Think On These Things is the 1991 debut release by pianist/composer Lisa Downing. Containing twelve original piano solos, this early work is an impressive expression of many moods and experiences. The Colorado native began piano lessons at the age of ten and continued her music studies through college, where she earned a degree in Traditional and Non-Traditional Music with Keyboard Emphasis. She has been a piano teacher to students of all ages since 1977 and owns Vision Quest Entertainment, her record label as well as a talent agency. Downing is one of an exclusive group of artists who have lived and breathed music their whole lives, and her mastery of the piano is effortless and vividly expressive.
Think On These Things begins with “Universe Maker,” something of an anthem without words. Thoughtful and soulful with an air of grace, it’s a lovely opening. “Life Giver” becomes more reflective with a beautiful passion and velvet touch. “Kind, Winsome, and Gracious” is a fascinating piece that conveys several aspects of a beloved friend. Sometimes on the serious side and sometimes playful and fun-loving, it’s a colorful portrait that works well. “Personal Freedom” has an infectious energy and joie-de-vivre that captivates and uplifts. “Repentence” goes to the opposite emotional spectrum, conveying regret and melancholy with grace and deep feeling. “Sometimes Mommy” begins with a few bars of the Brahms Lullaby (a recurring theme in the piece) and takes it in several different directions with a variety of expressive emotions - an amazing piece! “Twins” is a favorite even though it is very sad. Deeply passionate, every note conveys a feeling of loss. “Spirit Wind” is also dark and passionate, but reflects hope as well. The final track, “And Early we Will Go,” is my favorite. Beginning with a simple melody and the sound of birds, the emotions grow as the piece evolves and then the piece very gradually trails off to nothing. It truly is amazing how powerful a simple melody can be.
Think On These Things is a fascinating introduction to the music of Lisa Downing. It is available from lisadowning.com, Amazon, CD Baby, and iTunes. Check it out!
Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com
Rating: 
2 reviews
Think On These Things es el debut de la compositora y pianista Lisa Downing. Un álbum compuesto por doce profundas pistas que reflejan los diferentes estados emocionales de la artista. Con una destreza asombrosa al piano, Lisa procura cada uno de sus sentimientos a cada pieza: alegría, fuerza, tristeza, nostalgia… Un álbum sumamente rico melódicamente y poderoso en cuanto a emociones que logran penetrar en el oyente; las mismas que en su día dieron vida a este trabajo.
“Universe Maker” abre el CD. Una pieza delicada, que en ocasiones se muestra fuerte y enérgica con un toque oscuro y furioso. Esta fluye lenta y con gran emoción, invitando al oyente a dedicar unos minutos a sus pensamientos. Es fantástica!.
Mas cariñosa es la melodía de “Life Giver”, una pieza con un suave comienzo que se torna fresco y emotivo. Con gran sentimiento, Lisa da vida a una intensa melodía que proporciona un gran optimismo al oyente. Un soplo de vida!.
Alegría y frescura nos transmite “Kind, Winsome, & Gracious”. Un track cuya voz nace en la zona alta del piano con arrojo y pasión, mientras la mano izquierda rasguea acordes para acompañar a la risueña melodía. Una pieza fascinante que dibuja una amplia sonrisa en el oyente. Es divertido imaginar como las manos de Lisa corren por el teclado de un lado hacia el otro para dar vida a esta frenética pieza. Fantástica, sublime!.Una de mis favoritas!.
“The Secret Place” es íntima, bella. De carácter nostálgico, esta pista sigue un curso lento, y en ocasiones, se vuelve vigorosa gracias a toques continuados de acordes altos y progresiones de acordes que reproduce la mano izquierda. Una pieza extremadamente bella y tan emotiva que estremece el alma. Wow!.
“Personal Freedom” es sinónimo de poder y libertad. Este tema es una buena muestra del dominio que Lisa tiene al piano. La pieza es poderosa y enérgica, captando la atención del oyente en todo momento con increíbles y rápidas progresiones de la diestra y decididos golpes de acordes de la mano izquierda. Una obra maestra… Qué energía!. Otra de mis preferidas!.
Una de las piezas tristes de este trabajo lleva como título “Repentence”. Con un comienzo desconcertante de rápidos arpegios de acordes, la melodía se abre paso con dolor y coraje. Una emotiva pieza que reproduce un oscuro lamento. Aunque triste, es otra de mis favoritas!. Wow!.
“The Song In My Heart” es apasionada y llena de color. Una pieza que se muestra alegre y amable con un toque romántico, emotivo. Una melodía agridulce, de gran belleza en la que Lisa deja fluir libremente sus emociones para dar vida a esta pieza desde lo más profundo. Me encanta!.
Con un comienzo que se asemeja una famosa canción de cuna “Sometimes Mommy”, es un track que en ocasiones se muestra delicado y tierno, mostrando las notas de la nana de Brahms y a veces es enérgica y apasionada. Una pieza fascinante y bellísima!.
Dolorosamente triste es “Twins”. Con rabia, Lisa va dando forma a una abatida melodía que se muestra melancólica y suave, y en ciertas ocasiones, se torna enfurecida. Una mezcla de emociones que crean un pasaje de gran tristeza para el oyente con momentos de fuerte dolor. Bellísima pieza, asombrosa.
