Greg Maroney - Sentinel (13 tracks) +Album Reviews

Mysterious Melodies with Medieval Memories

Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 06/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wandered down Sleep's vast and sunless vale,

Where silence and Cimmerian darkness lay

That never moon nor stars disturb, nor Day

With sword of golden light.

~Clark Ashton Smith

Greg Maroney plays each note with a sense of wonder and poetic interpretation. His music also reminds me of a line in a poem by John Milton: "Where more is meant than meets the ear."

In "Sentinel" he has captured a world of medieval mystery and protected it within notes of exquisite beauty. The track titles almost invite you to imagine a world of castles, crimson fire drakes soaring high above lush mountains, a petulant sky ready to burst into rain or even a sunny day where a maiden reads in a woods as the sun filters through fir trees.

There is a sense that this perfect world could shatter into a million imaginary fragments and that a dream of perfection could be lost. As Greg Maroney plays, he protects this fragile fantasy. You can drift into a place where peace is protected and you are safe in your daydreams. Even "Avoi Dance" reminds us of our desire to avoid real life and escape into a fantasy of richly textured notes.

I have rarely heard a piano played with such a deeply intuitive quality all while the music retains an element of fresh natural beauty. Sentinel is an excellent introduction to Greg Maroney and you may also want to look for Harmony Grove, Songs of the Water Rose and The Copper Hat.

~The Rebecca Review"

Heated Passion!

JSS | Harrisburg, PA | 05/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the mystery of Castle of Wonders, to the carefree attitude of Avoi Dance, I enjoyed each song's creative images. Feel the serenity while taking Communion or listen to the fluttering Birds on a Wire. Get up and dance with the lumbering Giants' Dance, and put Fire Drake on the repeat mode and feel the heated passion!"

Review of Greg Maroney, Sentinel CD

gisele shepler | usa | 05/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sentinel has a wide variety of classical piano pieces, from mellow and relaxing to very exciting and dynamic. Greg plays with such passion!!!!It is wonderful. Even my children love to listen to his music. Since being introduced to Greg's music, we have purchased many of his CD's to give to friends and as teacher appreciation gifts. Everyone always has had a very positive review and truly believes Greg's music is awesome and magical!!!!"

Unique and Moving Music

L. Sullivan | 10/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Greg Maroney's "Sentinel" is a unique and moving album. The third track "I'll Remember You" really interests me because of its beautiful sweet melody combined with a very interesting left hand counterpoint harmony which features Maroney's virtuosic abilities. I am moved each time I hear "Always" because its melody reminds me of a soaring bird diving up and down, free, powerful and true... like a love that lasts a liftetime... always. "Fire Drake" is most energetic and exudes a wonderful triumphant spirit. I imagine sprites dancing wildly around a bonfire after a successful day harvesting berries in the forest. "Communion" is a piece that seems perfect for a spiritual procession. A walk along a beautiful path taking in and communing with nature in every step. "Birds on a Wire" absolutely charms me; listen and you will hear the birds talking with each other. And then they break into a sweet and melodious song. Maroney does SING through his instrument. My favorite track is the last one the album, "Giants Dance". This sweet waltz would win over any giant with half a heart and inspire him to spin and twirl. Greg has created another unique and moving album with "Sentinel", a treasure that will endure."

From Solo Piano Publications

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 08/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Sentinel" is Greg Maroney's third solo piano album to date, and what a beauty it is! The songs tell wordless stories about Greg's life, its events and surroundings, and the people in it. Warmly inviting, and always accessible, it is the kind of album that I dearly love - one where the music is complex enough that one can hear something new each time, and where the familiar strains grow closer to the heart with each listen. Trained in classical and jazz piano since the age of five, it sounds to me like Maroney is probably most "at home" sitting at the piano and letting musical magic happen. There are jazz elements in Maroney's music, but I would say that the influences on this CD are of a more classical nature with some of the freedom found in jazz. All of the tracks on this CD are really good, but I have a few favorites. I love "Castle of Wonders" with its swirling, mysterious opening bars, and then dancing rhythms and melody - there is always a sense of mystery, but also of joyful discovery. "Fire Drake" is another upbeat piece full of a dancing sense of elation and wonderful pianistics. Both of these pieces sound like great fun to play as well as to listen to! Most of the rest of the thirteen pieces are a bit slower and more subdued, describing a wide range of emotions and subjects. "Avalon" is a darkly gorgeous piece with lots of deep bass chords and mysterious drama. "Always" is more of a tender love song full of passion as well as gentleness. "Sentinel" is a really great album, and I highly recommend it."

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	Greg Maroney Sentinel Genres: New Age, Pop Track Listings (13) - Disc #1 Isabelle Castle of Wonders I'll Remember You Always Avoi Dance Sentinel Fire Drake Communion Linda's Song Birds on a wire Cimmerian Veil Avalon Giants Dance
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