Richie Beirach

Richie Beirach is in an introspective mood during much of this 1982 solo piano session consisting of nine of his originals, some of which could very well have been improvised on the spot. "Heart, Ear, Hand" serves as a mysterious opener, though its focus constantly seems to shift. "The Girl" has elements of bop with a somewhat playful side, but it remains a bit dark in spite of its bright tempo. At first, "Breathing of Statues" almost suggests the uneasy feeling one gets late at night being alone in a strange place, though it quickly segues into a rapid-fire post-bop setting. Beautifully recorded and mixed, this recommended Magenta LP by Richie Beirach has unfortunately been out of print for quite some time, so it will be somewhat difficult to acquire. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide