Transcend

My favorite thing about Philip is his ability to paint images, emotion, and movement, using only sound. "Less Traveled" has me skipping and dancing across starlight, leaving twinkles of golden stardust in my wake; "Transcend" sends my mind's eye on a mad dash through the galaxy, with light-hearted laughter. "The Chase" gives me chills and my imagination is usually so wrapped up in the notes of the piece I can't get it back. This is my favorite track.

No doubt, everyone experiences ups and downs in life ranging from minor to catastrophic. Composer and pianist Phillip Wesley certainly has, and through his music has documented those times in a way that not only touched the hearts of listeners around the world, but also has earned him numerous awards and accolades. From the album’s opening notes on track one, “Less Traveled,” it is obvious that this is music that is powered by emotion. Strong left hand chords accented by lighter right hand arpeggios mark the first movement, which extends over half of the piece. It’s a serious and pensive piece that reveals a depth of feeling right from the start. As we move into track two, however, the atmosphere elevates with the lighter and more luminous “Unbridled Spirit.” It was here that I began to get a sense of Phillip’s keyboard virtuosity in the composition’s comparatively complex melodic structure as contrasted with the simpler phrasing of the first piece. The album’s title track is nothing short of, well, transcendent. It is powerful, moving, and uplifting. However, I appreciated Phillip’s sense of dynamics when he dropped into a quieter mode intermittently. On the other end of the emotional spectrum are the wistfully haunting strains of “Distant Memory.” One of my favorites is a heartfelt composition entitled “Union.” Written in ¾ time, I found it’s waltz-like rhythm and evocative chord progression to be quite moving and soul stirring. That feeling carries over into the next piece, “The Courage To Change.” However, a change is also on the horizon as we move into the more sensitive and introspective “Haunted Past.” The yin-yang comparison between these pieces illuminates the remarkable range and diversity in Phillip’s writing and playing. One of the marks of a gifted composer and instrumentalist is the power to draw the listener into the ebb and flow of their feeling through the music and create a resonance within them. Phillip Wesley elegantly displays this ability. Through his evocative compositions, he has bared his soul and in turn provided a poignant listening experience that emanates from a deep well of passion, grace, and sentiment.

Listening to the actual CD will be different than iTunes. Is your iTunes set to auto equalize the music? That makes a huge difference with solo piano music so make sure to turn it off if you're listening through iTunes or an apple device. Go to iTunes, then preferences, then playback, and turn your sound enhancer off.

I purchased this album because i have really loved his previous albums. This one did not disappoint. The only issue i have (not sure if this is only me) is the music crackles a lot like you have speakers that are nearing being blown on this higher parts. It is not my headphones, it does the same on speakers and at low volumes. His other albums are perfect sound quality. Curious if anyone else notices this.

I have written maybe one or two reviews in the last 8-9 years. However I felt I had to write one here. Anyone thinking of buying this album should do it right away. Wesley's music is great for studying, car transportation, or general pondering. Great stuff and simply a fantastic album.

Didn't expect anything less than perfect from Philip Wesley !

I love the music of Philip Wesley, and this album is the best one yet. I haven't stopped listening since I downloaded it. Thanks!!!