Sentinel

Greg composed this compilation of songs over the summer and fall of 2001. The sun was hot and the air thick with moisture as he sat at the piano. Out of that came Fire Drake, a fiery, fast song full of joy at the summer weather and thunderstorms, and Avoi Dance, written for his wife Linda as she lounged in a hammock basking in the sun, thereby avoiding all the weeds in the garden. On the more tender side came songs such as I'll Remember You and Always. The piece Castle of Wonders is a song rich in visual textures. It travels through time, bringing the ruins of a castle to life with ladies dancing, torches blazing and knights riding out through the gates, their pennants snapping in the wind, before returning to the crumbling towers of the present.

1. Isabelle                    4:26
2. Castle of Wonders     4:56
3. I'll Remember You     3:18
4. Always                   4:08
5. Avoi Dance            3:31
6. Sentinel              5:28
7. Fire Drake           4:19
8. Communion          4:18
9. Linda's Song          3:05
10. Birds on a Wire       4:56
11. Cimmerian Veil         4:46
12. Avalon                      5:53
13. Giants Dance               4:34

Available as Digital Download from CD Baby or iTunes

(Royalty Free must buy through this website)

By Kathy Parsons , Solo Piano Publications:

“Sentinel” is Greg Maroney’s third solo piano album to date, and what a beauty it is! The songs tell wordless stories about Greg’s life, its events and surroundings, and the people in it. Warmly inviting, and always accessible, it is the kind of album that I dearly love - one where the music is complex enough that one can hear something new each time, and where the familiar strains grow closer to the heart with each listen. Trained in classical and jazz piano since the age of five, it sounds to me like Maroney is probably most “at home” sitting at the piano and letting musical magic happen. There are jazz elements in Maroney’s music, but I would say that the influences on this CD are of a more classical nature with some of the freedom found in jazz. All of the tracks on this CD are really good, but I have a few favorites. I love “Castle of Wonders” with its swirling, mysterious opening bars, and then dancing rhythms and melody - there is always a sense of mystery, but also of joyful discovery. “Fire Drake” is another upbeat piece full of a dancing sense of elation and wonderful pianistics. Both of these pieces sound like great fun to play as well as to listen to! Most of the rest of the thirteen pieces are a bit slower and more subdued, describing a wide range of emotions and subjects. “Avalon” is a darkly gorgeous piece with lots of deep bass chords and mysterious drama. “Always” is more of a tender love song full of passion as well as gentleness. “Sentinel” is a really great album, and I highly recommend it.

All music in this collection was composed and performed by Greg Maroney

Sentinel