Kathy’s 2008 Favorites

Kathy’s 20 Favorite CDs of 2008: This is my list of favorite CDs that I reviewed in the past year. A few of these were released in earlier years, but I reviewed them in ’08. Several more CDs were very close to making the list, but I had to cut it off somewhere! A lot of reviewers rank their favorites, but I just can’t. The music I like best can and does vary by the day, so I will list these in alphabetical order by album title. The links in the titles will take you to my reviews of these albums. Congratulations and thanks to these artists for making 2008 the best year for instrumental music that I can remember!

1. 1.A New Kind of Love - Robin Spielberg
   

2. 2.Afterplay - Brian Kelly
   

3. 3.Beginning the Journey - David Glass
   

4. 4.Blue Dream - Fiona Joy Hawkins
   

5. 5.Blue Ridge Reunion - Bill Leslie
   

6. 6.Christmas Anthology - Michael Allen Harrison
   

7. 7.Cinematic - Spencer Brewer
   

8. 8.Emotions of the Heart - Bruce Smith
   

9. 9.Faeries - David Hicken
   

10. 10.Follow the River - Michael Dulin
    

11. 11. Living Temples - David Lanz & Gary Stroutsos
    

12. 12. Moments Musicaux - Lesley Spencer
    

13. 13. Our Mother - Ralph Zurmuhle
    

14. 14. Painting the Sun - David Lanz
    

15. 15. Requiem - Fariborz Lachini
    

16. 16. Signature - Steven C.
    

17. 17. Spiritual - Wendel Werner
    

18. 18. Stone Rose - Ola Gjeilo
    

19. 19. The Weight of Time - Timothy Davey
    

20. 20. This I Know - Jeff Bjorck
    

Michael’s 2008 Favorites

Michael's 20 Favorite CD's of 2008: In a year of economic hardship and financial struggles, we were blessed with an abundance of inspiring instrumental music that was one of the best in many years. While the music industry continues to scratch its head with how to deal with declining sales, the artists of the instrumental genre continue to create music of integrity and inspiration without the many benefits that mainstream artists have available to them. And for that I salute you and personally thank you for keeping me in the eye of the economic storms where there is still peace and tranquility.

TOP TWENTY 2008 (RANKED)

1.  William Joseph - Beyond (Reprise)

2.  Ryan Stewart - Equanimity  (Stone Angel Music)

3.  Seay - A Winter Blessing (Tuscan Sun Music)

4.  Peter Kater & Dominic Miller - In A Dream (Point Of Light Records)

5.  Paul Cardall- Living For Eden (Stone Angel Music)

6.  David Lanz - Living Temples  (Sound Traveler)

7.  Stanton Lanier - Unveiled  (Piano Peace Music)

8.  Spencer Brewer - Cinematic (Willow Rose)

9.  David Arkenstone - Echoes Of Light And Shadow  (Gemini Sun)

10. David Lanz - Painting The Sun (Shanachie)

11. 2002- Christmas Dreams (Gemini Sun)

12. Enya - And Winter Came (Reprise)

13. Mars Lasar - 11:05 Revival (Sound Manipulations)

14. Paul Cardall - The Hymns Collection  (Stone Angel Music)

15. David Hicken - Faeries  (Enchanting Music)

16. Wayne Gratz - Light Lands and Shoreline  (WGM)

17. Lawson Rollins - Infinita  (Infinita Records)

18. Stephen Peppos - Vertigo (Tarvin Music)

19. Philip Wesley - Dark Night Of The Soul (Autumn Music)

20. Stephen Peppos - Follow The Mist (Tarvin Music)

*Honorable mention to Ola Gjeilo’s  2007 release  Stone Rose.

