Reviews

The Wisdom to Wait
Wayne Gratz
2021/ Wayne Gratz Music

Review by Kathy Parsons

Wayne Gratz's The Wisdom To Wait was created to enhance tranquillity and relaxation and to promote a calming listening experience. I'm happy to say that it exceeds expectations in all of those regards! A master of lyrical understatement since his 1989 debut on the Narada label, Reminiscence, Wayne has composed and recorded some of the most beautiful piano music out there. He established his own label, Wayne Gratz Music, in 2002, and The Wisdom To Wait is the tenth album on that label (plus some singles). He has also composed music for films and documentaries, and released Ocean Angels and Guardians in 2020 as part of The Outlaw Ocean Music Project. Still one of my favorite artists after all these years, I think The Wisdom To Wait could be Wayne's best album yet.

The piano always figures prominently in Wayne Gratz's music, which is sometimes solo piano and sometimes collaborative with one or more other musicians. The Wisdom To Wait is all Wayne, but it isn't all solo piano. Some of the fourteen tracks have keyboard/synth orchestrations and/or wordless vocals; the album was recorded in Wayne's own studio in Florida.

The Wisdom To Wait begins with "Daybreak," a gracefully energetic piece that reflects the optimism and promise of a new day as well as the beauty of a sunrise over the ocean - a great start! "Oaks" describes the strength and majesty of these magnificent trees with reverence and even a little awe. Strings and choral voices bring additional colors to the musical palette. "As The Stars Appear" is a favorite. Much of the piano is played in the brighter upper end of the piano, and I interpret that to represent the sparking stars against a clear dark sky. Strings and smoothly sustained voices are a peaceful contrast to the twinkling stars. "Abstract Reasoning" is much more ambient and has the feeling of an improvisation. Very free, relaxed and expressive, it's another favorite. "A Voice In the Ocean Breeze" is ambient in some passages, more rhythmic and melodic in others. Recorded with soothing ethereal voices and a moderately energetic piano, this 6 1/2 minute piece has time to explore and evolve at its own pace and allows the listener time to let go of the stresses of the day (or night) and get pleasantly lost in the music. "River Road," a gorgeous piano solo, is very free and expressive. It makes me think of taking a long walk, probably alone, and just letting thoughts flow while reveling in the scenery. The title track has a very steady beat that seems to mark the passage of time while the right hand plays a simple melody that could be suggesting patience in the most trying of times. I really like this one, too! "Beautiful Earth" is another fascinating study in contrasts with ambient choral voices, a rhythmic piano accompaniment, and a steady beat driven by a shaker/ maracas kind of hand percussion - also a favorite. "Season's Hideaway" brings this excellent album to a close with a bit of musical bliss. Piano and voices take us to a place where we can relax and unwind. Thank you, Wayne!

The Wisdom To Wait provides an hour of music that reminds us of the wonders all around us despite the chaos and uncertainty of these times. The album is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, Spotify and many other streaming sites. Don't miss this one!

Ocean Angels and Guardians
from the Outlaw Ocean Music Project
based on the book The Outlaw Ocean by Ian Urbina
2021 / Wayne Gratz

Review by Kathy Parsons

Wayne Gratz has been one of my favorite pianist/composers since the early Narada Records days (Wayne released his first album, "Reminiscence," in 1989.). He founded Wayne Gratz Music in 2002 and has released nine albums independently as well as scoring the music for several films. Wayne lives close to the ocean on the east coast, so I wasn't surprised to see his name listed as one of the contributing artists to The Outlaw Ocean Music Project, a fascinating project inspired by Ian Urbina's incredible book, "The Outlaw Ocean." (If you aren't familiar with the book, you need to fix that!) Highlighting the tragedies and horrors that are ongoing on the world's ocean waterways, the book is compelling and enlightening reading. To further spread the word about these crimes on the high seas, Ian Urbina has encouraged a wide range of musicians and composers to create music that reflects their reactions to what they read. There are more than 400 albums currently (the list continues to grow) by artists from all over the world and in a wide range of music genres.

The Last Fifteen Years
Wayne Gratz
2020 / Wayne Gratz Music

Review by R J Lannan

Wayne Gratz

The Last Fifteen Years

How do you sum up a long chapter in an ongoing lifework? You create an album that speaks for it as does pianist Wayne Gratz’ very satisfying release, The Last Fifteen Years. This album is a musical chronology of a career that actually started out thirty years ago. It continues to document one of the most notable Contemporary/New Age pianists on the planet. Wayne Gratz came upon the New Age Music scene, for that is where much of contemporary music was lumped into at the time, in 1989

with an album called Reminiscence, and released an album just about every year thereafter on the Narada and Enso labels. Year to date he has about 22 albums. His music has always crossed over many genres, from classical to contemporary to folk and several others. What he does best is compose music for the piano with light accompaniment. But fear not, his solo piano compositions are just as strong. The Last Fifteen Years is chock full of delightful fare from previous recordings. No small irony that the album has fifteen songs.

