The Winding Path

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Embracing the role of fellow spiritual seeker as well as composer, pianist Kevin Kern invites listeners to find a safe, comfortable place in their imaginations and tag along on what his CD packaging describes as a "self-guided healing visualization." For those favorably inclined toward such musical journeys of the soul, Kern proves to be a sincere and capable guide. His slowly unfolding piano works (periodically embellished with acoustic guitar, flute, strings and understated electronics) are soft, serene and, on occasion ("High above the Valley" and "Through the Veil" in particular), memorably attractive. The foil-stamped/die-cut/textured paper packaging for The Winding Path, Kern's sixth career release, is first-rate; the story line it contains, centered on the discovery of a "cauldron of healing," is a matter of personal taste. As for the music, Kern's compositions can intermittently seem a touch too sweet or simplistic, but the overall flavor is peaceful, relaxing and, considering the context, admirably refined. --Terry Wood

Product Description
Kevin Kern has become a universal name for beautiful, relaxing music. This intimate, piano-led path through nature creates a resonance of tranquility and peace for pure listening pleasure. "The Winding Path" is ideal for masage, meditation and relieving stress. Kern is joined on several tracks by top new age duo, 2002.

The Winding Path

The Winding Path,Kevin Kern,Real Music,Contemporary Instrumental,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,This intimate, piano-led path through nature creates a resonance of tranquility and peace for pure listening pleasure. Ideal for massage, yoga and meditation.

The Winding Path

The Winding Path

Average customer rating:

Good Quiet Time Music

An Easy Winner

Real Music

from Solo Piano Publications

Tremendous Offering from Kevin Kern

The Winding Path
Kevin Kern
Manufacturer: Real Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Imagination's Light

In the Enchanted Garden

Embracing the Wind

More Than Words: The Best of Kevin Kern

Summer Daydreams

ASIN: B000099T1B
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Tracks:

The Touch Of Love
The Way Of The Stream
A Million Stars
High Above The Valley
Ancient Guardians
Cauldron Of Healing
Filled With The Light
Through The Veil
Softly Falling
The Winding Path

Amazon.com

Embracing the role of fellow spiritual seeker as well as composer, pianist Kevin Kern invites listeners to find a safe, comfortable place in their imaginations and tag along on what his CD packaging describes as a "self-guided healing visualization." For those favorably inclined toward such musical journeys of the soul, Kern proves to be a sincere and capable guide. His slowly unfolding piano works (periodically embellished with acoustic guitar, flute, strings and understated electronics) are soft, serene and, on occasion ("High above the Valley" and "Through the Veil" in particular), memorably attractive. The foil-stamped/die-cut/textured paper packaging for The Winding Path, Kern's sixth career release, is first-rate; the story line it contains, centered on the discovery of a "cauldron of healing," is a matter of personal taste. As for the music, Kern's compositions can intermittently seem a touch too sweet or simplistic, but the overall flavor is peaceful, relaxing and, considering the context, admirably refined. --Terry Wood

Album Description

Kevin Kern has become a universal name for beautiful, relaxing music. This intimate, piano-led path through nature creates a resonance of tranquility and peace for pure listening pleasure. "The Winding Path" is ideal for masage, meditation and relieving stress. Kern is joined on several tracks by top new age duo, 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Good Quiet Time Music.......2006-11-05

I like this CD very much, it is good relaxing music.
The only thing I don't like is the fact I can't rip it into my computer - that is very annoying because that was one of the main reasons I purchased it - so I could add it to my Calm Music MP3 compliation on my computer. Because of this I won't be purchasing more of Kevin Kern's music.

An Easy Winner.......2005-08-26

A strange thing happens every time I listen to this album - I hear the first few cuts and then there's a blur and the last cut is going by. This isn't meant as a negative, but it does point out that this is one of those albums that quickly blends into whatever I'm doing and becomes part of the environment.

Much to my surprise, Kevin Kern is a native Detroiter (there's not a lot of New Age music getting made up here). His training is classical, with a lot of mentoring by George Shearing. The combination has made him a master of improvisation, with a knack for taking the melodic path. Winding Path is his sixth album, done in 2003. It spent some 15 weeks on the charts, which is a pretty solid accomplishment.

This is a 'group' album - Pamela Copus on various woodwinds and Jeff Kinski on Guitar are the core players, (listen to the first two cuts - Touch of Love and Way of the Stream) but several others add their talents to make the album something of a surprise to those who think of Kern as a solo pianist. He also experiments a bit with sound effects and such (High Above the Valley).

