Jazz Police

Home

CD/DVD/Book Reviews

Alex Clements: Emily’s Song

Main Menu

“Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn. They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art.” - Charlie Parker

Friday, 09 January 2009

Alex Clements: Emily’s Song

Written by Carmel DeSoto

Wednesday, 09 May 2007

Alex Clements

Alex Clements’ new CD entitled, Emily’s Song, is an intimate solo piano performance that indubitably sets this talented Pianist/Composer as one to watch for great things. The success of Keith Jarrett’s solo improvisation master piece, The Koln Concert has opened a whole new era for solo piano explorations. However, very few can really pull off a solo performance that is flowing and musical live, much less on CD. Alex Clements’ CD, Emily’s Song rises to the occasion with a strong flowing musical journey that will entertain and leave you wondering if possibly some pianist are evolving a third appendage with five more fingers!

Clements’ lets the listener know from the first note where the pulse of the music is and then builds the musical story line upon its solid foundation throughout the eight solo piano selections. A gentle waltz entitled, “A Song for Ethan,” opens the CD; the melody is developed through multiple key centers, giving the song harmonic interest as well as a deep reservoir for drawing creative ideas for improvisation. “Inspired By…” is definitely a nod in the Jarrett direction with a driving pulse that showcases Clements’ mastery of contrapuntal lines and developing musical layers.

Two Michael Legrand compositions are presented on Emily’s Song, “Pieces of Dreams” and “You Must Believe in Spring.” Clements also pays tribute to the great Bill Evans with the well known Gershwin classic “I Loves You Porgy.” Clements’ innovative approach to rich voicings and a daring harmonic treatment of the tune keeps the song fresh, while still staying true to the Evans style.

A solo performance CD is perhaps the greatest challenge of all, exposing every weakness in a player’s communicative skill, which usually results in a non-musical experience for the listener. Clements truly has met this challenge on Emily’s Song. Clements has the ability to create and sustain a musically flowing statement that will keep the listener’s interest. Highly recommended!

Comments

Add New