"Stray" from the album Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection), a 1997 compilation release by Narada which peaked at #10 on Billboard's Top New Age album charts in the same year. "In Narada's 15-year history, no single instrument has more clearly expressd our musical vision than the piano. Its vast scope and orchestral capabilities have allowed it to encompass a sweeping vista of music endowed with the beauty and spirit that characterizes our wide ranging repertoire. Over the years — from David Lanz and Michael Jones to Bradley Joseph — Narada's music has found its most eloquent expression in the hands of highly gifted pianists."
This song also appears on Bradley Joseph's album, Rapture.
Quotes from CD liner:
"The piano exists apart from the performer. You must coax it to be a partner, and some pianos can be resistant. But there are many ways to touch a piano - and if the player invests the time, effort, and the will to love, the response of the instrument is absolutely enormous." — Kostia
"I sense that the instrument is alive - that when I listen closely for nuance and tone, the inanimate world of strings, wood, pins, and steel comes to life. When I honor the piano's vitality and complexity, I can't tell whether I am playing the piano or it is playing me." — Michael Jones
"The piano is a divinely inspired instrument, a mirror held up to its player's soul that captures the light and shadow of the performer and reflects them back to the listener." — David Lanz
"The piano has been my diary. I have gone to it to document my life experiences - whether deeply personal events or to simply record a memory in the snow, or the light on the land. It is the heartbeat of every piece I have every written." — Michael Gettel
"I have been playing piano since my childhood - and to this day I am still fascinated by the creative journeys it takes me on. Somehow I am sure the piano will remain a constant in my life." — Wayne Gratz
"The piano is always true to me. In times of despair, happiness, and joy, its mood is always my own." — Bradley Joseph
Artists on this CD: Michael Gettel, David Lanz, Spencer Brewer, Michael Jones, Wayne Gratz, Kostia, Brian Mann, David Arkenstone, Michael Whalen, Richard Souther, Ira Stein, Bradley Joseph.
For educational and entertainment purposes only, no copyright infringement intended.
Copyright-free images from http://commons.wikimedia.org
"Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
The piano is always true to me. In times of despair, happiness, and joy, its mood is always my own. -- Bradley JosephThe object is to transport my listeners to another place, some place sacred and spiritual that will make them glad they took the ride. -- Bradley Joseph
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Bradley Joseph "Stray" - Narada Grand Piano
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Dr. Christmas presents roundup of new Christmas CDs
By Gerry Grzyb (a.k.a. Dr. Christmas) • For The Northwestern • December 16, 2008
Neenah’s Gerry Grzyb, chairman of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh sociology department, begins to morph into Dr. Christmas in early October as the first of hundreds of new Christmas CDs arrive. With thousands in his collection, his “nice” list is tough to get on, but here are some of the best of ’08 that made the cut.
PIANO
The 14 carols on Minnesotan Bradley Joseph’s “Classic Christmas” clock in at an average of over 4 minutes, so you know he’s up to something. His usual approach is to play the carol straight, and then add his own twists. And he’s very effective at that—he doesn’t stray as far as a jazz or classical organ improviser might, but he does keep the interest up. The same applies to his earlier “Christmas Around the World”, which I found even more interesting because of the use of other instrumental sounds (added via keyboard, it seems).
"Music Pets Love: The Holiday Edition" CD, Strikes a Chord With Pet Owners
Following the success of the "Music Dogs Love" and "Music Cats Love" CDs, composer Bradley Joseph has released "Music Pets Love: The Holiday Edition".
St Paul, MN (PRWEB) November 20, 2008 -- Following the success of the "Music Dogs Love" and "Music Cats Love" CDs, composer/pianist Bradley Joseph has released "Music Pets Love: The Holiday Edition". This unique CD has one hour of relaxing holiday music classics, mixed with soft nature sounds and short stories. It creates a peaceful environment for pets who are left alone.