Soul to Soul is deeply emotional and sounds like a bit of soul baring. From the album of the same name, Wayne exposes his heart in this melodic confession. When beauty and tenderness are blended together, they sound like this.

With background voices softer than breezes, the track A Silent Wind (Four Steps to the Ocean) blows in like a summer soundtrack. The feel is surprisingly cinematic as the melody captures sunshine, blue skies, and a day not soon to be forgotten. Gratz loves his nature themes and this work offers several of them.

From Wayne’s previous album Safer Places, Even with the Rain is a wonderful balance of piano and cello with the cello almost resembling a Theremin. The leaden skies are more of a promise than threat. The rain comes down to nourish not only the thirsty land, but the thirsty soul as well. This is one of my favorites on the recording.

Colors of Autumn (Light, Lands, and Shoreline) is a solo piano tune that reflects the current sentiment of this late September day. The goldenrod is bright, the purple iron weed is royal, and the poplars are about to rain leaves down upon the landscape. Wayne’s piano is textured with vivid notes of color. You can almost smell that leafy sweet scent in the forest.

A Search for Certainty (Soul to Soul) is another favorite. First, I liked the title. Nothing cryptic here, just a quest for answers. Second, the music is divided into parts. The mini-trilogy consists of the search, the discovery, and the triumphant return. Every poignant note leads to the finale when the question is answered.

The album closes with the introspective track, The Trill of Life (Soul to Soul). This cascading melody is a soul searching composition. It also contains a thread of melancholy, but the overall theme is one of hopefulness. Toss is a modicum of courage and you have an anthem for your own life. The music is also very calming, a side effect of mindfulness that is much needed in our lives today and tomorrow.

An Eagle's Zen
Wayne Gratz
2017 / Wayne Gratz Music
57 minutes

Review by Kathy Parsons

Wayne Gratz released his debut album, Reminiscence, on Narada Records back in 1989 and quickly became one of the leading pianists on that now-legendary label alongside such notable artists as David Lanz, David Arkenstone, Michael Gettel, Michael Jones, and Kostia. Many albums later, Gratz formed his own label in 2002, and An Eagle’s Zen is his ninth release on Wayne Gratz Music. The majority of Gratz’s albums have been piano and at least one other instrument, but this album is all solo piano and features Gratz at his most reflective and expressive self. I truly think this is his best album yet. The understated cover artwork is a lovely prelude to the fourteen original tracks inside, which slip easily into the background but are so rich and soothing with focused listening. 

An Eagle’s Zen opens with the title track, a beautiful piece that expresses graceful movement and the freedom of flight. Watching eagles in flight or even just sitting on the shore is truly breathtaking, and Gratz captures that feeling so well. “A Whispering Heart” was inspired by “a true animal lover” and overflows with gentle kindness. “My World of Colors” has a slow, swirling movement that is hypnotic and very soothing. The simple beauty of “Finding Lost and Found” seems to express a child-like innocence yet feels solitary and kind of lost, but without fear - a favorite. “Intuitive Improvisation” has the quiet sincerity and elegance of someone openly expressing what’s in his heart while at one with his piano - also a favorite. “A Short Time Away” is classic Wayne Gratz with a poignant, pensive melody, lots of open space between the notes, and a simple accompaniment. “Trees of Summer” paints an Impressionistic picture of trees gently swaying in a summer breeze while offering welcome shade from the heat. “Far South as I Can Go” is an intriguing title, and the piece is quietly introspective, expressive and very beautiful - I really like this one, too! “Discovering Brown’s Bay” conveys a relaxed, contented feeling as well a sense of moving forward, delicately trailing off at the end. “Flowing Away” is played with the open freedom of a thoughtful improvisation, expressing heartfelt emotion without the structure of a more composed piece - something Gratz has always done very effectively. “Time Always Follows” is another intriguing title and the grace and peacefulness of the music brings this excellent album to a quiet, reflective close.

If you have been a fan of Wayne Gratz’s music back to the Narada days, An Eagle’s Zen will not disappoint - not even a little bit! If you are new to Wayne’s music, jump on this one and check out some of his older albums as well! An Eagle’s Zen is available from www.WayneGratz.com, Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby. Very highly recommended!

Safer Places
by Stephen Cairnes 
piano-heaven.co.uk

Anyone who might have thought that the sad demise of Narada would bring to an end the piano releases from Wayne Gratz need never have been concerned. The music has flowed from his magic fingers ever since, and arguably he has never been so creative.

