Birdsongs
Planet Arts, 2018
8/10
Diane Moser has made quite a name for herself in her 2 decade long career, and here the pianist and composer takes her life long interest in birds and pens an album that was actually made with bird sounds outside of Moser’s studio as they would interact with her playing.
After the string, arco bass and flute heavy “Birdsongs For Eric” opens the graceful affair, “Hello” flows with light keys and plenty of atmosphere as bandmates Anton Denner and Ken Filiano contribute their sublime expertise.
Elsewhere, “If You Call Me, Then I’ll Call You”, a tune about the American Robin, glides with a charming playfulness amid flute acrobatics and skilled keys, while “Won’t You Come Out To Play” brings a cinematic quality with a bluesy delivery in one of the album’s best.
Late in the disc, “Variations On ‘A Hermit At Eve’” really puts Moser’s piano prowess on display as the tune shifts into Latin sensibilities, and “When Birds Dream” ends the listen calm and bare, with an emotive aspect to a very soulful delivery.
A very nature-esque angle of flourishing jazz sounds, Moser wanted this listen to instill positively while feeling refreshed, and she certainly succeeded in spades with Birdsongs.
Travels well with: Paul English- Girl In Green; Anne Neikirk- Spring Shadows