Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 31
 WILLIAM IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! May 30, 2008
"sew4fun" (Utah)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Wow! What a CD - I love his style and talent! I have seen him play at Clay Aiken's concert and wanted to hear more. Truly a gifted artist.
 Hi William & David (Foster) - Here's My Technical Review. I Also Need Your Help. May 25, 2008
Henry Chandra (Salt Lake City, Utah USA)
2 out of 19 found this review helpful
Hi William & David (Foster),
I know that you both read the posts here. Everyone will talk about the music, so, I'll hit on something that doesn't get discussed at all.
Great album, William! From one pianist & composer to another, I'd like to say that your style is coming out more and more, getting more distinct.
Since, I have plans to record with the London Symphony Orchestra next year for my own album, I'll share with you my findings of your new album.
I've listened to CD productions for many years, often to the minutest of details. I've studied Humberto's & other people's mixes and engineering over the years. I am a huge fan of Humberto, and a mega fan of you, David, album productions.
Now, you all probably hate me for telling you all this. I hope not, just observations on the technical merits.
When it comes to the production, your first CD was sufficiently better. The mix for Beyond is a little muddy when compared to Within. The stereo spread is not as wide, both on the piano and the orchestra. Plus, orchestra are mixed a little jammed to the center, instead of it being spread in the spectral space a little more. Groban's awake CD is beautifully balanced in the stereoscope, e.g. Romeo & Juliet & Smile.
The CFIII grand piano is a little out of tune on some tracks, most especially, Once Upon Love, and ringing with overtones a little bit, whereas the first album, the grand was magnificently smooth, no ringing. It sounded like a Hamburg Steinway D. The then technician did a wonderful tuning.
David, I am a tad surprised that you let passed the piano tuning on Once Upon Love.
By the way, the solo violin on Ave Maria, I can hear the electric current buzz from the microphone pre-amp, right when the the violin begins, you can hear it as the fader on the mixing board is being turned up. It was missed not being filtered out. I first noticed it when listening with headphones, but then I noticed it also without headphones. I know exactly when Humberto used the fader. Also, the violin could be pushed down just a tad, it gets overbearing at times, worst on headphones.
Jochem's mixes and mastering is not as smooth as Humberto's. (No offense Jochem, I'm a huge fan of yours). It doesn't have the warmth as Humberto's, and somewhat rough, with the piano solos be more in your face instead of being pushed back. The piano gets drowned during the tutti. Need to pull forward the piano just a little bit more during that time, and only during that time.Whereas the bass drum at times can be pushed behind the orchestra a little more, to support the orchestra, instead of leading it. Sweet Remembrance has good a mix of bass drum.
In the song A Mother's Heart & Sweet Remembrance Of You - beautiful songs they are, the mid-range mix is turned up a little too high, which makes the piano sound a little thumpy. Perhaps the miking of the lower keyboard is a little too close, thus, the treble sounds like it's further then the bass and mid.
Now, the brass at the beginning of Return With Honor, they didn't come cleanly and evenly. However, the strings of the Belgrade Phil is surprisingly good. I would thought that intonation would be an issue with them, (that's why I am using the LSO). The snares on Return and Sweet is nicely pushed to the back, instead of it being in your face, which can be overbearing.
The album could be warmed up more during mastering.
Solo trumpet on Heroes needed to be by Tim Morrison. He has a wonderful plaintive and heroic sound.
Please don't hate me for sharing these thoughts of mine. I know that you guys are professionals and are open to feedback, that's why I am willing to be honest with you guys. I do love the album, so don't think I'm being pessimistic.
But I also do need your help, David, with my own album. Will you please help me during the production? I'm serious!!
MahlerAdagio@yahoo.com
Henry
Fabulous! June 6, 2008
Melanie E. Thillens
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I loved "Within" and now I love "Beyond". I was introduced to William when he performed in Clay Aiken's Joyful Noise Tour in 2005 and immediately found that I loved the way he plays the piano. I had forgotten how much I liked hearing good piano music!
I hope to see him on tour again sometime. He's a very talented composer, musician AND overall nice person and I'm proud to be a fan!
Beyond June 6, 2008
Ben R. Games, Jr.
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is and Alsome album. W.J. is great. I give it a 5 Star rating and will be giving his Cd's for Christmas. Love his Cd's.
Beyond One's Expectations! June 8, 2008
Alegriagirl (CA, USA)
The music is beautiful, bold, elegant, and entertainting all at the same time. A great CD to own and to purchase for friends in order to share this fantastic production. I have WJ's first albrum and liked it very much but this newly released CD, the sound will blow your mind away.
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