Songs for a New Century

Jessica Williams (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Origin Records
• ASIN: B0013GN4I0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,470 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking It to a New Level, May 10, 2009

By 

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel "World Music Explorer" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Songs for a New Century (Audio CD)

From the first notes, you know that this is a Jessica Williams album, so unique is her style and approach to the piano. Yet the overall feeling of the album seems different, a more profound exploration than customary, as indicative by the very first track, Empathy, and later in Fantasia. Except for one track, all pieces are her own compositions. Here, then, is another sign of inspiration. The moods are more varied than usual, too, from seriousness to sweetness to funky fun to nostalgia. The composition Dear Oscar is outstanding in its capturing the essence of that master. Her new version of Toshiko, a compositon already introduced in her previous solo album, All Alone, was the only piece that bothered me. I wrote to Williams about it, how it seemed too contrived, affected in its koto mimicry. She was most proud of it, however; and I do applaud her applying the mechanics of the piano to achieve innovative sounds. Aside from this, the album is rich in musicianship. The entire keyboard from its most bass notes to the upper reaches provide high contrast, reminding us that the piano can be an orchestra. Jessica Williams continues to dazzle us with her innovation, her continual study of music as spiritual vehicle. As her last track, If Only, ends, there is a glow of satisfaction of an hour well spent. With Jessica Williams, the body may not dance but the heart soars.