Memories of You by David M. Edwards

 

Memories of You

By

David M. Edwards

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I remember all too well the release of Edwards last release entitled Still the River Flows, I remember the art work, the tones of reflective intelligence, and the calm and serenity it brought me, well 6 years has passed, and David has had to battle through various health issues of a serious nature, but back he most certainly is, and with one of the finest solo piano albums of the moment called, Memories of You.

David M. Edwards is a pianist that brings to the fore, cultured and colourful musical narratives for us to enjoy and remember fondly in years to come, on the first offering called Saturday Morning, we have a thoughtful postulation of that usually happy day, I have always loved Saturdays and this composition feels like a musical testimony to that very day.

The narratives flow fast and strong on this album, this gift is one of glee and joy, watching and being in the moment as we listen intently to Swallows in Flight. There is nothing quite as beautiful as watching these birds swoop at fast pace to capture insects, the repeating mantra here is so redolent of the subject matter.

However on this album I was gifted one of the most amazing compositions I have heard for decades, and called Melancholy Mood. Obviously I was expecting minor motifs and reflective nuances, but in my view Edwards brought his “A” game on this stunning piece, and manifested a mood that was so emotively powerful and all consuming, for me, this is solo piano at its very apex.

Now, we have three main mountains ranges on my small Island country, two of them are accessible to me, and both I simply love to visit, it fills me with such joy and happiness, and this is exactly where this delightfully cheer filled creation called The Mountains Were Calling takes me, it’s simply blissful.

Pale Blue Dot is a true soothing narrative, one that embraces our lush globe. This big planet is of course in an even bigger cosmos, and I listened to this a few times and was struck by the incredible fluency of the track, it was almost like listening to the tide come in and out, whilst on the track that follows entitled Aspen Leaf Waltz, we have a veritable dance with one of the aspects of our most beautiful world.

Then at the half way juncture the mood changes and the pace picks up on the composition Tempest. The song it undeniably brilliant in its artistic arrangement, full of power, but also it contains a capricious nature, one is never quite sure what is going to happen next, but that’s the way of a raging storm isn’t it, and here Edwards has nailed it.

This album itself is 15 tracks in duration, and upon it you will find musical influences of so many styles texture and timbres, for example the peace filled refrains of a new age piano classic entitled The Way You Smile, or the radiant beauty of Canopy of Stars, I still remember as a child laying on top of the roof of my fathers shed in the middle of the night and star gazing, this piece could have been a soundtrack for the event.

The album even has a couple of short form pieces that are so enchanting in their construction, and of course I am referring to the offerings Come Take My Hand, a gentle heart-warming creation, and Lovely Lady, a title that reminds me how lucky I am to have my wife, how grateful I am, and this composition seems to pour that out upon the carpet of our lives for us to walk in with pleasure.

There is nothing to dislike about A Walk in the Park, here Edwards has manifested a spring like reverie, one played with hope happiness and pleasure, and the chord structures here are like the sunbeams that cascade down through the branches of the trees, to bring warmth and contentment to each and every one of us.

Please check the album art before playing this next creation called Rainbow in the Mist; it will give you a graphic that will literally take you on a journey with the music, this vast range of tonal colour is another of my personal favourites of the album, it’s reflective but loving tones take me on a voyage into nature, just to once again be in the moment on a track that creates a sanctuary of sound and soul for us all.

The penultimate piece from the album is also the shortest at just over 2 and a half minutes in duration and called Memories of You. This is what I like to call a creation from a memory palace of many moods and feelings, this has to be one of the most charming solo piano pieces I have heard at the latter half of the album.

Now I live on an island that has Dolphins, I have yet to see them yet, but I hold out strong hopes I will, perhaps I should add this parting gift of a musical narrative to a playlist marked in search of Dolphins, until that day arrives I can do so vicariously through this creative and artistic concluding composition called Dolphins Swimming Underwater by the pianist.

Memories of You by David M. Edwards is a return to the world of solo piano for the artist and composer, and what a stunning one it is too, it is a release that has everything, passion, emotion, reflection, and colourful textures in a tapestry of utter delight. If I were to be asked to name one truly exquisite solo piano album from 2025, without hesitation I would point directly at Memories of You by David M. Edwards, it is without doubt an absolute gem of a release, and one everyone should have in their collections.