Were I allowed to use only one word to describe pianist Ann Sweeten’s new album, Just This Side of Spring, it would be, plain and simple, “lovely.” But, since I’m not restricted to using this lone word, I’ll elaborate.
Instrumental—particularly classical—music doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. We live in a fast-paced world where everything we encounter battles for our attention, and since classical music tends not to have the hard-hitting, electro-backed feel that sends listeners into auditory overload, it’s a genre that sometimes gets overlooked.
However, Ann Sweeten is a classical artist that fans of every genre should not hesitate to listen to. As I stated earlier, Just This Side of Spring is absolutely lovely. Sweeten’s melodies vary from slightly dream-like and whimsical, to heavier with an air of sadness to them. Both effects are accomplished effortlessly, which makes for a very enjoyable listening experience.
Sweeten is a superb pianist whose talents easily rival those of another contemporary pianist, Lorie Line. However, there are two qualities to the songs on Just This Side of Spring that I would say take Sweeten’s music above and beyond what one might expect from a classical album.
First is the beautiful simplicity of Sweeten’s melodies. I have listened to several piano albums that bring in other instruments to accompany the piano, which results in the piano—which is supposed to be the main focus of the music—being overshadowed. Sweeten, however, really does provide a piano album. Very rarely are other instruments brought in, and on the few occasions when they are, they’re subtle and keep the piano as the main focus.
The second quality that earns Just This Side of Spring the description of lovely is Sweeten’s ability to paint a picture just with notes. Even without the presence of words the music on its own develops such a mood that it’s very easy for the listener to create an image of what might be happening with this music as a backdrop. This isn’t instrumental music that is just pleasant to listen to, but instrumental music that tells a story.
From start to finish, Just This Side of Spring is an outstanding work of composition and execution, and without a doubt an album that everyone should listen to at least once.
Hot Tracks: December Snow, A Light Rain, Nikki’s Song
March 18, 2010