Kathy’s 2007 Favorites (In no particular order)

1. 1.The Path of Peace - VisionSound (Ben Dowling and Mark Wagner)
   

2. 2.When Evening Falls - Tom Salvatori and Iris Litchfield
   

3. 3.Somewhere Within - Joe Bongiorno
   

4. 4.Seven Valleys - Greg Maroney
   

5. 5.Romances For Solo Piano - Michael Hoppe’
   

6. 6.Key of Sea - Jennifer Thomas
   

7. 7.Exposure - Stephen Moccio
   

8. 8.The Beauty of Human Error - Dax Johnson
   

9. 9.It’s About the Rose - Karen Marie Garrett
   

10. 10.Quiet Mind - Carl Witt
    

11. 11.Goddess - David Hicken
    

12. 12.Ice - Fiona Joy Hawkins
    

13. 13.Secret Spaces - Craig Urquhart
    

14. 14.InScapes - Kate Moody
    

15. 15.Angels - David Hicken
    

16. 16.A Mind Like An Ocean - Frederic Delarue
    

17. 17.Sunnyside Blues - David Shenton
    

18. 18.Adoration - David Nevue
    

19. 19.This I Know - Jeff Bjorck
    

20. 20.Feast of Joy and Love - Laura Sullivan
    

Mike’s 2007 Favorites (Ranked)

1. 1.David Arkenstone - Myths and Legends (Gemini Sun Records
   

2. Omar - Secret Journey (Real Music)

3. Paul Cardall - Songs Of Praise (Stone Angel Music)

4. Jesse Cook - Frontiers (EMI)

5. Miriam Stockley - Eternal (Tula Records)

6. 2002 - Deep Still Blue (Gemini Sun Records)

7. Laura Sullivan - Feast of Joy & Love (Sentient Spirit Records)

8. Mars Lasar and Cadence - A Star Is Born (Gemini Sun Records)

9. Gandalf - Lotus Land (Real Music)

10. Jim Wilson - Beneath The Olympian Skies (Willow Bay Music)

11. George Skaroulis - Snow (Evzone Music)

12. Eric Tingstad - Southwest (Cheshire Records)

13. Brian Crain - A Summer In Italy (Crain Records)

14. Tim McGowan - Phenomena Legends and Myths (McMusic International)

15. David Hicken - Goddess (Enchanting Music)

16. Ann Sweeten - Grey Sky and Bittersweet (Orange Band Records)

17. Craig Urquhart - Secret Spaces (Heart Earth Music)

18. Johannes Linstead and Nicholas Gunn - Encanto (Gemini Sun Records)

19. Sarah Modene - Journey

20. 20.Medwyn Goodall - Island Bliss (Gemini Sun Records)
    

Kathy’s Favorite CDs for 2006

These CDs are listed in no particular order. Not all of them were released in 2006, but that is  when they came to my attention. 2006 was a really good year for independent music, and I look forward to more in 2007!

Dance With the Stars - Gabrielle Angelique

Requiem - Michael Hoppe

One Sitting - Wendel Werner

Lingering Light - Jeff Pearce

Symphony of Light - Frederic Delarue

Music In the Silence - Ron Clearfield

Sanctuary - George Skaroulis

Piano and Cello Duet - Brian Crain

Piano Pianoforte - Giorgio Constantini

Autumn Musings - A New Day

Mike’s TOP TWENTY 2006 (Ranked)

1. Mars Lasar - Yosemite Valley Of The Giants (Gemini Records)

2. Gandalf - Sacred River (Real Music)

3. George Skaroulis - Sanctuary (Evzone Music)

4. Yanni - Live! The Concert Event (Image Entertainment)

5. 2002 - The Emerald Way (Real Music)

6. Anewday - Autumn Musings (Fat Cat Music)

7. Johannes Linstead - Café Tropical (Gemini Records)

8. John Adorney - Trees Of Gold (Eversound)

9. David Lanz - Sacred Road Revisited (Narada)

10. Michael Jones - Almost Home (Pianoscapes)

11. Ryan Farish - Everlasting (Neurodisc Records)

12. Nicholas Gunn - Beyond Grand Canyon (Gemini Records)

13. Brian Crain - Piano & Cello Duets (Crain Records)

14. Zade - Beautiful World (Sawa Productions)

15. Amethystium - Emblem (Neurodisc Records)

Honorable mention to Jeanette Alexander’s 2005 Walk In The Sun that I was not exposed to until 2006.

