Customer Reviews

Windows of Time

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I can understand a previous reviewer's comments about "Windows of Time" (WOT) not sounding like "Story of i," I believe it should be judged on its own merits. It was meant to be a showcase for Moraz's talents as a solo acoustic pianist, and it does that very well. (As a matter of fact, I believe that Keyboard Magazine voted it either 1st or 2nd album of the year when it came out.) A variety of musical styles from rock to jazz to classical are incorporated in this one recording. This is not simply new age background music, but something that rewards active listening. Those who enjoyed the Moraz/Bruford album "Music for Piano and Drums" would be sure to enjoy this album.

I enjoy Moraz's electronic music as much as the next guy, but WOT is a wonderful look at another aspect of his talents.

Patrick Moraz, well-known for his clever synthesizer work with Yes and The Moody Blues, turns his attention to the acoustic piano for "Windows of Time". The album is taken from a series of semi-impovosational piano concerts given by Patrick in April of 1993. Patrick originally recorded 14 hours music, and this disc represents one solid hour of what he considered to be the best pieces from those sessions. Two of the pieces will already be familiar to Moraz fans, with "Kaaru" (from "Flags") and "The Best Years of Our Lives" (from "The Story of I") being revamped with full classical piano treatments. Mr. Moraz's technical skills cannot be denied, the man is simply a phenomenon on any keyboard instrument you put in front of him! On "Windows of Time" Patrick shows off both his jazz and his classical chops, not an easy blend to master! But where Patrick really comes out far ahead of other talented keyboardists is that he is also a top-notch composer. While many of these pieces were born out of sheer improv, they always sound well-structured and melodius. My music collection does not include too many "all piano" albums, but this is indeed an excellent exception!

if your expecting yes or the moody blues forget it but if you want to hear an excellent keyboardist at work it's a must. his solo work is hard to find except this newer material. timecode is my favorite so far, which i have on vinyl as well as th story of i which i thought was moraz-moraz cause i couldn't decipher the i. wasn't sure if it was an i or a 1. it is excellent also. i was hoping to find other material here such as refugee,human interface,flags,and of course timecode.i guess i'll check back later and see if anything else is released. like i said at the beginning this cd is excellent keyboard work and great background music since it isn't cluttered with words.

Patrick Moraz has expressed his unequivocal support for any work that Keith Jarrett, the preemminent jazz pianist of the last 35 years, produces. On Windows of Time, Moraz presents this support with style, passion, and great art. If you are familiar with Jarrett's mid-to-late 1970's solo output, then WOT is in keeping with the sense of exploration that Jarrett mined so well. Far from Moraz's rock note-bending identity, WOT presents three groups of pieces tied to themes called "Archetypes," "Rite of Spring" and "Sanctuary," played on a Steinway. This album does however, have a connection to Moraz's earlier "Story of I" in that the structure of this collection descends from the top of a pryamid, rather than ascending. Moraz even plays one of the songs from "TSOI" at the climax of the performance: "Best Years of Our Lives."

All that notwithstanding, this is a fine collection of solo piano pieces that contain a variety of influences. Moraz is an excellent pianist whose versatility never gets out of hand. Hearing him play is always a pleasure.

Windows of Time is a stellar achievement in piano performance and composition. The material, which consists of original works as well as remakes of earlier pieces and an amazing interpretation of the Duke Ellington classic "Caravan," runs the gamut of styles, from jazz to classical to blues to rock. The music is impeccably recorded, with excellent results. Anyone who appreciates the finest in acoustic piano music should have this CD.

Windows of Time is a stellar achievement of piano performance. The material on this album, a collection of original pieces and remakes of older solo songs by Moraz, superbly covers a wide range of styles, from jazz to rock to classical to blues. It is all acoustic grand piano, recorded impeccably with excellent sonic results. Anyone who appreciates the finest in piano artistry should own this disc. Get it while you can; it seems to be getting increasingly hard to find!

If you like the Moraz style as best represented by his work with Yes - such as on Relayer, I strongly reccomend you consider buying "The Story of I" instead.

Windows of Time, is a piano only, one session, format, No dub's etc. While it's not bad, I bought this hoping for similarities to the latin rock fusion sound of Patricks other works .

This one is performed by a musical genius. You have to purchase this MUST-BUY cd. It makes you fell great!

This is a must buy - a fabulous piece of work. Comparable to Chick Corea's solo works, yet much more enjoyable.