Customer Reviews

Finding Paradise

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From the first song, "THAT SMILE," FINDING PARADISE pierces straight into my heart and soul overwhelming, inspiring Beauty. There is a tropical feel and the piano playing is delicate, pure and true delivered with intense emotion and passion. I smile as I am lifted into its overflowing wonder--and that is just the first track! I adore this track more than I can ever say.

The journey continues with "WALK ON WATER." In David's liner notes he talks about how Walden, the co-writer (aka Snuffy) would always like to say, 'If you leave a little space, God just might walk into the room.' "Or, in other words," continues David, "in a tough situation, if you can just keep the faith, find a little hope, let go and rise to the occasion, you may just surprise yourself and against all odds..." 'Walk on Water.' I can't help but love David, you too, 'Snuffy.' Smooth sax, and intricate acoustic guitar weaves in with the piano to continue the audial feast. Yummy.

Things slow down a bit with "LOST IN PARADISE." Here is one of my favorite tracks. It is introspective, bittersweet, full of longing and has a tender, true violin playing along with David's piano. In his liner notes, David talks about our global society briefly but, being the optimist he is, says, "It is my belief that each soul born, when enpowered and encouraged, will naturally bring forth and reveal the gift of their true self. It will be the sharing of these gifts over time that will surely show us the way in our search for finding paradise here on earth."

"AMERICA," originally by Neil Diamond, pulls at my heartstrings and makes me feel great hope and inner peace. David says, "Patriotism is a form of love--a love for country. My wish for America is to allow this great love to not only create unity and healing amongst our people, but to let it wash over our shores and embrace the whole of humanity." Wow, I love this.

"DORADO" reinterates and radiates the magic expressed in the previous track, adding even more strength and joy. I love the acoustic guitar and piano together here. Bravo! "The mythical city of El Dorado was said to have had streets paved with gold. However, in this song, I wanted to capture just the feeling of gold...a golden moment in time, the inner glow of one at peace." Mission accomplished, David. Brilliant and captivating, this may be my favorite track.

"ROMANTICA" is David Lanz's and Koz's first attempt together. But you'd never guess it. There is an immediate feeling of the tropical paradise again. It is a slow, simple, glorious melody--oh so relaxing. If I were sitting right now on the beach of my dreams, I would definitely want this song playing. It is painting some stunning dreamscapes in my mind now!

The seventh track is "TEARS FOR ALICE," a song dedicated to his wife, Alicia. David says "It is imbued with quiet sadness and ultimate hope..." I really like that. HOPE.

"THE SOUND OF WINGS," is a lovely title and a tender, intricate track full of indescribable beauty; and even if describable, completely unutterable--it must be felt with the heart. My heart beats faster hearing it--another of my favorites.

"LUNA" (originally titled 'The Tides of the Moon') continues the peaceful feeling that this cd is all about. Luna is "our closest and arguably our most poetic of the heavenly bodies," says David. This track is mesmerizing. I love it.

"THEME FROM THE OTHER SIDE" opens with wind and then the sax. This song was inspired by the dark, moody sounds of a cd of his daughter Tara's, by Portishead. David dedicates this song to "my good friends, Dr. Gary Schwartz and Dr. Linda Russack." This song is very calm and soothing, quite different from the mood set in the first two tracks. But I like the way David transverses through moods...people do it all the time, so why shouldn't music also?

The final track, "LOVE LOST...LOVE FOUND" is music for "all of us hopeless romantics. May the search for love and paradise continue," says David. This is a perfect ending to an enchanting cd. I love this track very much.

BOTTOM LINE: RETURN TO PARADISE is a treasure of Boundless Beauty! Buy it and listen to nourish your soul. o8E

Soar!

David Lanz's Finding Paradise surely made me find paradise. I have never been more excited about purchasing a CD and I made sure I got it when it was first available. Every song is perfectly written. I have no complaints. Lost In Paradise if one of my favorite Lanz songs ever. Mr. David Lanz sure does beat Yanni, Jim Brickman, and George Winston with this new album. I recommend this album to everyone. Way to go David! ~ Robbie Steiner

This CD will take aback many long time Lanz fans (like myself - some 15 years now!), as I had to listen to this CD at least a dozen times before I could put my thoughts together about it...

This is 'Smooth Dave', and I initially wretched at the thought...until I realized that this CD simply takes his talent and adds a new backdrop - not the misty trees or desert sands of the 'new age heavy mellow' Dave, but, like the cover portrays, the freedom and uplifting feel of an ocean breeze - and a smooth jazz setting to his unmistakable sound at the piano. NO, Dave has not turned into Bob James or something like that - he really stretched, took a chance, and made a great CD of very listenable, flowing tunes that incorporate a lot of today's 'smooth' sounds, yet not leaving out his signature piano style.

