Scott Wilkie - Home Again: The Solo Piano Sessions (2008)

First time I met Scott Wilkie in Duesseldorf-Kaiserwerth during the Wave Music Festival in August 2000. It was a lucky time. The summer was warm, people full of hope and nobody thought about recession and economic crisis. Scott and his group were the first highlight of the festival. Oh yes, we all had a great time. What remains? The impression, memories and Scott's music.

Most of you will be familiar with his debut album Boundless, released in 1999 on Narada Records and his sophomore album More Than You Know (2000). Today's you have a good chance to see Scott and his friends on tour or at Spaghettini Jazz Grill. His band Nathan Brown (bass), Dave Hiil (guitars) and David Anderson (drums) will be on his next project which is currently in the making.

Home Again: The Solo Piano Sessions was recorded in Scott's home studio on his Yamaha C7 concert grand piano in 2007.

Some critics complained about Scott's music that he seemed a slave to dated synth sounds. Far from it! With his new album Scott concentrates on the pure melody and showcases the strength of his songs. The album starts with The One. The tones fall like raindrops. One after the other, building the melody with care and flowing together.

Home Again is a melody with great warmth and tenderness. The musical magnet for all home comers. The slow and contemplative Pier 39 was originally released on Scott's album More Than You know. The title results from a shopping center and popular tourist attraction built on a pier in San Francisco, California.

Claire's Lullaby is characterized by the special sweetness of the caressing tones. Nobody knows for sure What Lies Ahead. History has taught us to expect the unexpected. Scott's answer to the question is at any rate somehow soothing.

Song for Shari and Reverie are taken from Scott's album Boundless. Already piano-focused on the original album these tunes recommend themselves for his solo piano album. When We're Together was written by Dave Hill. One can listen to his version on his website or his album Two Seasons (2003). Scott slightly re-arranged the song, to support the interpretation on solo piano.

The introspective Rivertown is another uplifting song from Scott's debut album. A song often performed by Scott on numerous concerts. Whale Song from Scott's second album has the admirable romantic touch, which is typical for the whole album.

After the long hiatus since his album More Then You Know there is a big deep breath in the smooth jazz world. Scott is back and still creative. Home Again: The Solo Piano Sessions is Scott's melodic approach to the zone of Jim Brickman and Richard Clayderman. Those who have attended his concerts will know that this is only a small feature of his music personality. -- smooth-jazz.de