“Love Is…” by Terry Lee Nichols

Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff

I think we can all agree that love is one of the most complex emotions and may be defined in a lot of different ways, including, perhaps as “a many splendored thing.” Love can manifest in a variety of different ways, even through the magic of music.

Here, we have the phenomenal new album, “Love Is…” from Terry Lee Nichols, which presents us with a variety of multi-faceted expressions from which to experience the love. The album more than successfully expresses the many forms of love that have shaped Terry’s life — romantic, familial, and platonic — and is something everyone can relate to in their own lives as well.

Terry Lee Nichols is a classically trained, award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist known best for his captivating blend of classical, cinematic, New Age music, and distinct artistic flair. From intimate solo piano to dramatic and sweeping orchestral soundscapes, his compositions are finely crafted to tell stories, speak to the soul, and evoke deep emotions in the listener. With a signature style that’s both timeless and refreshingly modern, Terry’s music resonates deeply with listeners around the world whatever the musical concept or topic may be. This is immersive musical storytelling at its finest.

First, I love, love, love this album. Not to be sappy. But there are an astounding amount of things to love here across 11 outstanding tracks. From the intricately composed musical layers, to Rebekah Eden’s absolutely stellar ethereal vocals, to the host of musical talent joining Terry Lee here. It’s just the kind of thing that leaves you completely breathless and in a good way.

“Is This All Just a Dream (Moon River Variations)” opens the album. A minute or so of super ethereal synth music carries us then right into the dreamy Rebekah Eden vocal. Twinkling, scintillating, and passionately played piano adds to the romantic mood.

Following is the wonderfully uplifting, “Friendship,” which is co-written with Terry’s good friend, Howard Wershil. “Friendship” is a tribute to that kind of connection — the genuine kind where one feels safe, understood, and valued. Strings, piano, percussion, and an excellent melody make this a favorite. I found myself listening to it over and over again.

Have you ever watched someone you love while they’re sleeping? “Lying Next To You” is slow, tender, and romantic and captures those moments perfectly. I can’t say enough about Rebekah’s wordless vocal performance here. Just wonderful, and this adds immense depth and emotion to the song.

“Morning Glory” pays tribute to the gift of the new day. But it’s much more than common gratitude. Again, wonderfully melodic, flowing piano, soft synth, and another dreamy other-worldly vocal by Rebekah Eden all lift the heart and we feel just like flowers raising their faces to the sun. It’s amazing.

I truly wish I could address every track of this stunningly gorgeous album in depth. Some highlights: “I Remember Her Smile” captures the feelings of “love at first sight.” There’s a nice innocence here that is very endearing. “Finding Annie” exemplifies both sorrow and light. Poignant piano stirs the heartstrings. Where is the love that is meant for us? Perhaps it is and has always been there.

Deep cello on “Trinity” contributes to the depth of the song and its meaning. And I really have to wonder how Rebekah Eden flawlessly hits those extremely high notes, perfectly executed. It’s truly astonishing. What a great song and marvelous in ways I can’t even describe.

Excellent piano and melody on “Lullaby” make this a wonderful tribute from father to sons. Terry Lee says it best in the liner notes: “In them, I see the hopes I once whispered into their dreams, now realized.” Beautiful and touching.

“We’ve Had a Good Life” is a deeply sentimental love story about Terry’s father, mother, and stepfather, and the love that transcends all. Gorgeous piano, strings, and cinematic build make this super special.

Passionate piano and strings wrap around the soaring vocal performance of tenor John Riesen (in Italian) on “Nella Fantasia.“

This amazing album closes out with “The Winds of Time.” Here we are reminded that “the winds do not erase — they carry our memories, folding them into who we are. And so we move forward, not untouched, but fuller, still becoming.”

All that said, I must say I am truly speechless. If you’re stressing about your day or tied in knots about whatever, this album has everything you need to remember that “Love Is. . .” everywhere and in every. . . single. . .thing. It just IS.

Available on all streaming services July 11, 2025, the album is also available as a physical CD. Get it here: https://www.terryleenichols.com/love-is