All artists in any genre struggle to do something new and refreshing without alienating their fans, and I really feel that Dave achieved that here with flying colors. Whenever I want to hear his 'classic' stuff, I just put on 'Beloved', 'Nightfall' or 'Christofori's Dream' - and why should I expect him to try and top that? Better to see him spread the wings than hash out more of the same...and when it strikes him to do more of the same, I'll be there anyhow - there is really no such thing as a bad David Lanz CD!

David got the best in the smooth jazz 'biz' to produce this work, and the result is a great CD that Lanz fans - and probably a new set of Lanz fans - will enjoy!

"Finding Paradise" will be a surprise for many of David Lanz's longtime fans and should introduce one of my very favorite composer/pianists to a whole new audience in the smooth jazz category. Long known as one of the founding fathers and trail-blazers of New Age piano, "Finding Paradise" is Lanz's progression from "heavy mellow" to "smooth age". Not a huge leap, perhaps, but the music on this CD is much more collaborative than previous recordings, and while some pieces are introspective, others are joyful and full of the fun of making music. Lanz is joined on several tracks by Dave Koz, Mark Antoine, and Greg Karukas, and David Benoit arranged two pieces.

"Lost in Paradise" knocks me out every time I hear it. David played it as a piano solo in concert last fall, and it made my fingers itch (can't wait to play it from the songbook!). I was delighted to learn that Charlie Bisharat (another of my favorite musicians) joined David on violin on this track. Bliss!!! Rhythmic and upbeat, David and Charlie throw in some heartrending passages that convey both the irony of being lost in paradise and the tragedy that paradise has been lost here on planet earth. At the peak of this piece, both musicians are absolutely soaring. What a blast it would be to see them play this song together! I think this is David's strongest piece in years, and is worth the price of the CD by itself. But wait - there's more! There isn't a weak track on this CD. The first half of "Finding Paradise" is jazzier and more rhythmic, and the second half includes pieces that are more "classic" Lanz, so there should be something for everyone. The CD opens with "That Smile", a sunny toe-tapper. The gospel-tinged "Walk on Water" was co-written with TV composer Snuffy Walden. In response to the events of 9/11, Lanz arranged Neil Diamond's classic, "America", to honor those who have come to this country seeking the paradise of freedom and in the hope that someday we'll all be free. "Dorado" is another favorite. With its Spanish rhythms and haunting melody, this is both classic Lanz and a slight departure that really works. "Tears for Alice" is a signature Lanz piece reminiscent of "Leaves on the Seine" and "Return to the Heart", which were both also composed for David's wife, Alicia. This is Lanz's tender musical side, and this piece tugs at the heart, as Lanz does so well! "Luna" is a beautiful, gently rhythmic piece that would be a wonderful slow dance. Dave Koz's sax complements Lanz's piano perfectly, making this a stand-out. "Theme From the Other Side" is a rather unusual but very elegant piece that I really like. It has a melodic line, but feels almost ambient and floating. Jeff Beals' muted trumpet adds an otherworldly feel, and Jonn Serrie adds some of his distinctive "spacey" keyboard sounds. The closing track, "Love Lost...Love Found" is again classic Lanz, ending this excellent collection on a pensive, hopeful note.

I really think "Finding Paradise" is David Lanz's best and strongest album to date, and that's saying a lot since I've been following his impressive career since the early `80s. Give yourself a treat and experience the range of Lanz's playing and composing styles. You can't miss with this one, and may find your own little bit of paradise!

"Paradise ... does exist all around us, inside of us, something we can touch, or is it merely a state of mind? The latter rings truest for myself. Inner peace seems to be best found on our own terms, and in our own time. My wish is that this music may give you pause and maybe just a little help on your journey to ...finding paradise." -David Lanz

I am so completely impressed by this album. Not only do the notes break crisp and fresh in an atmosphere of elation, the entire album is just one blissful note after the other. I've long been a fan of David Lanz and his music is always inspirational.

"That Smile"
Hopeful, energetic and almost impish. Written on a cold December morning just before the winter holidays. It seems to hold all the wishes and dreams of a child within the notes.

"Walk on Water"
Much slower and sexier. Possibilities are endless. An almost spiritual
piece that makes you take a deep breath and drift off into your own thoughts.

"Lost in Paradise"

Almost magical and romantic. A complete escape. Lanz was inspired by thoughts of each soul born to this earth having a gift. I love the violin in this selection. I'm thinking gypsy or wandering or escaping to some secret place no one else knows about.

"America"
The sax brings a note of sadness to a version of the Neil Diamond classic. Lanz takes this song to a whole new level of brilliance. Sends shivers right through your being and brings out that patriotic feeling of deep love for your country.

