Frederick Nighthawk - Gathering Wave

Music Review: Gathering Wave (RMR-103) Gathering Wave is pianist/composer Frederick Nighthawk's second solo piano release with Red Mountain Records. Following the great response to his first solo piano effort, Rivers Without End, Frederick had found his audience and learned that people were playing his instrumentals in massage therapy sessions, at dinner parties, as the background ambient music in their lives. The 11 new songs in this collection follows it's predecessor with Frederick's signature lyrical and poetic solo piano style, working with the power of simple melodies,engaging the listener in the intimacy of the instrument. Gathering Wave further explores Frederick Nighthawk's impressionistic and meditative piano compositions and improvisations, visiting the musical landscapes of California's Pacific coast in the title track 'Gathering Wave', and 'The Wild Coast', to visions from the mountains of the Blue Ridge, 'Up On Hawksbill', and to the canyons and mesas of the American Southwest in 'Borderline'. Frederick's love of Spanish Flamenco and Gypsy music inspired songs like 'Santa Fe' and the creative spark for 'Spirit Dance', and his lifelong fascination with the North Indian classical tradition lent itself to the morning piano raga 'Colors Of The Dawn'. The piano is one of the most complex and, at the same time simplest of instruments. It can draw on a wealth of emotions such as the star crossed heartbreak of 'Losing You', or the mystical dreamtime journey of 'Blue Horse'. Reflecting on Frederick's first love of blues and gospel piano comes the bittersweet 'Blues For My Baby', and the final track, soulful sounds spilling out of a country chapel in 'Sweet Morning Rain'. Frederick says,' I knew when I was quite young that music, and piano in particular, had a special place in my life. It had the power like no other to help me tap into the mystic reservoir of the creative, and it became clear that music had the power to touch the soul. I was hooked, and composing and playing music became my passion in this world.' Gathering Wave invites the listener into this world of passionate music and experience this special musical journey. Enjoy!

1) Santa Fe
2) Blue Horse
3) Colors of the Dawn
4) Blues for My Baby
5) Losing You
6) Spirit Dance
7) Gathering Wave
8) The Wild Coast
9) Up on Hawksbill
10) Borderline
11) Sweet Morning Rain