I'm hesitant to say this is his best album, but once I decide to pay careful attention to it, it is certainly one of his most interesting. A lot of the work is quite subtle. I give this one an 'A' for listenability. Yet another reason to put a stereo in the woodshop.

Real Music.......2003-06-13

"Winding Path" is a rare great album, a must-have for all who loves emotional, intelligent, comforting piano-based music... Thank you very much, Kevin, for this wunderful and timeless record.

from Solo Piano Publications.......2003-06-04

As a long-time fan of Kevin Kern's music, I'm excited to say that I think "The Winding Path" is his best album to date. Due to a serendipitous equipment failure just prior to the recording sessions, this album is much more acoustic than previous albums and the "canned" strings are all but gone. Kern recorded this album on an amazing Hamburg Steinway that he refers to as "God's own piano," and his passion for this instrument sings through on each piece. Joining Kern on this album are 2002 (Pam Copus does an incredible job on all of the wind instruments, and Randy supplies bells and other sounds), Jeff Kinsky on guitar, Jeremy Cohen on violin, Terence Yallop on bells on one track, and Kevin's wife, Pam, on rainstick. And then there is that piano. The combined forces produce a "great big soundscape" (Kevin's quote) that may surprise some of his fans. The music is still very gentle, soothing, and uplifting, but the feel and quality of the album is bigger and fuller. I love it! Kern says that the difference in his approach to this album is that this music will be the "heart and soul and center" of his live appearances - concert audiences are in for a real treat!

"The Touch of Love" opens the album on a rather ethereal note. The 2002-influence is really strong on this piece, and it is a truly beautiful collaboration. Pam Copus' flute has such a feeling of yearning, combined with sweet voices, and that marvelous piano (and pianist!). "The Way of the Stream" is a gorgeous guitar/ piano duet with a few additional sounds for color. "A Million Stars" is a wonderful piece that Kern created in the studio at Terence Yallop's suggestion that he "play the sky." (Pieces like this make my fingers itch!) The clarity and sparkle of the upper registers of the piano are perfect for depicting a clear night skyscape away from the lights of the city. This is definitely one of my favorite Kern pieces (not just from this album). "High Above the Clouds" begins with the sound of a thunder storm; Pam Copus comes in on Native American flute, playing a lovely, melancholy melody. Then the piano picks up the melody and develops it. The piece becomes a flute and piano duet with some background accompaniment. "Through the Veil" is a classic Kern anthem with the addition of a rhythm track. Mostly piano and guitar (with Pam on rainstick!), the melody is compelling and heartfelt - another one of my favorites on this album. My favorite track on "The Winding Path" is the title track, which features Kern on piano, Copus on flute, and the incredible Jeremy Cohen on violin. An achingly beautiful piece, this one touched me deeply each of the ten or so times I've heard it.

Bravo to Kevin Kern and company for producing a "real" standout! A guided visualization is included in the liner notes for those who are so inclined, but the music is vivid and colorful enough that you can probably produce your own daydreams to accompany it.

Tremendous Offering from Kevin Kern.......2003-06-04

"The Winding Path" is Kevin Kern's latest CD for Real Music, and what an outstanding collection of tracks is to be found on this 44 minute disc.

With far more emphasis on blending other instruments with his exquisite piano playing, this CD is quite different from his previous efforts. Long-term Kern fans need not worry, however. The additional accompanying instruments merely enhance the beauty of his piano playing, and make this one of my all-time favourite CDs.

2002 fans will be delighted by the duo's quite prominent presence on the disc. From Pamela Copus's gorgeous flute playing on tracks 1 and 10, plus harp on track 2, to Randy Copus's percussion on tracks 2, 5 and 9, it is not difficult to see why some of the tracks have a 2002 feel to them. I agree with Kathy Parson's observation that this is very evident on the first track.

All the tracks are strong on this CD, but favourites include tracks 1, 3, 8 and 10. I note that Kevin dedicates Track 3,"A Million Stars" to "all those who reach for the stars". This is likely to be a popular track with his fans, partly because it is extremely beautiful, and also because it truly is solo piano.

This CD is exceptionally well presented, and has a wonderful feel to it. The CD insert contains an introduction to guided visualisation, where the listener is invited to go on a relaxing journey whilst listening to the music.

It may be of some interest that this CD was apparently going to be originally called "Leaf, Twig and Petal". I think that the change of name was a wise move, and is more befitting of the content.

On a par with "In the Enchanted Garden", this CD is right up there in terms of melodic beauty, and way beyond it with regards presentation. Kevin is using other instruments to compliment his piano playing, and this shows a willingness to move forward with his music. It, in no way, detracts from the beauty of the lead instrument.

