PRIVATE PARTS & PIECES X - SOIRÉE

This album is certainly better than Ivory Moon, but it's not one of Mr. AP's best productions. The songs sound a bit too similar to me. Ant has produced some of the finest piano playing captured on oxide. Unfortunately, none of it is condensed on a single CD, it's scattered throughout his long and fertile career. There is one 5-star song on this album. The opening track "Sad Ballerina" is one of his all-time best. Evocative, gentile, and as the title suggests - sad. I cannot give Ant 2 stars for anything. However, since they dont have a 2 and 3/4 star selection, I'm going to have round it up to 3!

This is a disk of piano pieces that picks up where PP&PP6 (Ivory Moon) left off. Easily two-thirds of the disk is WONDERFUL and was recorded at Ant's home studio in South London. The best (in my opinion!) selections are: Sad Ballerina, Final Lights, Fivers, Keepsake, Venetian Mystery, Scythia, The Oregon Trail, Gazebo, Fallen Flower, Hope of Ages and Obezag (a backwards piece--you figure out its root!). Many of these pieces are extremely visual. The real gem of this collection is a piece entitled Creation. Written by Ant in his early Genesis days (in his late teens!). It has strains of Debussy's Clair de Lune and is truly beautiful. I urge all to purchase this as well as any of Ant's back catalog.

Although Anthony Phillips' first love is the guitar, particularly acoustic guitar, this is surprisingly very fine piano music here, and like his guitar music, is made special by the feelings he generates, employing beautiful minor chords, most effective when one is alone or feeling introspective with one or two others, the album has a late autumn feel, pastoral at times, lively at others, but all capturing the poignant mood only Anthony Phillips seems to be capable of. Of modern solo piano music, this is not at all reminiscient of George Winston or Suzanne Ciani. This is much more Debussy in style and form, although I wonder how amazing it would have been if some of these pieces would have been developed with additional keyboards and/or orchestration. There are many special tracks here, 'Passepied' on the livelier side, and 'After You Left' or 'Fallen Flower' on the quieter. 'Creation' is part of an old Genesis piece, unreleased, and quite magnificient, while the rest is more recently written. Comositionally, this is as fine as any of Ant's cds and that is saying a lot. Of his two all piano offerings this is the one to get and if you love this, then you will likely also enjoy 'Ivory Moon'.

Every song contains an extraordinary amount of creativity. Not in complexity, but in sheer beauty. Anyone who turns to The Snow Goose to relax, or anyone in general who wants to sit back and enjoy the solemness of life will find love for this album. Rating each song wouldn't be fair in this case, as every song a certain quality to it.

I only give it 4* due to the fact the average prog lover may not like this, as this isn't true progressive music. But anyone who wants a calming album with a variety of textures and moods just from one man and a piano will find sanctuary here.

Another piano-based album by AP after several years. There are no other instruments for distraction,just one player and one instrument. AP is a decent piano player as he proved it on "Ivory Moon", he play with two hands simultaneously without issues.

Pieces are not complex, usually have a good melody and will be accessible to any listener.

THe first more complex piece is "Creation", because of its length. I like to highlight "Scythia" because it is a romantic and airy track that changes the octaves frequently (right hand). "Oregon Trail" is a dramatic piece with a strong motive. "Rain Suite" has twp tone alternating to remind of falling rain.

"Summer's Journey" is a pleasant closing piece.

This is a lovely piece, not progressive and not at the level of "Ivory Moon" but will please fans of calm piano music.