Music review: Lang Lang – 鈥楴ew York Rhapsody鈥�
After my New Year鈥檚 Eve celebration, I decided that I would ease into 2017 with some relaxing music. I began to look for a new release that was different from the classic rock, country and R&B styles I had been listening to over the last several months. My search led me to Lang Lang鈥檚 latest effort titled 鈥淣ew York Rhapsody.鈥�
Recently named New York City鈥檚 first 鈥渃ultural tourism ambassador,鈥� the Chinese pianist displays his affection for the city with songs that pay tribute to the city that doesn鈥檛 sleep. Lang is joined by a host of artists to assist in the reinterpretation of familiar arrangements from a variety of genres.
Lang鈥檚 opening selection spotlights Aaron Copland鈥檚 鈥淪tory of Our Town鈥� with a peaceful beauty that gracefully sets the table for the full menu of musical tastings to follow.
Special guest performances include Andra Day lending a soulful tone to Alicia Keys鈥� 鈥淓mpire State of Mind,鈥� Madeleine Peyroux capturing the mood of Henry Mancini鈥檚 鈥淢oon River鈥� perfectly, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Kandace Springs offering up a fresh jazzy version of Don Henley鈥檚 鈥淣ew York Minute,鈥� Jason Isbell, formerly from the Drive-By Truckers, earthy take on 鈥淣ew York Morning,鈥� violinist Lindsey Stirling embracing Danny Elfman鈥檚 鈥淪pider-Man鈥� theme and Grammy-winning trumpeter Sean Jones simply shining on Bernstein鈥檚 鈥淭onight,鈥� also from 鈥淲est Side Story.鈥�
Lang delivers a wondrous version of George Gershwin鈥檚 1924 鈥淩hapsody in Blue鈥� with the help of Herbie Hancock on second piano and the accompaniment of the London Symphony Orchestra. Millennials may recognize the track as part of the popular television commercials for United Airlines.
Lou Reed鈥檚 gritty 鈥淒irty Blvd.鈥� and the elegant 鈥淪omewhere鈥� from 鈥淲est Side Story鈥� are oddly blended to expose two very different sides of the Big Apple with Jeffrey Wright skillfully handling the dark mood of Reed鈥檚 vision and Lisa Fischer unveiling optimism for the future to create an unsettling and beautiful arrangement to ponder and digest.
A warm version of Copland鈥檚 鈥淚n Evening Air鈥� warmly serenades the album to a tender close.
鈥淣ew York Rhapsody鈥� is the perfect musical companion to cozy up to on a cold Pennsylvania winter鈥檚 day.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.