Release Date: May 16, 2025
Label: Independent
Finding Peace is Joshua Zimmerman's second proper recording.
As noted on his website, Joshua Zimmerman's solo piano music
resonates with the heartfelt, melodic styles of artists such as David Lanz, Jim
Brickman, Michele McLaughlin, Yiruma, George Winston, and David Nevue. His
compositions, rich in emotional depth and soothing quality, draw inspiration
from these renowned pianists, creating a profound connection with the listener.
The lead-off and title track, "Finding Peace," sets
the tone for this musical piano-based project. With its soft and soothing
sounds, Joshua's fingers guide us toward relaxation, stress relief, and
renewal. His sense of the rhythmic patterns is what makes this composition so
beautiful. There are slow to medium tempos, all in perfect balance.
"Between Raindrops" is a lovely title for a song. What
you find between the raindrops is all yours: thoughts, feelings, and memories.
It is romanticism set to music, with the beauty of Mother Nature in all its
glory, providing life-sustaining water to help life flourish here. The piano is
pure and flowing through this man's fingers. I heard a hint of sadness in the
music as it progressed; however, that aside, it remains an incredible solo
performance.
'Untainted Joy' flips the switch on the melancholy of the
previous track with unencumbered and absolute joy. The track unfolds with a
palpable sense of joy, unspoiled by any outside influences, leaving the
listener feeling uplifted and cheerful.
"Footprints in My Heart" struck me powerfully just by
looking at the prolific title. Love can be many things, but leaving another's
footprint on your heart is an indelible mark on your soul; that is a
life-changing and unforgettable experience. I hear those piano keys singing
their song with so much emotion, and the atmosphere created by the artist is
extraordinary—the soundtrack to your heart.
"For a Princess" got my eyes to start welling up as I
immediately thought of my daughter when she was a little girl and what a
fantastic woman she has become. Music without words that says so many things to
you in so many ways. The keys were the trigger for my emotions, as memories
came rushing back, and I wished I could turn back the hands of time to relive
them once again. This piano player is a hopeless romantic, and I am beginning
to think my relating to this makes me one as well.
“Innocent Love” is not complex; it just is. The artist's ability
to develop a song by varying the tempo infuses the compositions with emotion
and truth, making the listener feel at ease and relaxed. It's a beautifully
simple piece of music.
It is getting harder to "Simply Be" these days with
the constant flow of information 24/7 between news channels, social media,
emails; it can be overwhelming, and there are times you need to shut it down
and do nothing and experience a space in between nothingness and eternity.
Our world tends to make the word "Simple" more complicated than
it must be. I let the piano encourage my words and feelings, and that was my
thought process while listening. That is precisely what good instrumental music
is supposed to do, and it does.
Do you have an "Unwritten Letter" that needs to be
done before it's too late? Perhaps we all do, and the suggestion here is to
gather your thoughts and write that letter. It's a process of release and
truth, whether it's to yourself or someone else, whether they are still here or
have passed away. This process is therapeutic, much like the music you will
hear in this song. The notes fill the air around you as they gently push you in
the right direction to write that letter. Its tempo is slow, and the approach
is soft and warm as you step onto another path of freedom.
"Familiar Arms" can comfort with a desperately needed
hug or an assuring feeling of unconditional love, letting them know you are
there. Each note feels like a step towards that feeling, memory, or sense of
knowing you have of the person who is inviting you into their arms. There is
nothing more powerful and reassuring than a heartfelt hug from a loved one. The
familiarity of that gives you hope for another day.
"Into Open Skies" is the shortest track on the
recording, and the suggestion of an opening to the skies above is spiritual and
freeing as it suggests. Short, sweet, and a fantastic way to close out this
instrumental piano music.
The absolute beauty and magic of the piano keys lay down the path to understanding the meaning of the track titles every time. If Finding Peace is the goal, then it was fully accomplished in this recording.
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Reviews Founder
June 26,
2025
Tracks:
01. Finding Peace 3:54
02. Between Raindrops 4:01
03. Untainted Joy 3:11
04. Footprints in My Heart 3:55
05. For a Princess 4:51
06. Innocent Love 4:32
07. Simply Be 4:12
08. Unwritten Letter 4:37
09. Familiar Arms 4:28
10. Into Open Skies 1:59
No comments:
Post a Comment