Review / Comments ::
Let me confess right off that I'm not the greatest fan of classical piano solos. Jazz piano is much more my style. Michael Straugh falls somewhere in between the two; as does my enthusiasm for this work.
"Against the Shore" almost reminds me of George Winston. "If Only" has a very meditative tone, music for a walk through the Northern woods. "The Kiss" may be my favorite on the album. A hesitant piece, peaceful yet not boring.
The use of an electronic keyboard detracts slightly from the depth and fullness of tone an acoustic piano would have lent these works. This would be an album to have playing during a dinner party, or as the background to a romantic evening.
Mr. Straugh does have one consistent habit that could have quickly become annoying, at least to me. In several of the selections he repeats a stanza in several of the selections; he repeats a stanza. You get the idea. It becomes as obvious to me in music as it does in writing or speech. Even with the slight variations in each phrase, it makes me think the artist may have run out of ideas after about two and a half minutes yet felt that the piece ought to run at least 6 minutes. Have you ever read a book that showed promise of being a great novel except that about every fourth chapter seems too out of place, like filler? It is, as is excessively repeating the same musical phrase. The album's saving grace is that the repetition works for Straugh, expanding the pieces without detracting from the overall mood.
If I knew someone who appreciated Straugh's style, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this album. At the same time it wouldn't be at the top of my "Recommended to Everyone" list.
Related Streams-of-Time Review(s) ::
"True North " ( Joshua | 04-2005 )
"True North " ( Nancy | 04-2005 )
"True North " ( Frank | 04-2005 )
Related Web Links ::
Official Site: http://www.michaelstraugh.com/ 
Available At ::
CD Baby (CD)
iTunes Music Store (Download)
Album Copyright Information ::
© 2004 Straugh House Publishing
Review Date ::
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