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Spirit Touch: Solo Piano
Joseph Akins
Spirit Touch: Solo Piano
Genre: New Age
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

Product Description Tender, creative and beautiful are just some of the adjectives that describe Spirit Touch, the third solo album from Joseph Akins, which continues his heartfelt piano artistry with eleven fresh track...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Joseph Akins
Title: Spirit Touch: Solo Piano
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: HeartSong Music
Release Date: 10/6/2009
Genre: New Age
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 619157000520

Synopsis

Product Description
Product Description Tender, creative and beautiful are just some of the adjectives that describe Spirit Touch, the third solo album from Joseph Akins, which continues his heartfelt piano artistry with eleven fresh tracks: ten new originals and one modern arrangement of on old classic. Joseph s performance on a Steinway D grand is featured throughout this album with intimate piano solos for several tracks and accompaniment from cello and percussion on others. Spirit Touch will surely touch the spirit of any listener. All tracks were recorded at the beautiful Middle Tennessee State University recording studios. Both Joseph Akins and the engineer, Bill Crabtree, are professors in the Department of Recording Industry in the College of Mass Communication at MTSU. The world-class facilities of these studios can be heard throughout the high quality sound from this album. Description from the artist: Spirit Touch is the follow-up to my solo piano album, Masterpeace. Released in 2007, Masterpeace has been recognized as a soothing and relaxing instrumental album that sounds wonderful. In 2009, Spirit Touch still features the beauty and heart of the grand piano. Many of the tracks are solo piano yet other selected tracks have cello and percussion accompaniment. All tracks are originals with the exception of track 11, which is my arrangement of the popular Tennessee Waltz. It is my hope that Spirit Touch touches your spirit. 1. Spirit Prelude This is an uplifting improvisation that makes for a spirited opener and a great prelude for the title track. 2. Spirit Touch I first knew the title of this album would include the word touch , thinking of human touch and how important it is to us all. I later decided to include the word spirit feeling that spirit touch well represented the music as a whole. I composed this particular piece while we were grieving over the loss of our 23-year-old Siamese kitty. 3. The Butterfly Ride Influenced by one of my favorite jazz composers, Horace Silver, this tune has always sounded like a ride to me. First, I imagined a balloon ride, but by the time I recorded this album, it sounded more like a butterfly ride! 4. Cascades I wrote this piece after the recording sessions for Masterpeace, my previous solo album. Because it sounded like falling water, the title came from one of my favorite places in nature, Cane Creek Cascades. 5. Night Shadows This haunting piano solo is a favorite to play. Thanks to the legendary pianist David Lanz for his inspiration and input. 6. Feeling Joy This one is pure fun. The continuous motion and strong melody is joyful to play and hear. I hope you feel joy too. 7. Little Arwen This simple solo dropped into my heart early one morning. I named it after one of our newly adopted Siamese kittens. Her two brothers, Aragorn and Gandalf, will have a more adventurous piece named after them some day! 8. Dance for my Ancestors This exciting piece grew out of the melody you hear in the first few measures. I wanted to compose a number that would be fun to perform live. It makes my heart jump and my fingers dance! 9. 1,001 Nights Influenced by artists such as Kitaro, I wanted to compose a track based on this Middle-Eastern sounding scale: G-Ab-B-C-D-Eb-F. I also had fun scraping my fingernails across the piano strings (the single strum that sounds similar to an autoharp). 10. My Rainbow This music was completely improvised in the recording studio. It is dedicated to my beloved wife, Unita. 11. Tennessee Waltz My father, a musician who loved and played country music, taught me this very popular song when I was a child. With his guitar, he taught me one note at a time until I learned the complete melody.

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CD Reviews

From MainlyPiano
Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 11/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

""Spirit Touch" is the anxiously-awaited follow-up to Joseph Akins' very popular and critically-acclaimed 2007 release "Masterpeace." As much as I enjoy "Masterpeace," "Spirit Touch" blows me away. Akins wanted his new album to be more like his live performances, and that seems to be the difference. There is more variety in the music and Akins clearly demonstrates what an incredible pianist he is. A musician since childhood, he has the effortless grace of someone who has played the piano all of his life and is happiest with a keyboard at the end of his arms. This music incorporates more improvisation, giving a feeling of freedom and spontaneity. I was lucky enough to see Akins perform in concert a couple of weeks ago, and heard some of this music for the first time there. I was impressed! All but one of the eleven tracks are originals, and about half of them are solo piano. This is sure to be one of my favorite CDs of the year.



"Spirit Touch" begins with "Spirit Prelude," a warm and inviting improvisation that sets the tone of the album. Cello accompaniment adds to the soulful sense of well-being. The title track was composed while Akins and his wife were mourning the loss of their 23-year-old kitty. Sad and reflective, the emotions expressed are honest and stirring. On the opposite side of the emotional spectrum is "The Butterfly Ride," a piece that gracefully glides through the air without a care in the world. "Cascades" is lightly orchestrated and has a gentle jazz rhythm that evokes visions of tumbling, sparkling water. I love this one! "Night Shadows" is another favorite. As the title suggests, this piece is dark, moody, and a little spooky - gorgeous! "Feeling Joy" returns to lightness and exuberance, dancing gleefully all over the piano. "Little Arwen" reminds me Michael Hoppe's simple, bittersweet melodies. A tender, heartfelt waltz, the piece was named for Joseph's newly-adopted kitten - I love this one, too! The exciting "Dance For My Ancestors" demonstrates Akins' impressive chops. Light and swirling with occasional dark accents, it has an infectious energy. "1001 Nights" is the most orchestrated piece on the album as well as the most dramatic. Based on a Middle-Eastern sounding scale with exotic rhythms and sounds (including Akins strumming the piano strings with his fingernails), the piece is mysterious, beautiful and a little bit ominous. This is my favorite ! "My Rainbow" is an improvisation that Akins dedicated to his wife. A sweeter love song there never was! The final track is "Tennessee Waltz," a piece Akins played with his father's country-music band as a youth after his dad taught him the melody one note at a time. Akins' arrangement is nostalgic and flowing, concluding one terrific album!



Joseph Akins has outdone himself with "Spirit Touch"! Give your own spirit a treat with this outstanding album! Very highly recommended!"
Beautiful Album
Barbara Cash | Woodstock, Ga. | 10/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is very beautiful and Joseph's music is magical. I am a pianist and I really enjoy his compositions. They are filled with emotion and passion and the music can transport you to a very peaceful place. Thanks Joseph."