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review by Bill Binkelman Anyone who can open her solo piano album with a cover of "Love is Blue," and make it work, automatically scores some points with yours truly. Rebecca Kragnes, a promising piano artist from my hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, admirably tweaks the famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) romantic ballad, making it her own, and for that alone I say "Bravo!" The rest of this album (her third self-released effort) displays her ability and flair for composing and performing across a variety of new age music piano styles, from uptempo and cheery ("Wanetta's Gift," "Laughter," "Sunlight Dance") to pensive and reflective ("Wander-Ring," "Surrender"). For an independent release, the recording quality is excellent, the piano perfectly balanced so as to not sound either shrill or muffled. Of course, once you find out that David Lanz served as executive producer (as he has on all of this artist's releases so far), this should come as no surprise. In addition, from an artistic standpoint, Lanz is not about to work with someone of mediocre talent; Kragnes proves she is no slouch when it comes to either artistic inspiration or virtuosity on her instrument. Thankfully, she keeps melodrama in check for almost the entire recording, only once or twice over-reaching with some crescendo work (as if she were both bolding and underlining an emotion to make sure you get what she is trying to "say"). For me, the softer pieces elicit a more positive reaction, but that's a matter of my personal taste in piano music more than a reflection that these tracks are inherently better. Whether the soft-as-a-flannel-sheet closing number "Slumber's Caress" or the playful "Sparkle Spring" (which, at times, reminds me of a cross between Wayne Gratz and Robin Spielberg), lovers of melodic and accessible (but not overly commercial or trite) solo piano music should enjoy Surrender. Kragnes, who is visually challenged, (in fact, some of the songs are inspired by Rebecca's and her blind husband's guide dogs) plays with a flowing sense of grace that makes the music both intimate and friendly. This is a CD to spend quality time with as if it were a good friend who dropped by to say "Hello" and share a cup of coffee. Recommended. |
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