Transcend

I know that I'm supposed to review the music and not the musician. I'll get to that in a moment. But first let me say a few words about Philip Wesley who is not only a great pianist but a great person.I had the pleasure of attending a "house concert" since Philip Wesley lives in the same city. I'd never heard of him but since I attempt to play the piano and love music my neighbor thought I might enjoy it. She was right. It was a lovely evening of music. One of the things that really stood out to me was how humble and hospitable Philip Wesley was/is. Although we only spoke for a short while, he is a very down-to-earth man who has not let his abilities (and he is very talented) go to his head. I knew after meeting him, I would be following his music and I have now purchased three of his albums.Transcend is Philip's latest masterpiece. I'll be the first to admit, I'm so in love with Dark Night of the Soul that I didn't think that anything could tear me away from it. And then, I purchased Transcend.Oh my!The first time I played it, I left the last song on repeat for well over an hour. Echoes Through Eternity is such a work of art. I would LOVE to hear/see Wesley perform it live sometime. It evokes such deep emotion for me that it is currently my new favorite song for writing and relaxing at the end of the day.I also love Haunted Past. It sounds like something from a movie. I recently lost my sister and as crazy as it sounds playing this song helps me to process my grief.There isn't a "bad" song on this album. In fact, they are all special in their own unique way. I like the fact that while this entire CD is very peaceful and relaxing it contrasts enough from song to song to allow for a wide array of feeling and emotions to be felt.How someone can create music this beautiful transcends my ability to understand but Philip Wesley is a master at it. That much I'm certain of. You can't go wrong buying Transcend. It's a wonderful addition to any music library.

"Transcend" is the seventh solo piano release from pianist/composer Philip Wesley and is, essentially, Part 3 of the album series that began with Wesley’s 2008 best-seller, "Dark Night of the Soul" and its 2012 follow-up, "Hope Endures." Where "Dark Night" was born in the depths of despair and "Hope Endures" was about coming out on the other side of the darkness, "Transcend" is about overcoming problems and obstacles in life as well as having the courage to change, to face fear, and to pursue whatever captivates you. Several of the thirteen tracks embrace the intensity and power of "Dark Night," while others are lighter and even fun. The Spanish music review site, ReviewsNewAge.com, recently named "Dark Night of the Soul" one of the “50 Greatest New Age Albums of All Time,” setting a very high standard for any albums that follow. Although "Transcend" shares some of the moody stylings of "Dark Night," Wesley was wise to take his music in a somewhat different direction. There is a lot of energy in this music, but there are also more subtle and delicate moments as well as romance and even humor."Transcend" opens with “Less Traveled,” a dark and very intense piece that sets the tone for much of the album - sure to grab your attention! “Unbridled Spirit” is one of my favorites. It begins with a lighter touch at the treble end of the piano, becoming more complex and full as it develops. I really like the infectious energy of this piece. There are poignant moments, but for me, this piece is about feeling positive and moving forward. The title track is forceful and sometimes hints at mystery. I love the deep bass accents as the right hands flies around the piano keyboard. “Distant Memory” begins with a simple, heartfelt melody accompanied by an arpeggiated left hand. The left hand pattern continues throughout, but the melody alternates with bright, more rapid variations that give the piece a lot of power. “Moonlight and Jasmine” is a love song, pure and sincere. “Union” is another favorite. Beautifully flowing and almost rapturous, this is music from the depths of the soul - open and very vulnerable. “Gypsy” is a bit of a surprise (a good one!). Over-the-top dramatic while true to classical gypsy-styled piano music, this a blast to play (I edited the forthcoming sheet music collection)! It is certain to bring smiles to listeners and players alike! “Echoes Through Eternity” is another pleasant surprise. In the recording process, echoes and reverb were added to create a very peaceful and ethereal sound. Ambient and atmospheric, it’s a beautiful effect and the perfect ending to the album.Longtime fans of Philip Wesley’s music should be very pleased with his new work. If you are new to Wesley’s music, this is a great place to start! Check it out!

Awesome and peaceful music! Inspired me while writing a term paper for college class...received an A+!!!

I can listen to this album on repeat all day. So relaxing.

This is the second album I've gotten from Phillip Wesley and I love both of them. I first heard him on Pandora and I finally had to download the album. There's a third one that I'm going to get next month.

I absolutely love this cd! It’s passionate enough to get to your soul but not overwhelming. I like playing it in the car with my kids. They like it as well. Beautiful music.

great

Philip Wesley does a wonderful job of creating very introspective music. His melodies are memorable and fresh. This is certainly just as good as Dark Night of the Soul. Music is definitely a transcendent art form, Philip Wesley proves it in this album.