After years of touring with Yanni and Sheena Easton, Bradley Joseph (http/www.bradleyjoseph.com) has completed over a dozen relaxing piano CDs released on his own record label Robbins Island Music
"The Holiday Edition" is Bradley Joseph's seventh pet title in the popular "While You Are Gone" series. Songs include: "Santa Paws", "Silent Mice", "Happy Howlidays", and more. Other CDs in the collection are created specifically for cats, dogs, or birds, and includes two DVDs that take your dog or cat on a virtual walk through the woods.
"Both my cat and dog have roamed my recording studio for years", explains Bradley. "They listen to music all the time and I began to realize they reacted differently to (different) songs. I noticed it changed their behavior". Bradley began experimenting with different music, sound effects, and voices until he created a mixture that pets seem to enjoy the most.
Bradley Joseph's pet collection has found a niche among the 200 million pet owners around the country who want to help their pet relax when they leave the house, or are too busy to give them the attention they need.
Bradley Joseph's pet CDs and DVDs have taken the idea of leaving your radio or television on to the next level.
For more information or to listen to samples, visit http://www.bradleyjoseph.com
Robbins Island Music
PO Box 270371
Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
See the original story at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1639274.htm
CD Review "Classic Christmas" ...a comforting blanket of nostalgic piano instruments.
by Carol Swanson, ChrismasReviews.com
Care for an hour of well-executed new age piano? Then Bradley Joseph is your man; his Classic Christmas delivers straight-ahead, gentle renditions of 14 holiday favorites. The music creates a comforting blanket of nostalgic piano instrumentals--these are the songs you have loved all your life, from the seriously sacred to the light-hearted secular.
Joseph's playing is measured and thoughtful, but never plodding. The listener is carried on a reassuring wave of calming carols; each swell delivers familiarity in a simple, warm framework. My favorite tracks are We Three Kings, the longest cut, and Up on the Housetop. The former is elegant in its simplicity, with just a touch of exotic flavors. The latter is a tune I learned in kindergarten; the sweet anthem rarely appears on holiday albums, and it is an innocent delight here.
This music would provide an ideal backdrop for a quiet holiday affair at home. Never intrusive, Classic Christmas is the lovely watercolor mural on the walls, filling the room with subtle holiday hues. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Bradley Joseph "Far Away on Christmas Day"
"Far Away on Christmas Day" is an original song composed by Bradley Joseph his album Christmas Around the World. NAV's top 100 radio playlist. "In a thousand different ways, people join together every year to celebrate Christmas with their own unique customs and traditions. Pianist Bradley Joseph has hand-picked songs from around the world and recreated them with his own unique style. Each melody contains history and meaning that has endured for centuries." "A mix of world beat, smooth jazz, soft piano,and a splash of holiday". In a review for Wind and Wire Magazine, Michael Debbage writes, "Author Jules Verne took his characters Around The World In Eighty Days. However, musician Bradley Joseph takes us around the world in one play of this 51-minute long CD. Partially a conceptual project, Joseph presents World Christmas melodies that have endured for centuries making this a unique Christmas project that allows you to enjoy it all year long." Debbage does go on to say that Joseph's stronger arrangements are via the less traditional ventures evident via the exotic Mexican-rooted carol "Riu, Riu Ciu" and the self-penned "Far Away On Christmas Day". "The latter shows influences of the fluid and flowing Bradley Joseph I have come to know and love", states Debbage. The only other self-penned composition is "A Minnesota Snowfall" that reflects a more "naked bare-boned ballad approach".
Track listing
"Quickly on To Bethlehem" (Przybiezeli do Betlejem) Poland
"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" England
"Ríu, Ríu Chíu" Mexico
"Sheep Fast Asleep" (Hitsuji wa Nemureri) Japan
"I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve" (Jeg er glad hver Julekveld) Norway
"Far Away On Christmas Day" USA
"Praise The Lord O My Soul" Russia
"Silent Night" (Stille Nacht) Austria
"Joy To The World" Germany
"He Is Born" (IL est ne) France
"A Minnesota Snowfall" USA
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" Germany
Wikipedia contributors, 'Christmas Around the World (Bradley Joseph album)', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 15 July 2008
The Passage by Bradley Joseph
"The Passage" by Bradley Joseph from his album RAPTURE.
