Release: 2003
Label:
Tracks: 2

Karen Parsons:

“Exaudio” is a fascinating and very eclectic collection of original piano solos by Ray Sharp. Music director for Four-Day Weekend, an improvisational comedy troupe in Fort Worth, Texas, Sharp is a mostly self-taught pianist and composer with a flair for the dramatic as well as the subtle. Quite a few of the pieces have a very big and active sound, so, as a whole, this CD is not intended to be music for meditation or quiet massage. That being said, I really like the combination of more turbulent and flashy pieces with the quieter ones, showing the range of Sharp’s artistic scope. In his mid-twenties, Sharp is a young and growing composer. “Exaudio” opens with “Title Wave,” a swirling piece with cinematic “bigness” that is almost visual. “Voyage” is a favorite; there is a strong sense of excitement and anticipation at the beginning. As the piece evolves, the moods and themes continually change, dovetailing into each other and creating kind of an aural slide show. “Becoming” was composed as a memorial, and is much more subdued, revealing another side of Sharp’s musical personality - very touching and moving with a sweet melody and deep emotion. “Beautiful” is; very personal and elegant, this is my favorite track on the CD. “Untitled” is also exceptional; reflective and bittersweet, it shows a more vulnerable side than the bigger pieces, giving a really nice balance - a small reminder that the music is created by a real human being with a full range of emotions and expression. “Improv 12.27.2002” was created on the spot in the studio, and is an intriguing piece with a variety of emotions from the passionate to the tranquil.