Customer Reviews

Sketches

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

 

 

This is pianist Kurt Bestor's ninth album, but I have to admit it's a first for me. I was very excited about it, as it gave me a chance to review a non-Tesh album featuring violinist, Charlie Bisharat - one of my very favorite musicians and performers. Charlie plays on only two cuts, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying the entire CD, and have played it over and over. Bassist Michael Manring is also prominently featured on most of the pieces. The cuts are so varied that the album almost sounds like a compilation of various artists, yet it is held firmly together by the theme of celebrating the genius of artists, inventors, explorers, and writers whose dreams and musings were first recorded as "sketches". With inspiration coming from such a varied selection of heroes as Thoreau; Stradivarius; former slave Sojourner Truth; Audubon; television's inventor, Philo T. Farnsworth; and Native American Olympic gold-medalist Billy Mills; it is no wonder that the album has such an impressive palette of musical styles. It goes from the country/folk bounce of "Expedition" to a glistening peacefulness in "Fishing the Sky"; "Stradivarius" has a very classical flavor with soaring strings; "Mama, Don't You Weep" is a classic spiritual. "A Romance With Electrons" has the sweep of a soundtrack to a movie featuring a farm with gently swaying fields on a warm afternoon. "On Pastel Wing" is the only piano solo, and it is gorgeous - very peaceful and moving. From there, we move on to "Faces On a Fresco", which opens with Gregorian Chant and flows into a lilting piece that features recorders, flute, and cello - I really like this piece! "From Leonardo's Sketchbook" is a light-hearted frolic celebrating DaVinci's sketch of a flying machine. "Windrunner" features Native American drums and vocals, and carries a feeling of both sadness and triumph. "Sketches" closes this impressive set as a tribute to all of those lives celebrated in the music as well as an homage to sketching itself. It is mostly piano with a few background instruments delicately accompanying Bestor. I give this one two thumbs and a big toe up!

Every single composition in this album is simply amazing. I remember going to Kurt Bestor's Christmas concert in St. George when I was eight or so, and I've been in love with his music ever since. This is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time.

I am amazed that I have never heard of Kurt Bestor before. This acoustic piano is incredibly beautiful. After hearing just one song where he played with Sam Cardon on "Innovators," I looked him up and couldn't wait for this CD to arrive. Thank you, thank you!

"Music," said Gladstone, "is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind and spirit of man." Kurt Bestor understands this and composes and plays powerfully inspiring and heart felt music. I love all his work I have heard, both in person and on recording, but none surpasses the 'Stradivarius' cut of this album. All his work makes me feel like I am somewhere else and I care for the people of that time and place.

We would have given this CD five stars, but there is one song in particular that just doesn't fit with the rest of them. Which makes this one song more of a "distraction" then anything else. But please, don't think for a moment I'm giving this CD poor marks or a bad review. Just the opposite is true. It is almost near perfect and I think many folks would love to have this CD in their home music library. Good job Kurt!

Kurt Bestor is a hidden jewel - I discovered his music about 15 years ago. I am so grateful for his talent and wish there were more of his music available! This CD is fantastic!