Artist description Pianst,composer

Music Style Contemporary Instrumental

Musical Influences Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea

Similar Artists Keith Jarrett

Instruments piano, keyboards

Albums Innervision

Press Reviews Debut CD Innervision was voted one of the 10 best CD's by Kathy Parsons of Wind & Wire magazine. Innervision has received extensive airplay on radio stations in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Innervision was consistently among the Top 20 albums on numerous playlists as reported by New Age Voice. Wind & Wire review: INNERVISION Bob Olshin, solo piano Innervision Music Genre:New Acoustic (solo piano)/Contemporary Classical Solo piano albums often get a bad rap for being too simplistic, but this very impressive debut from Bob Olshin is a powerhouse! There are very quiet and reflective moments, but Bob's extensive classical background shines through on the more intricate and challenging pieces. If Jim Brickman is your favorite pianist, you'll probably dislike this recording, but if you long for the complexity of Phil Aaberg or some of Liz Story's compositions, check it out! "Lamentation I" and "II" are relatively uncomplicated melodies dancing over repetitive bass patterns. I hear a touch of Erik Satie here. "New Beginning" is a beautiful piece, full of hope and a sense of moving forward. "Shadow Spirits" is one of my favorites. It begins in a lighthearted mood, but as it develops, a strong, stormy bass enters. The ending is a return to the opening phrases with a light, sweet touch. "Innervision I" is much darker and more complicated, and brings to mind some of the late-Romantic composer/pianists who had a formidable technique to demonstrate. This 9-minute piece goes through many changes, dynamics, and emotions, staying on the somber side throughout-it must be exhausting to perform! "Evening Prayer" is another favorite-a very peaceful and soothing ray of light after the turbulence of the previous cut. Gorgeous! "Children's Song 4" by Chick Corea is the only cover and is also the only all-electronic piece. It has a playful sense of urgency. "Invocation" is slower and reflective, but it is not a simple piece. It, too, stays on the shadowy side, and swells to several minutes of pure improvisation. Then it calms down and trails off. "Lamentation III" is my favorite on this excellent album-it makes my fingers itch! Also very dark, it begins with an infectious rhythm deep in the bass. Much of the piece is improvised, and is exceedingly passionate. I love it! "Secret Ritual" is energetic and complex-the repeated rhythm weaves in and out of the melody and improvisations. "Innervision II" opens with a questioning feel-a simple melody over chords, mostly in the treble clef. As the dynamics build, the pace picks up-the deep bass enters with an ominous feeling. Olshin creates a hypnotic spell with a repeated phrase given a different treatment each time it's played-very dark and powerful with the ebb and flow of sound. As the bass pattern continues, Olshin plays a complex improvisation on the opening theme, building to a climax, and then fading out with the bass ending the piece and the album. Innervision is a wonderful introduction to a very promising artist, Bob Olshin. I highly recommend it! It is available from New Leaf(1-800-325-2665) and Arizona University Records(520-749-9895 or www.aurec.com) as well as several record stores on the East Coast. Contact Bob at rjolshin@sprynet.com. -Kathy Parsons Reproduced with permission from the editor of Wind & Wire Contact Wind & Wire at: 3010 Hennepin Avenue South, #84 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408 e-mail: billb@bitstream.net (612-824-3819)

Location Rockville, Maryland - USA

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