"Dorado"
David Lanz attempts to capture a golden and peaceful feeling and succeeds. He was inspired by the mythical city of El Dorado that was said to have streets paved with gold.

"Romantica"
Inspired by thoughts on the romantic soul. Composed in a joint effort by Dave Koz and David Lanz. Southern California/Beach Boys flavor.

"Tears for Alice"
A song dedicated to David's wife. A quiet sadness and hope as if expressed
by a child. Soft notes weave around violins, cello and harp. Somewhat innocent.

"The Sound of Wings"
Inspired by a book and meant to capture the image of a multitude of descending angels. I also imagine angels flying in this song. Maybe flying down to earth to carry souls back to heaven.

"Luna"
Inspired by Orcus Island's gentle tides. I've been there once and it is quite peaceful. The music does seem to reflect the atmosphere there.

"Theme from the Other Side"
Dark and moody and almost nostalgic. Takes you into another realm. Calms the soul.

"Love Lost ... Love Found
At first painful and then hopeful and fulfilling. David explores all the emotional elements from the first awakening of love to the excitement of being "in love" and intertwines the bittersweetness of loss and new discoveries.

If you have forgotten that there is beauty in the world, look inward and listen to "finding paradise."

~The Rebecca Review

I wasn't expecting as magnificent a combination of advanced "new age" and smooth jazz as I did here. Lanz' piano work shines through on each arrangement here, often with a singing quality to its sound.

This album also awakened a new admiration for Dave Koz, a musician who previously, in my estimation, seemed to be trying to become a second Kenny G, a rather questionable goal maybe. But, here he shines on several fronts. He produced four of the cuts starting with the opener, "That Smile". He performs on "Walk On Water" (which was composed by Snuffy Walden along with Dave Lanz), "Romantica" (a smooth, exotic number composed by Lanz along with Dave Koz), and "Luna". Each performance shows a new individuality, a breaking away from the commercially smooth Kenny G mode and a finding of himself musically.

The cover of Neil Diamond's "America" is an expression of a great love, of reaching for unity and healing, and encompassing the globe, not just this country. This highlight performance would've made this CD noteworthy even if the surrounding pieces didn't match it...but they do.

The hheart-searching "Tears For Alice" and the last cut, "Love Lost...Love Found", each features a rich string & harp accompaniment.

This whole performance has Lanz branching out, developing, expanding and should be heartily welcomed by his followers and by those discovering him for the first time.

David Lanz has always raised the bar when he releases a new album and this one is no differnent. Though it is much different from Christofari's Dream the spirit is definitly there. If you loved Lanz's older stuff then you will like this new edge he has on as well. Lost In Paradise the alternate title to this CD, is a great song, probably my favorite.

Am a longtime Lanz listener - this is one of his best. He may not as prolific as Arkenstone but this cd has class. There is not a "bad" song on the disc. Luna rocks. Why are so many people selling this used? This is a keeper!

I bought this album within days of it coming out as I am a big fan of Lanz', and had mixed reactions initially. Like someone else said, I don't like a lot of work as well when it is "voiced over" with other instruments (I didn't like his previous album as much as other for that exact reason). However, I got to hear him play 7 of the 11 songs of the album live in his concert last May, and hearing those as solo piano made me realize what amazing works they really are. True, they are more radio-friendly than most of his other stuff is, but that doesn't reduce their brilliance. "That Smile," "Walk on Water," "Lost in Paradise," "Tears For Alice," "Sound of Wings," and "Love Lost, Love Found" are all of my favorites on this album, and I like his cover of "America." "Dorado," "Romantica," and "Luna" are all good pieces, but I didn't find them overly special. The only piece I didn't particularly like was "Theme from the Other Side," because it seems somehow off in left field compared to the rest of the album, I can't really explain it. Overall, however, this is an amazing (albeit short- only 46-odd minutes) work, a worthy addition to any Lanz collection, and a great introduction to one of the best recording artists (in my biased opinion of course) of the past two decades.

The David Lanz CD "Finding Paradise" is a very good album. To begin with, I feel that all of the tracks on the CD are well written. Moreover, the recording mix for the entire CD was good. I like the fact that not one instrument was over powering. Usually, the artists' main instrument is overpowering the rhythm and harmony. In the case of "Finding Paradise," this problem does not exist.
My favorite song on the album would have to be track 8, Sound of Wings. The chord progression throughout the chorus is very soothing and relaxing. In addition, what I like most about this song is changing dynamics throughout the song. The song starts off with MP (mezzo piano) dynamic. Then gradually builds to a forte dynamic.
"Finding Paradise" is an excellent album. I feel that people who like easy listening jazz along with solo piano would be attracted to this album. "Finding Paradise" strays away from realist jazz, however the compositions are attractive and relaxing.