“Spirit Wind” guarda un gran sentimiento de liberación. Con un comienzo misterioso, la melodía va volviéndose intensa, hermosa, trasmitiendo una fuerte sensación de optimismo y coraje. Me encanta!.
Sencillamente bella es “Self Acceptance”, una pieza dedicada a una amiga de Lisa. Risueña y grácil, posee un fuerte carácter consolador. Cada nota y cada acorde van dando vida a una de las piezas más encantadoras de este trabajo, un tema que cautiva y arropa con su cálida melodía. Otra de mis preferidas!.
Un cantar lejano de aves dan paso a “And Early We Will Go”, un track simplemente impresionante que deja sin aliento gracias a una emocionante y sentida melodía. Con un curso lento en su comienzo, la pieza va tornándose más rápida y con un tono nostálgico. Dejando un final tan emocionante que es capaz de arrancar lágrimas en el oyente. Impresionante. Estupendo y asombroso final para este maravilloso álbum!.
Think On These Things es un debut increíble donde Lisa muestra en tan sólo doce tracks todas sus emociones, dotándolas con una maestría sorprendente, de una hermosa y sentida voz. Un trabajo que posee una profunda e intensa música que no dejará indiferente al oyente. Think On These Things es un álbum altamente recomendable!.
reviewsnewage.com
08/06/10
“Think On These Things” is the debut CD of composer and pianist Lisa Downing. The album consists of twelve tracks that reflect deep emotional states of the artist. With amazing skill at the piano, Lisa explores many feelings within each piece: joy, strength, sadness, nostalgia. The album is melodically very rich and powerful in terms of emotions that manage to penetrate the listener, the same emotions that once brought this work to life. “Universe Maker” opens the CD. It is a delicate piece, which sometimes sounds strong and vibrant with a dark and angry tone. This flows slowly and with great excitement, inviting the listener to take a few minutes thought. It is fantastic!. But the melody of “Life Giver” loving is. It is a piece with a soft start that becomes cool and emotional. With powerful feeling, Lisa gives life to a strong melody that provides great optimism for the listener. A Breath of Life! “Kind, Winsome, & Gracious” conveys joy and freshness. This track, whose voice rises in the top of the piano with boldness and passion. Meanwhile the left hand strums chords to accompany the cheerful melody. It is a fascinating piece that draws a smile on the listener. It’s fun to imagine how Lisa’s hands move on the keyboard from one side to the other to give life to this frenetic piece. Fantastic, sublime! One of my favorites! “The Secret Place” is intimate, and beautiful. The nostalgic character of this track follows a slow course, and sometimes becomes strong due to continuous touch ups and chord progressions of chords played with the left hand. This piece is extremely beautiful and so emotional that shakes the soul. Wow! “Personal Freedom” is synonymous with power and freedom. This song is a good example of the domination that Lisa has over the piano. The piece is powerful and energetic; capturing the listener’s attention at all times with incredible and rapid progression of the skillful and determined strokes of left hand chords. A masterpiece ... What energy! Another of my favorites! One of the saddest parts of this work is entitled “Repentence.” With a disconcerting start of rapid arpeggios of chords, the melody breaks through with pain and anger. It is a moving piece that plays a dark lament. Although sad, it’s another of my favorites! Wow! “The Song In My Heart” is passionate and full of color. It is a piece that is cheerful and friendly also romantic, and emotional. The bittersweet melody of great beauty where Lisa allows her emotions to flow freely and give life to this piece from her heart. I love it. With a top that resembles a famous lullaby “Sometimes Mommy” is a track that sometimes sounds delicate and tender, playing the notes of the Brahms lullaby, while sometimes it is energetic and passionate. It is a fascinating and beautiful piece! “Twins.” is painfully sad. With anger, Lisa is shares her sadness in a grief filled melancholy melody that is sometimes soft, but at times, becomes enraged. It is a mix of emotions that shares great sadness with the listener through moments of intense pain. Beautiful piece,...amazing. “Spirit Wind” keeps a great sense of liberation. With a mysterious beginning, the melody becomes intense, an beautiful, conveying a strong sense of optimism and courage. I love it. “Self Acceptance” is simply beautiful. It is a piece dedicated to Lisa’s friend. Smiling and graceful, has a strong consoling character. Every note and every chord will give life to one of the loveliest parts of this work, a subject that captivates, and clothes with its warm melody. Another of my favorites! A distant singing of birds begins “And Early We Will Go.”, It is a simply breathtaking track thanks to an exciting and heartfelt melody. With a slow course in the beginning, the piece becomes faster. And with a nostalgic mood, and thrilling ending which is able to bring tears to the eyes of the listener. Impressive. Beautiful and amazing end to this wonderful album! “Think On These Things” is an amazing debut album, where in only twelve tracks, Lisa touches all your emotions, providing them with a startling mastery of her own beautiful and heartfelt voice. It is a work of deep and intense music to which the listener will not feel indifferent. “Think On These Things” is a highly recommended album!. reviewsnewage.com 06/08/10
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Think On These Things (1991)
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