Reviews
Four Steps to the Ocean
Leaving behind the solo piano motif of 2009’s Two Views, Wayne Gratz once again shows why he has few peers at integrating subtle keyboards—both orchestral strings and ambient textures—with his gentle, flowing piano melodies on Four Steps to the Ocean. Gratz excels at composing and playing music that combines the warm, unforced friendliness of New Age with the accessibility and tunefulness of pop. Four Steps to the Ocean shows him concentrating more than usual on instilling a mood of solemnity, peace, and subtle, sad remembrance. Like a walk along an ocean beach, listening to this excellent CD is relaxing and introspective in the utmost sense.
Bill Binkelman
New Age Retailer
Two Views
The term ‘prolific’ would certainly seem to apply to multi-talented pianist Wayne Gratz, but the Seattle-based composer never sacrifices quality over quantity. Barely a year after the Piano-Heaven award-winning CD, ‘Light, Lands and Shoreline’ became available, Wayne has delivered the goods again with the release of his fifth independent CD- ‘Two Views’.
In the linear notes, Wayne explains that the title derives from the curious idea that in our younger days we look forward to the future and, at a certain point, that changes to looking back at the past. As Wayne himself says, "I often find myself pondering the two points of view."
It is the title track that opens the CD, and what a beautiful start to what amounts to a tremendous hour or so of music. Wayne's hopes for the future / reflections of the past are certainly positive, and this is a spirited piece from the heart.
Read
the full Review
~ ~Stephen Cairns - Piano Heaven
I have been a big fan of Wayne Gratz’s music since his first release on Narada back in 1987, and I believe that his newest release, “Two Views,” is my favorite. All fifteen piano solos are soft-spoken and understated - a soulful pianist doing what he does best. The title refers to the idea that as children growing up, we spent a lot of time imagining what our lives would be like in the future, while as adults, we probably spend at least as much time looking back and reliving past experiences in our minds. With those themes in mind, some of the music has a light, childlike innocence and some is more pensive and reflective - all of it is soothing, graceful and beautiful!
Read
the full Review
~ ~ Kathy Parsons -Mainly Piano
Light, Lands and Shoreline
Inspired
by the popular paintings of Thomas Kinkade, Light
Lands and Shoreline’s fifteen tracks feature a mixture
of solo piano pieces and songs on which Gratz displays
his usual considerable skill in applying tasteful electronic
textures and accompaniments.
Read
the full Review
~~Bill Binkelman - New Age Reporter
Wayne Gratz has been one of my favorite
pianists over the years, so it was with great excitement
that I inserted his latest offering, the curiously titled
"Light Lands and Shorelines" into my CD player.
What followed was an hour of bliss, and I quickly remembered
why I admired this musician so much...
Wayne's new work was specially commissioned to provide
the accompanying soundtrack for the paintings of Thomas
Kinkade, "Painter of Light”. Kinkade is apparently
America's most collected living artist, and a visit
to his site shows that he is indeed a very talented
painter. It is little wonder then, that these two masters
of their trade should end up working together, and the
end result is a match made in heaven.
Read
the full Review
~ ~Stephen Cairns - Piano Heaven
A
Place Without Noise
An affecting pianist-composer long deserving of broader
recognition, Wayne Gratz continues to specialize in
stately, reflective expressions of the soul... A Place
Without Noise is, as the title suggests, a solid choice
to augment your quiet moments.
~ ~ Terry Wood (Amazon.com Editorial
Reviews)
As
he's done the last 3 CD's, this one is perfect! Beautiful
and warm all over, this is a perfect CD for a crazy
world.
~ ~ Eric Brown - Woodland Hills,
CA
Wayne
Gratz has always been a master of understated piano
compositions, and "A Place Without Noise",
his seventh collection of original piano solos for Narada,
is perhaps his most peaceful and introspective album
yet...Very highly recommended!
~
~ Kathy Parsons - Mainly Piano
All
of the compositions on A PLACE WITHOUT NOISE are designed
to soothe and settle, rather than stir... His understated
playing and instantly memorable melodies are easy on
the ear and the soul. You need at least one of his discs.
~ ~ Joe Hartlaub - music-reviewer.com
A
Gift of the Sea
If ever there was music of the gods, this is it.
Pianist Wayne Gratz's fifth album, "A
Gift of the Sea" is majestic music inspired
by the ever-changing moods of the ocean.
~ ~ Ken Moore, Staff Writer
Naples Daily News January 24, 1997
Island
Sanctuary
from
Wind and Wire, Issue 12
I would call this Wayne Gratz's best album to date!
A master of turning a simple musical phrase into a meaningful
and poignant message, this gentle masterpiece was inspired
by the beauty of Merritt Island in Florida, near Wayne's
home outside of Orlando.
~ ~ Kathy Parsons - Mainly piano
Wayne
Gratz's 1999 album Island Sanctuary showcases his uplifting,
eloquent contemporary piano stylings in a collection
of compositions that transport the listener to a tropical
paradise. Island Sancutary features solo piano pieces
as well as songs for intimate ensembles, always keeping
Gratz's nature influences prominent in the sound and
feel of the album. The composer's inspiration this time
is Florida's Merritt Island, a haven for tropical wildlife.
The gentle but powerful pieces on this album recharge
the ears and the spirit.
~ ~Heather Phares - AllMusicGuide.com
Gratz's
presence on the Narada roster gave him substantial equity
in terms of name recognition, helping him become one
of the more recognized and best-selling artists working
within his niche...
Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
His
compositions gracefully blend classical and rock elements
for a middle ground that never compromises it's spirit.
Billboard Magazine