* special prerelease deal * Merrill Collins, Maksim Velichkin & Laura Halladay – ECHAPPEES ETHERIQUES: I recently reviewed Merrill’s superb recording, “Ethereal Escapes“, and while discussing that review, Merrill noted that since that new album is in the “pre-release” stage (and since I totally loved her work on the album), it would be nice to have a review of the first album, “Echappées Ethériques”… you’ll hear Merrill’s wonderful piano work, as well as flute from Laura Halladay and cello by Maksim Velichkin, and tunes like “Lifting Upward” will inspire you to look outside of yourself! The cello and flute on this track seem to be more prominent than they were on the second recording, but still in the “conversational” mode Merrill prefers to play in.
It’s important to note that if you purchase the latest recording before 21 July, 2017, you will get a copy of “Echappées Ethériques” for free…. one of the most significant things this trio is able to do is “paint” aural images that will enchant and intrigue you, as on “The Ethers“… simple, yet beautiful.
Of the fifteen performances offered up, it is the intricate and full-bodied “In the Loving” that made chills run up and down my spine… Merrill and her players draw emotions out from under your surfaces and rough edges that you didn’t even realize were still there with this superb piece of music… it’s also the longest piece on the album, at nearly seven minutes (6:55), so each player has ample room to shine – and shine they do! I give this eloquent trio a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for the album. Get more information on how to get your copy at the “FEATURED page” on Merrill’s site. Rotcod Zzaj
