Michele McLaughlin: Reviews

Reflections: The Best of Michele McLaughlin 2000-2005
Michele McLaughlin
2006 / Michele McLaughlin
1.1 hours

“Reflections” is a collection of pianist/composer Michele McLaughlin’s twenty best pieces from her six CDs released from 2000-2005. This music was originally recorded on a digital piano, but was re-recorded for this CD on an acoustic grand. The music is mostly breezy and light, with themes about love, friends, family, and a pleasant variety of other topics. A mostly self-taught pianist who quit lessons because they “took the fun out of playing,” McLaughlin’s music comes from the heart, bringing a bit of musical sunshine to her listeners. There is nothing complicated about McLaughlin’s music (nor does there need to be), and her messages are warm and inviting, describing life and experiences that are mostly on the calm and contented side. The Utah-based composer recently released her ninth album, “Dedication” and is a Whisperings Artist.

“Reflections” begins with “I Love You,” a piece with a sweet lullaby quality that could indicate it’s a love song for a child. “Without You” speaks with tender longing and deep love. “Russian Music Box” is one of my favorites. Mysterious and in a minor key, it has an innocent charm. “Just Because” is another minor-key piece that I really like. The swirling arpeggios on the left hand and moody chord changes create an effective mood. “An Evening With Friends” is a very simple piece that conveys warm and caring thoughts. “Enraptured” is a little bit darker and more passionate - another favorite. “A Tale of Courage” is a ballad of strength and perhaps heroism. “Learning to Grieve” looks within, but is more thoughtful than heartbreaking - a lovely, very personal piece. I like the feeling of movement and the mysterious spirit of “The Fairies Dance.” My favorite piece on the album is “The Lonely Ballerina,” which has a more classical approach and sounds a bit like a music box - a poignant and touching melody, played simply and beautifully. “Swept Away” ends the CD with a buoyant, upbeat piece that bubbles over with happiness.

If you are new to Michele McLaughlin’s music, “Reflections” is a great place to start. If you have her earlier CDs, you will appreciate the richer sound and resonance of a grand piano. Available from www.michelemclaughlin.com, iTunes, cdbaby.com, and amazon.com. An enjoyable listening experience!

Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com

Dedication
Michele McLaughlin
2008 / Michele McLaughlin
45.6 minutes

“Dedication” is pianist/composer Michele McLaughlin’s ninth album to date and contains an assortment of fourteen original piano solos that were inspired by major events and the special people of everyday life. A mostly self-taught pianist who quit piano lessons when they took the fun out of playing, McLaughlin has an energetic and often dramatic style that indicates how personal this music is to her. Her melodies are always interesting and engaging and range in mood from quiet calm to rather turbulent.

“Dedication” begins with “When You Were Still Around,” a piece begun as a memorial for McLaughlin’s recently-deceased grandfather and mother. When her grandmother passed away this past spring, McLaughlin was asked to play for her funeral and decided to finish this piece. Along with a sense of loss, the piece also conveys hope and the comfort of happy memories. “Drifting Through Antiquity” has a melodramatic, old-world charm, and was inspired by McLaughlin’s honeymoon in Greece and Italy. “Music Box Angel” has a hauntingly beautiful melody, but the left hand plays the same three notes for the whole piece. It can probably be argued that the bass part in a music box is very repetitious, which it is, but I’ve never seen or heard a music box that can play at the exact same speed for more than four minutes. To me, the left hand is too mechanical and detracts from the lovely, flowing melody on the right hand. “The Eternal City” was composed after a short visit to Rome. One of my favorites on the CD, this piece has a strong energy and sense of movement - almost a dance. The right hand has several cross-overs into the deep bass that heighten the drama. “Brandon’s Song” is a sweet love song to a beloved son. “Learning To Fly” is another favorite. Visualizing the struggles of a young bird being coaxed to leave the nest during a nasty storm and its struggles to succeed in order to please its parents, McLaughlin has set to music the challenges of overcoming our own fears and also of parenthood. I like the energy and passion of this piece a lot. “Palamidi Fortress” is a bold, dramatic piece inspired by a castle on a hill in Greece that was made up of five smaller fortresses so that if one was attacked the others could defend the castle as a whole. Conveying strength as well as vulnerability and beauty, this is a powerful piece. “A Sad and Sorrowful Goodbye” is about loss and the difficulty of saying “goodbye” to someone you love. Graceful and expressive, it’s a very touching piece. “Dream Come True” is about the happiness gained by following our dreams and reaching for the stars.

“Dedication” is a charming collection of biographical piano solos. Look for it at www.michelemclaughlin.com and www.cdbaby.com.

Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com

12/26/07

Christmas - Plain & Simple
Michele McLaughlin
2006 / Michele McLaughlin
42.5 minutes

Michele McLaughlin’s “Christmas - Plain & Simple” is one of the best solo piano Christmas albums I’ve heard. Consisting of ten traditional carols and five original pieces, this CD is a perfect blending of old and new music, played with spirit but without a lot of “look at me!” flash. McLaughlin’s touch is strong and confident, yet full of grace and expression. Her arrangements of the traditional pieces are true to the originals but freshened up and contemporary. The five new pieces fit right in with the older songs and add a very personal message. (They also make me want to hear more of McLaughlin’s own music, so be watching for more of my reviews of her work!)

