Rich Smith - Giant Forest

THE GIANT FOREST Rich Smith's debut CD, 'The Giant Forest,' is a solo piano album performed and produced by Rich Smith, inspired by the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park, California. The recording includes 10 of Rich's best improvisational compositions which were recorded in August 1997 on his Chickering grand piano. The styles of music on the recording are a mixture of neoclassical and new age with a bit of world music and jazz influences. TRACK LISTING: 1. Giants Dance at Midnight 6:14 2. Song of the Kaweah 4:34 3. The Loveable Chipmunk 2:00 4. The Soaring Hawk 8:02 5. The Crying Spirit 5:00 6. Sequoian Peace 6:37 7. The Raging Fire 6:21 8. Trees Love the Rain 5:53 9. General Sherman Speaks 7:21 10. Reflections 1* 9:45 CD total playing time is 62 minutes. The CD was remastered in May of 1999. *Reflections 1 P & © 1987 Rich Smith; all others P & © 1997 Rich Smith / Rich Smith Music (ASCAP). REVIEWS: 'I enthusiastically recommend 'The Giant Forest,' by Rich Smith. The first time I heard Rich Smith perform live in Los Angeles, I wondered how it was possible to evoke such passion with a keyboard. After two years of listening, I still don't understand how he does it. Needless to say, Rich Smith is an extraordinarily gifted artist who is easily one of the most important talents to appear in this century. This album is a wonderful celebration of life. It's delicious textures are filled with impassioned images that float effortlessly through the mind. If you truly love someone, this music will harmonize the soul of music in your hearts and minds. Give it to someone you really care about.' ~ John Pash, Los Angeles, CA 'If you love piano and nature, you would love this one... I bought 'The Giant Forest' from Rich after I heard his performance. I liked it so much that I bought another one and presented it as a gift to my dearest friend. Listening to the great pieces, I can close my eyes and almost see the forest stretching right in front me. The great inspiration from the soaring hawk, the tenderness and peace from the little chipmunk, are only examples how Rich's music can really touch one's heart. I love it and I strongly recommend it to anyone who has a heart for great piano and for great nature...' ~ Sharon Ling, Clarksville, MD 'WOW --- I want more. I first heard Rich in a street musician concert in the Santa Monica area. I was completely taken by his improv that I stood and listened for over an hour. I bought his CD when he was done, thinking this will probably be OK. --- Boy was I surprised. The CD is so incredibly emotional and dramatic. I play it over and over and have become very familiar with the pieces. What talent! What ability to evoke and communicate! I want more!' ~ Ed Glass, Elkhart, IN 'Ladies and gentlemen; Rich Smith is Unique and unparalleled. It is easy to hear the influence of giants of piano music like Beethoven (a nature lover) and Liszt (a virtuoso) in Rich Smith's CD. The harmonies and structure more closely resemble Classical music than the pointless wanderings of new age music. His music commands your attention and allows you to be carried away in it's beauty (Chopin), fiery passion (Beethoven) and amazing technique (Liszt). This CD should be listened to fully consciously; not as background filler, but in relaxed concentration. (glass of wine, low light, loved one etc.) Having had the pleasure of performing with Rich, I can vouch for his individual improvisational style, his technique (his ability to read music, unlike most new age piano players) and his effortless creativity. We all look forward to a 2nd, 3rd ...CD.' ~ David Van Mersbergen, Atlanta, GA 'Simply Beautiful Music. I love this CD! I received it as a gift and am so amazed by the simple beauty evoked by Rich Smith and his piano. Rich has a love for music that can be clearly heard and felt with every note. I highly recommend this to anyone who considers themselves a fan of music!' ~ Katelynne, Seattle, WA 'VERY NICE MUSIC. A very fine music, to listen alone, or together with a friend or a girlfriend. Great. It's a very special gift!' ~ Dietmar Poernbacher, Brixen I, Italy 'Beethoven would be humbled..... Rich Smith is a genius with a heart of gold and both qualities can be easily heard if you listen to 'The Giant Forest.' My only challenge with his CD is that I occasionally have to buy a new one because I play it so often. The fact that Rich improvises so much of his music blows my mind away because every note he plays sounds incredibly well planned and richly practiced. The Giant Forest (in addition to anything else Rich produces) is truly candy for your ears.' ~ Julia Pegler, Malibu, CA QUOTES ABOUT RICH SMITH 'From the first time I watched Rich Smith perform, it's so memorable and unforgettable that the impact lasted. It's like when you see a movie and it stays with you for a lifetime. His music possesses a very strong sense of melodic flow, though improvised, as if it was played many times before. I've never seen anything like it. It's soaring, mesmerizing, amazing!' ~ Guy Marshall, Los Angeles Producer 'Rich Smith is an exemplary pianist/composer whose music excites me with every stroke of the keys. His music is varied and wonderful. Go see him!' ~ Mark Ferber, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association 'Rich Smith has the ability to move audiences with his improvisations like I've never seen before!' ~ Paul Tavenner, Los Angeles Producer.

1) Giants Dance at Midnight
2) Song of the Kaweah
3) The Loveable Chipmunk
4) The Soaring Hawk
5) The Crying Spirit
6) Sequoian Peace
7) The Raging Fire
8) Trees Love the Rain
9) General Sherman Speaks
10) Reflections 1