First
time I met Scott Wilkie in Duesseldorf-Kaiserwerth during the
Wave Music
Festival in August 2000. It was a lucky time. The summer was warm,
people full of hope and nobody thought about recession and economic
crisis. Scott and his group were the first highlight of the festival.
Oh yes, we all had a great time. What remains? The impression,
memories and Scott's music.
Most of you will
be familiar with his debut album Boundless, released in 1999 on
Narada Records and his sophomore album
More Than You
Know (2000). Today's you have a good chance to see Scott and
his friends on tour or at Spaghettini Jazz Grill. His band Nathan
Brown (bass), Dave Hiil (guitars) and David Anderson (drums) will be
on his next project which is currently in the making.
Home Again: The
Solo Piano Sessions was recorded in Scott's home studio on his
Yamaha C7 concert grand piano in 2007.
Some critics
complained about Scott's music that he seemed a slave to dated synth
sounds. Far from it! With his new album Scott concentrates on the pure
melody and showcases the strength of his songs. The album starts with
The One. The tones fall like raindrops. One after the other,
building the melody with care and flowing together.
Home Again
is a melody with great warmth and tenderness. The musical magnet for
all home comers. The slow and contemplative Pier 39 was
originally released on Scott's album More Than You know. The
title results from a shopping center and popular tourist attraction
built on a pier in San Francisco, California.
Claire's
Lullaby is characterized by the special sweetness of the caressing
tones. Nobody knows for sure What Lies Ahead. History has
taught us to expect the unexpected. Scott's answer to the question is
at any rate somehow soothing.
Song for Shari
and Reverie are taken from Scott's album Boundless.
Already piano-focused on the original album these tunes recommend
themselves for his solo piano album. When We're Together was written
by Dave Hill. One can listen to his version on his
website or
his album
Two Seasons (2003). Scott slightly re-arranged the song, to
support the interpretation on solo piano.
The introspective
Rivertown is another uplifting song from Scott's debut album. A
song often performed by Scott on numerous concerts. Whale Song
from Scott's second album has the admirable romantic touch, which is
typical for the whole album.
After the long
hiatus since his album More Then You Know there is a big deep
breath in the smooth jazz world. Scott is back and still creative.
Home Again: The Solo Piano Sessions is Scott's melodic approach to
the zone of Jim Brickman and Richard Clayderman. Those who have
attended his concerts will know that this is only a small feature of
his music personality.