Finding Paradise

David Lanz (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00005YMDH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,665 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Pianist David Lanz once joked that his melodic, soul-searching music could be categorized as "New-and-improved Age." On Finding Paradise, his second release for Decca, Lanz calls his approach "Smooth Age"--a fitting description and a smart career move for Lanz, whose recent solo and orchestral projects have been bypassed by smooth-jazz radio. Lanz enlists saxophonist Dave Koz, guitarists Peter White and Marc Antoine, and other guests to give several Paradise tracks a more rhythmic, radio-friendly pulse. The switch suits Lanz's melodic instincts well, turning the opening cuts ("That Smile" and "Walk on Water") into engaging, sun-filled gems. Thereafter, the disc varies in style from back-bending sax (on a remake of Neil Diamond's "America") and calypso lite ("Romantica") to a few string-enhanced solo works ("Tears for Alice," "Love Lost, Love Found"). While the disc doesn't quite sustain the momentum of the opening tracks, it's a likable package overall. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "THE INNER GLOW OF ONE AT PEACE.", February 20, 2003

By	Soaring Heart - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

From the first song, "THAT SMILE," FINDING PARADISE pierces straight into my heart and soul overwhelming, inspiring Beauty. There is a tropical feel and the piano playing is delicate, pure and true delivered with intense emotion and passion. I smile as I am lifted into its overflowing wonder--and that is just the first track! I adore this track more than I can ever say.

The journey continues with "WALK ON WATER." In David's liner notes he talks about how Walden, the co-writer (aka Snuffy) would always like to say, 'If you leave a little space, God just might walk into the room.' "Or, in other words," continues David, "in a tough situation, if you can just keep the faith, find a little hope, let go and rise to the occasion, you may just surprise yourself and against all odds..." 'Walk on Water.' I can't help but love David, you too, 'Snuffy.' Smooth sax, and intricate acoustic guitar weaves in with the piano to continue the audial feast. Yummy.

Things slow down a bit with "LOST IN PARADISE." Here is one of my favorite tracks. It is introspective, bittersweet, full of longing and has a tender, true violin playing along with David's piano. In his liner notes, David talks about our global society briefly but, being the optimist he is, says, "It is my belief that each soul born, when enpowered and encouraged, will naturally bring forth and reveal the gift of their true self. It will be the sharing of these gifts over time that will surely show us the way in our search for finding paradise here on earth."

"AMERICA," originally by Neil Diamond, pulls at my heartstrings and makes me feel great hope and inner peace. David says, "Patriotism is a form of love--a love for country. My wish for America is to allow this great love to not only create unity and healing amongst our people, but to let it wash over our shores and embrace the whole of humanity." Wow, I love this.

"DORADO" reinterates and radiates the magic expressed in the previous track, adding even more strength and joy. I love the acoustic guitar and piano together here. Bravo! "The mythical city of El Dorado was said to have had streets paved with gold. However, in this song, I wanted to capture just the feeling of gold...a golden moment in time, the inner glow of one at peace." Mission accomplished, David. Brilliant and captivating, this may be my favorite track.

"ROMANTICA" is David Lanz's and Koz's first attempt together. But you'd never guess it. There is an immediate feeling of the tropical paradise again. It is a slow, simple, glorious melody--oh so relaxing. If I were sitting right now on the beach of my dreams, I would definitely want this song playing. It is painting some stunning dreamscapes in my mind now!

The seventh track is "TEARS FOR ALICE," a song dedicated to his wife, Alicia. David says "It is imbued with quiet sadness and ultimate hope..." I really like that. HOPE.

"THE SOUND OF WINGS," is a lovely title and a tender, intricate track full of indescribable beauty; and even if describable, completely unutterable--it must be felt with the heart. My heart beats faster hearing it--another of my favorites.

"LUNA" (originally titled 'The Tides of the Moon') continues the peaceful feeling that this cd is all about. Luna is "our closest and arguably our most poetic of the heavenly bodies," says David. This track is mesmerizing. I love it.

"THEME FROM THE OTHER SIDE" opens with wind and then the sax. This song was inspired by the dark, moody sounds of a cd of his daughter Tara's, by Portishead. David dedicates this song to "my good friends, Dr. Gary Schwartz and Dr. Linda Russack." This song is very calm and soothing, quite different from the mood set in the first two tracks. But I like the way David transverses through moods...people do it all the time, so why shouldn't music also?

The final track, "LOVE LOST...LOVE FOUND" is music for "all of us hopeless romantics. May the search for love and paradise continue," says David. This is a perfect ending to an enchanting cd. I love this track very much.

BOTTOM LINE: RETURN TO PARADISE is a treasure of Boundless Beauty! Buy it and listen to nourish your soul. o8E

Soar!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dave in paradise, May 21, 2002

By	Michael J Harrington (Phoenix, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews

This CD will take aback many long time Lanz fans (like myself - some 15 years now!), as I had to listen to this CD at least a dozen times before I could put my thoughts together about it...

This is 'Smooth Dave', and I initially wretched at the thought...until I realized that this CD simply takes his talent and adds a new backdrop - not the misty trees or desert sands of the 'new age heavy mellow' Dave, but, like the cover portrays, the freedom and uplifting feel of an ocean breeze - and a smooth jazz setting to his unmistakable sound at the piano. NO, Dave has not turned into Bob James or something like that - he really stretched, took a chance, and made a great CD of very listenable, flowing tunes that incorporate a lot of today's 'smooth' sounds, yet not leaving out his signature piano style.

All artists in any genre struggle to do something new and refreshing without alienating their fans, and I really feel that Dave achieved that here with flying colors. Whenever I want to hear his 'classic' stuff, I just put on 'Beloved', 'Nightfall' or 'Christofori's Dream' - and why should I expect him to try and top that? Better to see him spread the wings than hash out more of the same...and when it strikes him to do more of the same, I'll be there anyhow - there is really no such thing as a bad David Lanz CD!

David got the best in the smooth jazz 'biz' to produce this work, and the result is a great CD that Lanz fans - and probably a new set of Lanz fans - will enjoy!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A DEFINITE MASTERPIECE, February 27, 2002

By	Robbie Steiner (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

David Lanz's Finding Paradise surely made me find paradise. I have never been more excited about purchasing a CD and I made sure I got it when it was first available. Every song is perfectly written. I have no complaints. Lost In Paradise if one of my favorite Lanz songs ever. Mr. David Lanz sure does beat Yanni, Jim Brickman, and George Winston with this new album. I recommend this album to everyone. Way to go David! ~ Robbie Steiner