Contemporary Instrumental New Age Review and Interview: Stephen Wallack-Open

Release Date: March 28, 2025

Label: Gale Road Records

Website

Stephen Wallack's aspiration for us to discover faith and inner peace in our complex world is beautifully echoed in his piano-based contemporary instrumental release, Open. The album, like a guiding light, is a journey that begins with the first note, as depicted in the captivating artwork.

The opening track, "Faith," sets the tone with its airy and optimistic melody, evoking a sense of warmth and joy that will surely make you smile from the inside out.

 

"Love Story" starts with a similar atmosphere that builds with multiple layers of keys that have excellent rhythm and a resonating sound. If there is faith, you will find the love within—absolute beauty set to the piano's keys. At the conclusion, things slow down for the final unwind.

 

"Fall" shares the common thread of rhythm continuing to keep things on the brighter side of life. It starts nicely, and then the tempo changes quickly. As the tones and colors emerge, the piano keys move faster, creating a need for the mood, but in a good way. The positive channeling of energy remains the foundation for every track.

 

"Changes" happen every second of every day—some we experience and some we never see but can still be affected by. The piano is soft and paced beautifully to bring your state of mind into the right place for acceptance. If you are thinking about that word and its meaning, the music is meant to relax and reflect on how things have changed.

 

"Ireland" is the emerald isle. I have never been there but have seen pictures of the coast's landscape with its beautiful grass fields and towering cliffs. It is undoubtedly breathtaking. It is the longest track at 6:34, and rightly so. Dedicating a song to a country is quite the tribute and must hold a lot of meaning for the artist. The music is cinematic sweeping through the piano's keys, reflecting the word breathtaking within its auditory excellence.

 

"Maine" has hundreds of acres of untouched natural beauty. My family and I used to go there every year for a summer vacation, and we all loved it. On the East Coast, thousands of miles away from the subject of the last track but holding its distinct beauty and New England charm, it would keep you in its spell. The piano sounds like an invitation to visit there with softness and a melody filled with the warmth of the sun and the soul of a man yearning to go there. I sure miss it.

 

"Once Upon a Time" is a story for us all; whatever that is, you can relive it as the music plays. The song is beautiful and carries a certain sadness because of the joy of the story and the memories held within. This was one of my favorites. Something about the rhythm and tempo pleased me because it went straight to the heart in seconds. The classical leanings are evident in most of these tunes, but more so in this one.

 

"One Last Run" may indicate the end of something, but the track's rhythms and tones say something that gives it a life of its own and makes it count before it's over. On the shortest track, there was a lot to be said; however, there was enough time to stretch things out and provide the emotion underneath all the beauty provided by the keys.

 

"Girl in the Painting" made me think about how life can stand still for eternity in a painting—a portrayal of one person and what it can emit as you look at it. Is it someone you knew, or would you like to know? Does it become real as you picture it in your mind? Music has the power to do all that, and solo piano can be so picturesque and suggest so many thoughts. The track title is a good start; your imagination is ignited, and the gorgeous notes pull at you as you create your story or picture.

 

"Storm" is the grand finale. After all the previous tracks of elegance and simple beauty, we now have a storm, or is it? It doesn't feel like a storm based on how it begins, as the keys are practical and purposeful. The tempo is slower with meaning, and the beauty of the note's placement is extraordinary. Perhaps this was a storm of thoughts that came racing to the mind of Stephen Wallack as he built this composition, which was interpreted through the keys differently to relax him and slow that very process. Whatever it was, it came out lovely, and I appreciated how the recording closed out.

 

Open is a collection of ten tracks that take you on an emotional journey, filling your heart and mind with positive energy. Each track title invites you to reflect, and as you immerse yourself in the music, you'll find a listening experience that resonates deeply and stays with you.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Reviews Founder

March 28, 2025

Tracks:

01. Faith

02. Love Story 

03. .Fall

04. Changes 

05. Ireland 

06. Maine 

07. Once Upon a Time 

08. One Last Run 

09. Girl in the Painting 

10. Storm 

Contemporary Instrumental Review: Doug Hammer-Stronger

Release Date: March 21, 2025

Label: Independent

Website  Stronger  Official Video  Sheet Music

Stronger is Doug Hammer's 20th release—quite an established archive of music! The theme behind this new recording is our struggles.

