David Lanz, Featuring Gary Stroutsos and Walter Gray – Liverpool (2010)
Released: July 6, 2010
1. Liverpool (feat. Walter Gray & Gary Lanz) 3:01
2. Things We Said Today (feat. Gary Stroutsos, Keith Lowe, Eric Eagle, David Revelli & Alonzo Davideo) 5:40
3. Rain Eight Days A Week (feat. Gary Stroutsos, Keith Lowe, Larry Knechtel, Eric Eagle & David Revelli) 7:09
4. Teatime for Rita (feat. Richard Olivier) 0:13
5. Lovely Rita 3:50
6. Because I’m Only Sleeping (feat. Gary Stroutsos, Walter Gray,Keith Lowe, Eric Eagle & David Revelli) 9:31
7. Norwegian Wood (feat. Gary Stroutsos, Eric Eagle & Keith Lowe) 5:15
8. Yes It Is (feat. Gary Stroutsos & Walter Gray) 5:48
9. London Skies A John Lennon Suite (feat. Gary Stroutsos, Walter Gray & James Reynolds) 11:01
Summary: David Lanz needs no introduction to any but the newest of new Age / New Acoustic music fans. As one of the most recognized names on the Narada Label from the early 1980′s, Lanz is, perhaps, more often thought of as a solo Instrumentalist based more on his early Narada albums “Heartsongs” and “Nightfall” and later “Return To the Heart.” But, at roughly the same period (1985-1986), lanz also collaborated on two albums with electric guitarist Paul Speer, “Nightfall” and “Deseert Vision.” which were considerably more aggressive and, well, electric! That is not any indication as to where “Liverpool, Re-imagining The Beatles” is going, but just adds a little background as to the more varied interests and performances from Lanz over the years beyond a solo instrumentalist label generally applied.
“Liverpool, Re-imagining The Beatles” does not invoke any electric guitars or shades of rock and roll, but rather are done in David’s more traditional style of piano with orchestration, perhaps, for some (myself included, as I still have the vinyl copies of…), a modern revisitation of George Martin’s Orchestrated albums of Beatle’s songs from back in the 60′s. Each track is built around David’s piano stylings as well as Gary Stroutsos’ flute and Walter Gray’s Cello. All are pleasant and engaging, well crafted and arranged, and expertly played. You will need to pay attention, if you just relax and drift off with the music, you may even lose track of the underlying melody as the arrangements are not (nor meant to be) bluntly obvious (e.g.: Rain * Eight Days A Week) but often more subtly crafted around the theme. Someone not familiar with Lanz’s musical style and just looking for instrumental versions of the listed songs might be lost on some of these tracks, but fans of David Lanz will be as pleased with “Liverpool” as with any of his prior efforts. “Things We Said Today” takes off on a pleasant New Age Jazz style, and “Lovely Rita” is the only solo track by Lanz. My personal favorite from the album is “Norwegian Wood” as it seems like the perfect style of song suited for this effort and is beautifully interpreted by a perfectly harmonius Lanz piano and Stroutsos flute atop Eric Eagle & Keith Lowe’s percussion and bass foundation, and the following track ”Yes It Is * PS, I Love You” is equally inspired between Lanz and Gray on Cello, as well as Stroutsos on flute. The final track, “London Skies A John Lennon Suite,” takes several turns, but featues a particularly moving interpretation of “Tomorrow Never Knows” by Stroutsos. Overall, the album is a pleasant listen completly through with many other highlights, and is highly recommended!
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Genres (& sub genres): New Age, Instrumental, Piano, Meditation Relaxation & Inspiration,
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Listening Impressions: Acoustic, tranquil, peaceful, reminiscent;
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Similar to: Wayne Gratz, David Nevue, Spencer Brewer
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