Jon Mutchler Solo Piano: Piercing The Heart: Ballads

Jon Mutchler

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 24, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• ASIN: B00005S0LB
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #697,816 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Memory (from Cats)

2. Nadia’s Theme/The Young and The Restless

3. Send in the Clowns

4. Maria (from West Side Story)

5. Edelweiss (from The Sound of Music)

6. Make Someone Happy

7. My Funny Valentine

8. Moon River

9. All I Ask of You (from Phantom of the Opera)

10. Killing Me Softly

11. My Heart Will Go On (from Titanic)

12. When I Fall In Love

13. An Affair to Remember/Our Love Affair

14. As Time Goes By/A Kiss Is Still a Kiss (from Casablanca)

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist

From the liner notes:

"From the liner notes: We jazz musicians often disparage the merit of popular songs (yeh, we can be a snooty bunch!). We forget that many jazz “standards” we play today were once pop tunes. Who knows what current music will be inserted in the “Real Books” of tomorrow? A challenge for jazz artists is to find those enduring songs, explore their melodic and harmonic potential, creatively make it one’s own, and pierce the hearts of musicians and audiences alike.

"The ballads on this CD were largely chosen by the tens of thousands of people who hear me perform in intimate venues like Resort Semiahmoo in Blaine, Washington. These are the songs my audiences favor which I’ve fashioned in my own style. Some are old classics and others could become such. Many of them I learned as a result of their requests and so I dedicate this CD to them.

"My interpretation of these tunes is purposefully reserved. Jazz purists would have wanted something more avant-garde. But I wanted the music to be accessible while at the same time stretching the listener a bit." - Jon Mutchler

Product Description

Piercing the Heart is rich in those favorite and familiar melodies. Out of his 25 years of professional experience as a jazz pianist Jon has selected some of those most requested ballads and offered his own artistic and energetic interpretations on the piano. He has taken the “standards” and recorded many of them in ways other than “standard.” This is music that’s not only a pleasure to listen to but also music that should be thought about deeply at times.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly beautiful--pierces my heart for sure, November 16, 2001

By A Customer

I've heard Jon play live and listening to this CD is almost as good. Hard to believe it's only two hands on the keyboard (but I've seen him so have proof). A light touch at times, other times a driving force--but always he's one with the piano. I've heard these classics so many times and in so many ways but never like this: As Time Goes By becomes something new in Jon's hands. Same for Killing Me Softly and Moon River. I'd give this CD ten stars if I could.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications, February 5, 2002

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

"Piercing the Heart" is a collection of solo piano ballads made up of Jon Mutchler's most-requested songs from performances at his weekend gigs at Resort Semiahmoo in Washington State. Many of the titles are those that would be expected in a collection like this ("Memory", "My Heart Will Go On", "All I Ask of You"), but Mutchler's playing style is not what I expected at all. It is low-key, uncluttered, and distinctive in its thoughtful, soulful manner. Even though most of these pieces are common standards and I'm sure Mutchler must play them often, the improvisations and interpretations sound fresh and new, making this a most enjoyable CD to listen to and savor many times, finding something new each time. Mutchler has an impressive background in both classical and jazz piano, and has been playing professionally since he was a teenager. It is a real pleasure to hear a pianist with the experience and confidence to let the music sing without needing to see how many runs up and down the entire piano he or she can get into every song. These arrangements are subtle and subdued, keeping an easy-going, reflective mood throughout. I especially like Mutchler's take on "Send in the Clowns", "Maria" from "West Side Story", and Richard Rodgers' "My Funny Valentine". I highly recommend "Piercing the Heart" to those who are looking for fresh new interpretations of old favorites (and a few that are not-so-old). Great stuff!