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review by Bill Binkelman Here's a beautiful gem of a piano recording. Brenda Warren's as years go by is touching and evocative, many of its tracks laced with a tender melancholy or somber reflection, yet never to the point that the inherent charm and beauty of the music is lost amidst too much dread and sorrow. The best single word to describe this album would be intimate. Somehow, Warren found a way, no matter what the overall melody, mood or tempo of the piece, to impart a sense that she is giving us a glimpse inside her life, as played out on the piano. A few songs feature accompaniment, both on real strings (violin, cello, viola) or synthesizer, but for all intents and purposes, this is more or less just Brenda at the piano (I usually shy away from naming artists by their first names, not wishing to appear overly familiar, but this recording is so inviting that I'll allow myself the casual connection this time). Besides her warm, rich, emotive compositions, Warren's other strength is her carefully nuanced playing which never strays into overkill, either on the cheery or the gloomy side of things. Melodrama is likewise completely absent from as years go by. Track 2, "remembering you," is a perfect example, as she sways form powerful but subdued lower register work to lightly played mid and upper register notes. The track is intensely emotional, ripe with the reflection quality that the title speaks of. This song also features the small string ensemble I alluded to earlier and they add a nice sense of neo-chamber music elegance, a la Tim Story's music. "sitting on a star" floats effortlessly on whisper-thin delicate notes with just the right mix of sustain and damping. This song features some subtle but spot on synthesizer textures from John Paul Fasal. A certain playfulness intrudes later in the song which speaks of childhood wonder and delight. Every song here is worthy of praise, whether the tone poem-ish minimal "waterfall," the gently whimsical "paris day" or the warm golden nostalgia (somewhat reminiscent of Jim Chappell) of "tea in north beach." Comparisons to other artists are tough, but the previously-named Chappell comes to mind, if one strips away his more "pop" or adult contemporary persona. Warren is less stark than George Winston yet more minimal and free form than, for example, Robin Spielberg or Wayne Gratz. However, comparisons are really more of either an academic exercise or merely used to pigeonhole the music for the sake of the fan. In this particular instance, if you don't have some idea by now what awaits on as years go by, then no amount of further words on my part will help you. For those of you who have discerned the special piano magic which this CD holds, what are you waiting for? Go buy it already, okay? Highly recommended. |
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