Pianist John Bayless began his musical career with an album titled Bach Meets the Beatles, in which he improvised songs of the Beatles in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach to much critical acclaim. Now, over two decades later, Bayless is back with another Bach album, only this time he’s riffing on Elton John pieces. In Circle of Life, Bayless takes such Elton John hits as “Your Song,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Crocodile Rock” and Bach-izes them. And while I’m no expert on Bach or Elton John, the results are still incredibly impressive.
Though the album was recorded in 2001 at Skywalker Sound (George Lucas’ recording studio) and only now hitting shelves, it’s well worth the wait. Bayless effortlessly mixes in the themes of Elton John’s hits while maintaining a Bach vibe throughout. The liner notes, written by Bayless, give a detailed break down of every song combination (which Bach piece he felt went well with which Elton John song and why) and his general ideas and reasons for making the album in the first place. For more on that, visit John Bayless’ website. All I can say is Bayless has created a beautiful piece of work here that is every bit as poppy as Elton John’s original tracks and refined as Bach’s own music. The combination enhances both without detracting from either.
For a refined evening of piano and pop culture there’s not much better than this.
Zach’s Rating: A-
Perfect For: Adding an album of classical versions of popular songs that doesn’t sound like elevator music to your collection
Stay Away if: You’re looking for more than just piano when you go classical
Buy this on Itunes: “Your Song”
To purchase Circle of Life, visit Amazon
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4 users commented in " CD Review: John Bayless, Circle of Life: The Music of Elton John in the Style of Bach "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a Trackbackjohnny plays with the fingers of the angels…hearing him is a spiritual experience…his musical interpretaion cannot be surpassed by any living musician living today and we should all rejoyce in his gifts!! I send him my love and devotion forever!
Joy, You have expressed it so well: I agree that listening to John Bayless is a spiritual experience. His playing is so beautiful that I usually weep from the intensity and the beauty. No one else can move my soul like Johnny, who is not only a person of rare artistic gifts but a witty, kind, loving person. He also has my love and devotion forever. We consider him part of our family. Janice Grijns
janice..ditto on your response..I’m “new” at e-mail or blog or “facebook?” you, too, described the life-force of a once-in-this-lifetime friend..johnny is like a handprint on my heart..his music, his gentle, beautiful hands, which are saying so much more, and, then, more again..his person, his indomintable spirit, his aura..his thoughts, like a prayer have guided me through most of this life..and will sail with me over from this plane to the next…destiny?..little children of GOD
in listening to, and learning from john edward’s music I am sure that beyond the very sky we see…there is more. much more!…as a mutual friend so aptly notated for us there’s a place for us!..we, who are blessed to know the wonder of johnny’s hands…know that we are halfway there…(JEB…you know who I am!..) ethel merman
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