Video sneak preview for my upcoming jazz trio show in Monterey, California!
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Creative collaborators include:
Eddie Gale (trumpeter/composer), Alex Yeung (guitarist), Andre Custodio (drummer), Marco Salsiccia (filmmaker/keyboardist), Dante James (drummer), Eric Marshall (bassist), Kristjan Bondesson (bassist), Bill Noertker (bassist), Carla Kaufman (bassist), Mark Izu (bassist), Carter Tomassi (film editor/photographer), Wallace Keller (illustrator/animation designer), Rizza San Agustin (photographer), among others.
Influences
McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Thelonius Monk, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Danilo Perez, Kenny Werner, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Samuel Barber, Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, Brian Eno, Radiohead, Juana Molina, Explosions in the Sky, k.d. lang, Sigur Ros, E.S.T, Avishai Cohen, Cecil Taylor, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Patricia Barber, Jessica Williams, Maria Schneider
Sounds Like
Keith Jarrett, Keiko Matsui, Ludovico Einaudi, Michael Nyman, Clint Mansell
Performance of "Vortices" at the Ico Gallery, New York, NY
Magical music video created by Marco Salsiccia for the piece "Circular Dreaming"
Review of "Meridians" from NeuFutur Magazine
http://neufutur.com/?p=5002
Oct. 11, 2008
Valerie Mih – Meridians
The titular track starts off Meridians, and despite the fact that the piano is the key element to the track, the addition of atmospheric elements to the track is what makes the composition into something spectacular. Mih does not need anything in the way of vocals to tell a narrative, ensuring that listeners are taken for a journey throughout each of Meridians 9 tracks. The types of genres and styles that Mih approaches during this CD is impressive, moving from atmospheric to a Tori Amos meets Ani DiFranco type of approach within the space of two tracks.
The more complex arrangements that are presented to listeners during “Flow” further expands the range of Meridians; rather than have any idea where Mih will go in the tracks to follow, listeners have to wonder where exactly Mih will take them. It is this sense of whimsy and wonder that fuels Meridians with the energy that it needs to keep listeners focused in on this disc. “Saturn’s Rings” is a slower, more deliberate track than anything that had previously been heard on Meridians. It is this slow and deliberate style that sets the track as a diametric opposite to “Flow”. Despite the differences that the two tracks may have, there is a common thread that unites the two songs (and by extension, the entirety of tracks on Meridians: for the nine cuts here, there is a complexity that requires listeners to focus into Meridians and dissect the disc.
“Autumn” really acts as the uniting track between the poles of slow and deliberate and quick and intense: with this track, the two distinct styles previously heard during Meridians come forth and play, interacting with each other in a track that is perhaps the best on the disc. Mih may have debuted last year with her Sacred Sound, but the compositions that are commonplace on Meridians sound as if they were composed by someone that has been releasing albums for decades. There is a tremendous amount of possibility for Mih in the years to come, and I believe that she has shown listeners a brilliant glimpse of what is to come through the whole of “Meridians”. Make it a point to pick up Meridians, see Mih at any places that she may be performing, and get in on the ground floor.
Top Tracks: Sacred Sound, Circular Dreaming
Valerie Mih – Meridians / 2008 / 9 Tracks / Available for download on iTunes, Amazon.com, CD Baby and Earthsong Online
Meridians is now available for download on this page (Myspace store above), and on iTunes and Amazon.com! (Click the links or search for "Valerie Mih" to locate the album).
About Meridians
This is pianist Valerie Mih's second release and, put simply, Meridians is one of the standout piano recordings of 2008. With how many CDs in that genre see the light of day yearly, that's a strong statement. Beyond her musical artistry, Mih also distinguishes herself by her interesting choice of accordion as one of the primary accompanying instruments ..ed songs, e.g. the opening title track. You probably can't imagine how an accordion can be integrated into a somber and slightly melancholic piano number and have it come across as not just appropriate but wholly unpretentious and not the least bit precious, yet Mih carries this feat off with ease. As the accordion is folded gently in over the piano refrain (as well as the artist's haunting wordless vocals and sparse application of synth bell tones), the overall evocation for me was of walking through Paris at night, a light mist falling, and my mind recalling what it was like to be in love the last time I visited there. Yeah, it's that strong a feeling for me.