Kathy’s 2005 Favorites (In the order they were reviewed)

Songs For Emelie - Marcus Loeber

Overcome - David Nevue

Mystical America _ Laura Sullivan

Smoke On the Horizon - Jonathan Dimsdale

Jace Vek Live - Jace Vek

Christian Calcatelli - Christian Calcatelli

Wind Chimes - Greg Maroney

Observations in the Woods - Wayne Kelling

Blue West - Philip Aaberg

Christmas At Our House - Michael Dulin

Forever Young - George Skaroulis

Soul to Soul - Wayne Gratz

Imagination's Light - Kevin Kern

Spirit Romance - David Lanz & Gary Stroutsos

The Elements Series: Water - Peter Kater

A Tribute to Gershwin & Friends - Michael Allen Harrison

Sounds From the Wishing Well - Patrick Gorman

Allure of Sanctuary - Karen Marie Garrett

Loss - Wendel Werner

Two Sides - Marcus Loeber

Mike’s Top 20 (2005)

1. Jonathan Butler, Jonathan (Rendezvous)

2. 2.Secret Garden, Earth Songs (Decca)
   

3. 3.Jesse Cook, Montreal (Narada)
   

4. 4.Brian Crain, Spring Symphonies (BRC)
   

5. 5.Paul Cardall, Primary Worship (Stone Angel Music)
   

6. 6.David Lanz and Gary Stroutos, Spirit Romance (Narada)
   

7. 7.Kevin Kern, Imagination’s Light (Real Music)
   

8. 8.Wayne Gratz, Soul To Soul (Gratz Music)
   

9. 9.Stanton Lanier, The Voice (Stanton Lanier)
   

10. 10.Enya, Amarantine (Reprise)
    

11. 11.Jim Brickman, Grace (Windham Hill)
    

12. 12.Seay, 1 Voice (Tuscan Sun)
    

13. 13.Peter Kater, Fire (Real Music)
    

14. 14.Ryan Farish, From The Sky (Neurodisc Records)
    

15. 15.Philip Wesley, Comfort & Joy (Autumn Music)
    

Kathy’s 2004 Favorites (alphabetical)

Cocktails at 8:00 - Lisa Hilton

Composer/Pianist - Michael Allen Harrison

Dolphins: A Message of Love - Frederic Delarue

Heavenly Whispers - Janie Horton

Memories of Utopia - Robin Spielberg

Pools of Light - Brian Kelly

Streamwalker - Craig Urquhart

Sweet Dreams and Starlight - David Nevue

Timeless: Classics for a New Age - Michael Dulin

When the Saints Go Marching In - Bradley Sowash

Mike’s  2004 Top 20

1. Jim Wilson - Sanctuary (Willow Bay Music)

2. Omar - Free As A Bird (Real Music)

3. David Arkenstone - Atlantis (Narada)

4. John Adorney - Waiting For The Moon (Ever Sound)

5. William Joseph - Within (143/Reprise)

6. David Lanz - The Good Life (Decca)

7. Paul Cardall - Christmas Hymns (Stone Angel Music)

8. Tim Janis - Beautiful America (Koch Records)

9. Johannes Linstead - Mediterranea (Earthscape Media)

10. John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess - An Evening With John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess (Favored Nations)

11. Karunesh - Call Of The Mystic (Real Music)

12. Brian Crain - The BC String Ensemble (Crain Records)

13. Gandalf - Colors Of A New Dawn (Real Music)

14. Laura Sullivan - Mystical America (Delvian Records)

15. Benise - Live (Rosanegra Records)

16. Amethystium -Evermind (Neurodisc)

17. Craig Urquhart - Streamwalker (Heart Earth Music)

18. Bill Douglas - Stepping Stones (Hearts of Space)

19. Ryan Farish - Beautiful (Neurodisc)

20. 20.Buedi Siebert - Wave Hand Like Clouds (Real Music)
    

Kathy’s “Top Picks” for 2003

A few of these albums were released prior to 2003, but I reviewed them during the year. They are listed in alphabetical order by artist, as it was a good year for new music, and these are all outstanding albums!

