Destiny offers evidence that Jim Brickman has acquired a serious interest in redefining his position on the pop-music spectrum. The lone vocal selection "Valentine"--sung by Martina McBride--that adorned his breakthrough P... more »icture This received a warm embrace from soft-pop radio formats and no doubt encouraged Brickman to include more vocal tracks--five, in fact--on Destiny, along with nine instrumental compositions. Such efforts (plus a nine-panel CD insert that unfolds to reveal a pinup poster of Brickman's strong-jawed mug) seek to certify Brickman as a master of the romantic pop ballad, a status he already enjoys for his expressive piano works. He succeeds on nearly all flanks. Two vocal selections, "Love of My Life" (featuring Christian crooner Michael W. Smith) and the title track (with a soulful duet by Jordan Hill and Billy Porter), will likely become heart-tugging slow-dance standards at wedding receptions for decades to come. The concluding "What We Believe In," with Pam Tillis, retraces the love-struck path McBride covered in "Valentine." Carly Simon and Herb Alpert also make appearances. What seem to suffer a bit are the piano pieces. Though good, some works contain a few too many notes and just miss the unwavering beauty of the instrumentals found on Picture This. This is a minor complaint, though, and the solo piece "Crossroads" is a pure gem. Hopeless romantics everywhere, behold your Destiny. --Terry Wood« less
Destiny offers evidence that Jim Brickman has acquired a serious interest in redefining his position on the pop-music spectrum. The lone vocal selection "Valentine"--sung by Martina McBride--that adorned his breakthrough Picture This received a warm embrace from soft-pop radio formats and no doubt encouraged Brickman to include more vocal tracks--five, in fact--on Destiny, along with nine instrumental compositions. Such efforts (plus a nine-panel CD insert that unfolds to reveal a pinup poster of Brickman's strong-jawed mug) seek to certify Brickman as a master of the romantic pop ballad, a status he already enjoys for his expressive piano works. He succeeds on nearly all flanks. Two vocal selections, "Love of My Life" (featuring Christian crooner Michael W. Smith) and the title track (with a soulful duet by Jordan Hill and Billy Porter), will likely become heart-tugging slow-dance standards at wedding receptions for decades to come. The concluding "What We Believe In," with Pam Tillis, retraces the love-struck path McBride covered in "Valentine." Carly Simon and Herb Alpert also make appearances. What seem to suffer a bit are the piano pieces. Though good, some works contain a few too many notes and just miss the unwavering beauty of the instrumentals found on Picture This. This is a minor complaint, though, and the solo piece "Crossroads" is a pure gem. Hopeless romantics everywhere, behold your Destiny. --Terry Wood
"This is the best New Age collection that I've have ever listened to. It would be a good idea to give this CD to your loving partner as a present. "Destiny" is my most favorate one. I liked it so much that I practiced singing this song again and againg and again. Only if I can play the guitar or the piano for this one. I wish we could get the scores of this collection. If your partner can sing, this is the one to sing in duet. "The love of my life", and "Your Love" are so beautiful songs that no one can afford to missing. Other piano pieces are very beautiful too. This CD is, in a word, a treasure. Jim Brickman should publish the music score book of this collection !!! Please !!!"
Hard To Listen To Alone - Needs To Be Shared
stevek-torrance-ca | TORRANCE,CA | 12/02/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Destiny" is the first album I have purchased by Jim Brickman and definitely will not be the last. The vocals were a welcome surprise and added to the overall mood of the album. This album would be good to share with the one you love ...."
Destiny Shines!
Jeffrey W. Vigeant | Williamsburg, VA United States | 08/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a long-time lover of piano music, maybe it was destiny that my introduction to Jim Brickman should be his "Destiny" album. From the first song, "Part Of My Heart" I was hooked. The album gently builds with "Bittersweet" (a personal favorite) and "Meant To Be", followed by the delightful and lively collaboration with Herb Alpert on "Rendevous". Unfortunately the mood is broken by the jarring introduction of "Hush Li'L Baby" (a collaboration with Carly Simon). I skip this track automatically. "Crooked River" follows. The soft meandering notes of this song effectively restore the album's equilibrium. "Crossroads" livens the pace a tad, its smooth cresendo the perfect prelude to the rich vocals sung by Michael W. Smith on "Love Of My Life". With "Freedom", "By Chance" (another personal favorite) and "Rememberance" Jim so eloquently draws the listener into a symbiotic-like state with himself by simply playing solo. He follows this with a seamless return to vocal accompaniment with "Your Love" sung by Michelle Wright and the album's title cut "Destiny", a duet featuring Jordan Hill and Billy Porter. The final track of the album depends on which version you purchased--there are two. One features "What We Believe In" sung by Pam Tillis. The other (and the album I purchased) ends with the song "A Rainbow Connection" sung by Jim after a short personal introduction. If you don't have this version--get it! You will treasure it for life."
A sweet, sweet surprise
Nan Tiernan | Des Moines, Iowa USA | 11/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am not in what I call "the "white-noise music" generation" -- the people that buy CD's all the time and that have to have music around them alll of the time -- (I missed the baby-boomers by about 5 years), so when I enter a situation where the music is thrilling, I thrill that I can thrill once again......one night I went swimming at the Y very close to closing time, I was all alone in the long pool, swimming laps, and the lifeguard had Jim Brickman's Destiny playing....it was another one of God's sweet surprises that showss how He loves me--to have the kinesthetic joy of swimming added to relaxing piano music was a great treat! I finagled around in my mind how I could justify buying the CD, since I don't usually buy CD's and I rarely play them, but I thought -- my 86 yr old mother -YESS.....she loved Roger Williams' piano music, and Herb Alpert, and she'll love Destiny...."
Relaxing music to help you unwind.
Nan Tiernan | 10/23/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am not a regular listener of romanitic piano music, but happened to wander upon Brickman's music through the website, The Romantic Piano, (members.xoom.com/sims_music/piano/). I really enjoyed this CD, Brickman's music has such an improvised feel to it that I really like."