Purple Silhouette By James Michael Stevens

 

Purple Silhouette

By

James Michael Stevens

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The legend that is James Michael Stevens is back with another album, and gifted to this wonderful world is one of his most beautiful yet entitled, Purple Silhouette, each track is a painting in his own art gallery of tone and timbre, in what I honestly can say is probably one of his best works as of yet.

This cornucopia of piano delights is 10 songs of some of the most soothing there are in this genre, and it all starts with the textured reverie of the title track Purple Silhouette, a tender presentation packed with colour, tenderness and compassion in what is a stunningly graphic opening.

The recurrent theme within this second piece is performed with a slow, but exact precision, this repeated rhythmically delightful melodic offering would also make a great lyrical theme for a song perhaps, but on its own it stands proudly and beautifully and called Rondo Amore.

Much can be said for this composition as well entitled Beautiful Prelude, this is a creative arrangement that flows like a stream in late Autumn, one that is still full of hope, and one that brings forth elements of memory and reflection, this would be one of my personal favourites from this release.

When Poppies Bloom Again has to be one of the prettiest compositions on solo piano I have heard for ages, its delicate use of minor and major refrains truly make this a memorable arrangement, it tender structures are indeed what James is known for, but this piece goes even further manifesting a heart-warming arrangement of great hope into the weave of the offering as too.

I was so pleased to see this one up next as we have a Cherry Blossom Prelude right here now on our streets, everything is bursting into colour, however James has gone much farther east than us here in Cyprus, and a true Eastern motif can be both heard and felt.

I adore watching the night sky, and of course our dear and wonderful lunar celestial object, here on Blue Moon Lullaby we have something that is utterly idyllic and also quite haunting, the astral qualities are here yes, but they are neatly juxtaposed with a memory palace of reflection that is almost spectral in its deeper essences.

It’s time for a dance, in fact it is time for a Snow Dream Waltz, this is yet another slice of perfection from the pianist, how could one not see two people skating together on an iced lake in late January to this one, the theme is happy, the movement is blessed with a sumptuous performance by the artist.

A horse of a different colour is about to arrive and called Shadow Soliloquy, this has to be one of the most crafted and artistic endeavours from the album, the repeated minor motif makes the base of the composition, whilst Stevens tranquil repose of the construction of notes is so beautifully formed, that it seems to melt into the shadows of the piece itself quite evocatively in a very poignant way indeed.

We have each night the opportunity to walk about 10 minutes to our local beach and watch the sunset on one of the most beautiful horizons in the world, so this offering, this penultimate track off the release has a little something special inside for us here and Midnight Shore is indeed a gift and a blessing that keeps on giving, a song impossible to ever tire of.

Concluding an album can sometimes be one of the hardest things to do, but not for James, he gifts us one last musical present that tucks us up in bed and pulls the covers upwards to keep us warm, and this hug of a track is called Go In Peace, a more tranquil creation you will not find to end a solo piano based album.

Purple Silhouette by James Michael Stevens is one in a very long line of releases by the artist, but I am beginning to think this could be his best thus far, each track is melodious, thoughtful, soothing and meaningful, this is true art in the making, and as such I can be left in no doubt that a huge chart hit could well be on the way for the pianist, with Purple Silhouette, he certainly deserves it.