Earthglow

David Benoit | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 20, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heads Up Records
• ASIN: B0037RBW4G
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,626 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

In October 2008, David Benoit took a much needed breather from the frenetic pace of life in Los Angeles and headed up to the mountains near Saratoga to become an artist in residence at Villa Montalvo. Finding peaceful solitude and discovering fresh inspiration in a small cabin near the non-profit Montalvo Arts Center, the five time GRAMMY® nominated veteran composer and pianist--one of contemporary jazz's most acclaimed artists for over two decades--wrote "Botswana Bossa Nova" and "Will's Chill," two unique pieces unlike any he had done before. These became the foundation for the overall global music concept behind Benoit's stirring and provocative new CD Earthglow, his first set of original material in four years.

The title track was inspired by the stunning NASA photo of our planet which graces the cover. In an age where many listeners prefer the instant gratification of purchasing individual tracks, Benoit takes the bold step of writing good old fashioned liner notes to explain the way the eclectic 11-track collection developed. While many instrumental artists slap easy, throwaway titles on their projects, with Earthglow, Benoit put a lot of effort into finding the perfect title that would convey his musical and cultural intentions: "The task of finding a title to best represent the music contained herein was challenging at best. I started with `Frozen Music,' a term to describe architecture, but with the exception of a few of my notable architect friends, nobody really got it. Then `New Creation' was suggested but as we began to discuss artwork and concept, the title seemed uninspired and lacking a theme. I went back and reviewed all the song titles and 'Earthglow' jumped out at me. I believe it was the best word to illustrate the spirit of the project."

For David Benoit fans old and new, basking in the Earthglow is bound to be a transcendent experience as well as an invitation to explore exciting new frontiers in jazz.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars David Benoit makes consistently good music, and this album is no exception, April 30, 2010

By 

J. Smith (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Earthglow (Audio CD)

David Benoit has the rare talent to compose musically-complex songs that are still easy on the ear of the average "smooth jazz" listener. His latest album, EarthGlow comes off the heels of Heroes, which impressively blended a variety of musical styles with jazz. But if Heroes (especially the second half of the album) was too jazzy for you, you'll be happy to know that David has returned to his more conventional sound on EarthGlow.

There are more synthesized sounds on this album than on David's past few albums, as he says he wanted create some new sounds by experimenting a little. Just don't expect any ground-breaking experimentation (as the product description would have you believe). David's minor experimentation does succeed in being refreshing - it even allows him to tap into the grooves of other quality keyboardists. For example, Will's Chill sounds like something you could imagine Bob Baldwin playing (although, interestingly, David said it was inspired by the rapper/producer Will.i.am), and Straightaway sounds like something Gregg Karukas might play. David even copies himself a little - Sneaky As a Cat is very similar in style to a few tracks from David's 2006 release, Full Circle.

My favorite tracks are New Creation, which is played with a genuine and refreshing sense of urgency (without sounding too fast, which is more difficult to accomplish than many people realize) and Freedom at Midnight (The Schroeder Variations). Botswana Bossa Nova is interesting as well. Unbelievable is slightly forgettable, but all other tracks are solid and represent a diverse array of tempos and musical textures.

David is joined on this album by a host of quality guest musicians, including former Rippingtons bandmate Jeff Kashiwa, saxman Richard Elliot, and Tim Weisberg (whose flute has made numerous appearances on Benoit's albums over the years), among others.

Because of his obvious talent, certain people will always want to hear David push it harder, with more improvisation. A case in point can be taken from aforementioned Freedom at Midnight (The Schroeder Variations). David does a masterful job of blending one of his signature tunes with Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, but if you search the internet for a video of him playing this tune at NAMM 2007, you'll see that he's capable of pushing it to an even higher level in live shows. What would really be mind-blowing is if he could have this kind of "edge" on his studio albums (or release a "live" album). But that's a minor complaint about an otherwise satisfying album from a true contemporary jazz legend.

This review Copyright 2010 by J. Smith

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Benoit-some!, June 4, 2010

By 

J. D. (Central Texas) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Earthglow (Audio CD)

The talents of contemporary jazz master David Benoit shine brightly on this disc, which is cut inside to outside with one radiant track after another. Here, as always, Benoit delivers on that unique ability of his to induce auditory euphoria by crafting catchy, optimistic, piano-driven tunes with an unmistakeable Americana style while, perhaps more on this release than on others, incorporating world music influences. Earthglow shimmers.

I commend each and every track to your willing ears, but my favorites are: "Unbelievable" (an inspiring melodic theme, roomy bass line; "New Creation" (lots of energy, sweet solo work on piano/rhodes); "Sneaky as a Cat" (chilled vibe, Latin textures with flute); "Downtime" (jazz trio, introspective, just great song writing); "Brownie's Gone" (a bit of a tear-jerker, achingly beautiful). Don't miss the solo work on "Freedom at Midnight" starting at 3:57. It's Benoit-some!

My commendations to David Benoit and the recording engineers who captured the sound of his piano so well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE FANTASTIC DAVID BENOIT, May 15, 2010

By 

frank - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Earthglow (Audio CD)

This is what you have been waiting for! David Benoit and his Steinway are great to begin with but He gives all you wanted and more. EarthGlow steps out with new instruments and makes the wait and for the next bar feeling like the night before Christmas when you were a kid,Then it comes and a smile comes to your face. UNBELIEVABLE and EASY DAY are perfect examples of what I'm talking about. I just don't understand why he isn't more known than he is?