Reviewer: Kathy Parsons (Hercules, CA United States) “The Story Garden” is the follow-up to Thomas Cunningham’s 1998 release, “The Exiled Heart.” The twelve original piano solos are varied in style and approach - some quiet and gentle while others are bigger, bolder, and occasionally discordant to add some spice to the mix. Most of the themes involve family and other loved ones, so the music is personal and heartfelt without becoming overly sentimental. A self-taught pianist, Cunningham has impressive playing chops that express his stories well. Quite a bit of the music sounds somewhat improvised, making the “stories” fresh and new. “The Story Garden” opens with “Autumn,” a colorful piece that conveys the many changing moods of the fall. Sudden bursts of energy are followed with flowing rubato lines that are tinged with a feeling of mystery. Many themes are woven together to create a fascinating portrait of the season. “Nanette” is a graceful musical depiction of the composer’s wife that again expresses a variety of moods from gentle to quite turbulent - “Nanette” is no shrinking violet! “Clay Moon” is full of playful innocence and could be a sweet lullaby for a little one. Sections have a music box quality that is light and carefree. “Summer Pond” is peaceful with a gentle sparkle that suggests light dancing on water. Ponds tend to be full of life during the summer, and some of the more energetic themes suggest this - a very evocative piece. One of my favorites is “It’s A Boy.” Buoyant and spilling over with joy, it’s a delight for the ears. I also really like “Somewhere Within,” which is reflective and a bit darker, moving along on a changing rhythmic pattern. “And When She Smiles” is a more structured love song - passionate yet tender. The closing track, “Red Pony,” returns to childlike innocence and wonder - a lovely finish to a fascinating musical journey. “The Story Garden” is available from amazon.com and www.spiritrainmusic.com. Recommended for those who enjoy solo piano with some complexity, not just simple “pretty,” melodies to fall asleep to. Kathy Parsons Solo Piano Publications Reviewer: NAPRA ReView Sept/Oct 1999 Vol. 10, No. 5 The Exiled Heart By Thomas Cunningham. Spirit Rain Music, 800/838-1735, www.spiritrainmusic.com. Billed as "intimate stories...in the language of the piano," this CD lives up to its calling in a pleasantly fulfilling surprise from a debut artist. Cunningham's solo piano speaks well, without artifice or excess. His playing exhibits tenderness with strength, mellow tones without monotony, and expressiveness without being sappy. Raindrops are heard on "China Rain" without seeming canned; "The Ghost (On the Bank of the River of Time)" intrigues in its brief and haunting appearance; the title cut blends anger and melancholy with residual warmth. This is New Age piano technique as it should be, without burdensome classical exactitude or casual superficiality. -SM Reviewer: Tim Powell, producer and host, Currents, KUHF 88.7 FM, Houston, TX, May 1998 Thomas Cunningham's debut album The Exiled Heart is an impressive first project. In the vein of artists like John Boswel and Tim Story, his music isn't forced or bland, rather effortless and smooth. The listener can tell that this is music, as they say, from the heart. The music seems to come first, nothing else, which is a nice departure from all the rather faceless music in the New Age world. As the album plays out the songs flow and his enjoyment becomes yours. What makes this album all the more interesting is the fact that Tom has had no formal music training. All in all, The Exiled Heart is an impressive debut, and if Tom chooses, a good look at things to come. Reviewer: Chris Spector, Editor and Publisher, Midwest Record Recap, Volume 22/Number 12, April 28, 1999 THOMAS CUNNINGHAM/Exiled Heart: Impressionistic, solo piano can be a real challenge if it isn't done right, but there's no sign of dizzy noodling on board here. Cunningham is up for the task. Smart, low key work that is more interested in getting inside your head than slapping it around. Tasty, well conceived throughout, this is a debut to be aware of, particularly for genre fans.   Reviewer:
Kathy Parsons (Hercules, CA United States)The Exiled Heart is pianist Thomas Cunningham's debut album. All of the pieces are original and solo piano. Cunningham's pianism is solid, and his style often reminds me of Michael Jones'. Pieces range in length from more that 12 minutes to a minute and a half, so there is a spectrum of development. The shorter pieces tend to sound more structured and composed, and stay generally within a melody line; the longer work has more improvisation and extemporization. "I Found Her In Ireland" finished in the top ten in the instrumental category in New Age Voice magazine's annual competition, and is currently getting a lot of airplay. "Heartland" is one of the longer pieces, and brings to mind the wide-open feeling of some of George Winston's and Philip Aaberg's pieces about Montana. "The Exiled Heart" has a bouncy Celtic rhythm and almost smiles for the first couple of minutes; the second movement is much darker and more abstract; the third theme is once again upbeat and optimistic, becoming somewhat more introspective as it develops - an epic poem set to music! "Ruth" and "Gene" are loving tributes to Cunningham's parents, so the sources of inspiration are varied, and even include a ghost! "Surreal Fantasy" is my favorite track, and is dark, mysterious, and complex. It shows Cunningham's' skillful playing at its best, and demonstrates his range of playing and composing styles - at once bold and classical, and then gentle and flowing. A simple melody weaves in and out, and then melts into an improvisation. This is a very interesting piano album, and should strongly appeal to fans of more-improvised than structured piano music. |