Tracks:

Allegro moderato - 1:54
Moderato - 3:54 Entr'acte
Allegro vivo - 3:20 Berceuse, op. 16
Allegretto moderato - 3:13 La fille aux cheveux de lin
Tres calme et doucement expressif - 2:08 Histoire du Tango
Bordel 1900 - 3:57
Cafe 1930 - 6:24
Night-club 1960 - 5:33
Concert d'aujourd'hui - 3:00 Harbors of Light
Andante cantabile-Allegro moderato - 5:13
Largo - 4:16
Allegretto - 1:56
Adagio misterioso-Molto allegro e ritmico - 3:33 Three Landscapes
Rolling Hills - 1:44
A Winding Path - 2:17
A Quiet Heath - 1:59 Nostalgia
Comodo - 5:43

Album Description

Performing together since 1984, Los Angeles musicians Clayton Haslop and Jack Sanders present their second compact disc recording, featuring: Astor Piazzolla: Histoire du Tango (History of the Tango) Four movements capturing the essence of tango from 1900 to contemporary Jacques Ibert: Paraboles and Entr'acte Two Spanish flavored works by the popular French composer Faure: Berceuse, op. 16 Debussy: La fille aux cheveux de lin (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair) Two French favorites

Tania Gabrielle French: Harbors of Light and Three Landscapes Los Angeles composer French, whose style is intelligently winsome, wrote both works for the Duo David Leisner: Nostalgia The title aptly characterizes the charm of this work, written for the Duo by New York guitarist David Leisner

Journey Dance
Average customer rating:
Journey Dance
Rick Hart
Manufacturer: Winding Path Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000063ELM
Release Date: 1994-06-14

Tracks:

While You Gently Rest
Quiet Hands
Children Walking
Smiling Eyes, Sweet as Laughter
Prelude
Letter to Darius and Mitra
Like a Candle
Journey Dance

Album Description

From the beginning, Journey Dance projects a spatial quality reminiscent of much new age music. But soon its rhythmic complexity and constant timbral and textural changes bring it closer to its folk and classical roots than many of its new age cousins. Hart's unpretentious vocalization adds warmth to the acoustic ensemble. Journey Dance is a fresh, unaffected landscape of melded folk, classical, and jazz. --Mark Roberts

Average customer rating:

Blue Horse plays this cat's gut strings
Blues from a master
The Blue Horse Band is Tops on the Dallas music scene!
Bluesy rock from the heart of Texas...
Emailed to me from a radio program director

Blue Horse
Rick Hart and the Blue Horse Band
Manufacturer: Winding Path Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004TFGT
Release Date: 2000-04-26

Tracks:

These Hands
See What You're Made Of
Ponca City Blues
Slip Off the Line
What's a Baby to Do
Leavin' Behind
Me and Babe
Sunny Lady
Fool on a Corner
A Year in the Life
Slide Under

Product Description

Texas Americana blues. Influences include Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, John Hiatt, southern rock bands.

Customer Reviews:

Blue Horse plays this cat's gut strings.......2003-09-06

I confess that I am discovering country & country rock kind of late in life, but music like Rick Hart's Blue Horse CD is largely the reason why its happenning at all. The musicianship is superb and the lyrics and vocals come straight from the heart.

Blues from a master.......2003-09-03

The music is wonderful -- heartfelt, original, and purely blue. Rick Hart is a jewel in the indie music scene. I bought the album after hearing a cut on a local radio station.
Do yourself a favor, listen to the samples, then buy the music. You'll be glad you did.
This CD stayed in the number one slot in my auto CD player for many months. All the tunes are different, all highlighting an original look the daily baggage of living and loving.
I hope we hear more soon.

The Blue Horse Band is Tops on the Dallas music scene!.......2003-09-03

In a word, spectacular. That's the only way to describe Rick Hart's Blue Horse CD. Spectacular song writing, spectacular production and spectacular performances by Dallas' best professional performing musicians.

Rick Hart's low, punchy voice carries his poetic lyrics through the dark shadows of love, blues, social protest and individual angst to the brightness of heartfelt affection and foward-looking optimism. This is music that's as fun to listen to as it is thought-provoking.

Everyone should own this CD!

Bluesy rock from the heart of Texas..........2003-08-29

Bluesy rock from the heart of Texas, the sort of whiskey smooth voice and stinging guitar that'll have you ordering double shots and a beer back -- even in your own living room.
- Bill Stafford, CD World (Dallas independent record store)

Emailed to me from a radio program director.......2003-08-29

An absolute dynamite emotion filled blues CD. True Texas with a groove. -- Bob Fonda, program director, KLFX

Pop Music: