A delightful listening experience...
Benedikt Halldorsson | 09/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ever since the release of Sunna Gunnlaugs' ...first cd, "Far, far away" a few years ago, I have been waiting patiently (OK, sometimes not so patiently ;-) for the next one. Mindful is her second CD, on which she plays again with Scott McLemore on drums and this time with Drew Gress on bass. These elements in her music were familiar but on Mindful she also teams up with a saxophonist Tony Malaby. This is not surprising given the resulting songs, all of which are composed by Sunna, since it adds a new dimension to her music. That is something to be expected by a dynamic musician. Sunna's fluid play on the piano was what attracted me to her previous CD, and by sharing the spotlight with the sax on this one I find it challenging me as a listener in a way that I didn't expect, but am tremendously grateful for. The first song of the cd, Good Stuff, is just that. It starts in a way that captures your attention and then holds it easily throughout the song. It is the perfect song to start the cd with, and Sunna and the rest of the band give you a good example of their seemingly effortless and harmoneous style of play, a characteristic of the rest of the CD.'Mindful', 'Evensong' and 'Bad Seeds' are very easy and pleasant listening, and I personally find the songs lively and sometimes rhytmic, while conveying different moods. 'The people of my heart', 'Coming through' and 'Waiting to go' are wonderfully played by Sunna on the piano and Sunna and Scott's interplay at the end of the last one is a nice touch.
Interestingly, the CD ends on a calm yet playful song called 'The dawn of a new beginning' which I thought to be a very appropriate way finish the collection of songs with. I personally interpret the location of that song on the CD and it's title as a subtle hint of what is yet to come from Sunna!Ultimately, what I love about Sunna's music is that each song has both calm and vigour (sometimes at the same time!), but yet each piece is distinct from the others and challenges you in a different way as a listener. I find myself contemplating the titles of the songs as I listen and find that they each speak to me in different ways. This gives each of them specific personal meaning to me and is, in turn, why Sunna's music delivers, stays with you, and leaves you asking for more."
Soulfulness from mind
C. E. Silva Rios | Caracas, Distrito Capital Venezuela | 09/13/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As its first tune posits, Mindful is nothing but good stuff. Warm and flowing, it is like a map of intensities. I daresay the whole Sunna?s proposal is a long waltz coming straight from the heart of a distant land. Her companions, Tony Malaby, Drew Gress and Scott McLemore, seem to understand her message and add to her music this swaying core, being faithful to melody and friendly to the spontaneous spirit of improvisation. Listen carefully to the lyrical Sunna?s solo on ?Evensong? or Malaby?s, and you will know what this record is all about: a real dawn of a new beginning; the one that happens when one finds music like this. Dig it and you will learn how mindfulness nurtures the soul."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1