Beautiful in My Eyes - piano solos
KEN KAUFMAN
I really enjoyed this wonderful album that exceeded my expectations. Some
instrumental CDs can start to sound boring after 5 or 6 songs...sometimes
even after 2 or 3. 'Beautiful in My Eyes' delivered 15 tracks of varied
music that went from Broadway, to movie theme, to jazz, to Latin--plus a
whole lot more. Some tracks like #10 actually incorporate 2 or 3 tunes in a
sort of medley. Here "Sentimental Reasons" "Tenderly" and "Autumn Leaves"
are presented well.
From the opening cut "Have I Told You Lately" to a "Gershwin Medley" [#8],
to the lovely "Emily" all the way to his closing title track, the project
delivers lovely piano tones and sounds, a very balanced mix of styles and
moods, all set in a nice production. Mr. Kaufman is the organist for the
Buffalo SABRES hockey team, but he can play any genre.
This is an album that I recommend. The music is lovely, touching, moving,
fun in places, and most of all--very listenable and accessible. A great
project...truly a great listen.
Copyright 2007 A. Canales eyeear7@Hotmail.com
The CRITICAL REVIEW Service
PO Box 3593
El Paso, TX 79923

KEN KAUFMAN/Beautiful in My Eyes: Some piano bar cats are just punching the clock and it’s more than evident from their playing.  Some piano bar cats have that sly something extra that keeps you coming back for more.  Although Kaufman makes you aware of his new age side with his original work, he falls into the sly category.  Tackling a diverse set card that draws to mind the sly piano bar cat, this solo piano set takes the obvious and gives it that something extra to make it special.  You may not need another version of the tunes on here, but after you hear what Kaufman does with them, you will want it.

~review by Chris Spector/Midwest Record Recap

 BEAUTIFUL IN MY EYES (Pop Jazz) It was love at first sight--Ken Kaufman and the Japanese piano that had no wrong notes--and, indeed, the love affair between Ken and this special piano exhibits itself in a plethora of popular musical numbers done in a very light jazz style.

Sprightly, uplifting, and yet relaxing at the same time, fifteen piano solos will hold the listener's ear and focus her attention on the playful, but tender way that Ken's fingers caress the keyboard, eliciting sensuous and evocative notes.

 ~review by Michael Woodhead on http://members.shaw.ca/LuxAeterna/

Seasons of Tranquility does exactly what the title of each musical segment indicates that it will. With piano, harp, recorder, flute, various strings and other instruments, it takes you through the Tranquility of Autumn, the Reflection of Winter, the Showers of Spring and the Serenity of Summer.

This CD definitely lives up to its promise to relax you. I’ve listened to it at various times of the day and found that it doesn’t put me to sleep, but just really seems to ‘mellow me out.’

Seasons of Serenity by Kathleen Swann is a guided imagery CD, with narration and background music. Ms. Swann’s voice is very soothing as she narrates imagery for each season, inviting the listener to participate through all the senses. Each season has its own “sound” courtesy of New York composer Ken Kaufman, who captures each season’s mood with a variety of instruments.

Positive affirmations are married to visualizations that encourage relaxation and stress relief. The meditations frequently focus on breathing, allowing the body to relax and the mind to slow down. What I particularly enjoyed in this CD was that the imagery was simple enough for me to fill in any visual details, and specific enough for me to gain benefits... helped me fall asleep at night, and provided enjoyable visualizations and imagery.~review by Karen Phillippi in Facing North

Ken's works are new to my ears, & it's a joy to hear them. The CD is part of Swann's ambient "Relax With Swann" series, & meets the need, to be sure. Synth/percussion lines are woven together very skillfully to draw the listener into a zone where the cares of the world can be put aside, You will hear a lot of Native American influences here, & I think that's got much to do with how relaxing/inspiring the music is for the listener. This isn't one of those albums where only one form is explored, though... there are four separate moods/seasons explored, & Ken's talent shows through brightly... "Seasons Of Tranquility" is a true keeper, & will be there through many seasons to come.                                                                 This one gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Rotcod Zzaj (http://home.comcast.net/~rotcod1/Z72Reviews.htm) IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION # 72 reviews!