Throughout Meridians, Mih displays her affinity for her dual background in improvisational jazz as well as classical piano. This music is more complex than standard new age piano usually is, yet should still prove accessible for your "average fan." There is a rare depth, both an emotional underpinning and a richer aspect to the artist's actual talent and technique, at work here, regardless of the tone or mood of any particular track. On the emotional resonance scale, I'd place the CD somewhere between "reflective" and "moody" with occasional bouts of energy tied to less cheerful emotions. The quick tempo on Flow conveys the titular reference of water coursing over a river bed, but couched in minor key notes, especially in the lower register. Little One has a playful element to it, but once again with a notably less "happy" subtext. Interwoven, yet another "fast" piece, carries a strong classical influence, featuring delicate interplay between a repeated circular refrain and passionate soloing, with Mih displaying exceptional technique at her piano's upper register. She avoids sounding shrill which many other artists fall victim to when they reach this high. The textural synths in the background lend a layer of gravitas and a cinematic feel. The effect of all these components on the track is of one being in a hurry, racing against time toward some goal, either literally or figuratively, and feeling sorely pressed by some possible consequence.
Things slow down considerably on the impressionistic/minimalist piece Saturn's Rings which again features accordion, this time in a sparser and less specifically evocative fashion, instead fleshing out the piano indirectly. Bass synth beats are dropped in here and there, another nice touch that! Autumn has Mih going to the piano's lower register for dramatic "oomph" while the track's main "melody" (which sometimes hints at dissonance in a pleasant way) is carried by her middle and upper register playing. Wordless vocals and accordion are once again part of the picture on the closing Circular Dreaming, a great closing number that balances warm beauty with gentle melancholy all within a moderately slow time signature.
I'd like to make a comparative statement about Valerie Mih for the sake of readers who need such a thing, i.e. "her music sounds like so-and-so" but Mih is an original, presenting a fresh and unique (but always inviting) musical vision on Meridians. For clarification's sake, I can state that her playing is more in the impressionist arena than it is a structured/new age "pop" approach, if that's any help. However, both her compositions themselves and her creative use of the other instruments present on the CD are what mark her as someone apart from the norm. She is definitely someone to pick up on if you want to hear one of the rising stars in this genre. Highly recommended.
- reviewed by Bill Binkelman on 1/7/2009 for New Age Reporter
Meridians is now available for download on this page (Myspace store above), and on iTunes and Amazon.com. And, physical CDs can be ordered at
CDBaby.com
Valerie's debut CD, "Sacred Sound," was released in early 2007 and is available for download on .
'When a wise scholar hears the Tao He practises it diligently. When a mediocre scholar hears the Tao He waves between belief and disbelief. When a worthless scholar hears the Tao He laughs boisterously (and foolishly) at its wisdom.' - Tao Te Jing by Lao Tsu
I am happy to be continued with you one more again
In past I published an eBook, there have written 25 german authors their poems on my paintings. If you like to take a look on it you can check out it on my Blog.
”Walking Through” the door of perception where all is “One” and there exists the realization that God is sitting in the temple of every human body. Some are aware and have reverence, love, and compassion for each living soul as such but many are unaware of the Divine sitting at the throne within ones own consciousness. Such a total realization would end the egos state of separation responsible for war, pain, and suffering.
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sometimes we need to stop analyzing the past .. stop planning the future .. stop trying to figure out precisely how we feel .. stop deciding with our mind what we want our heart to feel and sometimes we just have to go with "whatever..happens..happens"
CeLeBrAtE
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