Search - Lyle Mays :: Solo Improvisations for Expanded Piano

Mays hits a Home Run!

David J. Engel | Bethesda, MD USA | 06/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been wondering when I was going to hear Lyle Mays and his beautiful brand of music again. It has been quite a while since he's created music of his own. It appears he his been "wood shedding". The results are very nice. Solo Improvisations For Extended Piano paints impressionistic scenes with Lyle's acoustic and electric sounds. Sounds that may remind you of his earlier solo works as well as his strong influence in The Pat Metheny Group. I have always been fond of his playing. Having listened to him for the last 25 or 30 years! I do not think that anyone familiar with his aesthetic will be disappointed by this CD. I am hoping to hear from Lyle again and again."

Lyle's World

F. Simon | Anytown, USA | 09/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe "Solo Improvisations For Expanded Piano" by Lyle Mays to be nothing short of a ground breaking masterpiece, and each time I listen the plot thickens.What has really delighted me is Lyle's concept of orchestration: there are no overt references to conventional orchestral instruments -- all sounds are organically tied to the sound of the piano (in fact, the very notes of the orchestration are entirely derived from the notes of his original improvisations). All synth sounds, and the processed sampled "prepared" piano sounds (not in the sense of John Cage's prepared piano, but sometimes referring to Henry Cowell's string scrapes and reverberant clouds) seem to emanate from the initial piano performance. Often the synth sounds are extensions of the sustained piano notes, functioning as "pitched reverb." To be sure, this is territory Lyle has been exploring for years, but "Solo" represents a pinnacle of accomplishment.Of course, none of this sonic palette would mean much if the initial piano performances weren't so magnificent. These are truly improvised compositions, with all the organic and cohesive formal integrity that good composition should have, and with deep melodic and harmonic inspiration.Listening again last night it occurred to me that the title "Solo" can be taken two ways: obviously it was all done by one person, it's a solo performance, but also in that the resultant composite sound really is a singular voice, one instrument: the "expanded" piano.This is such an apt description, because the synths/samples do not comprise a second discreet voice playing material other than what was played on the original piano track -- all counterlines, inner voices, etc. are born of the original piano performance -- and these sounds realize the implications of the sonic possibilities of that performance like sunlight glinting on water or the play of the aurora borealis. The piano has been expanded.I hope people realize the depth and significance of Lyle's achievement, because I really think it's monumental. Lyle is such an essential element of the Pat Metheny Group world; in fact, there would be no PMG as we know it without Lyle.This is Lyle's world, and it's profound."

At long last.... Across the Expanse... Lyle's voice is heard

NDBx | New York, NY United States | 07/10/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A beautiful album. Subtle, atmospheric, introspetive. This one is for the headphones, folks. Lyle's subtle use of electronics embellishes each piece in such a way that if you are across the room you'll feel it but might not hear it. Not as rhythmic or propulsive as his earlier releases but as rich as his first and 3rd releases. This one is (Bill)"Evanesque" in approach. This one you will play through from beginning to end. Each piece different seamlessly segues to the next piece. This recording's good points won't hit you all at once, Lyle's a storyteller this time, so listen closely, it is an intriguing story."