Along life’s journey, we may be lucky enough to meet someone
who inspires us, has a lasting impact and transforms how we love and live our
life. Pianist Jim Wilson said goodbye to his inspirational figure last year
when his aunt passed away at age 97. He wrote “The Girl From Eastland County”
for Aunt Billie Jo for his forthcoming tenth album, “Remembrance: A Collection
of Cinematic Portraits,” but the presence of the woman who embodied
unconditional love is felt throughout the redolent session of poignant piano
poetry that drops September 28 from Willow Bay Music. Remembering another dear
confidante, Andrew Gold, Wilson offers a sprightly instrumental remake of the
late singer-songwriter’s worldwide hit “Thank You For Being A Friend,” which
was remixed for radio airplay by the track’s guitarist Chris Standring.
On
“Remembrance,” Wilson pours his seemingly endless fount of sweeping melodies
and grandiose harmonies to craft vivid sonicscapes rendered with heart and
emotion. Inherently expressive and sentimental, his exquisite piano strikes
resonant notes that penetrate deep to the core. The color and scope applied to
Wilson’s canvases vary, sometimes favoring a full palate of lavish
orchestrations such as on opener “Shadow Falls,” the title track, “Under A
Highlands Moon” and “Denouement”; other times choosing dreamlike ambient hues
(“Tangerine Moon” and “Diogenes Lantern”); or opting to leave his reverential
pencil sketches sparsely adorned (“In The Stillness” and “Home is Where the
Heart Is”). Whether the accompaniment be minimal and atmospheric or illumined
by noteworthy musicians including keyboardist Brad Cole (Phil Collins), drummer
Charlie Morgan (Elton John), Irish flutist Eric Rigler (“Titanic” soundtrack)
and noted session players Troy Dexter (guitar) and Neil Stubenhaus (bass),
Wilson’s aim is to connect and lead his listeners on an affecting path of
discovery.
“I’ve always
been told that my music has a visual quality to it, but I wanted to take it to
a new level with this record, creating a collection of ‘cinematic portraits’
that take the listener on an emotional journey. ‘Remembrance’ has a reverent,
contemplative feel that serves as centerpiece for the rest of the album. What
matters most is that this music enriches the lives of those who hear it,” said
Wilson, who concluded by addressing the role his aunt still plays in his life.
“I strive to be more like her in every aspect of my life.”
Wilson grew
up in Amarillo, Texas, but he is a longtime Los Angeles-area resident. Three of
his albums hit the Billboard Top 20 - “Northern Seascape,” “Cape of Good Hope”
and “A Place In My Heart” - and two of his concerts have been made into PBS
specials, including “A Place In My Heart.” His work as an innovator pioneered and
revolutionized MIDI adaptors for piano by allowing it to interact with
computers and synthesizers. He taught Paul McCartney, Elton John, Jackson
Browne, Burt Bacharach, Carole King and many others how to use the MIDI-piano.
As a television composer, Wilson wrote music for the CBS series “Frank’s Place”
and has performed on ABC and QVC. His previous albums include appearances by
David Sanborn, Stephen Bishop, J.D. Souther, Chris Botti and Dan Fogelberg. In
addition to solo performances, Wilson has long served as keyboardist and music
director for Bishop, for whom he is presently touring and opening.
Wilson’s
“Remembrance” contains the following songs:
“Shadow
Falls”
“Remembrance”
“The Girl
From Eastland County”
“In the
Stillness”
“Tangerine
Moon”
“Home is
Where the Heart Is”
“Diogenes
Lantern”
“Under a
Highlands Moon”
“Thank You
For Being A Friend”
“Denouement”
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