Saturday, July 21, 2007
Pre- Release Material Added To My Podcast
I've added my arrangement of the song "O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" to my podcast. Let me know what you think. This will be for my upcoming solo piano hymns album.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
New Age Reporter "Top Ten"
"Thoughts and Dreams" is #10 on the New Age radio charts!!! I'm very excited.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
My Wildflowers
I was out walking today and I took a photo of my wildflowers to share with you guys. If you own the Thoughts and Dreams CD you know that my wildflowers are my favorites! So here they are...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
New Review
Hi All!
I just got a review of "Thoughts and Dreams" from Kathy Parsons of Solo Piano Publications.
Kathy writes:
"Pianist/composer Jennifer Haines’ new release, “Thoughts and Dreams,” has the distinction of being the first album I’ve reviewed from my new Oregon Coast home. Haines’ gentle musical optimism is the perfect accompaniment to watching the tiny birds I can’t yet identify darting from tree to tree in the summer coastal wind, the sky a bright blue backdrop with wisps of fog floating by. Haines’ previous release, “Christmas Magic,” is a delightful collection of her arrangements of favorite Christmas songs, but “Thoughts and Dreams,” is all original material, right down to the charming watercolor cover artwork. The music of “Thoughts and Dreams” is warm and inviting without being saccharine or superficial, and while a consistent mood is sustained throughout the album, the thirteen pieces are distinctive and individual. In the liner notes, Haines briefly explains the inspiration for the music, allowing us a glimpse of her private and personal world.
The opening track, “The Storm Begins,” reminds me a bit of Robin Spielberg, one of my very favorite composers. The contrasting of the high treble and deep bass notes is always effective, perhaps describing the bright first raindrops and dark, forbidding clouds. This is not a ferocious storm, but it has energy, and the piece is wonderfully refreshing. The title track is light and playful, referring to the artist’s ability to escape to her imagination in otherwise boring situations. “Pacific” recalls a favorite childhood memory of a day at the ocean with her family and friend, and conveys the ceaseless rhythmic flow of the waves and their constantly-changing energy - beautiful! “Miles Apart” is a wistful musical love letter to parents who live far away, full of longing and deep emotion. “Desert Beautiful” depicts the richness of the desert, contrasting the delicate cactus flowers with the solid, awesome rock formations. “Wildflower” is a simple, freeform little piece that describes the varied colors and forms of wildflowers, as well as their gentle innocence as they sway in the breeze. “Flurries” is my favorite track. Energetic and dancing like the first snowflakes of winter, the piece has a free-flowing sense of excitement that is infectious and joyous. “Morning” promises a fresh start with the beginning of each new day. “Twilight” is an enchanting love song, telling the story of a romantic marriage proposal on the very spot where the happy couple met.
“Thoughts and Dreams” is a delight from start to finish, and should boost Jennifer Haines into the forefront of contemporary pianist/composers. While not overly complex structurally or harmonically, the music comes from the heart and brings a gentle sense of peace and well-being. It is available from usfourmusic.com and cdbaby.com. Highly recommended!"
Kathy Parsons
Solo Piano Publications
I just got a review of "Thoughts and Dreams" from Kathy Parsons of Solo Piano Publications.
Kathy writes:
"Pianist/composer Jennifer Haines’ new release, “Thoughts and Dreams,” has the distinction of being the first album I’ve reviewed from my new Oregon Coast home. Haines’ gentle musical optimism is the perfect accompaniment to watching the tiny birds I can’t yet identify darting from tree to tree in the summer coastal wind, the sky a bright blue backdrop with wisps of fog floating by. Haines’ previous release, “Christmas Magic,” is a delightful collection of her arrangements of favorite Christmas songs, but “Thoughts and Dreams,” is all original material, right down to the charming watercolor cover artwork. The music of “Thoughts and Dreams” is warm and inviting without being saccharine or superficial, and while a consistent mood is sustained throughout the album, the thirteen pieces are distinctive and individual. In the liner notes, Haines briefly explains the inspiration for the music, allowing us a glimpse of her private and personal world.
The opening track, “The Storm Begins,” reminds me a bit of Robin Spielberg, one of my very favorite composers. The contrasting of the high treble and deep bass notes is always effective, perhaps describing the bright first raindrops and dark, forbidding clouds. This is not a ferocious storm, but it has energy, and the piece is wonderfully refreshing. The title track is light and playful, referring to the artist’s ability to escape to her imagination in otherwise boring situations. “Pacific” recalls a favorite childhood memory of a day at the ocean with her family and friend, and conveys the ceaseless rhythmic flow of the waves and their constantly-changing energy - beautiful! “Miles Apart” is a wistful musical love letter to parents who live far away, full of longing and deep emotion. “Desert Beautiful” depicts the richness of the desert, contrasting the delicate cactus flowers with the solid, awesome rock formations. “Wildflower” is a simple, freeform little piece that describes the varied colors and forms of wildflowers, as well as their gentle innocence as they sway in the breeze. “Flurries” is my favorite track. Energetic and dancing like the first snowflakes of winter, the piece has a free-flowing sense of excitement that is infectious and joyous. “Morning” promises a fresh start with the beginning of each new day. “Twilight” is an enchanting love song, telling the story of a romantic marriage proposal on the very spot where the happy couple met.
“Thoughts and Dreams” is a delight from start to finish, and should boost Jennifer Haines into the forefront of contemporary pianist/composers. While not overly complex structurally or harmonically, the music comes from the heart and brings a gentle sense of peace and well-being. It is available from usfourmusic.com and cdbaby.com. Highly recommended!"
Kathy Parsons
Solo Piano Publications
Monday, July 9, 2007
iTunes
"Thoughts and Dreams" has arrived at iTunes! If you'd like to purchase downloads they are available here
Also, I've been busily working on my next CD. I'm not going to say much about it yet, but I will tell you that it is going to be a solo piano Hymn CD. So be looking forward to that in the near future!
I'm starting a podcast as well. Be sure to check it out because I will be adding prerelease material soon. The podcast can be found here
Also, I've been busily working on my next CD. I'm not going to say much about it yet, but I will tell you that it is going to be a solo piano Hymn CD. So be looking forward to that in the near future!
I'm starting a podcast as well. Be sure to check it out because I will be adding prerelease material soon. The podcast can be found here
Introduction
Hi All!
Well, I've decided to give this blog thing a spin. Seems like fun! For those of you who aren't familiar with me, my name is Jennifer Haines and I compose solo piano music.
This blog will be mainly about what I'm up to musically (new CD projects, sheet music etc.), but I plan on adding family stuff from time to time as well.
Stay tuned...
-Jennifer
Well, I've decided to give this blog thing a spin. Seems like fun! For those of you who aren't familiar with me, my name is Jennifer Haines and I compose solo piano music.
This blog will be mainly about what I'm up to musically (new CD projects, sheet music etc.), but I plan on adding family stuff from time to time as well.
Stay tuned...
-Jennifer
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