Valerie Frankel, with a master's degree in creative writing, submit this review for Rambles, a cultural arts magazine:"'Seasons of Serenity' is a peaceful guided meditation that soothes listeners while coaxing them into a place of relaxation. This progressive relaxation relies on imagery: Kathleen Swann describes scenery that must be visualized, from sunsets to rainfall...While music assists Swann with sound, she also describes sights, smells, the feel of the rain on skin and so much more...Swann's calm voice and repeated urges to 'let go' blend perfectly with the music, soothing listeners in the self-directed meditation." www.rambles.net/swann_seasons02.html

KATHLEEN SWANN's Seasons of Serenity: Swann, a nurse that tackles difficult matters in a holistic manner, enters the guided meditation arena with a well recommended work to help the patient and the stressed navigate turbulent waters. A work that should get some recognition outside her general community, this set, with music, takes the listener along a fine path that is sure to do some good.

KEN KAUFMAN's Seasons of Tranquility: For those that just want to drift away to the music without the guided mediation, the label has released a music only version of "Seasons of Serenity" to be enjoyed that way as well.                                                                 Chris Spector / Mid West Record Recap

Relax with Swann - "Seasons of Serenity" - It's time to end your hectic work day, kick back, relax and let Kathleen Swann gently massage your inner being with her spoken word meditation CD, "Seasons of Serenity". Kathleen uses the perfect blend of instruments each on key with it's own chime to bring down the listener into a peaceful state. Her calm, gentle voice keys in with the instrumentation and eases you down to relaxation...this relaxing CD quiets the mind and pulls the listener into a peaceful visualization. With its beautiful background music and Kathleen's soothing voice, it's the perfect way to end a stressful day! You will be so captured by the whole aspect of the relaxation technique, you will be craving more of Kathleen's power. Don't stress! She also offers an instrumental version called, "Seasons of Tranquility" which is also wonderful! Another addition to the Swann series is "Season's of Pregnancy" which my God daughter swears by! It's time to relax now, so pick up Swann's "Season's of Serenity" and surrender yourself to a peaceful frame of mind!                           CHT.Pick:"ShowersOf Spring"                                        Reviewed By: Heather Corcoran on www.CoffeeHouseTour.com

RELAX WITH SWANN: Ach ... ist das entspannend ... schhhh, nur nicht zu laut sein ... Jeder Laut würde der Stille, die beim Hören dieser CD entsteht, furchtbare Wunden reißen. "Seasons Of Serenity" entführt uns unter der sanft gesprochenen Anleitung von Kathleen Swann in die völlige Entspannung. Schwebende Melodien, die mit den unterschiedlichsten Instrumenten wie Piano, Violinen oder auch exotischeren wie Machu pichu eine wunderbar ruhige Atmosphäre schaffen, sind für jede Jahreszeit in einem etwas anderen Stil angelegt. Der Komponist und Musiker Ken Kaufmann konfrontiert uns mit typisch amerikanischen, aber auch orientalischen oder indianischen Eindrücken.
Währenddessen wird dem Zuhörer die Möglichkeit gegeben, die Worte Swanns zu verinnerlichen und zu visualisieren. Dies ermöglicht ihm seinen eigenen Weg zur Entspannung zu gehen, indem er auf sich selbst hört und sich selbst folgt. Durch Bilder lernt man Probleme und Alltag loszulassen und stellt schließlich fest, dass man wieder gelernt hat, die eine oder andere Schönheit im Leben überhaupt wahrzunehmen.
Für alle, die sich ihre eigenen Bilder erschaffen wollen oder leider kein Englisch verstehen, gibt es auch eine Instrumentalversion namens "Rhythms Of The World". Sie enthält die gleichen Stücke, aber ohne die gesprochene Anleitung. Die Einteilung erlaubt es in jedem Falle auch, immer nur ein einzelnes Bild zu hören, was für Pausen oder einfach für zwischendurch hervorragend geeignet ist.
http://www.crossover-agm.de/cdRelaxWithSwann02.htm