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Review by David
Scknolnik, The Independent
Steve Barta
has a special gift, a kind of artistic alchemy. Under his pianistic
spell, every note, whether a part of the melody or harmony, is given
a life all its own. His style blends pensive, sometimes nostalgic
melody with jazz inspired harmonies, classical simplicity and deep
reflection.
The hope filled
harmonies of the disc's opener, Our Time, works like a tranquilizer
to combat the offensive speed of life in the 90's. It doesn't hurt
that this is also a superb reproduction of the piano sound- rich
without mid range muddiness, physically stunning upper octave that
does not strain the ear. It has a natural presence the puts Steve
right in the room.
Cut #3 would
seem a direct attack on the sensibilities of serious music lovers,
grafting the popular song Springs Can really hang you up the most
on to Erik Saties' beloved Gyumnopedie #1. Miraculously, Barta's
artistic stretch makes it seem like the two were one composition
all along.
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