Doug's keyboard playing has always been very moving to me. Having covered eight releases before this, I have a good idea of what to expect. Respecting the artist at the beginning of a new listen is a good way to kick things off.

 

"Broken" does not mean it cannot be fixed, but it is also not a good indication of where things stand regarding whatever subject, object, or person you may be referring to.

 

With its dark tones and slow tempo, the piano becomes a vessel for our shared emotions and disappointments, mirroring the track's title. It encapsulates a significant feeling in just over three and a half minutes, yet the light, like the one on the cover, has not yet shone.

 

"Uncertain" is another word that evokes apprehension, prompting you to proceed with caution or simply a lack of confidence in moving forward. In either instance, it is not an easy feeling. It is a learning process throughout our lives because we don't want to walk away "Broken." We base our feelings on past experiences, either positive or negative, and thus create a sense of uncertainty. Once again, the piano approaches you slowly, mirroring that feeling. While beautiful, it allows you to pause, reflect, and adjust your attitude.

 

"Losing" is another powerful, straightforward word. Now, this justifies the uncertainty! You are validated for your initial feelings, but we know what it feels like to lose and win, which leaves some light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone loves a winner, but you don't discuss how much losing went on before you entered that more positive frame of reference.

 

The piano plays a lovely melody with a dark cloud looming behind you. As you continue to move forward, there is another path to take, fueled by newfound energy, a sense of possibility, and a different state of mind, allowing you to change your direction. The keys are emphasized and then fade to the next phase.

 

Acceptance of loss is not a defeat, but a decisive step towards moving forward. It prompts us to reconsider our frames of reference and the process of losing, offering us another chance to win. Acceptance, with its beauty, strength, and soul, is always the first step toward the light, and the piano echoes this sentiment. There's no direction to go but forward now.

 

"Healing" is another significant step and part two of the acceptance process. The process of healing the wounds enables you to move on to a brighter, more optimistic time and space, making success a natural, everyday occurrence through the lessons you've learned and the steps you've taken.

 

The piano is bright and energetic. You can feel the warmth and spirit of healing in every note. You can picture Doug's hands rolling across the keys with a big smile on his face. For me, the smile begins on the inside, from the heart, and then it quickly manifests in my demeanor, body language, and facial expression. What a gorgeous composition!

 

After moving through the artist's steps via the piano's keys, you can look back with a different "Perspective." That word is about attitude, the lens through which you decide to look at everything. Being positive and optimistic can make a significant difference, even when the information presented is complex. The proper perspective means everything to get to the other side of where you want to go. And now, with all the emotions and difficulties you went through behind you, you have earned your place here.

 

The piano returns to a more serious, slower tempo, emphasizing the reflection on what just passed—the time to consider all the benefits of what is to come.

 

Now you are "Stronger" because you stayed the course after much difficulty, learning, and reflection. You are the better person in every way. As we say, going through difficulty, getting to a point of relief, and moving forward always makes us Stronger.

 

Doug's piano closes the curtain with certainty and passion. This is his driving force; you can hear it echoing through the keys as his fingers guide him through the final step to be Stronger.

 

Doug Hammer has added another fine work to his vast library of recordings. His music explores the human condition and our enduring spirits, and it will resonate with your soul because it is so genuine and relatable. That is something we all desperately need these days, and Stronger provides it from start to finish.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Reviews Founder

March 12, 2025

 Tracks:

1. Broken 3:38

2. Uncertain 4:22

3. Losing 4:10

4. Acceptance 4:10

5. Healing 2:52

6. Perspective 4:04

7. Stronger 3:52