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Steven
Cravis - Solo Piano CD Reviews Steven Cravis' second album is an excellent collection of thoughtful and peaceful piano solos. Many of the pieces are more classically structured than the music of other artists in the genre, and indicate a very well-trained and creative pianist-composer (he attended the prestigious Berklee School of Music). The music is peaceful, but is complex enough to allow the listener to hear something new after repeated hearings. The quiet tone of the CD makes it suitable for a lovely backdrop, but many of the songs deserve to be given ones full attention to hear and appreciate the beauty of this music. The CD opens with "Through The Kaleidoscope", a sparkling and swirling piece,
full of musical colors. One of my favorite pieces on the CD is "Dancing
Spirits". It opens in the upper registers of the piano, and works its way down,
gently building momentum on the way. The improvisation in the middle section
suggests the freedom of a spontaneous dance. "The Shining Star" and "My Precious
One" are beautiful and tender love songs. "Reunion" is a bit more impassioned
and turbulent - the strength of the emotions comes through loud and clear,
making it a very powerful piece. "Holiday Slumber" is a cozy and delicious
depiction of those wonderful, lazy days when it feels so good to just keep
snuggling under the covers and dozing back to sleep. True
Reflections Steven Cravis' debut CD is very appropriately titled "True Reflections". A beautiful series of reflective and introspective piano solos, these pieces are both intensely personal and easily accessible. Cravis attended The Berklee School of Music and has supported himself as a Yoga instructor. His understanding of music and the human spirit are a wonderful union, and he has stated that his goal with his music is to take people to the relaxing state he has come to know through yoga and meditation. Some of the music on "True Reflections" is darker and perhaps deeper than several of the pieces on Cravis' later "The Sound of Light". "True Reflections" seems more improvised and less structured, and I really enjoy the freedom of pieces like "Earth Journey", a longer piece (almost seven minutes) that meanders where it will at a peacefully lazy pace. The title track is a wonderful, moody piece, full of questions as well as poignant memories. This piece also sounds mostly improvised over a basic structure. "Father" is very sad and deeply personal - possibly composed during or after a family crisis. I also really like "Heart of Hearts" - again questioning and reflective with a lovely flow. "True Reflections" is an excellent solo piano album, and I highly recommend
it.
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