“BLOOM” BY GINA LENEÉ
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
This memorable and remarkable solo piano album is a quiet, optimistic, and hope-filled journey of resilience as well as an unpretentious tribute to the blossoming and re-emergence of the indomitable human spirit. It’s a soothing and tranquil gift to humanity and the resurgence of light after dark. Quintessential solo piano. – Dyan Garris, New Age Notes Radio
It’s been a long while. . .Who is Gina Leneé? Gina is a talented composer and pianist whose original and modern piano compositions captivate the very soul. Her elegant and velvety touch on the piano keys is something quite memorable as are her melodic, soothing compositions.
You may well remember Gina from her 2019 album release “Revealed,” or her 2017 release, “Red Diamonds,” both recorded at Will Ackerman’s legendary Imaginary Roads Studios in Vermont. Or perhaps you’ve seen her in concert or have booked her exquisite venue, Harmony House in Fresno, CA for your own private concert or event or for a rejuvenating vacation getaway. In any event. . . she’s emerged with a brand new 10-track solo piano album release, “Bloom.”
I had the pleasure of meeting Gina and seeing her in concert recently at Piano Haven Studios in Sedona, AZ, where “Bloom” was recorded by Joe Bongiorno. I can tell you that the music on this album is as refined, graceful, and as completely beautiful as she is. If you are a lover of solo piano, this is for you.
The album opens with the gentle and yet passionate “Mountain.” Gina says in the liner notes, “What seemed impossible—grief, loss, the crushing weight of pain—rises like a mountain before me. Step by breathless step, the ascent strengthens what I did not know was growing.” This is a luminous song of fortitude and a wonderful opening to this album unfoldment.
Sometimes, there is nothing left to do but surrender our burdens to a higher power. “Take This From Me” perfectly expresses this sentiment with its soulful melody and heartfelt emotions. And it’s the same for “My Offering,” which is “a reverent whispered prayer of surrender and gratitude, lifted with open hands and a trusting heart.”
One of the things I like best about this entire album is the perfect pacing. The songs are totally alive with room to breathe, feel, reconnect, and bloom. Gina really is a master of evocative solo piano.
The title track flows along beautifully as “a triumphant overture of restoration—where shattered pieces gather, rise in strength, and declare that renewal has the final word.” It certainly does. We can feel that in every note.
There is a certain time of night, maybe “A Moment After Midnight,” where we just know that the dawn is soon to come and the darkness is soon to pass. Again, we have a beautiful, flowing, and melodic piece. It’s quiet, with those great breathing spaces. Just gorgeous and truly soothing.
Sometimes, you can only see “How Far You’ve Come” by looking back. This is a reflective and uplifting piece that reminds us of our innate inner strength and guidance.
One of my favorites on the album is “Cobalt Blue.” It’s graceful and elegant as well as wide and expansive, with one of those melodies that just sticks. I love the perfectly balanced use of both upper and lower registers here. Here, we are invited to remember that any sorrow eventually emerges into triumph. This is just lovely in every single way. And ditto for “Good Things,” which is another favorite for the same reasons.
Seeds eventually bloom at just the right time and with the proper nourishment. “Seasons In Stillness” reminds us that even though we may not be able to see everything that is going on beneath the seemingly dark surface, we must trust in the process. Flowers will eventually come through when they are supposed to. I really love this.
This truly exquisite album winds up appropriately with “The Joy in You.” Sometimes, when we go through dark times where it seems as if the light will never shine upon us again, we are reminded here in this joyful, expressive song, that the light never really left. . . and neither did the lovely Gina Leneé. Welcome back!
The album is available as a physical CD (with other “Bloom” merchandise available) as well as available on all major digital services.
Pre-save/pre-order here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ginalenee/bloom
Official artist website: https://www.ginalenee.com
