Album Review – “The London Sessions”

Conversing with The Soul For Peace And Tranquility

Music is the only fitting language to converse with the soul. An inspired artist uses music as a medium to address the souls of his audience. As the harbinger of peace, inspiration, and tranquility, the power of music is unparalleled. In fact, this is the prime function among the list of objectives music has got to achieve in the listeners.  

The London Sessions: Reflections from Studio 2 is Ed Bazel’s third independent album following Bella Piano (2013) and Homecoming (2021). Through this creation, Bazel honors the music legends he always adores and everyone who supported him on his journey including his parents and piano teachers.

Bazel describes this album as “simple but elegant” and the romantic melodies of this album reflect the composer’s deeply emotional experiences at Studio 2. Through the vehicle of his music, Bazel dwells on the prolific experience of playing in an iconic studio, feeling the vibrations of some great artists who played there before him.

‘The Marco Polo of Modern Music’ is a fitting title conferred on Ed Bazel by the Los Angeles Times for his groundbreaking work in China. The Nashville, Tennessee-based artist has proudly bagged several awards including the Miller Piano Specialists Hall of Fame Award in the Instrumentalist category (2017) and their Lifetime Achievement Award this year. He is also the founder of the online radio station “The River of Calm – Music to Soothe Your Soul”, to bring calming music to relieve the world’s stress; catch the Holiday Concert live stream on December 15th featuring 7 fabulous pianists. https://www.theriverofcalm.com/events

The London Sessions: Reflections from Studio 2 is one of the most inspiring creations in music I landed a chance to review. The silky soft notes of Bazel’s piano engage in powerful interactions with our souls to inspire them with messages of love, transformation, and glorification. Now let me walk you through the different tracks of the album.

1. Morning Glory (2:18)

Mornings are always glorious in giving a fresh start to our lives. The opening track of the album ‘Morning Glory’ is a motivating composition that fills you and me with fresh energy and briskness by replicating a special dawn in sounds. Walking us through this short opus, Bazel creates the perfect setting to give us an auditory treat. 

2. Mountain Serenity (3:22)

Nature’s scenes are awe-inspiring. Especially mountains remind us of the tall purposes in front of us. Looking at the mountains, we are overwhelmed with hopes to reclaim our lives with courage and confidence. The second track is a uniquely charming composition that delivers a lofty message to accelerate the pace of our journeys in life. The chiming notes of the piano can be the perfect aid to fancy a trekking expedition.

3. In My Life (3:48)

The third track is a melodious rendition of a classic love song by the Beatles. Incidentally, this song was recorded in the same Abbey Road Studios-Studio 2-where The Beatles originally recorded it. So, ‘In My Life’ dwells on the concept of recurrence in life. During different ages and different cultural and societal settings, the same spirit runs through humanity connecting all lives in one thread.

4. Old Friends (3:02)

Old friends are real treasures in our lives. We come under the spell of an indescribable emotion while interacting with an old friend recollecting the golden moments we shared with them. The fourth track contains an element of nostalgia and bridges the gaps in time. This track impressed me for its immensely soothing effect.    

5. After The Rain (2:39)

Everything about rain is so fresh – the water from the skies, the coolness, the succor for the lives in the world – we get to feel renewed and hopeful after the rain. ‘After the Rain’ is an awe-inspiring track filling us with promises and hopes. Bazel’s piano notes for this track carry such an assurance anyone will admire.

6. Soaring (3:24)

Who does not want to fly in the wide, open sky? Soaring up in the winds is an experience we always dream of. The sixth track lifts our souls and gives them a ride in the skies right from the start. The feeling is something enormous and light. As the track progresses, we feel like soaring to higher altitudes.

7. Mountain Joy (2:59)

Being on top of a mountain looking at the world and enjoying the cool and fresh breeze is an experience we all crave for. The seventh track titled ‘Mountain Joy’ is a uniquely special composition in filling the audience with a joyous mood resulting from getting absorbed into the captivating piano notes. By the way, this is my favorite track in the album.

8. Daydream (2:41)

While nights’ dreams are forgotten soon, daydreams are reinforced into our hearts to prepare us for a worthy achievement in our lives. When we have let go of all our worries and begin to enjoy a perfect rest in body, mind, and soul, listening to this track fills us with a new purpose in our lives. The melodies have a profound psychological impact on you.  

9. Evening Stroll (2:42)

After a day’s work, evenings are a time to prepare us for the rest at the end of the day. An evening stroll gives us a chance to say thanks to all those who helped us with a great day. We consolidate the experiences we gathered during the day and enjoy the joy lingering in us. You will find this opus a highly enjoyable composition assuring tons of joy.

10. Passages (3:21)

Nothing is here to stay with us for eternity. At some point in time, we have to part with our dear ones and experiences that we enjoyed. ‘Passages’ is a skillful composition that drives home a lofty philosophy in life. When it is time to say ‘Good Bye’ to our dear one, we must have the boldness to say it with full spirit and with smiles on our lips, eyes, and heart. The whispering notes of this track are a skilled composition to match the theme.  

11. I Will Think Of You (2:38)

When the souls are connected, physical parting cannot separate friendships and special relationships in life. By being very far, it is always possible to interact with them in a meaningful way. “I will think of you” is a stirring composition that revokes powerful feelings from the bottom of our hearts.

12. Yesterday (2:40)

The concluding opus is a heart-touching melody that will consolidate all the fine emotions you and I experienced while traveling with the album. Realizing that we have come to the end of the album, we are overtaken with a mysterious kind of togetherness with the artist who championed such laudable music for us.

Take Home

Francis Bacon says, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested”. Applying this to music, we find this album belongs to the rarest category of musical creations that need to be assimilated into our beings for the enormous good they do to our souls. I strongly felt this and I am sure everyone listening to this album will share the same sentiments.

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