Additional

Reviews

Joy Garden (continued)

"Spencer shifts gears for her new outing for something more intimate and inner space oriented. She’s still making music that’s too cool for mass consumption but right up the alley for the gourmet, and this tasty offering can be appreciated in listening sessions or as background any place some soothing, non-pablum, adult music is needed. Evoking all your fave adult adjectives like warm, romantic, soothing etc, this quietly joyful set is the kind of thing that can prove an adult underground exists. Well done!"

-CHRIS SPECTOR - MID-WEST RECORD RECAP

"And Now, a Musical Interlude—When is the last time you heard an adult contemporary album that was totally acoustic? Well listen to this, literally. Lesley Spencer and her Chamber Pop Ensemble offer a stunning repertoire of light, flowing ensemble works on their album “Joy Garden.” This is daydream music that is a warm, intimate companion to every day living and loving. Spencer’s style is similar to that of pianist-composer Spencer Brewer (ironic, isn’t?) with light contemporary works that border on the edge of classical pieces. A delightful combination.

This is Lesley Spencer’s fifth album. She won highly prized recognition for her previous album titles “Classical Delight” and “Authentic Flavors.” “Joy Garden” is a splendid follow-up and should do exceedingly well on its own…

And now for your first selection. Entre Nous, the first cut on the album is that wonderful French parlor music that exudes warmth and romance. Romantic piano and sweet violin hold musical hands as they flirt and caress the day away. A sunny afternoon, a walk along the Seine and perhaps a stolen kiss is the result. My favorite cut on the album is Passionate Journey. This is glorious discovery music. The ardent seek, and you shall find between newfound lovers.

What color are her eyes, really? What is her favorite caress? Where does he like to be kissed? This is musical passion that flows like a ripple of pleasure down the spine of the romantically Entranced. Daydreams has that effortless, transparent European flavor that paints the picture of a rainy afternoon. A quick run to the cafe makes your hair soaking wet. And then, that moist passionate kiss in the doorway. At least that’s the picture in your dreams as the music floats by. Don Stiernberg’s mandolin makes a vibrant impression on the tune Since I Met You. Spencer’s piano lead is a wistful witness as you remember what she looked like, what she was wearing and that first smile that bowled you over. Now she is the one thought on your mind. It’s just not fair. Do you believe in love at first sight? Only Yesterday, a mildly serious piece, asks that question and many more as the music wanders along in your mind. He did smile at me a lot didn’t he? He touched my hand for a second or two. Richard Castaneda’s oboe is amorously predominant in the work and makes for a sinuous, fanciful score to Spencer’s piano work.

I like “Joy Garden” for many reasons. First, it has a loot of music on it, fifteen cuts. All of the music has a consistent thread of gentle repose and warm, vivid textures. There are some light classical elements and a bit of humor to the music that avoids that stodgy feel. And lastly, it was very romantic. Seek and you shall find."

-THE SOUNDING BOARD BY R J LANNAN/NEWAGEREPORTER.COM

"Lesley Spencer teams up with members of the Chamber Pop Ensemble to produce a glorious piano-based modern orchestra album. Touching on contemporary pieces that idle between traditional chamber music and classical, Lesley Spencer adds to an impressive career. Perfect album to help deal with stress without falling into the snooze-zone that many chamber pop albums can dwindle in."

-SMOTHER.NET

"Fifteen themes of a romantic nature, mostly with an optimistic focus, in the hands of this composer of an exquisite sensitivity. Starting from an approach near to new instrumental music and symphonic classicism Lesley Spencer unites elements from these and other trends, shaping pieces where the melody is at all time remarkable. The music has the piano as its main vehicle of expression. This composer displays a great performing strength with her chosen instrument."

-AMAZING SOUNDS

"Yet another chamber jazz disc, though its being called chamber pop in this case. That is probably a more appropriate term instead of jazz because without being critical it can be said that it doesn’t swing. And it’s not meant to. This is really closer to New Age than it is to jazz,but with a larger aggregation that one usually runs into the New Age music - around 14 members, including strings and woodwinds. Composer and arranger Lesley Spencer is the main voice on piano, often spinning out lovely melodies over a bed of strings and/or woodwinds. Only once do the proceedings get louder and more active; most of the 15 tracks provide a comfortable melodic ambience, but without the repetitive and often cloying static harmonies of many New Age Albums."

-JOHN SUNIER/AUDIOPHLE AUDITION