A sense of serenity and calm is highly valued in these stressful days and, at times, it seems so elusive as to almost be nonexistent.
Sometimes just sitting down and listening to music — even on earphones — can tether our runaway emotions and bring us to a place of refuge. That peace of mind may be best realized with instrumental music. So, with that thought in mind, here are four albums that just might fill the need. With an emphasis on solo piano by jazz pianists Brad Mehldau and Fred Hersch and new age musical pioneer Laraaji:
◼️ Brad Mehldau, "Suite: April 2020." (Nonesuch)
Jazz pianist Brad Mehldau describes his new album, which was written and recorded near his home in The Netherlands during lockdown, as "a musical snapshot of life in the last month in the world in which we've all found ourselves."
Originally released as a limited edition on vinyl in June as a fund-raiser for the Jazz Foundation of America's covid-19 Musician's Emergency Fund, "Suite: April 2020" is an album that, as Mehldau says in a news release, "reflects deep insecurities, comforting rituals and unexpected graces."
Mehldau's impressionistic compositions here are closer to contemporary classical than jazz and the album's beauty is stunning, often breathtaking. The rather plaintive, at times soulful album seems to reflect the fear and confusion many of us feel.
"Waking Up," "Stepping Outside" and "The Day Moves By" reflect day-to-day experiences that mirror our general unease mixed with a tentative hopefulness. "Remembering Before All This" and "Yearning" are direct and to the point. For "Keeping the Distance," he uses right- and left-hand dynamics to reflect the experience of social distancing.
The album closes with three well-chosen cover tunes: a lovely take on Neil Young's "Don't Let It Bring You Down," Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" and an especially poignant and lovely version of "Look for the Silver Lining" to bring the album on a hopeful, positive end.
◼️ Fred Hersch, "Songs from Home" (Palmetto, out Friday)
The elegant, gifted and inventive Fred Hersch, one of the greatest jazz pianists, recorded his new album on a laptop computer at his rural Pennsylvania home during lockdown. As with all of his best work, Hersch's new collection is loaded with heart, brimming with emotion and an exquisite beauty. That starts on the first track, a hopeful and longing take on "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," which is gentle and yearns for what the pandemic has taken away from us.
Hersch's contemplative, beautiful interpretation of Joni Mitchell's "All I Want" evokes the song's musical and emotional depth to great effect. I didn't want it to end; it is one of the very best covers of any Mitchell song. He also sparkles on a thoughtful version of the Glen Campbell hit "Wichita Lineman." An especially welcome solo version of "Sarabande," a Hersch original, is deeply heartfelt.
Perhaps the most personal tune is "West Virginia Rose," which he wrote about his grandmother and mother, and which is commingled with the folk song "The Water Is Wide." An aching performance of Duke Ellington's "Solitude" is delicate and filled with what country artists call high lonesome.
Hersch has some lighthearted, joyous moments, especially with the opening of "After You've Gone" and on the closing track, the Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four."
It's an album of glowing warmth, vividly radiant. It may well be Hersch's best ever.
◼️ Laraaji, "Sun Piano" and "Moon Piano" (All Saints Records)
Laraaji, a pioneer of New Age music, was first recorded by ambient composer/producer Brian Eno in the 1980s. He has recorded numerous albums playing zither, autoharp and gong. But his first instrument was piano, which he played in gospel, R&B and jazz settings before moving into a more meditative style.
"Sun Piano" and "Moon Piano" are the first two of a planned trilogy and were released a few months apart this year. Both were recorded in a Brooklyn church at the same sessions. There are no vocals or studio-generated effects.
These albums are deceptively unassuming; Laraaji's playing is grounded, focused and engaging. Neither album is fussy or pretentious or laden with cosmic noodling.
"Sun Piano" is warmer, livelier and earthier in its tone, with touches of jazz and gospel that add a richness to the compositions and performance. There is an undeniable, uplifting joy in this album. "This Too Shall Pass" is playful, yet imbued with a spiritual depth and resilience. His striking and original interpretation of the folk standard "Shenandoah" is sheer perfection, reflective and luminous.
"Flow Joy" has a country music vibe in its arrangement that can't help but bring a smile. The album concludes with a reflective and hopeful "Embracing Timelessness."
"Moon Piano" is more inward and minimalist with tinges of melancholy and yearning that bring it closer to a contemporary classical sensibility in its radiant calm.
The opening tune, "Prana Light," is deeply soulful and, as the title suggests, evocative of the creative energy of breath and light.
"Temple of New Light" is a bucolic balm for the spirit. "Moods and Emotions" starts as playful jazzy experience before settling into a more spiritual stance. At times, a joyous hint of Vince Guaraldi seems to manifest.
"Moon Piano" is a centering music that is tasteful and restrained, but filled with feeling; radiant in its confidence and purpose.
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