German keyboardist and composer Uwe Gronau has become a favorite musician on the new age music scene. He is most known for his incredible musicianship as a keyboardist playing piano, synthesizers and occasional Hammond B-3 organ. And he is admired for his versatility, eclecticism, progressive melodies and production capabilities. All of this and more can be heard on his new album, PARADISE PAINTING.
This might be his most upbeat album ever (lots of bass and drum kit pounding on this one)! Granted, the tune “A Passion Play” is fairly slow and laidback, and the title tune plus “Sounds Like a Smell” and “Teguise” are fairly gentle, but the rest are either fast-paced or have lots of gentle prog-rock elements including drums and roaring, grinding guitars and keyboards. This music is like a fresh, exciting, energetic wind blowing out of Europe.
The excitement starts with the keyboard soloing (mostly synth sounds but occasional piano such as on “Carpe Diem” and organ on “New Day”) but you get an additional occasional jolt from the electric guitar and its rhythmic grinding or powerful soloing (“Diving Into the Deep,” “Prophecy” and the title piece). Plus occasionally both keys and guitar cut loose together (the dynamic up-and-down “Sister” which has a crowd at a party cheering at the three-minute mark, and I felt like cheering too!).
Are you one these people who are always complaining that there is nothing new in music and that everything you hear all seems to sound the same or a bit stale? That is because you have not been listening to Uwe Gronau. He will wake you up to the possibilities of modern instrumental music with all of its exciting variations, tangents and mutable off-shoots. Shine on, you crazy diamond.
This might be his most upbeat album ever (lots of bass and drum kit pounding on this one)! Granted, the tune “A Passion Play” is fairly slow and laidback, and the title tune plus “Sounds Like a Smell” and “Teguise” are fairly gentle, but the rest are either fast-paced or have lots of gentle prog-rock elements including drums and roaring, grinding guitars and keyboards. This music is like a fresh, exciting, energetic wind blowing out of Europe.
The excitement starts with the keyboard soloing (mostly synth sounds but occasional piano such as on “Carpe Diem” and organ on “New Day”) but you get an additional occasional jolt from the electric guitar and its rhythmic grinding or powerful soloing (“Diving Into the Deep,” “Prophecy” and the title piece). Plus occasionally both keys and guitar cut loose together (the dynamic up-and-down “Sister” which has a crowd at a party cheering at the three-minute mark, and I felt like cheering too!).
Are you one these people who are always complaining that there is nothing new in music and that everything you hear all seems to sound the same or a bit stale? That is because you have not been listening to Uwe Gronau. He will wake you up to the possibilities of modern instrumental music with all of its exciting variations, tangents and mutable off-shoots. Shine on, you crazy diamond.
