"Another Winner in a Lush Romantic Style ... Escape (2006) .
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 10/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Savoy Music Group presents "ESCAPE", as this captures Jim Brickman's talent with special appearances by Sara Evans (the Academy of Country Music's "Female Vocalist of the Year" for 2006), R&B vocal star Gerald Levert and smooth jazz guitarist extraordinaire Marc Antoine --- the composer and pianist Brickman has come up with another winner in a lush and romantic instrumental and vocal ballads --- the word enchanting comes to mind, featuring selections "MY ANGEL", "AWAKENING", "BARCELONA", "BIG SKY", "FIRST LIGHT", "PARADISE", "TIMELESS" and "WATERFALL" --- each with Brickman's beautiful light jazz rhythmic signature style.
Also in attendance are Gerald Levert adds his effortlessly fluid vocals on the beautiful lullaby, "MY ANGEL" ... another guest on the roster is jazz guitarist Marc Antoine playing the title song "ESCAPE" ... performing "WHEN IT SNOWS" is Geoff Byrd a lyrical and melodic track of perfection ... next we have Sara Evans "NEVER ALONE" words cannot describe this touching selection ... finally the gem of the album is "MY ANGEL" featuring Gerald Levert with his impeccable styling and Brickman's unforgettable melody.
Brickman writes a wide variety of music. Besides his piano compositions and love songs, he has also created arrangements of other songs. Several of his albums feature arrangements of children's music; he has produced two Christmas-themed albums "The Gift" (1997) and "Peace" (2003); and his 2005 album "Grace" concentrates on arrangements of well known Christian music --- Brickman signed with Windham Hill Records to release his first album, "No Words", in 1994 --- The song "Rocket To The Moon" from that album was the first solo instrumental song ever to be ranked on Billboard's charts --- Four of his albums "By Heart", "Picture This", "The Gift", and "Destiny", have all sold over 500,000 copies, qualifying them as gold records in the United States --- this album will fall into place and keep Brickman's string of hits on a steady roll to success --- once again Savoy Music Group has brought into their stables of artists a champion ... Jim Brickman!
Total Time: 44 mins on 12 Tracks ~ SVJ #17615 ~ (10/03/2006)"
BEST JIM BRICKMAN EVER!
LJJ | OHIO | 01/18/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"YOU CAN TELL JIM BRICKMAN HAS A NEW RECORD LABEL AND A BIT OF A NEW SOUND. THIS CD IS GREAT. THE TITLE CUT HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A SPANISH/LATINO FLARE TO IT. AS ALWAYS HE DELIVERS SOOTHING, CALMING,MUSIC YOU CAN ESCAPE WITH. FROM THE SONGS, BARCELONA TO WINTER WALTZ TO TIMELESS, AND ENDING WITH MY ANGELS, IT IS ALL DIFFERENT PIANO SOUNDS/SONGS.NOT A TYPICAL JIM BRICKMAN CD, (AND I LOVED ALL THOSE) BUT I TRUELY APPRECIATE HIS NEW SOUND, HE HAS TRUELY GROWN AS AN ARTIST."
Absolutely beautiful!
Enlightened | 11/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It only took the first few bars of the first song, Waterfall, and I was in love with the CD. That song sets the mood for the rest of the CD and you truly do ESCAPE to a beautiful place. Jim's done it again, another beautiful CD of arrangements and songs that I will wear out on my CD player and iPod. There is only one thing better and that is getting to hear him play selections from this new CD live in concert. A fan since his first tour which I attended and was hooked for life, six weeks ago we attended one of his first concerts on this tour. He does not disappoint, it was outstanding. Anne Cochran (who I fell in love with too at their first concert together) was there singing Never Alone, recorded with Sarah Evans, one of three beautiful songs that are destined to become huge hits on the airwaves.
Escape is my new favorite CD, as are all the others, it's impossible to pick a favorite, I love them all. After 10 years, his music carries memories of times and events from the past and hearing him play the old songs too takes me right back to those places where I first heard them. Getting to hear him in concert on this tour will give special meaning to the Escape CD. If you have never heard him before, Escape is the perfect time to get to know him and his music. It won't be long before you will be collecting all his CD's.
At his concert on his first tour, when he was just starting out, the theatre was not even half filled but he put on a fantastic concert. It didn't take long before he started selling out as many concerts as he could book. For years now, he has been selling out his concerts and this was no exception. YHe has come a long way. I saw everyone from adolecents to two elderly ladies with walkers and everyone in between, flocking into the theatre with us to hear Jim in person. He truly appeals to all ages and people are instantly hooked on him and his music. It just has that affect on people. If you are lucky enough to have Jim coming to a town near you on the tour, and you can still get a ticket, don't miss it.
We are going again to our 10th concert on Dec. 28th and taking our daughter and son-in-law, a surprise. They had three of Jim's songs sung at their wedding. Now, with two small children of their own, they are going to just love Goodnight My Angel from ESCAPE, sung by Gerald Levert, a beautiful song from a parent to their child. Never Alone especially touched my heart. Jim just keeps on selecting talented singers with each new CD, introducing us to wonderful artists we might not ever have come to now otherwise.
Jim Brickman truly is America's Romantic Piano Sensation. I can't imagine my life without his music in it. I got to meet and talk to him at the last two concerts and not only does he have wonderful sense of humor, is truly a genuinly nice, personable person who cares very much about meeting and pleasing his fans. Thank you Jim for another beautiful timeless CD. Keep them coming, we just can't get enough."
ESCAPE.....It's Perfect!
Grace | Indiana | 10/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the first original CD of solo piano music in three years from Jim Brickman. And it was well worth the wait. Once again, he has managed to touch our hearts and souls with his graceful melodies. This CD does truly allow you to ESCAPE...even if only for a little while, the hectic pace of everyday life of cell phones, pagers, iPods, Blackberries, palm pilots, etc, etc, etc. From Waterfall to Hideaway to My Angel.....I can relax, soothe my soul and come back to the real world and face the day ahead of me. From the solo piano pieces to the vocal collaberations, there is something for everyone on this album. It is definately a must have."
Some of his best work yet!
April Besl | Maineville, Ohio United States | 10/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Everything I have read about the CD says that it has been three years since his last CD of original material. This has to be some of his best work of all time! He can take three year gaps between every CD if this is what is produced. :)
The best tracks are some of the first on the CD. Waterfall is the absolute best track on this CD. A beautiful melody! The guitar/piano duet is also amazing in Escape. Barcelone and Awakening are also beautiful pieces! The best vocal track on the CD is Never Alone, a duet with Sara Evans.
While I did find two of the vocal tracks to be unejoyable, but that is more an issue with the singers themselves, and not the song itself.
This truly is a wonderful example of Jim's work and a great addition to your collection. I highly recommend this CD!"