4NYC

This amazing CD uncovers more Jordan's improvisation, and passion. This CD was recorded partially live. Moreover, this concert was entirely improvised, and has held to raise money for the deplorable occurance on september 11, 2001. Aparantely Jordan and his wife Danielle, put together a small concert days after the depressing time. So, Jordan needed to unleas his musical self by improvising an entire concert. However, some of the CD is studio recording. Even moments before the show began, one of Jordan's daughter's asked him to perform "Mary had a Little Lamb". So, again Jordan creates magnificent improvisational CD.

Jordan on Improv. A very decent, and not easily found, disk. Rather understated, but yet very personal, the tracks recorded at the Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center were laid down only 13 days after the September 11th attacks. There is a undelying sense of woundedness and what it seems Jordan had hoped to do was to acknowledge our pain, but at the same time to raise spirits.

The CD opens with "My Thoughts" and it sets the tone for the album. Vaguely suggestive of Kieth Jarrett's "Köln Concert," it moves through jazzy improv themes to bring the listener out of his/her funky & fearful space and into a place more peaceful and secure.

"Lamb Chops," the fifth track, includes phrasing from the children's song "Mary had a Little Lamb," as the review by sanmancky made reference to. It starts off tenderly and grows into a mature piece of music before stepping into a joking bit of ragtime, then passes through a few more variants, including an arpeggio rendition unlike anything you'll ever hear.

The track, "Within" is a studio improv. What sounds like a harp is, presumably, Jordan on keyboards. The work is convicing, reminiscent of Paul Halley's Pianoworks improv compositions. The theme has to be healing, as this tune caresses with gentle phrasing and sonic richness.

"One Voice" uses synth choirs, but Jordan, here, masterfully draws out the composition. Its one of the live recordings. As I close my eyes and listen, I can't help but be haunted by nameless faces of Americans as they are pained by the loss of so many lives in NYC, Washington and on United flight 93. "One Voice" is about the inner spirit of perseverence amidst tragedy. At least that is how it hits me.

There are thirteen tracks on the CD and those I've highlighted offer a sense of what this album is all about. Its not prog rock in the traditional sense. It is more of an instrumental-keyboard-fusion of styles and contexts. It is the perfect recording to put on after a hard, painful or difficult day. I'd have to say the album is magical in that Jordan communicates so clearly his own dismay over those recent events, and yet the strength of his hope is also contained in these improv compositions.

Masterpiece? Very close. Magical and healing - 4.5 stars

I have only known Jordan after he joined Dream Theater at "Scene From a Memory" album. Through that I album I then admire how fantastic his keyboard work is. With his acrobatic and pulsating keyboard work throughout songs like "Fatal Tragedy" or "Home" I could conclude that he is truly a virtuoso. It made me very happy because there was a successor of Rick Wakeman (Yes) in prog world. So, I always compare Jordan's work against Rick Wakeman.

When I got this solo album by Jordan Rudess, I finally compared it with the solo work of Rick Wakeman especially with the kind of "The Six Wives of Henry VIII". But when I spun this album for the first time, I found that the music was basically a live solo using piano. So I clicked to the album by Rick Wakeman (Piano Live) couple of years ago. So then I compare this "4NYC" with Rick Wakeman "The Piano Album - Live" which I have already reviewed at this site with four stars (excellent) rating.

This album does not demonstrate any virtuosity of Jordan in playing piano to the fullest. I know that he can perform better and he has proved it through his contribution to Dream Theater album since "Scenes From a Memory". But as far as this album concern, everything turns into mellow and in some cases make me bored because I lost my patience. There is no acrobatic work with respect to his virtuosity. It sounds like a classical piano music presented here. It's far away from my expectation, especially when it's compared with Rick Wakeman "The Piano Album - Live".

Overall, this album is suitable for collectors / fans only.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW