News and reviewsPress and customer comments, Dream with Me (December 20, 2009)
Nicola Pennill, saxophones
Alistair Parnell, piano and electronic instruments
Dreamy, contemporary music for saxophone
Reviews
"...Impressive launch for her CD label...the dream concept provides a coherence for a wide variety of material, and John Adams' Consuelo's Dream is an excellent choice as opening track, with EWI accompaniment generating an appropriately wistful and other-worldly atmosphere. The theme is explicitly continued in the CD's title track Dream with Me by Leonard Bernstein, its romanticism given full voice by Nicola on baritone. A well-played baritone can be the most expressive of the saxophone family, and it is the case here, Jan Sandstrom's Sang till Lotta where it seems to reveal another, underlying theme which emerges as yearning, sweet melancholy and even loss.
...Thoughtful programming means that the album has a compelling momentum despite its wistful character...whichever saxophone Nicola is playing she does so with fine control and unobtrusive vibrato...there is a great deal for saxophonists and others to reflect on and enjoy in this accessible and imaginative album."
Clarinet and Saxophone Magazine, Winter 2009
"Wow, what a terrific recording! The playing is superbly controlled throughout on all instruments and tuning is first-class."
James Rae, composer and saxophonist
"Fabulous! ...such a beautiful selection of pieces, and the playing is even more beautiful."
Amy Dickson, international saxophonist and recording artist
Some customer comments...
"..... marvellous debut solo album...although there is a clear theme, there is a delightful variety to the tracks she has chosen...Nicola displays equal mastery of her instrument and the listener's emotions"
"Lovely choice of programme, and played wonderfully throughout. You're an amazing player, it's a fantastic achievement and you must be very, very pleased with the end result! Big big BIG congratulations!"
"The selection of pieces is exceptional and the executions phenomenal."
"Love the CD, what a great collection of pieces and a fantastic sound you produce."
"Have just listened to your cd - again - it`s just lovely ! I've been carried away. Such a good combination of pieces all impeccably played ...a great bit of work you should be proud of youself."
"I listened to your Cd on the way home and think it is really excellent; one of the best £10's I've ever spent! Your control and warmth of sound is a pleasure to listen to and you convey the moods very well."
"Many thanks for sending me your lovely new CD. I like your selection of music and it all fits together and you and Alistair have done a great job - Congratulations."
"I really liked it very much...pieces work brilliantly. Tasteful arrangement, tasteful playing from you both. Excellent."
"The beautiful playing will give lots of pleasure."
"Dreaming With You! It's fab, I absolutely love it! ...A really imaginative and varied collection of pieces all beautfully interpreted!"
"I had the luxury of being able to listen to your album without any distractions at the weekend!It was a real treat. I felt all the pieces were perfectly chosen to all merge seamlessly into one.It gave me a real sensation of "soaring" which is a great musical feeling when it happens.(especially on "Bennachie"). I really like "Consuelo's dream" as it seemed to be multi layered and full of different textures. "She moved through the fair" was very plaintive and full of feeling. It's very good for calming the spirit!"
"I have played your CD and was amazed at the versatility of the saxophone. There are some very unusual pieces and after hearing it the second time it became much clearer as which were going to become my favorites. The piano and sax blend very well, and are played with great sensitivity and expertise. A beautiful collection, good for dreaming!"
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