It was with great pleasure that I heard of Wayne's latest independent release entitled 'Safer Places'. The bottom of the cover states, "Piano ensemble music to enhance tranquillity," and this is a very fair appraisal of the contents of the album. It is also a very personal recording.

Wayne's piano is accompanied by Nancy Rumbel's English horn on the opening track, 'The Bridge to Ponce'. I am guessing that Wayne has found solace in Puerto Rico, with Ponce known locally as the 'Pearl of the South'. What a delightful track with which to open the CD, with the two instruments complimenting each other so well.

Nature has often featured heavily in Wayne's recordings, and with a title like 'Supermoon', the influence of the world around him and beyond continues. A slightly mysterious opening awaits the listener, before the piano kicks in. Paul Fleury's heartfelt cello playing adds a note of melancholy to this piece, but the piano melody hints at optimism too. As the piece progresses, the more I feel this is a piece for reflection. I love it.

One of my favourite tracks on the album is 'Common Denominator'. A curious title, but a classic Gratz composition. This is more upbeat and playful, and gets my fingers dancing! Again, the cello features. An altogether lighter piece with a catchy melody, this is sure to have you whistling its tune for days to come. The tempo slows right down at the end, suggesting a shift in mood.

'A Time for Reflection' has a mournful opening. I know that around the time of the recording, Wayne suffered a family bereavement, and indeed the album features some very heart-felt words on the inside cover of the album: "This album is dedicated to my Mom and Dad, Jack & Wilda- Thank you for your inspiration, encouragement and support throughout my life. You will always be in my heart and my music. I could not have been in a better or safer place." I find this such a powerful track- beautiful music and many happy memories abound. The sadness returns at the end of the piece- it is indeed a time for reflection.

Another absolute favourite is 'Even with the Rain'. What a gorgeous melody. The relationship between piano and cello could never be more powerful than it is here. This is a stunning track- a masterpiece of a composition.

Changing the mood completely is 'Being Me', a much more uplifting piece and featuring another classic Gratz melody. Wayne's music has always been synonymous with memorable melodies and exquisite piano playing, and both of these attributes are to be found here.

The words in the linear notes set against a heavenly sky state either side of two church crosses, "Our truest source of inspiration comes from within. True contentment is awakened when we are inspired and encouraged to create with the gifts received from our 'safer places'". Wise words indeed, and the tranquil track 'A Wish is Calling' reflects this.

When I listen to the opening of the CD's eighth track, it conjures up images of a cathedral. One can almost hear the chanting from the choir at the opening of this piece. 'Views in the Candlelight' is yet another powerful track, much more subdued that some of the other music on the album. It tugs at the heart-strings.

'Life in Real Time' is another quiet, reflective piece- almost minimalist in style. The tempo slows right down. The listener can allow themself to drift away on their own little journey. Beauty exudes from the piece from start to finish.

'Angelica' shifts the mood from one of sombreness to one of happiness with its higher pitched notes. I have no idea who or what the title is referring to, but although gentle and almost lullaby-like, it holds its own extremely well and provides an emotional lift for the listener.

The tempo increases with 'The Simple Life', a light and happy piece- a typical track from the hands of this master.

I was expecting a similar but perhaps more frantic style with 'Skipping with the Fireflies'. However, the opening is very gentle and slightly mysterious. Even with the more prominent presence of the piano later on, this is an extremely calm and even soporific piece. 

The penultimate track, 'Distant Light', returns the listener onto more familiar Gratz territory. The light may be distant, but the beauty of the music is carried through the air directly to the listener's discerning ears.

This outstanding album closes with the title track, 'Safer Places'. The CD ends on an optimistic note. This is a catchy, melodic piece that concludes the album perfectly.

Wayne Gratz's new release is of the highest quality. Consistently powerful from the opening bars to the closing notes, CDs do not come better than this. The composer has clearly experienced some dark moments in recent times, but out of this comes some breathtakingly beautiful music. Wayne Gratz has an indisputable gift for composing, and I would urge readers of this review to listen to it for themselves, and become immersed in some of the 'safer places' -both physical and metaphorical- that the composer captures so well in this album. I give 'Safer Places' my highest recommendation. Bravo, Wayne. 
S.C.

Four Steps to the Ocean
By Michael Debbage

Back in its heyday, Wayne Gratz was one of the second wave artists of the pioneering label Narada Records and it has now been over 23 years since he released his debut album Reminiscence. Despite the years gone by, the pianist's music continues to be anchored in a conservative understated melody with minor embellishments that will slowly pull you under its spell. Unlike his prior release Two Views, while it is still Wayne going solo with no musician assistance, his whispery swirling keyboard string embellishments have gladly returned, lightly washing Four Steps To The Ocean in a sea of soft serenity.

