Castle of Keys

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Although I've been a trial lawyer for over 20 years, my real passion has always been music, and I've been playing since I was five. On this particular album, I play every instrument heard, and every song is an original creation. Many of the songs were inspired by personal experiences and by people who have touched my life. For example, "Laurie's Song" was written in memory of my cousin who passed away a few years ago. I think it's one of the best songs I've ever done. The song "Twice the Love" was created the night before the birth of my twin nieces, Autumn and Kristen, and it captures their innocence and the joy of new life. The title song "Castle of Keys" is an intricate, classical piece which I heard inside my head long before I actually put the song together. I've written, composed and arranged all of the music you hear in this album. There's one more thing - I do not read music and I play only by ear.

Product Description
Castle of Keys has 17 original creations, including some of Ed's best music. Many of the melodies are 25 - 30 years old and the clean, melodic lines are enhanced by multiple instruments, dramatic movements , full orchestration on many of the songs, and a variety of reflective pieces. This unusual blend of music ranges from classical to movie theme and is quite moving.

Castle of Keys,Edward J. Achrem,Edward J. Achrem,Contemporary Instrumental

Castle of Keys

Tracks:

I'VE SEEN ALL GOOD PEOPLE: A. YOUR MOVE/B. ALL GOOD PEOPLE
GOING FOR THE ONE
America
Time And A Word
Close To The Edge
Turn Of The Century
And You And I

Tracks:

MIND DRIVE
FOOT PRINTS
BRING ME TO THE POWER
Lightning
Children Of Light
Lifeline
Sign Language

Customer Reviews:

magnificent studio tracks.......2006-08-16

the studio tracks are very good, specially mind drive, are 5 stars
The live ones are 3 stars.

Another angry Wakeman!.......2005-04-02

With all honesty, the album is wonderful, and looks wonderful as it's predecessor from 1996. The live tracks here are beautifully performed, in fact the best version of "Time and a Word" in my opinion ever done. Somewhere along the line Rick again was outvoted as he wanted this record to stand on it's own. As a result, Rick left YES again, but this time it didn't matter- as I reviewed in Keys One- this was the Grand Finale' of Yes.
The Engineers toyed with the CD production at some point, and like the other reviewer I was fortunate to get the 1997 version, as I noticed one of the songs was given a hatchet job in the later release, and another a piece added. Nonetheless, the album is a full blown YES effort, despite "Mind Drive" from the studio being in it's 18 minutes somewhat dull- it has some amazing musical moments.
Keys to Ascension One and Two, aptly titled and packaged, are YES at the end of their career. Although I forced myself to buy "The Ladder..." it was like a replay of the 80's.
YES has given us masterworks of musical art. My story of YES ends here. But the collection of remasters and memories carry on. "High the memory."

Mislead To Ascension, Too........2004-09-15

I am writing this review to let others know of my shopping experience of this particular item. It advertises (extra tracks) which is why I bought it, being a long time and devoted fan. The track list has the opener listed as "Lightning"--which is a title I had never heard before. It also lists the songs "Lifeline" and "Children Of Light" seperate which leads you to believe they are seperate songs or perhaps alternate versions from the original 1997 release, not so!! Since I already own Keys To Ascension 2 , I know the song title "Lightning" does not appear on the original 1997 release--and having been a HUGE fan of the studio tracks from these sessions--I was counting on discovering another gem. I received my order by mail only to find the exact same tracklist on this 2002 release as my previous 1997 release. Please listen to the song samples here as proof, if hoping to find some thing new here. On the other hand, if you are a YES fan who has not heard the studio tracks from Keys 2 yet, I DO DEFINELY recommend buying it--however search for the 1997 US version to save some money.

Good, but the best material went onto Volume 1.......2003-01-15

In late 1995-early 1996, the classic lineup of Yes -- Anderson, Howe, Squire, Wakeman, White -- recorded an album's worth of material at the Yesworld Studio in San Luis Obispo, California. In March 1996, they recorded three straight nights of concerts played in that city. Each of the two 2-CD volumes of "Keys of Ascension" has included some of the live performances of Yes classics and some of the new studio tracks.

I suspect that a Volume 2 wasn't originally planned, because all the best live material went onto Volume 1. The tracks here have some clunker notes, and the performances aren't the sheer revelations that Volume 1 was. "Close to the Edge" and "And You and I" are two of Yes' best songs ever, and if you don't have a recording of them yet your life is sadly incomplete, but the versions here sound a little sluggish compared to those on "Yessongs". On the other hand, "Going for the One" and "Time and a Word" sound better here than on "Yesshows". I'm not a "Time and a Word" fan, but if I was, this version, with a nice Wakeman piano intro, is the one I'd want to listen to. The high point of Volume 2 is "Turn of the Century", a ballad from the "Going for the One" album that tells a "Pygmalion" tale, with fine acoustic work by Howe. The recording quality is much better than was possible on Yes' earlier live albums.

The studio tracks aren't of the same high standard. They're pleasant, but none will ever appear on any Yes best-of collection. "Mind Games" is not as good as some of the reviews here would lead you to believe. It might be great at half its 18-minute length, but is too padded to maintain interest for that long. "Foot Prints" and "Bring to the Power" are good but not great tracks. The closer "Sign Language" and the second half of "Children of the Light" are Howe-Wakeman duets -- they're okay, but anyone who's honestly a Yes fan knows that the two could walk into a studio on any day of their lives and record something at least this good.

