This Album Is
A Self–Directed,
Self–Acted
Soliloquy,
Showcasing All
Of Me––––
Both Sentimental
And Emotional.
The most alluring part of jazz is the impromptu conversation between performers, the steady stream of notes bouncing back and forth, at times a meticulous mumble, at times a rupture of relentless emotions. Sometimes a dialogue takes awhile to clarify, sometimes a simple sentence is all it takes. So, I thought, why not try a soliloquy? One summer afternoon I decided to search for my own musical voice through the piano.
During that time, my left and right hands constructed a fantastical dark forest–a pursuit between the sopranos and tenors. The graceful harmony in unison yet at times an uneasiness like runaway horses would rear its head. The tunes, some, infinite intangible intercourse; some, lullabies with a hint of maliciousness; some, a raw introspection. This album is a self-directed, self-acted soliloquy, showcasing all of me–both sentimental and emotional.
This album is mainly made up of my improvisations. I conceived scenes and let the sounds from the piano lead me on my exploration. I’m honored that Alex Sipiagin, renowned jazz trumpet and flugelhorn performer, accepted my invitation to perform. It was a break, a breath of fresh air, from my soliloquy. Alex’s elegant flugelhorn was the perfect interpretation of 'A Song For You, In April.' Thank you, Alex!
I added a surprise at the end of the album, think of it as a sequel to my dreams. I hope you enjoy the music.
— YuYing Hsu, April 2013
credits
released April 10, 2013
MUSICIANS
YuYing Hsu／piano
Alex Sipiagin／flugelhorn [#2, #4, #7] & trumpet [#9]
track #9 –
Donny McCaslin／tenor saxophone
Boris Kozlov／bass
Donald Edwards／drums
=========
PRODUCTION CREDITS
All music by YuYing Hsu [except #2, #4 and #9]
(OP: Warner/Chappell Music Taiwan Ltd.)
track #2 – "Orbit (Unless It’s You)" composed by Bill Evans
track #4 – "Little Dancer" composed by Alex Sipiagin
track #9 – "Bonus Track: The Photographer" is free improvisation
Produced by YuYing Hsu
Piano Technician／Taihsin Hung (Larry)
Recorded by Howard Tay [except #9]
Recorded at Yamaha Artist Services Taipei, May 31st [Duo #2, #4, #7] and July 14th [Solo Piano #1, #3, #5, #6, #8], 2012
[#9] Recorded by Mike Marciano
[#9] Recorded at Systems Two, Brooklyn, November 19th, 2012
Mixed and Mastered by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Recording, New York City
*
Original Compact Disc Publishing Credits –
Publishing／EWise Digital Multimedia Corp.
Management／Blue Lounge Records & Management
Publisher／Evie Chen
Project Manager／Hank Hsiao
Visual Image Supervisor／Tatianna Chang
Marketing Supervisor／Hong-Long Hou
MV Director／Tatianna Chang (Jamboree Films)
Photography／Meng Ting Lee
Art Design and Layout／Charly Chen
Clothing Brand／Yi-Fen Tsai (if&n)
Make Up & Hair Styling／Juice
Copywriter／Hank Hsiao
Liner Notes (Mandarin)／YuYing Hsu
Liner Notes (English) & Poem／Chi-an Chang
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