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The Sounding Board by R J Lannan |
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RJ Lannan is the reviewer for The Sounding Board. |
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| Turbulent Grace |
| By Justin Taber |
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| Released 6/1/2012 |
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| Turbulent Grace tracks |
1. See It in Your Eyes
2. Going New Places
3. Turbulent Grace
4. Serrated Stairs
5. What Could Have Been
6. The Constancy
7. Crystal Clock
8. The Reach
9. Through It All
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10. Resilience
11. First Revolution
12. Ani's Theme
13. Last Lullaby
14. Pendulum
15. Royal Beauty Bright
16. Until the Last Wave Breaks
17. Coalescence
18. Over Oceans
19. An Unexpected Life
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Feel The Colors |
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Justin Taber is a talented engineer that designs miraculous little devices to help in the cause of spinal surgery. It is a vocation that requires great delicacy and concentration. As a solo piano artist, you can tell that Justin is good with his hands. His keyboarding is at times, dazzling, thoughtful, and impassioned. Taber is a synesthete, a person with the ability to feel music as color. Not a bad thing for a musician as there seems to be quite a palette to his music. Turbulent Grace, his album with 19 generous tracks, is all of that and more. At first I thought the title an oxymoron, but no, it made sense. Sometimes the gift of grace can be a difficult pursuit, even if it is unintentional. It is something that is prayed for and can be given by man and God. Each kind is invaluable. Justin's music is contemporary instrumental works with a touch of old timey audio vignettes here and there. I think I hear a page or two from the Jim Brickman School in his music, again, not a bad thing.
The album opens with a heartfelt song called See It In Your Eyes. Nothing reflects emotion like a person's eyes and Justin has gazed deep into the eyes of another to transform all the there is to be seen into a musical interlude. The story is one of encounter, longing and finally, discovery. The title track Turbulent Grace had many facets to it as a musical gem. Like any rare jewel, it is first encrusted in dust and dirt and perhaps buried for a long, long time. Then it is unearthed, polished, refined and rendered invaluable. The same could be said for a life as well.
What Could Have Been is a tune symbolizing the loss of a future full of promise. At times the tune is full of unabashed emotion and at other times it is an expanding gyre of sadness. There could have been a life together, a family and love that would endure. But, no more. The tune Resilience had a mild classical base that flowed into a contemporary ballad. It had a bold, lower register bass and a Spanish flavor to it that gave it solid substance. It was as if Justin was saying, "Go ahead world, I can take it."
Until The Last Wave Breaks is a very long time and a very big promise. The song has a sense of urgency to it. The music must make a point as soon as it can to emphasize the resolve of the player. The strong melody carves the words into stone.
An Unexpected Life is my favorite on the album. Something about the melody appealed to me personally as if Justin knew that my careers changed many times in the recent past. This was my soundtrack. The tune was serious at times, but eventually expanded into a more light hearted sound. I am sure that anyone hearing this song would get retrospective, and then the "what ifs?" would start creeping in.
This is my first experience with Justin Taber's music. Overall I liked all the tunes. There is a serious timbre to the music and there is certainly a time for seriousness. He has a firm grasp on contemporary music. I would to hear more and find out what he can do with a little more lightheartedness. |
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Rating: Good +  |
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- reviewed by RJ Lannan on 9/14/2012 |
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