The CD begins with “Winter Solstice,” one of McLaughlin’s own pieces. Spirited, with an infectious energy, and bouncing with joy to spare, this is a great start! This is one of those pieces that make my fingers itch because they sound like such fun to play. “Away in a Manger” is a gentle and tender lullaby, alternating between the original German melody and the “Flow Gently, Sweet Afton” alternative. “Still, Still, Still” begins in the upper registers of the piano, suggesting sparkling snow in the stillness of night - a lovely arrangement. “The Toymaker” is another original. Playful and innocent, it also has an irresistible energy. “Holiday Gathering” effectively conveys excitement and joy with a hint of poignance. The simple, straightforward treatment of “Silent Night” describes perfect peace. “Greensleeves” is gorgeous. It’s interesting how McLaughlin has taken these well-worn pieces and made them sound new and exciting even though she really hasn’t changed them much. She’s added passages to many of them, but, for the most part, sticks with the melodies, adding interesting accompaniments and relying on her heartfelt and expressive touch to make them her own. “By The Fire” is the fourth of McLaughlin’s pieces, a lovely, graceful bit of musical comfort. Warm, relaxed, and inviting, it’s a beauty. I absolutely love the minor-key mystery of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” and this arrangement is one of my favorites. The original passage in the middle of the piece is a great segue that comes back to the melody. My favorite track is McLaughlin’s “Celtic Christmas.” This piece is such an expression of joy and energy that it makes my heart sing and my feet want to dance. (My fingers are itching again, too!) The other traditional pieces are “We Three Kings,” “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “O Holy Night,” “The First Noel,” and “Joy to the World,” and all are excellent.

I’m usually getting pretty burned out on Christmas CDs by this time in December, but I have thoroughly enjoyed “Christmas - Plain & Simple.” It is available from www.michelemclaughlin.com, amazon.com, cdbaby.com, and iTunes. Highly recommended!

Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com

12/4/07

When the holidays have you pulling your hair out, finding safe refuge is crucial, and Christmas--Plain & Simple may be your escape hatch. Michele McLaughlin's album is, plain and simple, new age piano music that will soothe the spirits and lift the heart. If you enjoy the talents of George Winston, for example, you will be swept away by McLaughlin's bright and emotive touch here.

Instrumental piano music can transport the weary soul to a much calmer locale. McLaughlin's album did that for me this evening. Largely self-taught, the artist has great instincts as she navigates the keyboard, and her rich arrangements bring impressive textures out of ancient carols you have heard hundreds of times before. A songwriter as well, McLaughlin's five sweetly-crafted originals are naturals. I especially enjoyed By the Fire, which brought to mind special moments curled in an overstuffed chair by the hearth.

Christmas is all about memories, both old and new. Beautiful new age music can facilitate contemplation and intensify the recollections of a lifetime during the holidays and beyond. Let Michele McLaughlin's solo piano on Christmas--Pure and Simple help you open yourself to the power of the possible. It's a lovely trip.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

I've been really into classical music lately. I found this really wonderful iTunes station called Whispering: Solo Piano, and I heard "The Lonely Ballerina" by Michele McLaughlin and instantly fell in love with it. A great deal of her music sounds like it could come from a music box, and I love it. I really do.

This IS Christmas!

Beautiful music really sets the mood of this wonderful time of year! Listening to Micheles smooth, touch helps me keep my perspective in this hectic time of year!

Really, really like it!

I really like this CD. So far my favorite piece on it is The Beginning of Forever, but all of the songs grow on me more and more as I listen. Other favorites are Russian Music Box and The Fairies Dance.

You can feel the passion you have in your music. its beautiful!

one of the most beautiful piano cd's i have ever heard. I feel the passion in each and every song and the title is perfect for each song. thanks you

Beautiful music Michelle ! So relaxing. I love it. Thanks.

Loved your new CD

Enjoyed it very much. Very peaceful and relaxing to listen to.

more inspiring piano

Like the rest of Michele's cds, the music (all piano) is easy to listen to without being boring. Perfect for listening to again and again and again.

soulful piano music you can listen to again and again

If you like piano music, this and Michele's other cd's are must haves. Uncomplicated, yet each time you listen, you pick up more of the nuances of each tune. It's perfect for my massage business.

Michele McLaughlin certainly has nothing to hide as a musician. She has a clean, musical style that is mostly right-handed (or right end of the piano, if you will). She has genuine compositional talent, and a style which is a bit similar to that of Wayne Gratz. Her music is endlessly listenable. Yes, it is easy on the mind, but I've never quite figured out what is wrong with that.

McLaughlin's albums aren't all that easy to find, but if you are looking to add another good pianist/composer to your collection you will find her work more than satisfactory.

THIS CD is as good as the others, and better than the earlier ones. It has more variety, but still keeps the rhythm. We use all of these CD's for exercise music.

Delightful, cheerful music
Reviewer: Joyce Knopf
After The Storm is a delightful, cheerful CD. Great for brightening dreary days. It lifts the spirit.

Everyone who has heard me playing "A Change of Color" has asked where they could get a copy. It really does reflect the influences that Michele talked about in her bio. I heard Night Sky for the first time on DirecTV's Music Choice. They play it A LOT.

For physical therapy exercises (boring) A Change of Color, and The Beginning of Forever are soothing, inspiring, and in a perfect rhythm for either fast or slow movements. Please, anyone who is doing PT, try it.