Tracks:

Siberian Khatru [Live]
Revealing Science of God [Live]
America [Live]
Onward [Live]
Awaken [Live]

Tracks:

Roundabout [Live]
Starship Trooper [Live]
Be the One
That, That Is

Average customer rating:

Piano Music In America 1900-1945

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Inventions | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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New Music - Piano Compositions By Henry Cowell / Brown, Hays, Kubera, Cahill

ASIN: B000001K6M
Release Date: 1994-09-06

Tracks:

5 Movements From Woodland Sketches, Op. 61: A Deserted Farm - Roger Shields
5 Movements From Woodland Sketches, Op. 61: From Uncle Remus - Roger Shields
5 Movements From Woodland Sketches, Op. 61: At An Old Trysting Place - Roger Shields
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Two Movements From Roman Sketches, Op. 7: The Fountain Of The Acqua Paola - Roger Shields
Second Sonata 'Airplane': As Fast As Possible - Roger Shields
Second Sonata 'Airplane': Andante moderato - Roger Shields
Exultation - Roger Shields
Invention - Roger Shields
Aeolian Harp - Roger Shields
Advertisement - Roger Shields
Three Preludes: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso - Roger Shields
George Gershwin: Andante con moto e poco rubato - Roger Shields
George Gershwin: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso - Roger Shields
Harlem Rag - Roger Shields
Possum and Taaters - Roger Shields
Bohemia Rag - Roger Shields
The Entertainer - Roger Shields
Maple Leaf Rag - Roger Shields
Reflection Rag (Syncopated Musings) - Roger Shields

Tracks:

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Cataract Rag - Various Artists
Rialto Ripples - Various Artists
Pork And Beans - Various Artists
Castle House Rag - Various Artists
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Average customer rating:

Keys to the Heart
Brian Auger's Oblivion Express
Manufacturer: Castle Music UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

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Album Description

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Average customer rating:

A Brilliant Piece of Work -- a must have!
Eagle Mountain Times Vol. 3 No.2 May 2000
Auroran Magazine May/June 2000 page 53
Castle of Keys
Music that elicits emotions

Castle of Keys
Edward J. Achrem
Manufacturer: Edward J. Achrem
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004SCK0
Release Date: 2000-03-09

Tracks:

A Time of Change
A Walk in the Park
Second Sight
Distant Shores
Best Friends
Deepest Love
Lighter Than Air
Penombre
Patti's Song
Shadows in the Mist
Castle of Keys
Laurie's Song
Twice the Love
The Old Country
Into the Light
Looking Glass
A Look Back

Album Description

Castle of Keys has 17 original creations, including some of Ed's best music. Many of the melodies are 25 - 30 years old and the clean, melodic lines are enhanced by multiple instruments, dramatic movements , full orchestration on many of the songs, and a variety of reflective pieces. This unusual blend of music ranges from classical to movie theme and is quite moving.

Customer Reviews:

A Brilliant Piece of Work -- a must have!.......2000-09-21

Castle of Keys is a wonderful CD filled with music that will move you. Ed Achrem's brilliant instrumental melodies bring me peace. When I listen to his music, I often think of the songs' titles and I can't help but feel the emotions and love tied into making this beautiful music. I listen to it often when I'm looking for calm after a hectic day, but my absolute favorite time is when I'm surrounded by special friends and loved ones. It fills our home, and our hearts, with love! A CD you must have. You'll love, and enjoy it too!!

Eagle Mountain Times Vol. 3 No.2 May 2000.......2000-06-06

"Castle of Keys" the new CD by Ed Achrem is wonderful. I'm
especially excited about it because it was a long time in the making
and the wait was well worth it. Ed is a very gifted musician, who
composed and arranged all of these original pieces. Each of these
compositions is a journey that leads you through many different
musical landscapes. Some that will entertain, some will move you and
all will delight you. Castle of keys is truly a great CD and is a
must have if you enjoy quality music, that is easy to listen to. Come
on down to Eagle Mountain and listen to Castle of Keys and see for
yourself. Ed has been a personal friend of mine for 20 years. I have
listened to his music evolve and mature over the years and he has
become a class act musician! ...

Auroran Magazine May/June 2000 page 53.......2000-06-05

While listening to this debut CD you would never guess that the
composer, arranger and keyboardist is a Las Vegas litigation
attorney. Ed Achrem's beautiful recording is filled with strong
original melodies enhanced by lush arrangements. This recording is
perfect for Sunday brunch or romantic evenings with candlelight and
wine. This CD has inspired emotional responses in everyone with whom
we've shared our copy. It is piano music but so much more, with truly
inspiring passages that open up "heart and soul." The Castle
of Keys, with 17 original songs, is truly a "must have" in
your music survival kit. Ed is a brilliant composer and remarkable
pianist and you will be hearing a lot about him in the months ahead.

Castle of Keys.......2000-03-28

Ed Achrem is a talented songwriter, with a gift for eliciting emotions through his music. His technical expertise as a keyboardist is incredible; but his technique is not overwhelming. This CD helped me through the death of a beloved child; I don't know what I would have done without this incredible, soothing music. Keep 'em coming, Ed!

Music that elicits emotions.......2000-03-23

This album is a compilation of some of the best new age music I have ever heard. The artistry and technical ability is fantastic! If you like the music of Yanni, Giovanni, David Lanz or George Winston, you will be blown away by Ed Achrem's, Castle of Keys.