Customer Reviews

Unaccountable Effect (Repackaged)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Unaccountable Effect", "Rope Trick" and "Deeper Reasons" are stand out songs on this CD for me but all the songs are good. This ranks with the best piano music you will ever hear. "Deeper Reasons" is probably my favorite piano song. Mark Isham adds sound effects to the song. The ending sounds dark, mysterious and dramatic. I bought some of the more recent CD's by Liz Story. I was disappointed, they don't sound nearly as good as this, not to me. Anyone who likes piano and/or new age music should love this.

While several of Liz Story's albums have acquired more recognition than "Unaccountable Effect", this album is a worthy addition to one's collection of Liz's albums. Among the noteworthy compositions on this record are the calming, meditative tune "Devotion", the incessant yet captivating D minor motif that forms the basis of "Rope Trick", and the haunting (a word that is overused, but is a perfect description to...) "Deeper Reasons"--the latter, by far, being one of my favorite Liz tunes.
Having seen her in concert twice (and having met her backstage both times!), I highly recommend seeing Liz Story in concert. She leaves no fan (and newcomer to her music!) disappointed.

I have relied on this album for years to help me relax and to center in on what is most important in life. Her music conjures images of peaceful landscapes and dancing rivers which serve as remedies for the tension of modern life.

Of all Liz Story Albums, this is still my favorite...an essential must-have release. "Rope Trick," "Deeper Reasons", "Leap of Faith", "Starfinder", and of course, The title track "Unaccountable Effect " with Mark Isham's Brilliant keyboards adding a haunting atmoshphere. All these tracks are sheer creative masterpieces..."totally non-classifiable". Liz transcends boundaries of jazz, New Age, Contemporary Instrumental. R+they all mean nothing, she is so beyond this. My wife & I have seen her several times in concert, and it's true... She's a stellar talent, beyond genres. This is the perfect album to begin with of many, many superb releases.

Liz Story has a bigger talent than the "new age" label suggests and this, her second Windham Hill album (it dates from 1985) is her most abstract and harmonically radical. It's also the closest to straight-on jazz. The pieces are less immediately melodic than those on her other discs but the rewards of close listening are greater, perhaps. Even the opening and closing tracks, with electronics and drums, are of a high standard. A particular gem is the complex yet swinging "Starfinder," but there isn't a weak track on the disc.

I remember having this as a vinyl record and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is just as good a couple decades later. She plays piano with a deeply spiritual presence of mind. At the same time, the musical sophistication is clearly on display. As a challenge, I learned how to play her second track "Devotion" by listening to the recording. She moves from key to key from bar to bar so effortlessly yet I can't really say what is going on here musically. She is clearly well versed in juicy jazz chords and harmonic language though it would be wrong to call this swing music. Timeless.

I purchased this CD a lifetime ago. Still, when I play it, the music makes me stop and sit down to listen deeply. My impression now is the same as it was the first time I heard it; Liz Story has been places in her life and in her heart that I have never been. She has experienced amazingly beautiful heart tones. If you truly want to experience music, listen to this CD

"Mostly the Hours" is my favorite songs from Liz Story. It is peaceful, simple, and just beautiful; drawing you into a relaxed mood.