Search - Kevin Kern :: Beyond the Sundial

Another of Kevin's best....

Michael J Harrington | Phoenix, Arizona USA | 04/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like the magical CD 'In the enchanted Garden', this CD goes one step further in a lot of senses, as Kevin explores other 'moods' and 'atmospheres' on this one than the 'garden' theme of the previous effort. Is it any less? NO. However, it does display the extraordinary talent of this piano player, as he is FAR MORE that just some 'new age' pianist creating some songs about leaves....he is a talent to be reckoned with!!Overall, Kevin is one of the best impressional-istic pianists out there today - grab some of his music when you see it!!"

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

Edwin R. Carp | 08/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a big Jim Brickman fan and have all of his CDs. I was looking for something similar to his style when I ran onto Kevin Kern. I'm an instant fan! I've purchased two of CDs and want the others now also. His style is so soothing and immediately puts me at peace. I like to play his music at work or while I'm driving to keep me relaxed. His music makes me feel like all is right in the world!"

Not Quite Deja Vu

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 07/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike classical musicians and rock stars, you tend to find good new age pianists either by word of mouth or by accident. In this case, you get to benefit from my own serendipity. Kevin Kern is a likeable stylist, who, while not totally original manages to always put together a good performance. Beyond the Sundial is a typical example of Kern's sensitivity - he always manages to please, but never quite slides off into the overheated romanticism which sometimes tries to sneak by as New Age.



For some reason, Kern reminds me just a bit of Burt Bacharach - melodic and improvizational. In addition to Kern's own playing, Beyond the Sundial also features the work of Paul McCandless, on oboe and English horn. McCandless brings a polished jazzlike style all his own to the combination. Kristen's Serenade is a touching duet, where Kern and McCandless trade a theme back and forth to my great delight. Hide and Seek has a similar style with equal results.



This is one of those albums that always sound familiar. Whether this is intentional or not, I can't say. Something about some of the themes seems to recall other music, but I'm never able to pinpoint the source. In a way, it is comforting, and Kern's skill makes the issue meaningless, since, borrowed or not, what he does with the music quickly becomes his own."