1. Atmospheres - Michael Dulin

2. The One I Waited For - Michael Dulin

3. Echoes - Ludovico Einaudi

4. Solace - Michael Hoppe’

5. Echoes of Childhood - Michael Jones

6. Piano - Peter Kater

7. The Winding Path - Kevin Kern

8. Harmony Grove - Greg Maroney

9. Second Nature - George Skaroulis

10. Evocation - Craig Urquhart

Honorable Mention: Season’s Traditions - George Skaroulis; Naqoyqatsi - Philip Glass & Yo Yo Ma; Gioia - Sandy Owen

Mike’s Top 15 for 2003 (alphabetical)

AMETHYSTIUM - Aphelion (Neurodisc)

PAUL CARDALL - Faithful (Stone Angel Music)

PAUL CARDALL - Live (Stone Angel Music)

BRIAN CRAIN - Sienna (Crain Records)

JESSE COOK - Nomad (Narada)

GANDALF- Between Earth And Sky (Real Music)

STEPHEN GERZELI - Out Of The Blue (Whitaker Entertainment)

WAYNE GRATZ - Sleepy Baby Suite (WGMP)

BRADLEY JOSEPH - The Journey Continues (Robbins Island Music)

KEVIN KERN - The Winding Path (Real Music)

JOHANNES LINSTEAD - Zabuca (Real Music)

MIRIAM STOCKLEY - Second Nature (Narada)

TROIKA - Kingdom Of The Sun (Enso)

2002 - This Moment Now (Real Music)

YANNI - Ethnicity (Virgin)

Kathy’s Favorites for 2002

William Linton - “Piano Sketches” - Emerald Castle Music

Matthew Zachary - “Every Step Of the Way” - Matthew Zachary

Jocelyn Woods - “A River’s Journey” - JourneyQuest Music

Omar - “Opal Fire” - Real Music

Peter Kater - “Inner Works” - Source Music

Wayne Gratz - “A Place Without Noise” - Narada

Various Artists - “The HeartAid Project” - Spring Hill Music

Suzanne Ciani - “Meditations” - Seventh Wave

Sandy Owen - “One Late Hour With a Steinway” - Ivory Records/ Paras Recordings

Sandy Owen - “Boogie Woogie, Rhythm and Blues” - Ivory Records

George Winston - “Night Divides the Day - The Music of the Doors” - Windham Hill

David Lanz - “Finding Paradise” - Decca

David Nevue - “Postcards From Germany” - Midnight Rain Productions

William Linton - “Wayfarer” - Space for Music.com Records

Rebecca Kragnes - “Surrender” - Rebecca Kragnes

Michael’s Top 10 for 2002 (Alphabetical)

1.Ariell – Conversation With Angels (Paras Recordings)

2.David Arkenstone – Sketches From An American (Paras Recordings)

3.Michael Dulin – The One I Waited For (Equity Digital)

4.Wayne Gratz – A Place Without Noise (Narada)

5.Michael Jones – Echoes Of Childhood (Pianoscapes)

6.Bradley Joseph – One Deep Breath (Robbins Island Music)

7.Peter Kater – Inner Works (Source Music)

8.Secret Garden – Once In A Red Moon (Decca)

9.2002 – Across An Ocean Of Dreams (Real Music)

10.Philip Wesley – Finding Solace (Autumn Music)

Kathy’s Favorites for 2001

Best Album of 2001: Philip Aaberg “Live in Montana” - Sweetgrass Music

Phil has been one of my favorite artists for many years, and this is a live compilation of the best of the best. This album was nominated for a Grammy, and deserves all the recognition it can get. Absolutely wonderful!

The other nine selections are in no particular order:

Loren Gold “All Around Me” - Anagram Records

Rebecca Kragnes “Joyful Noel” - Rebecca Kragnes

Bradley Sowash “We Gather Together”  - Bradley Sowash Music

Jace Vek “Vision” - Jace Vek

Laurie Z. “Heart of the Holidays” - Zebra Productions

Kevin Kern “Embracing the Wind” - Real Music

Robin Spielberg “With A Song in My Heart” - playMountain Music

Spencer Brewer & Kostia “Piano Ocean” - North Sound

Danny Wright “Soul Mates” - Real Music

Michael’s Top 10 for 2001 (Alphabetical)

1.David Arkenstone – Middle Earth (Neo Pacifica)

2.Paul Cardall – Miracles (Stone Angel Music)

3.Tim Janis – A Thousand Summers (Tim Janis Ensemble)

4.Kevin Kern – Embracing The Wind (Real Music)

5.David Lanz – Finding Paradise (Decca Records)

6.Mars Lasar – Karma (Paras)

7.Johannes Linstead – Guitarra Del Fuego (Real Music)

8.David London – To My Love (Real Music)

9.George Skaroulis – Return To My Homeland (Evzone Music)

10.Miriam Stockley – Second Nature (Narada)

Kathy’s Favorites for 2000

   Jeff Bjorck- “Pure Piano Panoramas”: one of the best solo piano albums I’ve heard in awhile. I stopped in my tracks several times the first couple of times I listened to it and said “Wow!”