The album opens with the elegant composition "A Silent Wind" which would have sat very nicely on his stellar debut Reminiscence. It softly lifts you off your feet into a glide mode, elevating you gently into the fluffy white clouds. Similar but slower results can be found on the unassuming majesty of "Afternoon Sails" as well as "All Calm On The Horizon". The murmuring string embellishments are also found on "Miles And Miles", "Ocean Air" and "My Back To The Beach". In between these gentle but memorable moments you may find the bare moments of nothing else but Gratz and his piano being even more vulnerable, best reflected by the almost improvisational feel of "Sea Renity".

It is doubtful that Wayne Gratz will ever present his listeners with an overwhelming epic album that will emotionally sweep you off your feet. That just doesn't seem to be his style. Nevertheless, his quiet unassuming musical character is still very capable of transporting you within Four Steps To The Ocean without even getting your feet wet nor sand between your toes, as you drift to a shifting twilight knowing all is calm on the horizon, taking you miles and miles away from all of your cares. Now that is a majestic moment.

Two Views
by Stephen Cairnes and Kathy Parsons 

The term ‘prolific’ would certainly seem to apply to multi-talented pianist Wayne Gratz, but the Seattle-based composer never sacrifices quality over quantity. Barely a year after the Piano-Heaven award-winning CD, ‘Light, Lands and Shoreline’ became available, Wayne has delivered the goods again with the release of his fifth independent CD- ‘Two Views’.  

In the linear notes, Wayne explains that the title derives from the curious idea that in our younger days we look forward to the future and, at a certain point, that changes to looking back at the past. As Wayne himself says, "I often find myself pondering the two points of view."

It is the title track that opens the CD, and what a beautiful start to what amounts to a tremendous hour or so of music. Wayne's hopes for the future / reflections of the past are certainly positive, and this is a spirited piece from the heart.
Read the full Review

~ ~Stephen Cairns - Piano Heaven

I have been a big fan of Wayne Gratz’s music since his first release on Narada back in 1987, and I believe that his newest release, “Two Views,” is my favorite. All fifteen piano solos are soft-spoken and understated - a soulful pianist doing what he does best. The title refers to the idea that as children growing up, we spent a lot of time imagining what our lives would be like in the future, while as adults, we probably spend at least as much time looking back and reliving past experiences in our minds. With those themes in mind, some of the music has a light, childlike innocence and some is more pensive and reflective - all of it is soothing, graceful and beautiful!
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~ ~ Kathy Parsons -Mainly Piano

Light, Lands and Shoreline
by Bill Binkelman and Stephen Cairns

Inspired by the popular paintings of Thomas Kinkade, Light Lands and Shoreline’s fifteen tracks feature a mixture of solo piano pieces and songs on which Gratz displays his usual considerable skill in applying tasteful electronic textures and accompaniments. 
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~~Bill Binkelman - New Age Reporter

Wayne Gratz has been one of my favorite pianists over the years, so it was with great excitement that I inserted his latest offering, the curiously titled "Light Lands and Shorelines" into my CD player. What followed was an hour of bliss, and I quickly remembered why I admired this musician so much...
Wayne's new work was specially commissioned to provide the accompanying soundtrack for the paintings of Thomas Kinkade, "Painter of Light”. Kinkade is apparently America's most collected living artist, and a visit to his site shows that he is indeed a very talented painter. It is little wonder then, that these two masters of their trade should end up working together, and the end result is a match made in heaven. 
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~ ~Stephen Cairns - Piano Heaven

A Place Without Noise 

An affecting pianist-composer long deserving of broader recognition, Wayne Gratz continues to specialize in stately, reflective expressions of the soul... A Place Without Noise is, as the title suggests, a solid choice to augment your quiet moments. 
~ ~ Terry Wood (Amazon.com Editorial Reviews)

As he's done the last 3 CD's, this one is perfect! Beautiful and warm all over, this is a perfect CD for a crazy world. 
~ ~ Eric Brown - Woodland Hills, CA 

Wayne Gratz has always been a master of understated piano compositions, and "A Place Without Noise", his seventh collection of original piano solos for Narada, is perhaps his most peaceful and introspective album yet...Very highly recommended! 
~ ~ Kathy Parsons - Mainly Piano 

All of the compositions on A PLACE WITHOUT NOISE are designed to soothe and settle, rather than stir... His understated playing and instantly memorable melodies are easy on the ear and the soul. You need at least one of his discs. 
~ ~ Joe Hartlaub - music-reviewer.com