CATHERINE MARIE CHARLTON

River Dawn: Piano Meditations

Orange Moon Productions (2001)

review by Bill Binkelman

Pianist Catherine Marie Charlton has recorded a near-perfect piano album to my ears. Exploring the territory that exists between the minimalism of artists like Ernesto Diaz-Infante, Brian Eno (when he centers on piano), or Carl Witt, and the more melodic yet restrained approach of pianists like George Winston and William Watson, River Dawn is an expression of serenity and solitude using a sparse yet human approach to composition and performance. Recorded as a sixty-minute "piano meditation," with no track titles given (although there are nine time cues that flow uninterrupted through the album), the music contained within is meandering in the best sense of the word. Evoking an image of the gentle coursing of water over rocks in a small stream, I found myself lazily (yet deep in thought) drifting away during the notes and chords on River Dawn. It is one of my favorite piano releases of recent years and is perfect accompaniment for late night fireside chats with a loved one, reading by soft light, or just sitting and thinking when music is needed to "mask" the real world but anything electronic or overtly melodic would be intrusive.

Subtle variations weave their way through the CD, with some passages picking up the pace ever so slightly, but the overall tone and mood is relaxed and introspective. The artist herself (via liner notes) suggests that the album is "perfect for playing in the background during rest, yoga practice, massage, to aid concentration while working, to inspire creativity, or to soothe guests while entertaining."

That sums it up nicely, in my opinion. River Dawn is music well-suited to be unobtrusive but also is so well done and well-recorded that, should one choose to listen to it, the recording's (and the artist's) magic will be most readily apparent. Far from being either boring, rambling or pointless, the music on River Dawn is full of the gentle ebb and flow of life itself. That may sound trite, but these simple and meditative melodies, which are expertly played by an artist of obvious talent, don't seek to be anything but the sonic backdrop for life's simpler and more restful activities. As such, the CD is the ideal soundtrack for de-stressing from the bustle and hustle of our too frenetic lives. Highly recommended as a wonderful addition to the collection of any fan of music for relaxation.