   Richard Carr - “Christmas Fireside”: I’m not usually crazy about Christmas albums, but this one is truly exceptional.

   Ron Clearfield - “Time on Earth”: incredible cello solo and ensemble playing; very classical with a contemporary flair.

   Ken Elkinson - “Revelry”: also an outstanding solo piano album. More upbeat than his early work.

   Loren Gold - “Reflections of Gold”: Previously released in 1998, this was re-released in 2000. It’s just too good to miss!

   Kudzu - “Absinthe”: This album was released mid-1999, but I didn’t  hear it until 2000. It blows me away every time I listen to it!

   David Lanz - “East of the Moon”: This isn’t my very favorite Lanz album, but I love the upbeat stuff, and “The Visitor” has to be a classic.

   Revival - “The Longest Dream”: This is a mind-blowing debut! Great concept, great music, and a great experience to savor over and over!

   Robin Spielberg - “Dreaming of Summer”: quite possibly Robin’s best work to date. Solo piano with lots of heart and a great deal of artistic growth. Outstanding!

   Various Artists - “A Different Prelude”: Another winner assembled by Dawn Atkinson. It’s a collection of classical preludes composed by a number of different composers, played and interpreted by a varied group of artists. I love this stuff!

Honorable Mentions: “The Opening” by Craig Casey, “Field Notes” by Philip Aaberg, “A Gift From Janie” by Janie Campbell.

Michael’s Top 10 for 2000 (Alphabetical)

1.David Arkenstone – Caravan Of Light (Narada Records)

2.Jesse Cook – Free Fall (Narada Records)

3.Enya – A Day Without Rain (Reprise)

4.Peter Kater – Hearts Desire (Source Music)

5.Johannes Linstead – Kiss The Earth (Real Music)

6.George Skaroulis – Generations (Evzone Music)

7.Michael W. Smith – Freedom (Reunion Records)

8.2002 – River Of Stars (Real Music)

9.Craig Urquhart – Evocation (HeartearthMusic)

10.Yanni – If I Could Tell You (Virgin Records)

Kathy’s Favorites for 1999

My top two picks are incredible piano albums that get better every time I listen to them (and I’ve listened to both A LOT!).

1. Ken Pedersen - “Deja Views” (Symark)

2. Clara Ponty - “The Embrace” (Philips Classical)

The others on the list are also exceptional, and are in no particular order:

3. Suzanne Ciani - “Turning” (Seventh Wave)

4. Michael Hoppe, Tim Wheater, Martin Tillman - “Afterglow” (Hearts of Space)

5. Dan Chadburn - “Reflections”  (Alpha Omega Music)

6. John Boswell - “Love” (Hearts of Space)

7. David Nevue - “The Vigil” (Midnight Rain)

8. Karen FitzGerald - “Heart of the Rain” (Turquoise Rain Music)

9. Flesh and Bone - “Pagan Saints” (EarthSea Records)

10. Isadar - “Active Imagination” (Mainya Music)

Kathy’s Favorites for 1998

In no particular order, here are my top picks for ‘98. These are all piano or keyboard, so if you hate that genre, oh well!

1. 1.Reflections of Gold - Loren Gold
   

    LoGo Records

2. Best of Ray Lynch, Volume 1

   Windham Hill

3. Our Time - Eric Chapelle

   Hamsa Music

4. Merciful Dwelling - Dax Johnson

   Abstract Records

5. Garden Life - Mark Birmingham

   Rosemead Recordings

6. Bach Improvisations - Ira Stein Trio

   Lost Time Records

7. The Poet’s Dream - Patrick Lee Hebert

   Highland Piano Studios

8. As Always - Evan Gould

   Gouldworks

9. 17 Seconds to Anywhere - Liz Story

   Windham Hill

10. Sweet Dreams - Mia Jang

   Narada

11. Clara Ponty - Clara Ponty

   Philips