Window to the World [Single]

Laurie Z | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: Zebra Productions
• ASIN: B000009EB4
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #407,285 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Although Laurie Z. has recorded with many fine artists, this album represents her first solo recording. Each song on "Window To The World" creates a different mood and story, and its melodic flow will pull you in from the very first song. Whether you're playing, relaxing, reading, or working, these compositions will add to the moment. The key word here is "Flow." Each composition Flows in a smooth yet upbeat manner - they excite, yet relax. The title Window To The World describes this album perfectly. Composition after composition opens the window a little further. You are taken on a journey, mood by mood, to exciting new places, times, and feelings. You will find yourself in the Amazon floating down a river, in New Zealand relaxing in the mountains, at your favorite beach taking up the sun, and most importantly, within yourself enjoying your thoughts. ...I find myself playing it over and over again, never getting tired, and always wanting more. From a musical point of view, the use of instruments is exceptional. Sounds flow smoothly, mix perfectly, and have an excellent touch of realism. Instrumentation: Kawai K4, K1, R-100; Korg M1, SG1D, M3R; Akai S-900; Roland D-50, U 110; E-Mu Proteus; Kurzweil GX; Songs developed with the assistance of the Atari ST and Master Tracks Pro software. All songs composed and performed by Laurie Z.®; Bo Tomlyn, Producer/Engineer and MIDIologist. Steve Leonard, additional engineer. Larry Kimbell, Executive Producer. This album was digitally recorded with BASE (Bedini Audio Spacial Environment) enhancement for the highest available audio quality. --Ron Wallace, CMC, Aftertouch, Electronic Music Discoveries

Product Description

Window To The World is energetic, lushly stylized synth music by a virtuoso artist with a lifetime of music to back her imagination. Laurie Z.'s classical background is beautifully evident while she introduces original melodies and a broad spectrum of synth sounds within a mellow jazz aura. Wonderful wild synth that never becomes discordant; always rich, moving and upbeat. Recommended if you like Yanni, George Winston, Suzanne Ciani

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth and jazzy, December 19, 1998

By 

Brad B (Upstate NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Window to the World (Audio CD)

"Window To The World", Laurie Z.'s first solo effort, immediately captures your attention with "The Explorer". It uses a steady beat with nice, varying instrumentation. It's a smooth and jazzy start, not a blaring, knock-your-socks-off start. As the album progresses, the listener is treated to some great acoustic piano and guitar sounds, with great intertwining harmonies (seemingly not easy to do). There are orchestral strains, nice tunes, and you take a journey over the country side in "Summerland".

But by the fifth cut, there was a kind of sameness to all the songs up through that point. By then, I found myself looking for more. I could see a great progression from this album to "Life Between The Lines", Laurie Z.'s later work which is also available on this site. I was looking forward to hearing another of Laurie's albums.

Then the sixth and title cut came on, and right off the bat, you could tell it was something different. "Window To The World" is a great name for this one, because it's as if it were the artist's emergence from the previous sameness. The rest of the album shows off her stuff. "City Lights" has a great beat with more variety. It's much looser than the previous songs, and has some great organ in it. You can't sit still to this one.

Other tracks show off some great dissonant harmonies and a playful tune. But the big finale is "Promise To Forever". This is simply a gorgeous work with great string bass sound.

Although I think the later album overall is better, this one is certainly a keeper, too. If you like great music, you'll love "Window To The World".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications, July 17, 2000

By 

Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Window to the World (Audio CD)

Laurie Z.'s first solo album is a fascinating study of both her earlier compositions and the keyboard technology that was available in the late 80's. The CD opens with the buoyant and somewhat-funky "The Explorer" - upbeat and fun! "A Reflection of Ourselves" is amazing - I couldn't believe it when I learned that the guitar is actually synth - a feat accomplished by great sampling AND keeping the playing within a guitar's realistic tonal range. Technical aspects aside, this is a beautiful piece! "It's a Jungle In Here" is also a lot of fun with a catchy percussion track and a great combination of synth voices. The title track is a real favorite - a sweet little intro breaks into toe-tapping rhythm and a terrific melody that combines rock and funk elements. I also love "City Lights" - an R&B/jazz number that is mind-blowing from the fact that one woman did all of the sounds on synth - a little red-headed soul! Laurie Z. is one of my favorite artists, and this first CD is a very important part of her musical evolution. Highly recommended!