Customer Reviews

Solid Colors (Repackaged)

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

 

 

This is by far my favorite album by Liz Story and by any solo pianist if I'd have to choose. This album and her second "Unaccountable Effect" have a pleasant recording quality and piano sound that isn't present in any of her later projects. But they are all still worth owning because of the artistic and composition value. I think the engineer Steven Miller had something to do with the awesome sound on these two... Maybe it was the piano... I don't know. Liz also contributed an arrangement of "Greensleeves" on the 1985 original "Winter Solstice" compilation that Windham Hill released and Steven Miller did the engineering on that track as well. In fact, that was the first song I heard from Liz and was so moved by the mood and atmosphere I went out and bought her entire catalog at the time! I am a solo pianist myself and have released two albums of works (available here at amazon.com under the artist name, "isadar") and my latest CD includes a cover version of her song "Wedding Rain" the opening cut from this album. I tried emulating the environment of this album and I think I came near the mark. In any case, you will not regret buying this album if you have a love for piano. Just be aware that if you are looking for schmaltzy romantic piano music this may NOT be the CD for you. Liz's music is very unique. When she plays, her phrasing is like many small "hic-ups" - it's very light, flowing and very unusual. Beautiful! This album will be with me forever. The best track on this masterpiece is cut #3. "Without You"

Solid Colors is a beautiful compilation of melodies, most of which where written by Story herself. This is one of her earlier works, released in 1982, and is also my favorite Liz Story cd. This cd ranges in a variety of emotion, which makes for a wonderful blend of music. Like George Winston, Liz Story is an anchor for Windham Hill Records. Bravo to Will Ackerman on his ability to showcase great talent (He is the founder of Windham Hill and incidently, produced this cd). She has a lovely flow to her playing. I listen to this cd over and over and over......For some reason, it reminds me of the Fall season. Maybe Solid Colors is a suitable autumn name afterall. If you aren't familiar w/ her music, this would make a great cd to start with. "17 Seconds to Anywhere" is another good one. I can tell you this, this is some great music to relax with and if you enjoy solo paino, then you'll love Solid Colors...any season, day or night!

Redolant with imagination, fancy and emotion, the piano stylings of Liz Story are always appealing and the gentle, modern keyboard fantasies on "Solid Colors" are no exception. I normally prefer hearing the sounds of multiple instruments playing together, but Story's gentle, accoustic improvisations are so rich and varied that I find I really don't miss the backup band. Though this Narada CD tends to be classified in the nebulous, ever-widening net of "New Age" music, I'd categorize instead as light jazz, of the sort you'd expect to enjoy hearing over brunch at a fine city restaurant. It makes a great backdrop for a brunch of your own too, served warm at home for a few good friends. For more of Liz Story's stylish compositions and superb musicianship, check out her many other releases. If you enjoy her work, you may also like the work of pianist Keiko Matsui as heard on her albums "White Owl" and "Doll"--more orchestrated but equally whimsical and passionate.

I sometimes find New Age piano to be repetitive, but this CD is irresistibly enchanting! I put it on "repeat" in my computer's CD player as a soothing refresher in the midst of a hectic office environment.

I'm a student and usually listen to music to help me relax while studying. This one is my favorite! The melodies are nonintrusive and memorable. The entire CD flows like a river from beginning to end. If you like this particular Liz Story CD, check ot Jims Chapell's "DUSK", very similar and also listenable over and over.

A friend introduced me to the music of Liz Story in 1987. Solid Colors has remained one of my most cherished selections in my library. As a pianist (hobby), I can appreciate the incredible talent displayed by Ms. Story. This recording exhibits the diversity of the artist. If you do not yet own it, you need to get it!

Liz Story plays absolutely beautiful solo piano music and Solid Colors is, I believe, her most beautiful CD. If you like George Winston, you'll love Solid Colors. Another wonderful album from the same artist is Escape of the Circus Ponies.

To take Poetic license, Richard Curtis of "Love Actually" and Producer of other Highly Recommended Films and British Programmes said the following~"I received My Personal Education from Women through Their Music. Joan Armatrading,Joanie Mitchell and Carol King to name a Few".Well,First Time I heard the Piano begin to cresendo by the Fingers of Miss. Liz Story~I wept.Hunny said,"this is New Age Jazz".I replied,"No Way"! Jazz is a Sacred Music that dwells in Roots of Americana. Not some type of "New Age Thing". Windam Hill has had a "stable" of the Best Pianists,Cellists,Singers and Geo.Winston.They move My Soul. As a Piano Virtuoso 'wannabe' have been enraptured.There are Not Any NEW copies of Liz Story, "Solid Colours". This is where I began to receive My Emotional Education of New Age Music.I also recommend Enya,Kevin Kern and if desired Lyrics, Jim Brickman. Thank You Amazon and Partners for Continuing My Search for Music that Moves My Soul to Try to Be More than Am and Reach Farther,Higher.

from when it was first released. Very smooth, relaxing. So I highly reccommend it. If you like heavy metal or rap, this isn't your CD. Can't dance to it. For unwinding after a hard day, ideal.

I bought this cd years ago. But unfortunately, it was stolen in 2004! I live in Europe, and this cd was nowhere to buy anymore. But thanks to Amazon, I was able to get a new cd. It took only a few days to send it over, in perfect condition. And the music: I was so happy to hear it again! Liz Story knows how to create a pleasant atmosphere, but the music keeps holding your attention. It is just beautifull!
Enjoy this music, like I do!

Pieter Sweep