1997 Narada Productions.
Copyright-free images courtesy of US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Rapture is the second album by Bradley Joseph, and his debut album on the Narada label, released in March 1997. This is an instrumental album in which Joseph wrote and conducted all of the scores. In addition to incorporating a core band including violinist Charlie Bisharat and drummer Charlie Adams, he utilized a 50-piece orchestra. It is an "expression of a life's work and dreams", featuring intimate piano pieces, quartets and full orchestrations, "combining smooth jazz with contemporary instrumental themes". It reached New Age Voice (NAV)'s "Airwaves Top 30" at #15 in July 1997.
History:
During his years of world-wide concert tours as keyboardist with Yanni and Sheena Easton, Joseph released his debut album, Hear the Masses in 1994. Subsequently, Joseph attracted the attention of Narada Productions via the world-wide web. Rapture was recorded at a number of different studios including Captain and Tennille's studio in Los Angeles, and Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. In addition to utilizing a core band including Charlie Adams on percussion, Charlie Bisharat on violin, and Steven Trochlil on clarinet, Joseph brought in a 50-piece orchestra and conducted and wrote all the scores. Wind and Wire Magazine contributor, Michael Debbage, recalls, "It was the year 1997 and New Age music had already peaked commercially as the interest and exposure seemed to lag. The genres main labels Narada, Windham Music, and Higher Octave were beginning to explore worldly themes versus the warm, earthly, acoustic themes that prior artists had established. It appeared that the abundance of new artists was becoming a dying breed. An exception to the rule was Bradley Joseph, who released his first mainstream album Rapture to glorious reviews, and to this day it remains his tour de force." Among other instruments, Joseph used the Yamaha and Bösendorfer pianos for this album. He often references the past when he names his songs and his music is frequently reminiscent of his rural Minnesota roots. His company, Robbins Island Music, [and song] is named after a city park in Willmar, says Ann Polta of the West Central Tribune.
Ken Moore of the Naples Daily News cites, "Joseph's music is backed by 15 talented musicians, some playing three or more different instruments that make up a symphony of sounds ranging from quietly pensive mood music to a rich orchestration of classical depth and breadth." It contains "...heavy flowing strings and emotion-filled keyboard melodies, as on 'A Lover's Return'", states the Johnson County Sun. A review of Rapture from New Age Voice states, "Joseph is smooth, painting romantic pictures in sound with voices and instruments that escalate from quiet, intimate passages to big, energetic movements. The arrangements are structured so that the trumpet can lead a line out on 'Be Still' signaling an introspective sort of mood. Yet the strings swell on 'The Passage', engulfing the listener in an ocean of sound. Even cuts that start quiet, such as 'Healing the Hollow Man' or 'Blue Rock Road' ebb and flow between quiet moments and crescendos." John Blake of The Atlanta Journal notes that often New Age music sounds as if it should be played in a supermarket. The songs can sound like musical cotton candy — soft, airy and ultimately uninteresting. "For the most part, Bradley's music doesn't make that mistake." "The music is cinematic, filled with introspective piano solos, swelling violins, and a hypnotic song pacing that allows the listener to daydream."
Album credits:
Personnel:
All songs composed, arranged, and produced by Bradley Joseph.
Bradley Joseph -- keyboards, vocals.
Charlie Adams, Marc Anderson -- percussion.
James Anton -- electric bass.
Gordy Johnson -- string bass.
Daniel Neale, Aron "Pumpkin" Trooien -- guitar.
James Wheeler -- drums.
David Levin, Clystie Whang -- vocals.
Charlie Bisharat -- solo violin.
Terry Brau -- bass clarinet, trumpet.
Melissa Hasin -- solo cello.
Brian Pearson -- flute, trumpet.
Jennifer Schumacher -- English horn, oboe.
Steven P. Trochlil -- clarinet.
"Special thanks to the St. Olaf Players."
Recorded at Pachyderm Studio, Cannon Falls, MN. Engineered by Bob DeMaa and Bradley Joseph.
Wikipedia contributors, "Rapture (Bradley Joseph album)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture_(Bradley_Joseph_album)
Category: Music