exposition".  My favorite tune is the aptly titled jazz fusion romp called "The Exorcist".

11. “Arch Song”, by Stars of the Lid, “The Ballasted Orchestra”

Click on "Preview this track" to listen when you get to the page...  this is  an eighteen minute drone of a Bbsus2 tonality...  infused with swirling harmonic overtones this gently evolving stasis on a single chord is a symbol of something immutable and unchanging.  A backdrop for prayer and meditation.  It is astounding what one chord can do.   Sometimes I play this song looped on my iPod for hours at a time.  It is a training tool reminding me that God is always there.

12. “The Revelation Song”, Kari Jobe as performed on YouTube.

This song brings tears of joy to the Christian worshipper... a simple four chord song (with an interlude) that brings wonder, joy, and bliss into the praises of God in worship music.  Kari’s performance is mesmerizing and the end build...  with one sustained chord enumerates the experience of an incredible manifestation of the joy of heaven on earth.  This music makes me want to go Home!

13. “Every Breath You Take”, by Carol Welsman, “The Language of Love”

Find the song in the list to listen...  you'll get the full track no strings attached. This is a jazzy ballad rendition of the popular Sting/Police classic.  Her lush reharmonizing of the melody and airy contralto voice bring the beauty of the lyric to life.  Even more so than the original, I think.  The song has a strong message for us all....  on the power of love.